Mute switch?

[eclipse01]

Just thought about this today, are there any Android phones out there that have a mute switch like Iphones?

I know on my Nexus 7 I had to download a widget for a "mute all".

I just know people are always nagging that Apple is behind the game on things but it seems they are the only one with this super convenient feature

 

[est1738]

The Mute switch is the most underrated part of the iPhone. Yet if apple got rid of it, people would go completely BONKERS

 

[Cryates]

The Mute switch is the most underrated part of the iPhone. Yet if apple got rid of it, people would go completely BONKERS

True dat

 

[sunking101]

I mute/unmute with the Assistive Touch button.
The mute switch on my 3GS got loose and horrible through frequent use. I don't reckon much to Apple's buttons.

 

[andyp350]

I mute/unmute with the Assistive Touch button.
The mute switch on my 3GS got loose and horrible through frequent use. I don't reckon much to Apple's buttons.

Everyone I know who had a 3GS had this happen eventually, the models since all seem to be ok.

 

[eclipse01]

I mute/unmute with the Assistive Touch button.
The mute switch on my 3GS got loose and horrible through frequent use. I don't reckon much to Apple's buttons.

Then I guess you can pretend you are on an Android phone because that is how you have to do it on all their phones (via software)

 

[cynics]

Universal mute switch adds too much inconsistency to the iOS experience. I wish it was a bit more powerful so all apps used it identically.

Mute switch on, watch a video in youtube and there is sound. Same with games.

Mute switch on, snapchat videos don't have sound.

I'm well passed expecting devs to adhere to 1 way of doing things. I kind of wish Apple could force their hand on how it works.

 

[Norbury]

The mute switch first appeared on the Palm Treo, and it was great then. I honestly can't understand why more manufacturers haven't taken up the idea - it can't be patent protected (at least not by Apple). I agree that it's inconsistent though, YouTube videos watched via Facebook respect the mute switch, but not those from the YouTube app.

 

[tgi]

I mute/unmute with the Assistive Touch button.
The mute switch on my 3GS got loose and horrible through frequent use. I don't reckon much to Apple's buttons.

Just use the switch as normal. If it stops working, get it replaced under warranty.

 

[b0bab0i]

Everyone I know who had a 3GS had this happen eventually, the models since all seem to be ok.

My 3GS mute switch still works perfect. I used it for 3 years straight until getting an iphone 5. It's now my iPod.

 

[cambookpro]

Universal mute switch adds too much inconsistency to the iOS experience. I wish it was a bit more powerful so all apps used it identically.

Mute switch on, watch a video in youtube and there is sound. Same with games.

Mute switch on, snapchat videos don't have sound.

I'm well passed expecting devs to adhere to 1 way of doing things. I kind of wish Apple could force their hand on how it works.

There's a big article on how the mute switch should be utilised on Apple's developer resources.

Basically, if the user intends to make a sound (eg watch a video, play a song), then it shouldn't be muted - but any sounds not directly activated by the user, like notification sounds and superfluous SFX should be.

Obviously it's up to the developer to implement this behaviour, but Apple has laid out a set of guidelines.

Edit: Can be found here: https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/userexperience/Conceptual/MobileHIG/Sound.html

 

[Stuntman06]

On the Galaxy S3, there is no mute switch. I use a widget to adjust the sound settings on my phone. I find the widget I use is much more flexible than the mute switch on the iPhone.

One thing that I am not satisfied with the iPhone volume controls is that there is no easy way to mute notifications, but leave the ringer and alarm unmuted. I had to ask my wife to mute her phone when we go to sleep because her notifications disturb me and wake me up. However, she want to keep the ringer on. The iPhone volume level controls changes the ringer as well as notifications. We ended up settling on muting, but leaving the vibrate on when muted. When the phone rings, we figured that we can hear the vibrations while it is resting on the night table. Sometimes the vibration from notifications still disturb me, but it is not so bad as it goes away quickly.

In comparison, I use a widget on my GS3 to control my volume levels. The widget I use is called Volume Widget by Leep Studios. This widget allows me to set 3 different sound profiles. Each profile I can choose a different level for ringer, notification, media, alarm and voice. For my "sleep" profile, I have notifications off while my other sound levels are rather low. I have a "normal" profile where all sound levels are roughly medium and a "loud" profile where everything is maxed. I can change to each one by tapping on the widget. It requires waking/unlocking the phone and tapping on the widget, but I find the added flexibilty a good tradeoff.

By the way, if anyone can tell me how to do the same conveniently on the iPhone, please let me know. When I mean conveniently, I mean something my wife is willing to do. The only way I can find to leave the ringer on while muting notifications is go into every type of notification and muting it. That is too incovenient even for me.

 

[tritonxl]

On the Galaxy S3, there is no mute switch. I use a widget to adjust the sound settings on my phone. I find the widget I use is much more flexible than the mute switch on the iPhone.

One thing that I am not satisfied with the iPhone volume controls is that there is no easy way to mute notifications, but leave the ringer and alarm unmuted. I had to ask my wife to mute her phone when we go to sleep because her notifications disturb me and wake me up. However, she want to keep the ringer on. The iPhone volume level controls changes the ringer as well as notifications. We ended up settling on muting, but leaving the vibrate on when muted. When the phone rings, we figured that we can hear the vibrations while it is resting on the night table. Sometimes the vibration from notifications still disturb me, but it is not so bad as it goes away quickly.

In comparison, I use a widget on my GS3 to control my volume levels. The widget I use is called Volume Widget by Leep Studios. This widget allows me to set 3 different sound profiles. Each profile I can choose a different level for ringer, notification, media, alarm and voice. For my "sleep" profile, I have notifications off while my other sound levels are rather low. I have a "normal" profile where all sound levels are roughly medium and a "loud" profile where everything is maxed. I can change to each one by tapping on the widget. It requires waking/unlocking the phone and tapping on the widget, but I find the added flexibilty a good tradeoff.

By the way, if anyone can tell me how to do the same conveniently on the iPhone, please let me know. When I mean conveniently, I mean something my wife is willing to do. The only way I can find to leave the ringer on while muting notifications is go into every type of notification and muting it. That is too incovenient even for me.

The iPhone has Do Not Disturb mode. It can be scheduled, and allows calls from favorites, and allows a call if it's repeated (someone calling twice in a row). You can leave the volume on and it won't make a sound. I schedule mine from 11PM to 6AM.

 

[HolyGrail]

As a mute switch its worthless to me. I use it for lock rotation.....and now I find the switch to be full of worth.

 

[chrise2]

Yeah, I wish the mute switch was truly mute. Almost like a hardware disconnect to the speaker. The only way to get sound with the mute switch on should be with headphones. That's how it was on older phones (non-iPhones).

There's too many times when I'm in a meeting or dropping a deuce in a public restroom and my phone makes unintended sounds. Though its probably good punishment for not paying attention in meetings or using a phone in a totally unsanitary place.

There's a big article on how the mute switch should be utilised on Apple's developer resources.

Basically, if the user intends to make a sound (eg watch a video, play a song), then it shouldn't be muted - but any sounds not directly activated by the user, like notification sounds and superfluous SFX should be.

Obviously it's up to the developer to implement this behaviour, but Apple has laid out a set of guidelines.

Edit: Can be found here: https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/userexperience/Conceptual/MobileHIG/Sound.html

 

[romwarrior88]

If I made a list of top 5 reasons I stick to the iPhone, the mute switch would definitely be on it. I use it constantly, especially at the office. It really is surprising that nobody else does it. Having to unlock your phone to mute is such a pain.

 

[eclipse01]

As a mute switch its worthless to me. I use it for lock rotation.....and now I find the switch to be full of worth.

I wouldn't mind a (very small button) flush with the side to turn rotation on/off

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If I made a list of top 5 reasons I stick to the iPhone, the mute switch would definitely be on it. I use it constantly, especially at the office. It really is surprising that nobody else does it. Having to unlock your phone to mute is such a pain.

well, I think Android can mute by pressing the vol down button many times, Still a pita!!

 

[romwarrior88]

well, I think Android can mute by pressing the vol down button many times, Still a pita!!

You may be right but mute is easier and when you unmute you are back to the same volume as before, without having to look at it. Sometimes I am not at full volume.

 

[Stuntman06]

The iPhone has Do Not Disturb mode. It can be scheduled, and allows calls from favorites, and allows a call if it's repeated (someone calling twice in a row). You can leave the volume on and it won't make a sound. I schedule mine from 11PM to 6AM.

Thanks. I think this will do the trick. DND has an option to allow call from everyone. I'll tell my wife that tonight.