Hi, In regard to John's original question about using the iPhone in noisy surroundings, I think that Scott (in another post) has correctly addressed the issue: in noisy circumstances you probably do want to use the headset, and there are separate controls for the headset volume (I think you hold down the top end of the switch to increase headset volume if it's like the arrangement for the iPod Touch) in addition to the volume control switch at the side. They make the received sound much louder than what you get when you simply connect to headphones out of the box. I doubt there will be any problems taking calls using the headset. I agree that it can be difficult to hear VoiceOver output from the speaker in a noisy store. The speaker on the iPhone is better than the speaker on the iPod Touch (it has to be for regular phone use). Basically, with the iPod Touch I'm comfortable using the only the speaker setting when I'm by myself. It's fine for playing back audio books. It's not really quite loud enough to play these for other people to listen to, when riding in a car, for instance. And, as May and Scott have stated, if you really try to crank up the volume it will distort. Like Scott, I don't see that much can be done about this without a substantial redesign of the speaker system and power usage that would both considerably increase the price and decrease the battery lifetime. I also think it is one of the better speakers I've heard in this performance range.
On a slightly different topic, I was checking Apple's Accessibility pages for third party software in connection with a question to a different list, and was surprised to find an iPhone app called soundAMP that is designed to make the iPhone or iPod Touch act as an advanced hearing amplifier (through the headset connection). It does not work to amplify phone calls, but provides a hearing boost for ambient conditions. I wonder whether this will make the iPhone an asset for John <smile>? I'd be curious as to whether this $9.99 app from Ginger Labs is also accessible with VoiceOver. You'd think that with the aim at Apple accessibility it would be. Here's the description pasted from the iTunes store page for the app at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soundamp/id318126109?mt=8 <begin excerpt> “If you want to improve your hearing, there’s an app for that.” ------------------------------ As seen on 100’s of websites including tech, lifestyle, iPhone and health related sites such as New York Times, TechCrunch, ABCNews.com, Examiner.com & Dramatic Medicine. ------------------------------ As featured on Apple’s website: http://www.apple.com/accessibility/resources/iphone.html ------------------------------ soundAMP is the most advanced hearing amplifier available for iPhone & iPod touch. soundAMP is designed for anyone who wants a hearing boost, including students. Whether in a lecture hall or classroom, at the theater, sitting in the back row of a presentation, or just talking with family and friends, soundAMP can improve your ability to hear thanks to its built-in sound technology. soundAMP's advanced processor manages sound levels for you, it amplifies soft and medium sounds and softens loud sounds. It provides sonic clarity at all volume levels, with limited distortion. soundAMP accepts audio input from iPhone’s built-in mic (or wired headset with mic), and provides real-time volume and tone modifications that are delivered instantly to your headphones or earbuds. Simply plug-in your headset, slip-on your earbuds, launch soundAMP and instantly improve your hearing of nearby sounds. A quick touch of the screen lets you turn the volume up or down and modify the tone to your liking. If there is any part of a conversation you’ve missed, the “repeat” button lets you hear what was just said, again. Ginger Labs welcomes your input and ideas. Notes: iPod touch requires a headset with mic. soundAMP does not amplify phone calls. <end excerpt> Just thought this might be of interest to some folks. It seems well rated for the latest version. Cheers, Esther On Nov 30, 2009, Scott Howell wrote: > I'm not sure what can be done really. You are dealing with a very > small, but clear speaker and a limited amount of horsepower to drive > it. Honestly it's one of the better speakers I've heard, but once > you crank the volume up, it will start to distort. > On Nov 30, 2009, May McDonald wrote: > >> I also wish they would fix the volume issue when in noisy places, >> but for now I deal with it. The vibrate is good enough that if I'm >> in a noisy place I still feel my phone and I can then check the >> call once I stick the head phone in my ear. >> On 2009-11-30, John W. Carty wrote: >> >>> I've been playing with the iphone in the apple store and the >>> learning curve seems pretty signifigant but manageable. >>> >>> However, with a moderately noisy environment I had real difficulty >>> hearing the screen reader. >>> >>> With some experimentation I learned that it has to be speaking in >>> order to change the volume but set to max I couldn't hear well >>> enough to be functional. >>> >>> I'm no longer a kid so fearing hearing loss I got to of the young >>> kids working in the store to listen with me and they agreed they >>> couldn't hear it either. >>> >>> I tested the ear piece but this didn't really help. >>> >>> Has anyone else encountered this issue? >>> >>> Have you found a solution or is this something people are simply >>> living with? >>> >>> Thanx, >>> >>> John Carty >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to >>> [email protected]. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> [email protected] >>> . >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en >>> . >> >> >> -- >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected] >> . >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en >> . > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected] > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en > . -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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