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If you're looking for someone to blame, I highly recommend the guy that sued Apple because the iPod could be loud enough to cause hearing damage:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/7bf03be0-94de-11da-9f39-00007...

Apple eventually won and the case was dismissed, but the lower maximum value followed from that lawsuit.

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And, if you're in Europe, you can thank the EU, who limited portable audio players to 150 mV max output at the phone jack and 100 dB (A) peak level with the included headphones.

This renders my iPhone almost useless as an iPod replacement when travelling with big headphones, it's just not enough juice for a train or bus ride (not to mention a flight).

wow, thanks for the info. lawyers - gah. still, no excuse for apple to limit the speakerphone...no one is at risk of hearing damage from a cell phone's speakerphone...you hear me apple?

until they put the speakerphone next to their ear, perhaps

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