Friday, April 28, 2006

Bug in iPod

I didn't know exactly what to call the event that occurred. That is why I am calling it a bug.

The problem:
Receiving a call on a mobile close to iPod increases the volume of song currently playing.

Steps to reproduce:
1. Make sure that some song is playing on iPod.
2. Keep the mobile on 'Vibration Mode'.
3. Keep your mobile close to iPod.
4. Ask your friend to give you a call on your mobile.

Expected:
Receiving call shouldn't affect your iPod.

Actual:
Volume gets increased.

Additional notes:
iPod used is iPod Video (30 GB) with latest software version (1.1.1)
Mobile used is Sony Ericsson K700i.
The song being played was from movie 'Rang De Basanti' (if that matters).

The problem could be reproduced by two different persons, three times.

Waiting for comments from different iPod owners.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello friend,
The problem you described is not abnormal behavior of the iPod.
The reason for increasing volume with some mobile ringing in the vicinity is just because the iPod has got a remote control feature which we can buy as an accessory. This remote control is not any ordinary remote control like any TV remote control which uses Infra Red light as carrier. Here the remote of iPod uses radio frequencies as carrier (I don't know the exact frequency, but it could be either of the bands allocated by FCC for such kind of communication....) which could be a part of the mobile signals which are strong enough to be captured by iPod and it could match with one of the iPod’s known signal codes which in effect increases the volume of iPod!

Rohit Bhute said...

iPod's controls are touch-sensitive - they operate on electrostatic principles - something like the voltage of the sensor changes if your finger moves over it. See this.

The vibrator device in your cell is most likely piezo-electric - again working on electrostatic principles. Now, I'm not good at electrostatics and stuff, but there must be some interference somewhere.

Maybe you should start surveying different models, distances, etc. - might be fun.