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March 30, 2006 | Comments: (0)
'Our iPods only go up to 6'
Apple has introduced music volume capping to its iPods following concerns about its effect on peoples' hearing.
Okay, so the headline is a lame reference to 1984 comedy "This is Spinal Tap's" dialogue where Nigel said the mock band's amps went up to 11, but the message is loud and clear: turn down the music you kids. (Hey, there's even a wiki entry to explain how "up to 11" has become a popular idiom.)
The Independent reports that "parents can set a volume cap on children's iPods and lock them in with a combination code." It follows American iPod user attempting to sue Apple over claims that the MP3 players can cause hearing loss. The Indy said Apple's downloadable "volume control" software works with fifth generation iPods and the slim-line iPod nano.
Attorneys immediately said Apple's volume limit admits flaw. Maybe Spinal Tap should be held accountable?
Posted by Mike Barton on March 30, 2006 11:47 AM
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This is becoming a fruitless question, but let me try asking it here anyway:
Does anyone know what the "other bug fixes" this 1.1.1 update addresses? I don't care one way or the other about the volume governor. But the 30-gig fifth generation iPod exhibits slight jerkiness in all onscreen menu/game animations while a song is in playback, and I'd love it if this update took care of that.
Yes, I realize I could just install the upgrade myself and find out. But rather than risk that, I'd like to get a heads-up first.
Posted by: CT at March 30, 2006 01:57 PMRe: "Attorneys immediately said Apple's volume limit admits flaw."
Is anyone else sick of lawyers attaching to issues like leeches? It's as though they actually want products to fail, and customers to be hurt, as that would increase their product liability business.
Well, maybe there is a flaw. I tend to view this as more of a feature upgrade. Congratulations to Apple for supporting their product line and being responsible.
However, I can imagine companies walking away from product upgrades. As long as the lawyers gleefully interpret every product change as an admission of "flawed product" then there is a lurking problem.
The bigger problem, larger than the odd product redesign, is an out-of-control legal system that is lawsuit happy. And everything that feeds that excessive system is equally problematic. That includes the customers who hurt themselves and then feel entitled to sue for millions. Hey stupid, turn the volume down!
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