Maximum Volume

Just read that Apple are to release a patch that will allow the user to set a personal volume limit on their ipods. Now call me dim, but surely that's what the volume control is for, right? The patch will also allow parents to lock the volume limit of their offsprings' ipods. Greg Joswiak, Apple's IPod marketing vice president, said it was responding to "increased attention in this area. We want to offer customers an easy to use option to set their own personal volume limit." Part of the increased attention is a chap called John Kiel Patterson, of Louisiana, who is suing Apple in the US District Court in San Jose, California. He says his iPod is capable of generating more than 115 decibels, a dangerous noise level, and is not safe for prolonged use. It's a bit like suing Ford or Peugeot claiming their cars can go well above the speed limit and are not safe for prolonged use. It reminded me of the Tommy Cooper classic: "Doctor, my arm hurts when I do this." "Don't do it then!"