iPad on iOS 4: Orientation lock goes software, switch goes mute,

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

iOS 4.2 on iPad becomes like iPhone, with the hardware orientation lock changed to a mute switch, and a software orientation lock added to the fast app switcher UI's widget section.

iPad was originally announced with a mute switch but the description was later changed to read orientation lock just before release. Whether iOS 4.2 allowing Apple to go back to their original plan, or is simply allowing for more consistency across the iOS platform is unknown.

What do you think, change for the better or worse?

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.