Report: Apple working on auto-volume control for iPods
Apple is developing a volume control device for its iPods that would automatically calculate how long a person has been listening and at what volume, before gradually reducing the sound level, all in an effort to protect users' hearing, according to the London-based Daily Mail.
Citing a new patent application, the report--to which Apple declined to comment--says the "device will also calculate the amount of 'quiet time' between when the iPod is turned off and when it is restarted, allowing the volume to be increased again to a safe level."
In February 2006, a Louisiana man filed a class action suit against Apple, saying the computer maker failed to take adequate steps to prevent hearing loss among iPod users. That was followed by warnings from politicians and researchers on hearing-loss hazards related to MP3 player use.
Apple responded by releasing a free software update for some iPods that lets listeners set a maximum volume limit. But we haven't heard much on the matter since.
Let's turn to rocker Pete Townshend for his foreshadowing quote: "I have unwittingly helped to invent and refine a type of music that makes its principal components deaf," he said on his Web site two years ago. "Hearing loss is a terrible thing because it cannot be repaired. If you use an iPod or anything like it, or your child uses one, you MAY be OK...But my intuition tells me there is terrible trouble ahead."
Michelle Meyers is an associate editor who tracks online happenings in media, entertainment, and politics. E-mail Michelle. 
the 2nd generation iPhone, as it might be considered one of the
three sensors for the iPhone: The ambiant sensor, the proximity
sensor, and accelerometer sensor
Then by fall comes, iPod is updated with the auto-volume
control.
all the function of auto-volume will probably be avalible to all
ipod or iPhone owner by software update, or not
Seems there could be a lesson there!
refine a type of music that makes its principal components
deaf."
What might he mean by the "principal components" of "music"?
Harmony and rhythm go deaf? Or does he mean that musicians
are the "principal components" of music, which would be a very
awkward of putting it. Maybe he means the listeners are the
"principal components of music," but then music can be played
without an audience, so listeners aren't principal. I suspect he
means that the "principal components" are ears, but ears are a
principal component of hearing, not music. (The brain is
another component.)
Pete should be wary of venturing beyond the simple confines of
rock music. He plays music that, if listened to at excessive
volume, causes deafness. He has continued to play it for many
years after his own hearing loss, so his health admonition is
tempered by the fact that he continues to earn a handsome
living from the music that makes people deaf.
What type of music doesn't cause deafness when listened to at
excessive volume for too long?
Meh. so goes communications, eh?
/P
Hearing loss is bad. I do recall (when I purchased my ipod gen 3)the manual saying something to the fact that you could experience hearing loss at high volumes. (It was in the patronizing apple talk though... something sorta like) "we want you to enjoy our player for years to come. Please remember to keep the music at a low volume." not exact but I remember reading something like it.
Are we all so helpless that we can't figure that out? I mean if a faucet had hot water running from it your going to react and make a choice. If you take off the headphones and can't hear... isn't it obvious?
These lawsuits should be thrown out of court.
If it goes through they better sue the gun companies for selling firearms that may kill someone. We should sue the rock queries for selling rock that may cause back problems. We should sue starbucks for selling a liquid that could potentially burn you.
That's the sad part of software patents... can't build jack these days without some patent troll getting a sneak peek, filing a patent for it, and launching a lawsuit at the barest scent of money.
/P
you.' But maybe you should, if it prevents you from feeding
yourself. -- Thomas Szasz (szasz.com)
you have no choice in this matter; the iPod volume level will
gradually decrease until it is zero and then you have to turn off
the iPod to reset it! I will never buy anything from Apple and
Steve Jobs is the anti-Christ. /snark
Why don't you wait until Apple announces something before
slamming it? You have absolutely no facts about the implementation of the technology.
He can voice his opinion now. And so will I. Let's limit all cars to 55 MPH so we idiots don't drive too fast. Stop selling salt, it's bad for us. Do you really need sugar? It sure tastes good, but ultimately it's bad for us. Are we going to see a court case there, and then see companies making tea spoons with holes in them so we don't scoop too much sugar into our coffee?
We don't need training wheels for head phones. Kids today know what they are doing. Like all Americans, they don't go to the dentist until it hurts, but that's their choice, not a company's choice or the government's choice. It's ours.
-Alex Alexzander
Maybe I could sue Apple because I wasted so much time listening to lousy music.
Tort reform, anyone?
saying the computer maker failed to take adequate steps to
prevent hearing loss among iPod users."
At what point are Americans expected to take responsibility for
their own actions...?!? And when is the American government
finally going to step in and stop lawyers from flooding the
courts with frivolous lawsuits?
Every time one of these "frivolous lawsuits" hits the headlines in
the global media the world starts laughing over Americans and
the lack of "common sense" that exists there. As an American
living in Europe I'm constantly reminded of "*Liebeck v.
McDonald's" and asked, Is everyone REALLY that stupid in
America...?!? In defense of idiots who, attempt to operate a
vehicle while a paper cup filled with boiling hot coffee is lodged
between their legs, I explain to them that the problem is in the
court system and not the morons who lack common sense. It's
far to easy for sleazy lawyers out to make a quick buck off of
those who lack that all important "common sense" to bring these
lawsuits to litigation.
In an attempt to prevent hearing loss in young people, France passed a law last month limiting the noise levels of personal stereos. Once it comes into effect later this year, the output of all personal stereos sold in France will be capped at 100 decibels. They will also have to carry a notice warning that listening at full volume for a prolonged period can damage hearing.
The ruling, the first of its kind in the world, has provoked outrage among personal stereo importers, who say there is no international consensus on how to measure sound from such equipment. More surprisingly, some hearing specialists have also criticised it. They say there is little scientific evidence that young people's hearing suffers as a result of listening to loud music. They also fear that the law may push the trade in ear-splitting machines underground. "The law was passed out of emotion rather than reason because reassuring worried mothers is a way to win votes," says Christian Meyer-Bisch, a French audiologist who has studied the effects of loud music on hearing.
The new legislation was the brainchild of two French deputies, Jean-François Mattei and Jean-Pierre Cave, who are also doctors. Mattei contends that loud music has become a public health issue because it is "creating a generation of deaf people". He points out that whereas machine workers are protected by strict rules on noise exposure, up to now there has been nothing to protect people from "leisure" noise such as music, which can be just as harmful.
1) She was not operating the vehicle at the time she suffered third degree burns
2) McDonald's had received hundreds of complaints regarding burns prior to her injury but had not reduced the holding temperature of the coffee
3) She had offered to settle the case for $20,000 but McDonald's refused
variation in the output volume level depending on how well they fit
in your ears. This technology is inspired by nothing else but
litigation-sensivity.
on TV, they hardly never bring Apple or tech news but this one
made it. ??
music a lot, hearing loss will probably happen sooner than later.
Take responsibility for your own actions and listen to music in
moderation. Give your ears breaks from time to time.
I'm not thrilled with Apple's new auto volume device and will turn
it off when it get's implemented. Apple is probably doing it
because of the sue happy people.
- Too stupid to take care of ourselves
- by jscott418 December 27, 2007 12:05 PM PST
- I guess we are just too stupid to save our own hearing. We have to have someone do it for us.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(29 Comments)You know Pete Townsend of The Who said it best. That is was not the concerts that made him lose hearing. It was the headphones cranked up that did it. I guess we will have a generation or two of fat,deaf,stupid, self centered people who will blame everyone but themselves for their problems.