Perhaps in response to a pending lawsuit concerning hearing loss, Apple has released a software update for the iPod video and iPod nano that enables users to configure a volume limit. Through this update, parents have the ability to set a maximum volume limit on their child's iPod and lock it with a combination code.
"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 of Worldwide iPod Product 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."
The volume lawsuit story hit the news back in February. Basically, an owner of an iPod music player filed a federal lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the device causes hearing loss in people who use it.
The portable music players are "inherently defective in design and are not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings regarding the likelihood of hearing loss," according to the complaint, which seeks class action status. The suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, seeks compensation for plaintiffs' hearing loss and upgrades that will make the iPods safer.