iPod Update to Address Volume-Level Concerns 264
aardwolf64 writes "In an apparent response to the hearing loss lawsuit against Apple, the company has released an update to the iPod nano and 5th generation iPod that allows the user to set the maximum volume level. Parents can even set a lock code that prevents the volume from going above a certain amount." Apple also has instructions at their site on how to implement the changes
what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:2)
You're still free to use your iPod at deafening levels if you like, it's just easier to avoid doing so without thinking now.
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:3, Insightful)
Not if someone has enabled this feature: "Parents can even set a lock code that prevents the volume from going above a certain amount."
Just what the world needs: another techno-crutch that will absolve parents of the annoyance of actual parenting. Let's not talk to kids about the effects of loud noises on their hearing - that's too difficult. Instead, let's be passive-aggressive pricks and preempt their judgment with parental-surroga
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:2)
You already get carded [wikipedia.org] at Wal*Mart [walmart.com] if you buy cough syrup [dextroverse.org] or fuel injector cleaner [inhalants.org]!
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:3, Funny)
I like Ballmer's method [slashdot.org] better.
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:4, Insightful)
Seriously, I'm about as libertarian as they come, but your reaction here is way off the scale.
"Just what the world needs: another techno-crutch that will absolve parents of the annoyance of actual parenting."
Or a tool that parents can use to help them "actual[ly] parent".
"Let's not talk to kids about the effects of loud noises on their hearing - that's too difficult."
This makes total sense. After all, everyone knows that if you want a kid to do something, all you have to do is talk to them.
"Instead, let's be passive-aggressive pricks and preempt their judgment with parental-surrogate crippleware."
Pre-empt whose judgement? You can't mean the parents', because this tool just gives parents an additional choice. You must mean the kids'. But that doesn't make any sense either -- sometimes, pre-empting a kid's immature, inexperienced judgement with your own, hopefully more mature and informed judgement is exactly part of what you call "actual parenting."
Relax, big fella.
- Alaska Jack
It doesn't absolve parent of anything (Score:5, Insightful)
Ah, spoken like a true non-parent (I'll be shocked if you're the parent of anyone old enough to be effected by this). This doesn't absolve parents of anything. You can explain and reason with a teenager all you'd like and the second they're out of your sight, it's time to ignore everything the parents said. You can't hold their hand every minute of every day, but you're still responsible for them and that means not just talking to them, but being proactive in their lives and putting down certain boundaries.
Do I let my kid have free reign on the TV? No, I'm a parent and part of that is, as you said, parenting. Discussing with them what they're watching and why and putting down limits on what I think is appropriate for their age, not what THEY think is appropriate. Since I can't take the remote from them every minute of every day and be in the room with them every time it's time to watch TV, I lock out the channels I feel are inappropriate.
I see this as no different. My 6 year old wants and iPod. Younger and younger kids are getting them. And if he got one, I could explain to him and reason with him the dangers of loud music, but he doesn't have a sense of what's too loud, so I think this would be a great solution. If I explain to him not to touch the open bottle of sleeping pills on the counter, is that good parenting, or is leaving them there just plain irresponsible? Putting them in a locked cabinet doesn't absolve me of actual parenting. It's just being proactive and looking out for my child's best interests. Parenting is a continual series of teaching, learning, and guidance. Sometimes they do the right thing, other times you need to step in.
It's not a substitute for parenting. It's just another tool.
-S
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:2)
I'm usually bothered by parents that don't... parent. But I disagree that this is a problem. Of course a good parent would teach them not to blare loud music over headphones. But a good parent would also give their children safe products. There's nothing compelling you to use the product, and you could always reflash the iPod to clear the lock. I liken it to those plastic covers on electrical outl
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:2)
I don't see why this is a problem, as long as parents use it sensibly and with the knowledge that it's not failsafe. It's a safety device. Giving parents an ability to control it is even
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:5, Funny)
Guess I chose B.
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:2)
Re:what about those of us who are hard-of-hearing? (Score:2)
Same thing happens with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and anything after "Give it Away".
Now if Apple could fix that with a firmware update, I'd be impressed.
It's not a bad thing (Score:2, Insightful)
What??? (Score:5, Funny)
What you require (Score:2)
You appear to need the new iPod video update with brightness limiter.
Or sunglasses.
This is a visual site... (Score:2)
BTW, if you need it, I can forward some good spam that advertises palm-hair remover.
Re:What??? (Score:4, Funny)
Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:2)
Re:Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:2)
Re:Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:2)
In a reasonably quiet environment, 1/3rd of the way up is comfortable listening volume. In general, turning it up to the point where it feels loud means damaging your hearing, especially since the user is prone to inch up the volume as the ear
Re:Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:5, Insightful)
The whole slashdot "I won't use this so it's automatically stupid" mentality is incredibly childish. Why this was modded insightful is a mystery to me. Of course, most moderation around here is a mystery to me.
Re:Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:2)
Re:Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:2)
Re:Wasted effort, stupid feature (Score:2)
Yeah, but back then, a lot of people took responsiblity for their own stupidity. Now, it seems like it's the company's fault.
Ipod volume limit remover (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Ipod volume limit remover (Score:5, Informative)
Apple instructs that if you forget you combination for parental volume control simply restore the ipod. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30
Re:Ipod volume limit remover (Score:2)
Personally I'd just use it so the crappy iBuds I can't be bothered to replace don't distort when I crank it. Or surprise the hell out of myself when something in my pocket sets off the clickwheel when I forgot to put on hold. Hopefully they didn't mess around with the icon numbers again so I can skin the firmware with minimal discomfort... I'm sick of the la
parents are going to set volume in a quiet home (Score:2)
You know they're going to set it in their quiet house. Then, when the child goes for a walk down the street, the music will be inaudible.
While I try to keep my iPod playing as soft as I can stand, I'm not going to turn it up every time a car goes by and then turn it down. I also refuse to simply miss content while loud noises are happening. So, I just tend to listen at a moderately loud level.
I am still amazed every
Re:Ipod volume limit remover (Score:2)
Something somewhat obscure, but burned into memory. At least to me.
And stay away from my luggage.
Good thing for parents (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Good thing for parents (Score:2)
Tell him to turn it down already. Its been said before, but using technology to solve the symptoms (very high volume) instead of fixing the problem (not enforcing the idea that loud = dangerous) is a pretty bad, if not useless, idea.
I put this in the same class of ideas as seatbelt laws and lables on hairdryers warning the user not to operate them while in the shower.
Re:Good thing for parents (Score:3, Insightful)
You probably think that safety lock mechanism on guns is pretty bad idea too, eh? Of course one may use technology to make use of an appliance safer.
Re:Good thing for parents (Score:3, Funny)
YOU WILL NOT USE LOGIC AND COMMON SENSE WHILE LIVING UNDER MY ROOF
(or is that posting under slashdot's moderators?)
Re:Good thing for parents (Score:2)
I have what I guess would be called extensive experience with firearms, and I've *never* seen without a safety of some kind. I'm genuinely curious -- can you provide an example?
- Alaska Jack
Re:Good thing for parents (Score:3, Informative)
To be fair, seatbelt laws aren't just for the benefit of the seatbelt wearer - in a collision, your two hundred pounds of meat moving at 60mph is just an unsecured load like any other, and presents a danger to others, inside and outside of your vehicle. This is also why rear-seat belts are important - they save the lives of front seat passengers.
Obligatory ST quote (Score:5, Funny)
This iPod can go up to 11.
Re:Obligatory ST quote (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Obligatory ST quote (Score:2)
I must be getting old (Score:5, Funny)
Plus theres the fact that if you play you ipod at full blast near me while I am trying to sleep on the train in the morning you are liable to be smacked in the face and your ipod will be fucked out the window.
Re:I must be getting old (Score:2)
You are aware that your iPod has a volume control, correct?
Yes but... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Yes but... (Score:4, Interesting)
For example :
If you're sitting in front of your stereo and your innards are thumping in time to the music, you get the idea that it's probably a little loud. You don't get this physical effect wearing earphones.
If the person next to you at a party is moving their lips but you can't hear them, you get the idea that it's a little loud. With earphones, you think "Oh, I've just got earphones in."
All these kinds of missed cues help you to tell when the volume's too loud. If you played music back in a room at the level you normally can achieve with earphones, you'd have people cringing.
Re:Yes but... (Score:2)
Most people's headphones are 10-100x better than their home stereo speakers. This lack of coloration and distortion also enables you to turn the music up louder without feeling the onset of pain.
Listening to music on my crappy yamaha speakers (don't laugh plz) can get painful... but putting on the Sennheisers (HD457's) at work is a totally different experience, and while I can tell the music can be louder with the Senns without distortion, it's easier to push beyon
Darn, I was hoping I could _increase_ it... (Score:5, Insightful)
I have a pair of wonderful Sennheiser HD570 headphones which, unfortunately, are much less sensitive than those that come with the iPod. Using these headphones, perhaps 2/3 of my music sounds about right with the iPod volume set to its maximum. If I could just boost the output up about 6 db or so, it would work with all of them.
Re:Darn, I was hoping I could _increase_ it... (Score:3, Interesting)
Hell, Apple stores could have a proper SPL meter which customers could use to setup their ipods.
Re:Darn, I was hoping I could _increase_ it... (Score:3, Informative)
It's actually pretty difficult to accurately test headphone sound levels because the sound level will depend on the volume of air in the ear canal (for ear buds) or under the cup (for over-ear headphones) as well as the leakage around the head phone. This is dependant on the size of the ear and the pressure of the head b
Re:Darn, I was hoping I could _increase_ it... (Score:2)
Sennheiser HD570s (Score:2)
Re:Darn, I was hoping I could _increase_ it... (Score:2)
Patent (Score:5, Funny)
Should this be patented that would be true inovation!
don't these things have a variable volume control? (Score:3, Insightful)
Eh?
But I guess that it is relatively easy to go past your comfort zone once you get acclimated to a certain volume and many different songs have different RMS values to them, so mixes can be difficult, even with a max threshold.
Also, I hope that the lawsuit goes the way of the fat people suing McDonalds. Food and headphones are nothing new, and overusing them is personal responsibility.
Next week, I might drink 8 or so gallons of water, die, and then come back and sue the waterworks of my town. That will teach them not to sell water anymore.
hyponatremia (Score:2, Informative)
You Can Drink Too Much Water [ufl.edu]
Water intoxication is a problem not only among athletes. For instance, it has become one of the most common causes of serious heat illness in the Grand Canyon. Some people hiking the canyon drink large amounts of water and do not eat enough food to provide for electrolyte (salt, potassium) replacement and energy. Fears of dehydration has led to a mistaken belief that the safe thing to do is to drink as much and as often as possib
Re:hyponatremia (Score:2)
The bane of plaintext is conveying information in addition to the flat words.
Hearing damage is a function of volume + time (Score:3, Informative)
The best thing is to educate yourself on the dangers of loud music (heck, ANY loud ambient noise can be dangerous as well). I'm from an older generation and did some permanent damage to my hearing with a string of Sony Walkman players and car stereos.
Re:Hearing damage is a function of volume + time (Score:3, Insightful)
Humans perceive relative volume. I've often gotten in the car and turned on the radio only to discover that I had left it set unreasonably loud. Of course, when I was listening to it before, it was on the freeway with lots of background noise, and now I've spent the last 30 seconds walking through a parking lo
So now the latest ipod excessory (Score:2)
Pointless in this implementation (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Pointless in this implementation (Score:3, Informative)
iTunes solves this (Score:2)
iTunes has an automatic volume adjuster that will analyze all your music and equalize the volume. It works amazingly well. Is it perfect? No, but it's pretty close to. And at the same time, songs that are SUPPOSED to be louder ARE louder - but songs don't have that track to track variation just from different recording.
Re:Pointless in this implementation (Score:2, Informative)
To switch on Sound Check on your iPod:
In the main iPod menu, click on Settings - Sound Check - On
If you wish to switch off Sound Check on your iPod, follow these steps:
To switch off Sound Check on your iPod:
In the main iPod menu, click on Settings - Sound Check - Off
Re:Pointless in this implementation (Score:2)
God forbid people learn to use the volume control (Score:3, Insightful)
Or is it that we now have to assume that all teenagers don't know how to work the volume control by themselves.
Other MP3 players are still capable of playing music at any volume with no way to restrict it, what about them?
If people are going to complain about the potential for loud volume then they might as well complain about pencils being too sharp, fans spinning too fast, the sky being too blue, etc.
Re:God forbid people learn to use the volume contr (Score:2)
Hearing loss can be insidious. I damaged my hearing by long-term occupational exposure to the noise from diesel generators. It didn't seem that loud at the time.
not all of us are as tech savvy as you (Score:2, Funny)
Re:God forbid people learn to use the volume contr (Score:2)
Now you sound like a spokesman for a company selling shoddy and dangerous products attempting to put the blame on their customers. Safe products are more expensive to design and produce.
Fantastic (Score:5, Insightful)
So let's not hear any talk about this being a silly idea. It's not.
Re:Fantastic (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Fantastic (Score:2)
No, this is just for the politicians (Score:2, Interesting)
#1. The click wheel lets you change the volume from full to mute with one quick turn of the thumb.
#2. The "Hold" switch prevents the volume from changing when it's in your pocket.
#3. The "Sound Check" option, which normalizes the volume of all the songs.
#4. If you're among the white-earphone-wearing masses, the headphones that come with the iPod are so crappily designed that they fall right out of your ears if you take off the little black
Re:Fantastic (Score:2)
Apple could get rid of the hold switch and I'd praise them for it.
Re:Fantastic (Score:2)
Sounds kinda silly when you think about it, huh?
iPod needs a lower 'low' (Score:4, Interesting)
When there's a lot of ambient noise, the granularity isn't a big deal.
It really bugs me if I'm in a quiet environment, though. There's a sharp jump from 0 volume to a level that's already uncomfortably loud for me.
Re:iPod needs a lower 'low' (Score:2, Interesting)
Useless Hack (Score:2)
Note: The volume of songs and other audio may vary depending on how the audio was recorded or encoded. Volume level may also vary if you use different earbuds or headphones.
This appears to be functionally useless as it only allows you to set the max on the volume slider. With a varied collection of music, some will blow out your ears at 75% while others will need to be 95% to even follow the words. Any kid wanting more hearing loss simply has to remaster their sound files.
I was honestly hoping for a m
Re:Useless Hack (Score:2)
More power to 'em! (Score:2, Insightful)
For those of you who keep bashing people for "being idiots", you can shut it... not everyone can be as enlightened as you. Apple has provided their customers with more control... I am sorry if you are against that, but I have no reason to go against this. I am afraid that you guys are a little to quick to complain...
Geesh.. Nanny state increases (Score:2)
since when does natural selection reward stupidity (Score:2, Insightful)
Good idea (Score:2)
Various Ways This Will Be Worked Around (Score:2, Insightful)
- Kids will download a hack to reset the password.
- Kids will flash the firmware or reset the bios or otherwise erase the user preferences, thus unlocking the volume control. This one is probably real easy.
- Kids will edit ALL their MP3s and turn the
Build noise cancelling into the iPod (Score:2)
I suspect the money it'd cost would be paid back by lower treatment costs for hearing loss down the track.
Sosumi.wav (Score:2, Funny)
First I'll sue Ginsu for that time I cut the tip of my thumb while stabbing into a can of beans, and lost sensation in part of my finger. It's Ginsu's fault that I was being a dumb alpha male, of course!
Then I'll sue Microsoft for that time I smacked my laptop onto my forehead in frustratio
And they didn't fix the old version? (Score:2)
iRiver H300... (Score:2)
I'm glad to see Apple gave people the option. My iRiver H340 firmware had an update which reduced the maximum volume substantially, I believe which was in response to some French law suit about hearing loss and portable music devices. Being Australian, I always flashed mine with the fimware which came with it, the EU firmware.
Gladly, I found that I could just flash my H340 with the Korean firmware and sti
dynamic range (Score:2)
So do they still go up to 10???? (Score:5, Funny)
apple fanboi: Oh, I see. And most mp3 players go up to ten?
Steve Jobs: Exactly.
apple fanboi: Does that mean it's quieter? Is it any quieter?
Steve Jobs: Well, it's one quieter, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
apple fanboi: I don't know.
Steve Jobs: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
apple fanboi: Put it up to nine.
Steve Jobs: Nine. Exactly. One quieter.
apple fanboi: Why don't you just make ten quieter and make ten be the top number and make that a little quieter?
Steve Jobs: [pause] These go to nine.
Did anyone actually install this update? (Score:3, Interesting)
Guess what? No Volume Limit.
Ok, I skimmed over the documentation first time round, and it was late, but now I'm looking at the Apple site directions, verifying my iPod software version (20G iPod w/Color Display, v1.2.1) and there's no bloody Volume Limit.
Now, I know I don't need it - unlike many people these days, I at least try to take responsibility for my own actions. I don't leave it loud enough to be uncomfortable - generally low enough that I can hear people talking around me. Still, I'm a nerd, and more importantly, a parent and uncle. My daughter, niece, and nephew all have shuffles, so I should at least know how to work it for them, and of course, I was just plain curious how the new bell worked.
So, did anyone else go looking for it? Did you find it?
Mr Cynic (Score:3, Insightful)
There. That should summarize about half of the responses.
my, cynical today, aren't we?
Actually, let me add to your prediciton: It'll be hax0r3d, then /. will carry posts, then Apple with threaten the author of the hack page, then /. will carry the story of that, plus the author's valiant struggle for freedom to reprogram crap you bought and the evils of DMCA reverse engineering provisions.
Re:Mr Cynic (Score:2)
Apple will get additional advertising!
Re:Ok (Score:2)
Re:1st post? (Score:2, Interesting)
And no, not first post.
Re:1st post? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:1st post? (Score:4, Insightful)
Alas, should, and will are probably different here.
Re:What about good earphones instead? (Score:2)
Not true. Give Apple support a call, and they will ship you a replacement set for free. Also, give them the name of the dealer who is refusing to honour the warranty.
Re:What about good earphones instead? (Score:2)
One set of Apple earphones lasted for 2+ years, even after I had to duct tape part of the wire that had gotten exposed.
A second set of no-names I got after those lasted less than 6 months.
A third set of Apple earphones only lasted a couple of months.
The fourth set I got, no-name earphones are currently just over a year with no problems.
Re:What about good earphones instead? (Score:2)
On my nano it sounds like the amplifier is maxing out rather than the headphones. The difference is when the amp maxes out you'll hear mostly clipping and some bass suppression, but when the headphones are overdriven you'll hear more of noisy/scratching sound until they die, because the drivers are mechanically being driven hard against their full excursion.
The nano sounds like crap at full volume, but for workout music I'm happy enough at one or two clicks below max.
You may want o
Re:How about an update that checks the user's IQ (Score:3, Funny)