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

[bouncer1]

I wouldn't say idiotic, but other than that you hit the nail on the head. It will be an inconvenient change borne by the early adopters

And, lest anyone pounce on that, the iPad had early adopters beware all over it when it didn't come with a camera

Early adopters are not the few million who own an ipad at the moment...

In any case your dominating the thread with a 5-6 posts per page view won't make your case any stronger, I still have not heard as much as some semblance of valid argument for your case.

But I did read you telling me to perform a scientific poll via macrumors. That to me speaks volumes of where you are coming from.

 

[jimbobb24]

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Oh, ok, if you don't like it, then forget it. I'm sure apple will put you on speed dial so they can consult with you before making any decisions.

I'm not sure that would be a good idea since I have not invented any magical devices and only express my own opinions. But if you think its a good idea, maybe they should try it.

 

[bretm]

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.

Seriously? It was a mute switch first. There was no orientation lock. Prerelease testing revealed it was a much needed feature. They hadn't figured out where to do it conveniently in the OS yet, so they switched the switch from mute to orientation lock.

With iOS 4 they had discovered a way, and implemented it into iPhone. So, to keep parity it's coming to the iPad.

 

[theRebel]

I simply do not think it's wrong. Quite simply, the young workforce I describe will provide more long term sales compared to the "old people" in question. I apologize for my bluntness, but they will die while the previous group is still buying products. There's no growth to be had in the tech industry by targeting older demographics. Simple business

Why are you hung up on "old people" ? Reviewing the posts I do not see where anyone said that the primary market was "old people."

The issue is that the majority of the public at large are not "tech savvy" enough to use the technology that they currently own. That goes for children, teenagers, college students, adults, and middle aged, as well as "old people."

BTW, one of the largest markets for iPads is the education market and just because it is education does not mean that the users are "tech savvy."

Another major market is the health industry and guess what, the users there are not necessarily "tech savvy" either.

By comparison, your "tech savvy young workforce" is minuscule.

 

[Porco]

I wouldn't say idiotic, but other than that you hit the nail on the head. It will be an inconvenient change borne by the early adopters

I think it is idiotic because they could easily add an option in settings that would satisfy everyone, but they're being idiots about it.

Time to update the iPad User Guide soon, Apple!

 

[theRebel]

More or less these are the people that purchase products as a social statement, not for actually using the device.

Regardless of their reason for purchasing, they outnumber the "tech savvy young workforce" and thus it does not make sense for Apple to make them unhappy by complicating one of the features that they use.

 

[benspratling]

Not sure if this ever occurred to Apple but you can just press and hold Down on the volume switch. That puts it to mute, I don't need a switch right below. That orientation lock switch was probably my most used button on the device.

Ditto. It was my most used button. I find I'm not very good at double-tapping the home button - I end up quitting the app much more often than not. Between my iPad development device with iOS 4.2 and my regular iPad with 3.2, sometimes when I'm reading an iBook, I'll shift in my chair, the screen will go whack, and I'll reach for the orientation lock - it won't work, which is when I put the 4.2 device away and pull out my 3.2 device. I have to decide between rotation lock and groups on the home screen? tough choice!
But I guess if we were to find out next year's iPad will have face time, then we'll know why we need the mute switch is on the outside.

 

[southernpaws]

Why are you hung up on "old people" ? Reviewing the posts I do not see where anyone said that the primary market was "old people."

The issue is that the majority of the public at large are not "tech savvy" enough to use the technology that they currently own. That goes for children, teenagers, college students, adults, and middle aged, as well as "old people."

BTW, one of the largest markets for iPads is the education market and just because it is education does not mean that the users are "tech savvy."

Another major market is the health industry and guess what, the users there are not necessarily "tech savvy" either.

By comparison, your "tech savvy young workforce" is minuscule.

you entered a previous conversation where I responded to someone who referenced old people. Nobody before you said anything about primary market.

 

[doctor-don]

This is retarded. I hate the software orientation lock, and I find myself using it extremely frequently. Meanwhile, the mute button is completely useless for someone like me, especially since it's easy to mute by simply holding down the volume button until it's off.

Change is difficult to accept.

 

[southernpaws]

Early adopters are not the few million who own an ipad at the moment...

In any case your dominating the thread with a 5-6 posts per page view won't make your case any stronger, I still have not heard as much as some semblance of valid argument for your case.

But I did read you telling me to perform a scientific poll via macrumors. That to me speaks volumes of where you are coming from.

I contend they are. Because anyone who bought an iPad without a camera was agreeing to be an early adopter knowing that it wouldn't be long before a better one came out.

Just because you can't hear it doesn't mean it's not there.

And the fact that you missed the sarcasm speaks to where you are coming from

 

[theRebel]

you entered a previous conversation where I responded to someone who referenced old people. Nobody before you said anything about primary market.

You started the discussion of markets by claiming that "tech savvy young workforce" was a significant growth market.

Then you responded twice to my posts about primary market with references to "old people."

 

[Eminemdrdre00]

Change is difficult to accept.

Especially when it's unnecessary change.

The fact that Apple is changing the function of a PHYSICAL button via software baffles me. There's going to be so many confused and upset iPad users in November.

 

[theRebel]

I contend they are. Because anyone who bought an iPad without a camera was agreeing to be an early adopter knowing that it wouldn't be long before a better one came out.

Just because you can't hear it doesn't mean it's not there.

And the fact that you missed the sarcasm speaks to where you are coming from

Just because it might be better for you does not mean that a camera would make it better for everyone.

For many there is no need for a camera in their iPad. In fact, I know of various situations where a camera is definitely not desirable.

 

[tuhoops]

This seems like the smallest most insignificant change ever.... sure I don't have an iPad (yet) but screen lock v. mute is that huge? Isn't the screen lock just turning to a virtual switch?

Where is the problem coming from? Just a physical switch preference over virtual?

I know on my iPhone I would be very annoyed without a mute switch, however the orientation...... not so big of a deal....

I have an iPad and I can tell you it's a big deal. I use the orientation lock switch everyday. It is quite necessary when using the iPad as opposed to the iPhone. This is not a welcome change, and leaves me confused as to why this was changed at all.

 

[Brinkman]

This new setup makes more sense anyway. Don't know why everyone's getting their panties in a bunch.

 

[dwsolberg]

I prefer it as the orientation lock on the iPad, but I think Steve's right: you need to keep buttons meaning the same thing on all devices.

Apple probably already has to deal with people at the genius bar claiming their iPad is broken because the mute button doesn't work.

 

[batchtaster]

Why not press both the volume up and down buttons together and have that trigger mute?

Because it's a rocker?

Big deal. It's so minor I'm surprised it's being reported by MR.

To angry up the blood.

The fact that Apple is changing the function of a PHYSICAL button via software baffles me. There's going to be so many confused and upset iPad users in November.

You assume normal people care as much as MR geeks. Here's a hint: normal, everyday, average people shrug and go "meh". They don't obsess (and go out of their way to get angry) about the minutiae

 

[tim916]

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.

My view is the complete opposite. There are plenty of times when I want a quick and easy way to mute the iPad without having to open the case flap, press the home button to wake it, unlock the screen and then mute it with the volume rocker.

If I need to lock the screen orientation then that means I am actually using the iPad and, IMO, it is not a big deal to do this using an on-screen mechanism.

Over the past 6 months I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually needed to lock the screen orientation whereas I need to mute the iPad at least once a day.

 

[PowerGamerX]

A lot of you are saying "well on my iphone its no big deal". Thats because its an iPhone, it doesn't have as many layout changes as the ipad does in different orientations. I absolutely hate this. You just have to hold down the volume button for a second (and no, it doesn't just click down, it actually mutes it from whatever setting you have it on).

The orientation lock is just as important as the home button on the ipad for me. Having to go through software just so I can quickly pass it to somebody without rotating etc. is a huge plus for me when I'm constantly showing things to people.

Yeah it seems more of a minor thing, but it really helps the experience. I don't know why Apple's going on screwing this up. Though, with the looks of things lately... I'm guessing we are just starting to see Steve go down the drain into his control-freak ultra-simple OCD crazyness.


Depending on OS 10.7. I may buy myself a ThinkPad again...

 

[Burger Thing]

Personally, I use the Orientation Lock all the time.

In my opinion, Apple should change the firmware, that the Volume Buttons will work despite of what mode it's in and leave the Orientation Lock Button as it is.

Having said that, I can understand that other users have different preferences and would prefer a mute switch.

But what I don't understand is, why Apple would not make this a selectable option, so everybody can assign the functions they prefer.

Is it so hard, Apple?

 

[iCrizzo]

This is retarded. I hate the software orientation lock, and I find myself using it extremely frequently. Meanwhile, the mute button is completely useless for someone like me, especially since it's easy to mute by simply holding down the volume button until it's off.

The switch doesn't mute the sound.. it only mutes the notices such as email or push notifications.


On that note it is really useless, I have been testing for several weeks now and it was one of the most awful changes they could ever think to make.

 

[tim916]

This new setup makes more sense anyway. Don't know why everyone's getting their panties in a bunch.

What's funny is if Apple had originally shipped it with this new button configuration and then swapped it around in 4.2, the same people would be complaining that it was better the old way.

 

[karlfranz]

How can this be considered an improvement?

How can this be considered an improvement?

CURRENT SYSTEM:
Orientation Lock
- Hold iPad in desired orientation
- Slide Switch
Mute
- Press Volume Down for over 1/2 second

NEW SYSTEM:
Orientation Lock
- Hold iPad in desired orientation
- Double-press home button to call up multi-taking panel
- Slide Multi-tasking panel at bottom of screen to the left.
- Press the orientation lock button on screen.
- Double-press home button to return to current application.
Mute
- Slide switch
OR
- Press Volume Down for over 1/2 second

Maybe this is another one of Apple's typical marketing/publicity schemes:
1) Don't include or take away a highly desired feature.
2) Get tons of publicity for not including or for taking away said feature.
3) Add the feature (back) after numerous complaints/requests.
4) Get tons of publicity for adding said feature.

Examples:
- FireWire on MacBook;
- Copy/Paste and Multi-tasking on iPhone/iPod Touch
- Buttons on iPod Shuffle;
- HDMI on Mac mini;
- Matte screen option on 15" MacBook Pro;
- Dual USB ports on MacBook Air.
Can you name others?

And for those of you who used the "Apple loves consistency" argument, kindly explain the vertical orientation of the Close/Minimize/Resize buttons on iTunes 10.

 

[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.

Isn't that more of a commentary of people using poorly designed cases? When I made my own case, I made sure everything was accessible. Why some commercial cases can't manage that, I don't know.

Uhh, I use the Apple Case. What does that say?

 

[kdarling]

This situation cries out for the simplest solution: adding another button to the next hardware version.

Extremely common actions (home, volume, mute, orientation, power) should have dedicated buttons.

Without them, UIs can end up with button action overloads or awkward gestures.