Apple's iPad is due to get its latest OS version soon, and one of the stranger changes in the iOS 4.2 update is the change to the function of the screen oriental lock switch on the side of the tablet. The new update is going to change its function to a mute switch. Don't like it? Well tough luck, because it's being changed and there's nothing you can do about it.
Want to complain or ask Steve Jobs about it? Well his e-mail is always there for the public to look at but if you know about his reputation of e-mail responses, don't expect anything more than blunt responses. Despite this, a 9to5Mac reader decided to question Jobs on the matter:
The reader first asked, "In iOS 4.2 for iPad is the switch on the side going to be the mute and not screen orientation lock from now on?"
Jobs replies, "Yep. Sent from my iPhone" in his usual blunt manner.
The same e-mailer asked Jobs if there was going to be a changeable option for those who would still wan't the oriental switch to which Jobs gave one of his longer answers: "Nope. Sent from my iPhone"
It seems there's no changing Apple's mind on this matter and Steve Jobs has taken the 'we know what you want' approach. So, if you don't want your screen oriental lock taken away, make sure you keep your current iOS version on your iPad. You never know, iOS 4.2 could be jailbroken in seconds maybe giving a solution to the change.If you honestly don’t care, well you can expect the update sometime in November.
Via: Electric Pig
12 thoughts on “iOS 4.2 for iPad Will Take Away the Screen Oriental Lock Switch”
We know. You’re about 72 – 96 hours late on this news. Just FYI.
I find the Oriental Lock Switch really useful when I’m choosing songs and having a bumpy ride in the car as it stops the albums from popping up. I was luckily enough to discover this website that gave me a free iPad to test as long as i wrote a detailed review about it, best thing i have done in my life. http://tinyurl.com/38fpxsa
You can still turn on oriental lock as this update will allow multitasking. The multitasking taskbar will have the option to lock or unlock the orientation, so this feature isn’t gone at all.
I did not know that the iPad could lock up orientals. Man, you are publishing something that is to be widely disbursed. It is screen orientation lock. It is not oriental lock. Nor is it simply orientation. That is ambiguous. I would advise a quick change or you are going to be quite the joke. Once you fix it, remove this comment.
The benefits of iOS 4.2 will far outweigh the detractors such as the loss of a hard screen orientation switch. In a way, I am glad the orientation lock is going to be in software now. I suspect the hardware switch will not be used much at all. That is good. It is a simple slide switch that feels as if it will get flakey after a few hundred cycles. I would like to see a soft rendering of the home button as well.
Well I’m happy about the change. I’ve wanted a mute button on my iPad since I got it. It makes sense for them to want to unify their devices so that the “lock-orientation” buttons are all in the same place on all devices (i.e. scroll left on the multi-thread toolbar).
Absolutely outrageous. I have bought this hardware with the vital rotation lock switch. They have no right to take away the feature I bought the machine with. IMO this is breach of contract. The screen button that is supposed to do the same thing doesn’t. It only locks it into portrait so there will be no way to lock into landscape which is my preferred mode.
They will have to change this if enough of us complain wide and far. I really don’t understand why apple always let their products down with this kind of ‘we know better’ domination attitude. They don’t deserve the vast success they have achieved.
I wrote him the email. I had no idea it would bring up such a debate. if you want proof i can provide.:) Best day ever getting an email from Steve!
I love the orientation switch lock, mute is not a big deal you can just turn volume down (takes 1 second to get all the way down).
I don’t think the iPad needs a mute switch like the iPhone. While it is usefull on the phone, not as usefull on the iPad
Well I dont like the idea because I had a i-pod T and the screen lock was very handy for a kid like me because I can hide it and have the screen black so I cant get caught so I think this is a bad for all the kids in the world.
RE what David said,it is orientation and not oriental so please change it!