iPad OS 4.2 'Orientation Lock' to 'Mute Switch' Change Permanent

[Psychj0e]

I like it how the people on this thread saying it's only a switch don't even own an iPad.

One idiot said it's even more useful. What a crackpot - you need a mute switch on a phone because you need to quickly put it on silent without unlocking it, putting in the passcode etc, when you go into meetings, church etc.

So it makes sense to have a mute switch - whereas when the hell am I ever going to quickly and easily have to mute my iPad. Most of the apps I used don't even make noise, and I am never going to have the situation where I need to quickly mute it. However, there are lots of times when i want to quickly lock the screen when browsing a webpage, magazine etc.


Poor, poor idea from the perspective of user-ergonomics IMO.

 

[Corndog5595]

I like it how the people on this thread saying it's only a switch don't even own an iPad.

One idiot said it's even more useful. What a crackpot - you need a mute switch on a phone because you need to quickly put it on silent without unlocking it, putting in the passcode etc, when you go into meetings, church etc.

So it makes sense to have a mute switch - whereas when the hell am I ever going to quickly and easily have to mute my iPad. Most of the apps I used don't even make noise, and I am never going to have the situation where I need to quickly mute it. However, there are lots of times when i want to quickly lock the screen when browsing a webpage, magazine etc.


Poor, poor idea from the perspective of user-ergonomics IMO.

You wont care and will probably prefer it after a week.

 

[jicon]

Perfect time to introduce such a 'feature'.

I'm sure iPad v2 will have an orientation switch again. Now you have another reason to upgrade.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Well this is the obvious reason - no rocket science in the decision.

Sometimes you can't see what's in front of your face.

Still doesn't mean the iPad is an iPhone, etc. I know they are shooting for consistency, but this decision isn't good from my perspective.

I'm not for or against it as the most I've used an iPad is screwing around with my fathers who lives across the country.

 

[devilbond]

As said above, it's just a pointless change that actually DISABLES functionality.

Hold the Volume Down button for 1sec, and it's mute. Done.

Now if I want to lock my screen orientation I have to exit programs / open settings / apply desired orientation lock / exit settings / re-enter application... and then maybe change my mind... and have to repeat the whole process.

How is this an improvement in their product?

It smells a lot like their decision to remove 'album shuffle' from their iPod touches and therefore iPhones. Again, why REMOVE features?

 

[JeffDM]

I was thinking the same thing. Double click home > swipe to the right > tap lock. A few more steps but definitely not a hardship. On my iPhone 4 I use the mute switch much more often ... maybe that's because I'm on a iP4 though and not an iPad *shrugs*

But it's even less of a "hardship" to mute the iPad as it is right now, and it seems to make this change pointless. To "mute" the current iPad only takes holding down the volume down button for about a second. Is that really that hard?

Maybe that's besides the point. But four actions as you describe (tap tap swipe tap), to replace the simple slide of one switch is, in my opinion, an unnecessary user interface regression in the name of removing a switch.

 

[slffl]

Thank god!! I can't wait for the change! I have NEVER wanted to lock my orientation when my iPad has been off, but I always want to mute it while it's off. This makes a lot more sense to have a mute switch. I'm sorry you all hate change so much.

 

[Alexs45]

when is 4.2 going to be "officially" released?

 

[Psychj0e]

You wont care and will probably prefer it after a week.

It's been annoying me ever since I first used 4.2 beta. I also use the iPad as a work tool, so multi-tasking allows me to work more.

Since updating to 4.2, I've not used the switch once. I have, however, found myself constantly dipping in and out of the multitasking tab to change orientation of screen.

 

[DTphonehome]

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I like it how the people on this thread saying it's only a switch don't even own an iPad.

One idiot said it's even more useful. What a crackpot - you need a mute switch on a phone because you need to quickly put it on silent without unlocking it, putting in the passcode etc, when you go into meetings, church etc.

So it makes sense to have a mute switch - whereas when the hell am I ever going to quickly and easily have to mute my iPad. Most of the apps I used don't even make noise, and I am never going to have the situation where I need to quickly mute it. However, there are lots of times when i want to quickly lock the screen when browsing a webpage, magazine etc.


Poor, poor idea from the perspective of user-ergonomics IMO.

As someone else mentioned, what happens when your iPad is in your bag and you go into a meeting, then someone calls you on FaceTime? It IS like a phone in that regard, that you want to QUICKLY and certainly mute.

Edit: oh, and I DO have an iPad.

 

[slffl]

But it's even less of a "hardship" to mute the iPad as it is right now, and it seems to make this change pointless. To "mute" the current iPad only takes holding down the volume down button for about two seconds. Is that really that hard?

Yes it is that HARD!!! First I have to open my folio case, press the home or standby button, slide to unlock, and THEN hold the down on the volume.

I'll take the mute switch!

 

[Warbrain]

Sorry, but no ****ing **** it won't be a user option. Apple gives it to you one way and that's it.

Is the change annoying at first? Yes. But I've gotten used to it. It's fine now.

 

[eawmp1]

But it's even less of a "hardship" to mute the iPad as it is right now, and it seems to make this change pointless. To "mute" the current iPad only takes holding down the volume down button for about two seconds. Is that really that hard?

It apparently is for Steve.

I agree it's the symmetry among product lines...the iPhone and iPad switches should serve the same role in Steve's world.

I HAVE to have horizontal lock on the iPad though.

 

[Warbrain]

Yes it is that HARD!!! First I have to open my folio case, press the home or standby button, slide to unlock, and THEN hold the down on the volume.

I'll take the mute switch!

It doesn't necessarily mute the volume, though, it mutes alerts. Some volume will keep working.

 

[southernpaws]

I just don't understand what's so inconvenient about holding the vol down rocker for 1.5 seconds to mute...

It's far less annoying than waking the device, double clicking the home button, swiping right and tapping the screen orientation lock icon.

Strange decision, as I thought the orientation switch was a brilliant decision. Oh well.

It's notma matter of convenience. It's a uniform user experience. When I first used an iPad I went for the mute switch and it was a olock.

Not a big deal either way. In a year it will be forgotten, because it's just not that important

 

[Psychj0e]

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As someone else mentioned, what happens when your iPad is in your bag and you go into a meeting, then someone calls you on FaceTime? It IS like a phone in that regard, that you want to QUICKLY and certainly mute.

You're right - I think I'll also email Steve and ask him if he'll stick such a switch on the MacBook.

 

[gramirez2012]

Is anyone else really annoyed that people email Steve for any/every little question that they have?

 

[DTphonehome]

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Yes it is that HARD!!! First I have to open my folio case, press the home or standby button, slide to unlock, and THEN hold the down on the volume.

I'll take the mute switch!

It doesn't necessarily mute the volume, though, it mutes alerts. Some volume will keep working.

Which is a real problem in work situations. You want to be certain the iPad won't make any noise, especially a ringtone as a FaceTime call comes in! A physical switch has always been the best way to accomplish this on phones, and with FaceTime coming to ipads, it's practically a phone.

 

[southernpaws]

...

 

[DTphonehome]

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As someone else mentioned, what happens when your iPad is in your bag and you go into a meeting, then someone calls you on FaceTime? It IS like a phone in that regard, that you want to QUICKLY and certainly mute.

You're right - I think I'll also email Steve and ask him if he'll stick such a switch on the MacBook.

You won't allow incoming calls to wake your Mac. Simple.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Now if I want to lock my screen orientation I have to exit programs / open settings / apply desired orientation lock / exit settings / re-enter application... and then maybe change my mind... and have to repeat the whole process.

No you don't, you can stay in the app and do it. All you have to do is double tap home while in an app, the multi-tasking bar will pop up. Swipe to the right, select the lock then tap the screen and you're back to the app. Done.

To "mute" the current iPad only takes holding down the volume down button for about a second.

the MUTE switch is NOT the same as volume.

The mute switch will not kill the volume of the iPod or apps that have sound, but it will mute alerts like email and such, as well as FACETIME "ringing" which will no doubt be coming in rev2!

This is actually not entirely true. Apps have to be coded to respect the mute switch. Most of the good ones do but some ignore it (I'm talking non music apps that should respect it).

 

[DTphonehome]

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Is anyone else really annoyed that people email Steve for any/every little question that they have?

Yes!!!

 

[Luke Redpath]

As said above, it's just a pointless change that actually DISABLES functionality.

Hold the Volume Down button for 1sec, and it's mute. Done.

Now if I want to lock my screen orientation I have to exit programs / open settings / apply desired orientation lock / exit settings / re-enter application... and then maybe change my mind... and have to repeat the whole process.

How is this an improvement in their product?

It smells a lot like their decision to remove 'album shuffle' from their iPod touches and therefore iPhones. Again, why REMOVE features?

That's not how the software lock works.

 

[Psychj0e]

Is anyone else really annoyed that people email Steve for any/every little question that they have?

I'm not really annoyed, no.


Can I assume you are? If so, perhaps you should reflect and get a sense of perspective that Steve Jobs doesn't give a fly fu.ck about you, and is actually probably a bit creeped out that you are so concerned.

 

[mattwolfmatt]

For those of us with a case, fiddling in there for the switch is a little tricky. For me, the software function will be easier to do the orientation lock. It's just double click, swipe and tap.

I'm okay with the change; I just wish the software (settings) would give us an option to select how we'd like to use the switch.