Teen Torture Iphone App Discontinued Due To Public Alarm

Jan. 20, 2009 - PRLog -- It has come to Inner Four's recent attention that there is some very unfortunate confusion as to the intentions of its iPhone application previously for sale on Apple's iTunes App Store entitled "Teen Torture".  Due to its attention-grabbing name, and the unfortunate media confusion and common misconception now surrounding this app, Inner Four is currently in the process of voluntarily removing the "Teen Torture" product from sale.


The application's prior name of "Teen Torture" was originally chosen merely to get people's attention, not to in any way condone or suggest actual torture of anyone.  The company's marketing thought that not using a cell phone for torture was obvious, especially considering the iPhone is incapable of producing dangerous high volume.  Inner Four deeply regrets and apologizes for any public alarm, misconception, inconvenience, or confusion caused by the now-discontinued app.


The intended purpose of this app was, and has always been, strictly educational and informational in nature.  The "technology" of high frequency electronic sound generation has been around for over 20 years. There are currently countless cell phone ring tones, high tone generating devices, and various other similar products on the worldwide market.  Only recently has this old technology been given a new name, and gained so much media attention and controversy, due to its recent and unfortunate uses.

The controversy revolves around the fact that as you age, you lose the ability to hear high frequencies (called presbycusis). This concept was put to use with a certain electronic device which emits an ultrasonic sound, similar to a Mosquito (~17.4 kHz at 85dB). The device is typically heard by people who are less than 25 years old. The device is unfortunately used in certain countries for preventing behavior such as gang loitering, graffiti, vandalism, drug usage, drug distribution, and violence.  Inner Four condemns any such usage of its apps on anyone including but not limited to young people, and reiterates that any such usage is strictly forbidden.   Students have recently taken advantage of this concept by using so-called "Mosquito" ringtones on their cell phones that only they could hear, but their teachers could not.

Inner Four insists that any comparison of its educational apps to that of any such "Mosquito" devices is incorrect.  The primary effectiveness of Mosquito-type devices is due to their high volume (decibel) level.  The iPhone and iPod Touch portable devices are incapable of producing sound at ultra high volume levels with their onboard speakers.

Inner Four had hoped that by brining attention to the controversial misuse of high frequency tone generators being played at high volume (or any such devices targeted towards a certain age group of human beings), that it would assist the worldwide community to help educate people in the potentially damaging effects of playing such sounds at high volume.   Inner Four has clearly succeeded in its goal of bringing worldwide attention to this issue, although deeply regrets the public alarm caused by the now-discontinued application's name.

Inner Four is a responsible publisher of over 25 applications currently for sale on Apple's iTunes App Store.  Previous customers of "Teen Torture" will be automatically offered a free replacement app from Inner Four, entitled "Teen Hearing Test", which more accurately describes and educates the end-user to the issues described herein.

The replacement app will be made available at:
Teen Hearing Test
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSof...

Warning: The applications described above are designed for the iPhone which is incapable of dangerously high volume. Do not use the application with external amplification devices. As with any sound, high volume may cause hearing damage. Use the program responsibly only for its intended educational and informational use, and do not violate anyone's human rights with this application. Do not purchase or use this app if controversial or illegal in your country. Always adhere to your local laws, and use entirely at your own risk.

Inner Four encourages responsible law-abiding citizens worldwide to download the replacement app to find out if other people can really hear high frequency sounds that you can't, and decide for yourself if there is any truth to the incredible media hype surrounding this issue.  Check it out today!

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Inner Four is a leading developer of iPhone applications available for sale on the Apple iTunes App Store.