This is Apple trying to be consistant across all their iOS devices. I don't use the orientation lock that often so this is fine with me, and I like to be able to mute my iPad also. Sounds good to me.
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iPad's Orientation Lock Switch Becomes Mute Switch With iOS 4.2
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"Double tap home, swipe, tap" versus "Flick the switch"
I don't know but it could be annoying to people finding out the switch no longer functions like it used to.
Also muting by holding the volume button down takes less than a second, so people prefering this as a mute switch hasn't changed their 'ease of use'.
I don't know but it could be annoying to people finding out the switch no longer functions like it used to.
Also muting by holding the volume button down takes less than a second, so people prefering this as a mute switch hasn't changed their 'ease of use'.
I think this is just a bug in this release.
Why? Because it's a beta software that released to both iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. I think they might have left out a check somewhere that this is the iPad, and not the iPhone/iPod touch
Meanwhile, I think I miss that orientation lock switch.
Why? Because it's a beta software that released to both iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. I think they might have left out a check somewhere that this is the iPad, and not the iPhone/iPod touch
Meanwhile, I think I miss that orientation lock switch.
Why not just let use decide. What ever happened to programming keys. Hell even if Apple sent out a message giving us the option to vote would of nice.
Speaking of Apple can they spend more time on fixing the itunes store for iPad and find a way (although there are obviously thousands of ways to do it) to 1. give us Flash, 2. for iTunes to stop asking me if I am over 17 (to which anybody could just say yes to), 3. Wireless syncing option, 4. Hotkeys like every Mac product has, 5.The ability to rotate and save the rotated pictures (not just pictures we added with the camera adapter)
Speaking of Apple can they spend more time on fixing the itunes store for iPad and find a way (although there are obviously thousands of ways to do it) to 1. give us Flash, 2. for iTunes to stop asking me if I am over 17 (to which anybody could just say yes to), 3. Wireless syncing option, 4. Hotkeys like every Mac product has, 5.The ability to rotate and save the rotated pictures (not just pictures we added with the camera adapter)
It's actually quite annoying, as it's inconsistent from iPhone and iPod touch.
So it's great that everything is becoming unified.
You are not locked out of anything. Only thing that changes is the way you use this feature. You are way overreacting.
And I think this is for the better. For one it's consistent with the iPhone, and secondly you can now mute a lot faster than you could before. And like it was said, muting is often time-sensitive thing that has to be done in a hurry. Orientation-lock is nothing like that.
Over the course of any normal day, I will both mute/unmute and lock/unlock my iPad many times. The benefit of the phsyical switch is that I can control its associated function without logging into my iPad. So that function should be the one that's useful on a sleeping iPad. The switch is also much faster, and so the function which needs quicker toggling should be given preference.
It is always the case that my screen orientation is irrelevant if my screen is off. So I don't mind having to be logged in to lock/unlock my orientation. I would only ever change the orientation lock in conjunction with actually interacting with the iPad. And there's never a rush to toggle this.
It is, however, often the case that I need to mute my iPad but have no need to log in, see the screen, or otherwise interact with it in any way. My iPad dings regularly from push notifications. If I'm going to a meeting, or going to sleep at night, I want to disable that sound, but I don't otherwise need to access the iPad. Logging in just to mute it is unnecessary and a tedious user experience. And muting is something I'd like to toggle quickly.
I definitely prefer the switch to be Mute. It is the only correct option. Some of you will argue that, but you're wrong. Sorry. Learn proper UI design.
I won't argue that an Option in Settings would be perferred, but Apple has long taken the stance that Mac users can't handle many user options. KISS. I don't like Apple's policy in this regard, but I can't fault it either.
It is always the case that my screen orientation is irrelevant if my screen is off. So I don't mind having to be logged in to lock/unlock my orientation. I would only ever change the orientation lock in conjunction with actually interacting with the iPad. And there's never a rush to toggle this.
It is, however, often the case that I need to mute my iPad but have no need to log in, see the screen, or otherwise interact with it in any way. My iPad dings regularly from push notifications. If I'm going to a meeting, or going to sleep at night, I want to disable that sound, but I don't otherwise need to access the iPad. Logging in just to mute it is unnecessary and a tedious user experience. And muting is something I'd like to toggle quickly.
I definitely prefer the switch to be Mute. It is the only correct option. Some of you will argue that, but you're wrong. Sorry. Learn proper UI design.
I won't argue that an Option in Settings would be perferred, but Apple has long taken the stance that Mac users can't handle many user options. KISS. I don't like Apple's policy in this regard, but I can't fault it either.
bad call, Apple.
Now that the topic has been broached, I don't really like automatic orientation much at all. On the iPad or the iPhone. I'd rather have it be more like the nano where you flip it around yourself.
I usually leave my screen orientation-locked all the time, and the only time I unlock it is to switch it to another orientation, at which point I immediately re-lock it. With the iPhone, I usually just despair and suffer and read sideways.
Now that the topic has been broached, I don't really like automatic orientation much at all. On the iPad or the iPhone. I'd rather have it be more like the nano where you flip it around yourself.
I usually leave my screen orientation-locked all the time, and the only time I unlock it is to switch it to another orientation, at which point I immediately re-lock it. With the iPhone, I usually just despair and suffer and read sideways.
That doesn't work when the device is sleeping. What happens if your iPad starts making noise while you are in a movie-theater or something? You take it out, turn it on, enter your pin an then you can mute it. As opposed to just flipping a switch.
Why doesn't the software-button seem like a fine solution for orientation-lock?
It's always strange to see some Apple-users make mountains out of molehills. "OMG, this the worst thing EVER!!".
So you want Apple to prove that it is basically a big iPhone or iPod Touch. OR do you want Apple to make the iPad it own Apple invention with its own set of standards.
At the end of the day you can sit back and realized you paid $500 - $1000 for a big iPod touch that was out of date the day it came out and realize that you are waiting 2 - 3 months for features that are still out of date
How stupid. I think the orientation lock is great..
I use it god knows how many times a day... its come a NEED. I wanted it on my ipod touch ever since i bought the 1st one and waited till it got built into iOS. Not the same but god enough.
Its so quick to mute the volume anyway, that quick i do it by mistake when using volume keys
I use it god knows how many times a day... its come a NEED. I wanted it on my ipod touch ever since i bought the 1st one and waited till it got built into iOS. Not the same but god enough.
Its so quick to mute the volume anyway, that quick i do it by mistake when using volume keys
I was just thinking today how good the switch is as an orientation lock, because the only good reason for a physical mute switch om the iPhone is to be able to turn sound off without looking, when the iPhone is in your pocket. Since the iPad will rarely if ever be in my pocket, I see no reason for the switch to be a mute switch. Orientation yes, good.
Don't worry, a jailbreak-required hack will fix this one.
Don't worry, a jailbreak-required hack will fix this one.
If you're going to shift body position, but don't want the iPad to flip the screen around hitting a switch makes sense. Digging into some on-screen control first doesn't.
I honestly cannot remember the last time I used a mute button on any device.
For Apple, the company that hates things that spoil clean lines, to devote a line spoiling physical button to a duplicated function (they also have a button for reducing volume) is almost beyond comprehension.
I honestly cannot remember the last time I used a mute button on any device.
For Apple, the company that hates things that spoil clean lines, to devote a line spoiling physical button to a duplicated function (they also have a button for reducing volume) is almost beyond comprehension.
Sheesh. Seriously? I prefer the old behavior too, but this really isn't an issue to dust off the old soap box for... "Someone in Cupertino deciding" is the reason behind EVERY single decision made for the iPad. Just because you paid $800 for it doesn't mean you've earned the right that every decision has to turn your way.
You knew perfectly well when buying your iPad that you wouldn't be able to tinker with it and adapt every single feature to your liking. That's what Linux boxes are for. Apple devices are for having "someone in Cupertino" figuring a good set of defaults, so you don't have to bother.
Yes, Apple makes mistakes. If the majority agrees with you and me then they will change it back. If not, please vote with your wallet or the feedback website, but stop whining about Big Brother stealing your rotation lock.
PS: Yay for brightness control, though!
I absolutely hate this. Mute is beyond useless on an iPad...is it really so hard to hold down the rocker for a second?
why don't they just re-program the volume buttons to work when the screen is off then? oh wait, that would just be the best of both worlds in your one scenario. i turn my ipad a lot, i view it at angles sometimes and i pass it to my significant other often in the course of using it, the orientation lock being one easy to use switch is much easier and more convenient than having to double tap the home key and then swipe over the the menu option and then change it every.single.time.
