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The latest video capable Apple iPods have a newly found form of remote control - except that it’s not what you were expecting. Reports are coming in that a cellphone can cause your iPod to change volume settings.

Technorati Tags: iPod Video, Interference, Erratic Volume

Engadget first reported this earlier today and also has links to a 3GP video file showing the offending iPod action. It seems that not all cellphones are causing the interference but this might just have to do with your network - are you connected at 900Mhz, 1800Mhz, 850Mhz, etc. Not knowing US cellphone networks I would not be able to confirm what frequency ranges are causing this issue.

Depending on the severity of the volume adjustment you might be in for quite a nasty shock should your cellphone ring while too close to your iPod. Either things will become quite quiet or your eardrums might be blasted. All this at a time when class action law suites are flowing with regards the defective Apple iPod Nano screens.

A possible explanation for this “feature” could be to do with the fact that the latest iPods are somewhat thinner and as such do not have the same amount of shielding as previous iterations. As with all devices the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does require that devices accept interference that is passed around, but for a device to spontaneously adjust it’s volume is just not on especially seeing as it could cause damage to users ears.

Looking forward to what Apple has to say on this.