Comments on: Apple software update will reduce iPod ear threat. Rejoice, audiobook and podcast fans!

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 13:16:10 +0000

Let me also remind people that Apple also needs to give the iPod Nando a sleep timer with a persistent setting. In other words, it would remember the setting even after the unit was shut off.

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 22:22:19 +0000

Here’s hoping that Apple can do things right wtih a true limiter covering peaks, if it’s missing this wrinkle. I suspect you’re right, Quinn. Thanks. – David

By: Quinn Anya Carey

Quinn Anya Carey — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 20:22:50 +0000

After trying it myself, it looks like it’s just a way to re-set the max volume (and optionally, password-protect it, so your kid doesn’t blast his hearing even if he wants to.) After you select a new max volume, the volume scroll bar will reach the highest level faster, and if you try to increase the volume it’ll display a little lock. Curtailing peaks would be cool, but I think that’s way more complicated than this current feature is.

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 13:24:44 +0000

I’m still not sure if this is a volume control limiter or a limiter based on the true noise generated–with the ability to curtial peaks. Perhaps I’m missing something. Thoughts?

By: Snappy

Snappy — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 01:49:00 +0000

My rule of thumb on what is safe-level: If you cannot hear someone talking to you from 2′~3′ (1metre), its too loud.

Of course there is a whole spectrum of noise-reduction phones that promises to do just that! Guess it depends on whether the ambient noise is 1) drowned by the music, 2) shut out by good mufflers or 3) cancelled out by active filter.

By: Quinn Anya Carey

Quinn Anya Carey — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:32:27 +0000

I tried it out this morning on my video iPod. I was expecting something that you’d turn on or off, with a “safe” level pre-determined. Or at least some guidelines. But it just lets the user scroll across the volume bar to select where they want to set the maximum. While this does mean more flexibility, it means that users have to either seek outside information on what a “safe” level would be, or (as I did) set it somewhat arbitrarily.

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 13:15:52 +0000

Sometimes Apple listens to customers. We had the same issue when the iTMS MiniStore created some privacy concerns, and their software engineers made a quick change to turn off the feature. This was obviously something not too difficult to do from a software point of view, and Apple now has a legal defense in future legal actions: if you go deaf, it is your own fault.