Gizmodo: volume

Teen Fatally Stabbed Over Computer Volume

Rosa Golijan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:40:00 EDT

It can suck having to listen to the sounds blasting from other people's computer speakers. But no matter how bad the music or how annoying the game sounds, I don't think anyone's gotten stabbed over the issue until this kid.

Fourteen year old Matthew Gorzynski was stabbed in the chest by fifteen year old William Gorzynski, his own brother, after the two argued over "a noisy home computer." Apparently the boys had it out about music volume in the past, but this time ended with second degree murder charges.

As sad as the incident is, I actually contemplated what song could've been so bad that William reached for a kitchen knife. God help me for even wondering that, but after thinking about it: there really must've been something way more behind this incident than just a loudly played song otherwise the world is a worse place than I'd imagined. [Sun Sentinel via Obscure Store]

Apple Patent Would Automatically Adjust iPhone, Mac Volume

Sean Fallon — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:36:00 EST

A newly published Apple patent reveals that the company has worked out a system that would auto-adjust the volume of the iPhone or MacBook speakers based on the levels of ambient noise.

The patent indicates that the levels could adjust based on user preferences and the presence of headphones. It might even be able to sense an echo in the room and suggest a switch to headphones or even cancel out the effect by changing its sound output. So far, there is no indication that Apple plans on doing anything with this technology, but as far as I'm concerned, it would be a welcome extension to the ambient light sensors they already use. [Patent Office via Electronista]

Loud Enough Earphones: Ultimate Ears For Your Kids

Kit Eaton — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:38:00 EDT

It's been a while since we brought you some news from Ultimate Ears (the cat eating through the cable to my UE Super.Fi's doesn't count, sadly). But now UE has released its newest offering, and it's for the kids: the Loud Enough earphones. "They've gone barking mad!" you might say, citing expense and the potential damage that might be done to young ears by a max-volume burst of Noddy. Well, you'd be wrong: these earbud 'phones have special volume-limiting tech built in. Plus they're $40. They've got silicon buds down to extra-small size... so I guess the only danger is what inventive kids will get up to with those. [Crave via Gizmodiva]

iPod Patent Turns the Volume Down, Annoys You No End

Haroon Malik — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 11:30:00 EST

A recently uncovered Apple patent details the possibility for automatic volume control in iPods, which we assume Apple hopes will safeguard them from legal action, whilst protecting the hearing of frequent users. The safety measure will determine how long the music player has been in use, and at what volume; if it considers these facts to be detrimental to one's hearing, the volume will be turned down automatically. Further, the music player will be able to calculate the optimum amount of "quiet time" from when the iPod is switched off, to when it is restarted. If enough time has elapsed, the volume will be able to be increased without automatic control. It is a great idea to protect the hearing of the youth, but...

This would royally piss us off. We are not kidding, we know it would ultimately be implemented to protect people's hearing, but we would rather make our own volume based decisions. If there is no option to turn the function off, we consider the new technology massively flawed. If there is an option to turn the function off, we consider the new technology massively flawed. In short, we really cannot see the utility of this function. (Perhaps it would be useful with a parental lock?)

This certainly is not the first time Apple has tried to instigate volume control, but it is the first attempt that seems to be completely automatic. We are guessing that will not be the case, a PMP you cannot control the volume on seems just a little limited to us. [The Telegraph]

Dolby Volume Nixes Loud Commercials

Jason Chen — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:55:40 EST

Dolby's Volume technology (capital V) is designed to be added to TVs, DVDs, and other equipment in order to normalize volumes when watching TV. Instead of being bombarded by loud ads—purposely introduced by ad makers to have volume only on the LOUD end of the range—Dolby Volume makes sure all sound gets outputted at an acceptable volume.

During their demo at CES, listeners didn't hear any artifacts or delay when Volume was active. The only problem is cost, which Dolby says will be negligible when included in the price of most TVs or home sound systems. We look forward to the day when a commercial with a grandma in it isn't automatically louder than Jack Bauer's shouting. – Jason Chen

Press Release [Dolby via TGDaily via Ars Technica]