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iPad's Orientation Lock Switch Becomes Mute Switch With iOS 4.2
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Welcome Nikolai -- I see you're a MacRumors newbie, so I wanted to say thanks for telling us about your taking action on this. It seems there are a lot of people who have strong feelings about it, both pro & con; so my feeling is that the more people express themselves directly to Apple, the more likely it is that the issue will be noticed and re-evaluated by those in charge of the upcoming iOS update, which will not be released to us, the public, until November. I'm glad that a lot of people have already commented about the screen-orientation lock today, which I think is the first day that we have had any info about iOS 4.2. Thanks again for contributing!
The Third Mouseketeer
Thanks macwheels. I've actually been a frequenter of MacRumors for a long time, but it's only recently that I have started watching the forums! I really hope that we as a group can actually persuade Apple to change this, but honestly I am trying hard to not get my hopes up.
wonder if this isn't just an oversight on their part when making the iOS part for the ipad. I'm sure the iphone/ipad versions have tons in common, and it would make sense that they mistakenly made it a mute switch and plan to revert it back in the next update.
I hope so, anyway... otherwise I'll have to rethink about getting an iPad refresh when that comes.
I hope so, anyway... otherwise I'll have to rethink about getting an iPad refresh when that comes.
I understand why you feel doubtful. But considering how many people just here at MacRumors have already sent feedback to Apple (both pro AND con) on this issue makes me realize there is likely to be a considerable number of other people elsewhere who feel strongly about this -- enough to take the time to submit feedback to Apple. I saw a similar dialogue going on among posters to the forum over at AppleInsider yesterday. This is what makes me feel somewhat hopeful that the subject will at least be reviewed -- which increases the likelihood that alternatives will be considered.
MW
I didn't find it plausible at all - it was clearly a riff on the "Don't hold it that way" response (which, as far as I know, was a real Jobs email...) Kind of a clever in-joke.
What was confusing was the sincerity of the person who reported it here. It never occurred to me that he wasn't in on the joke. I think most folks assumed that he was the prankster, and was making up the email out of thin air.
All of us are gullible to some extent - if I had gotten "an email from Steve Jobs", I might easily have gotten a bit carried away and temporarily forgotten my usual scepticism...
I'm glad it was a prank, as I sure hope I get to keep my orientation-lock switch...
For me it was especially since it was a pain to get at from the apple case.
I like it much better on the UI instead
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)
Yes I agree leave that button alone Apple who needs a darn mute or have software options to have a choice. Apple are you listening??
yetanotherdave said:
Yes I agree leave that button alone Apple who needs a darn mute or have software options to have a choice. Apple are you listening??
Hi Russ - since you asked, here's how to get your opinion heard at Apple:
"Please, everyone, post feedback requesting that the switch be made into an option in the settings. You can do so here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html
__________________
The above originally posted on page 1 of this thread, by iPhone software developer and MacRumors forum member "darkpaw"
I think the best way is to add a settings item that controls the behavior of the orientation lock/mute control
True. People say Apple doesn't like settings because they want to control the experience, but that's not really true. There are plenty of customizable settings already. It's just that they don't throw in everything but the kitchen sink in all kinds of random locations like some companies.
This switch is not really a mute switch. It only turns off the SYSTEM SOUNDS. When you listen to music or use the iPad to stream music / video via Airtunes or to your Apple TV it prevents that an email or notification alert gets played. I think that makes some sense .)
It won't mute video or music sound like when you hold the volume down switch.
I don't care... the rotation of my iPad is locked 90% of the time anyways
It won't mute video or music sound like when you hold the volume down switch.
I don't care... the rotation of my iPad is locked 90% of the time anyways
Funny how this little RUMOR has awaken an almost political discussion here between the "software liberals" and the "Tea Party Switchers" I will be in the minority of "independents" that just dont care whether a switch or software will lock the screen.
For those who always inquire about usage of the ipad to those who dont agree with them, assuming that "we just dont have an iPad or we Just dont know or can use it" I can tell you that I have a 64gB iPad since day 1, I use it at home watch films, Photographs and tv shows use apps and games read email and surf, I am a Surgeon who also uses it at work to check patient data, even x rays and CT Scans....
How do I know that it will not change the way I use it? because I use my iPhone (with a software lock ) for exactly the same purposes!!!
I will not miss a Major software update just for this tiny detail...
I will go and lock the screen on my iPad to watch a movie now... Thanks
For those who always inquire about usage of the ipad to those who dont agree with them, assuming that "we just dont have an iPad or we Just dont know or can use it" I can tell you that I have a 64gB iPad since day 1, I use it at home watch films, Photographs and tv shows use apps and games read email and surf, I am a Surgeon who also uses it at work to check patient data, even x rays and CT Scans....
How do I know that it will not change the way I use it? because I use my iPhone (with a software lock ) for exactly the same purposes!!!
I will not miss a Major software update just for this tiny detail...
I will go and lock the screen on my iPad to watch a movie now... Thanks
Actually, that is why I know I will hate the software lock switch -- I have iOS4 on my iPod touch, and I find locking the orientation cumbersome and awkward. Part of the reason, I admit, is that I've never felt comfortable double-clicking the home button. Half the time I end up single clicking and finding myself back at the home screen!
Yes -- it seems clear by now that different people have different needs, opinions, and wishes about this item... Just like many other things.
Apple probably can satisfy the most users by making this a user-configurable option -- as was commented above, by forum member "pooryou":
"People say Apple doesn't like settings because they want to control the experience, but that's not really true. There are plenty of customizable settings already. It's just that they don't throw in everything but the kitchen sink in all kinds of random locations like some companies."
(Thanks to pooryou for making this observation
)
Yes -- it seems clear by now that different people have different needs, opinions, and wishes about this item... Just like many other things.
Exactly. I can totally see the pov of people who'd rather have a physical mute switch, in fact, I think it'll be ideal if we could have both. It just so happens that for me, I happen to use the lock orientation much more than mute, so if we only can have one switch, I'd rather it be for lock orientation. I've written both apple feedback and steve jobs email suggesting this be a user selectable option, let's hope they listen!
It's not that important. It doesn't warrant this much discussion. It sure does not rise to the level of requiring online petitions or letter-writing campaigns. If Apple changes it to a mute switch, it's not going to affect your quality of life.
Please, just put down your iPad and go outdoors. Get some sunshine. Stay outside until you realize that this is not some big deal.
Please, just put down your iPad and go outdoors. Get some sunshine. Stay outside until you realize that this is not some big deal.
Are you a moderator for this forum?
If others here feel different about this than you do, I hope you will be OK with that.
.. Think Different
Maybe not the quality of life, but it sure will affect the quality of my iPad expereince!
If this doesn't merit discussion, then same with a host of other threads in this forum -- who cares about the iPhone antenna? Put down your iPhone and enjoy the sunshine! Who cares about this or that feature in the MacBook, AppleTV, OS X, iPod, iTunes... in fact, why have a forum at all? Let's all put down our Apple products, go outside, and commune with nature!
