actually software can.. in the PPC area..theres this program call "SRS WOW"..ive never used it but read up on it when i was in the PPC days. it help boost the volume for ear piece and speaker. i used an alternative like a patch written specifically for the phone to make the speakers louder.. i dont know if its possible on the iphone..but im saying its possible to write some kind of software to boost volume if done correctly.