In a world where hearing problems are real, concerns are mounting and lawyers are looking to make gadget providers liable, Apple Computer Inc. — the maker of the predominant iPod music player — has created new volume controls.Apple issued a software update Wednesday for its recent iPod models — the Nano and the video-capable iPod — allowing users to set how loud their digital music players can go.
Parents also can use the feature to impose a maximum volume on their child's iPod and lock it with a code.
Sandy Liao, a Fremont mother of two, welcomed the development, although she wants to see Apple eventually add the feature to the models she has, the Shuffle.
She had specifically avoided buying her children any kind of portable music or CD player out of concern they would damage their ears, but a friend gave a Shuffle to each of her children, ages 9 and 10, as gifts last year.
"It would be great if I could get the volume controls for them, too," she said.
Apple representatives said little about why they made the change, issuing only a statement.
"As the leading provider of digital music players, Apple continuously brings iPod customers innovative and easy-to-use solutions," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president for iPod marketing. "With the increased attention in this area, we want to offer customers an easy-to-use option to set their own personal volume limit."
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News source: Yahoo! News
