iPad iOS 4.2 kills the orientation lock switch

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by devastat

I've never understood what's the big deal with the change of the orientation lock switch with iOS 4.2. As my iPad is in a case, I very rarely have to use this feature anyway.

..And in case I have do to use it, I personally much prefer to be able to turn it on from the iPad screen as the switch was always very hard to find (especially in dark, at night when I started to read with my iPad), could never remember where it was.

Sounds like you have a poor case design then since most of them are very careful to ensure that all switches, buttons and ports are still accessible so you don't need to remove the ipad from it's case just to use one of them.

The big deal is that they have taken away functionality that has been in place since launch, is very useful for some people and replaced it with functionality that is already bettered (on the ipad) by holding down the volume switch for a second or so because unlike the iphone you simply don't have the same need to selectively mute some volumes if you need your ipad to be quiet.

While you may prefer the software version, the point is that nobody is trying to get that way removed or preventing you from using it if that is what you prefer, they are simply complaining because they haven't been afforded the same courtesy due to the removal of the method they preferred.

[devastat]

The design of my case is fine, I doesn't hide the now-mute button. What I meant is that because it keeps my iPad in a 20-degree position, or 90-degree position like the apple case does as well - there is no need for orientation lock. I would only need it if I keep the iPad on my lap in a flat out position..

But if you are in the dark, it was hard to find the orientation lock because iPad is symmetrical, so it always took some time to find witch side the switch was in.

I think the mute switch can be quite useful also with iPad, especially in trains if I am typing something long on my ipad, it must be annoying for people next to me hear the tapping sound all the time.. Offcourse I could also just turn the volume down. I guess, adjustable button would be the best - but maybe it will be in the future versions, or maybe not.. Apple's philosophy has been often that they like to do things their way and do not like customisable solutions..

[pshrynk]

I take it that everyone else in the world has a mute switch that actually mutes the iPad. Mine definitely does not. I have tried restarting it and re-synching it, and still all I have is a fully non-functional switch that tells me on the screen that the thing is muted, whilst the speaker is completely ignoring the screen . They must be having one of those familial spats that keeps both parties from talking to one another.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

I take it that everyone else in the world has a mute switch that actually mutes the iPad. Mine definitely does not. I have tried restarting it and re-synching it, and still all I have is a fully non-functional switch that tells me on the screen that the thing is muted, whilst the speaker is completely ignoring the screen . They must be having one of those familial spats that keeps both parties from talking to one another.

That got me at first. Turns out that apps can choose whether to obey the mute switch or not. Most of Apple's own software does not, except for email alerts and the keyboard tap (similar to the iPhone I guess).

[pshrynk]

Well not bloody useful, then is it? The main app I would like to mute is Safari, if I'm surfing and don't want the annoying popups to play stupid music at me!

[Rob_E]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

Well not bloody useful, then is it? The main app I would like to mute is Safari, if I'm surfing and don't want the annoying popups to play stupid music at me!

I think the button does what it's meant to do, it's just not well described. It's not really a "mute" switch. It's a "don't bug me with stuff I'm not currently interacting with" switch. It does seem more applicable on a phone than on the iPad, but there are uses in either case. When I'm watching a video or playing a game or listening to an audio book, I don't need to sound cutting out to play me the "you've got mail" sound every time an e-mail comes in. That's where the "mute" switch comes in handy. If it also muted the program I was using at the time, that might not be as helpful and would exactly duplicate the effect of turning the volume all the way down.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Rob_E

I think the button does what it's meant to do, it's just not well described. It's not really a "mute" switch. It's a "don't bug me with stuff I'm not currently interacting with" switch. It does seem more applicable on a phone than on the iPad, but there are uses in either case. When I'm watching a video or playing a game or listening to an audio book, I don't need to sound cutting out to play me the "you've got mail" sound every time an e-mail comes in. That's where the "mute" switch comes in handy. If it also muted the program I was using at the time, that might not be as helpful and would exactly duplicate the effect of turning the volume all the way down.

That does seem to be how Apple is treating it. The only problem is that many third party apps, including all the games I have loaded on my iPad, actually treat it as a proper mute switch. It is wildly inconsistent.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

Well not bloody useful, then is it? The main app I would like to mute is Safari, if I'm surfing and don't want the annoying popups to play stupid music at me!

Have you turned on "Block Pop-ups" under Settings>Safari?

I don't remember hearing any pop-up music, but I dunno whether you wanna block pop-ups entirely for your purposes. I turned on the blocker the day I got an iPad.

[darknessangel]

Well... now with VLC it works for me as a complete mute button.

[Dylrob]

Looks like Apple does listen to its customers sometimes: iOS 4.3 will restore the lock switch.

[Mirrorlike]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

Looks like Apple does listen to its customers sometimes: iOS 4.3 will restore the lock switch.

Those getures look really good. I wasn't expecting so much.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

Looks like Apple does listen to its customers sometimes: iOS 4.3 will restore the lock switch.

Sweet if accurate. How reputable is that Web site? I'm not familiar with it.

[weateallthepies]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

Sweet if accurate. How reputable is that Web site? I'm not familiar with it.

A friend of mine has confirmed the latest beta does allow for hardware orientation lock again.

[HarryT]

I'm a little surprised that Apple don't require advance testers to sign a non-disclosure agreement; companies are normally pretty cagey about pre-announcing new features.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by weateallthepies

A friend of mine has confirmed the latest beta does allow for hardware orientation lock again.

The lock switch's return would be great. I'm interested in most of the other features mentioned in the link, too. Looking forward to seeing what develops.