We’ve been testing the latest beta of iOS 4.2 for a while, and one of the things that stands out, and that continues to be pretty annoying is the orientation lock, or lack thereof, in iOS 4.2 beta 3.
If you’ve grown accustomed to flicking the switch to lock the screen, you’re going to be pretty annoyed when iOS 4.2 launches next month. Apple plans on leaving the switch as a mute button.
According to another vague email from Jobs, it’s pretty clear that they intend on leaving it as a volume mute switch, which has to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s not stupid because the iPad needs a mute switch. It’s stupid because the iPad already has a mute switch: it’s called holding down the lower volume button on the volume rocker. The volume drops from one bar to mute in a split second.
How many steps is it going to take to switch the screen orientation? Five. You’ll have to double click the home button to bring up the multi-tasking menu, then swipe (left to right) to bring up the controls, then unclick the orientation lock, then flip the device, then re-click the orientation lock to lock it.
How many steps is it currently? Three. You flip the switch, flip the device, and flip the switch again. You tell me which one makes more sense?
If you’re expecting Apple to make it an option you can control, you’re kidding yourself. Steve Jobs also answered that question with a resounding “Nope.”
Article Via Just Another iPad Blog
