Having read through this thread, it seems quite evident at a lot of people are missing the fact that the orientation lock hasn't gone away, it's just been moved to the multitasking bar the same as the iPhone. The way some people are reacting it's as if it was removed entirely.
FWIW, I think this is entirely logical. Some people have already made these points, but:
- Yes you can hold down the volume button to mute but it doesn't work both ways (you cant instantly restore the previous volume)
- With a hardware switch, you can't have a software toggle that toggles the same setting, otherwise there would never be a standard on or off position for the button (think about it)
- I'd argue that the software button is sometimes more convenient. The iPad is designed to be held any way. I find, especialły with the Apple case, that the switch can be awkward to get to when it's at the bottom and I have the iPad propped up on my knees. Also, the switch always changes position. With the software button its always in the same place (bottom right)
- It takes literally a second to bring up the multitasking bar, swipe and lock. Maybe using the physical switch took half a second for some people. Why are people getting so uptight about half a second?