[Trainer-talk] iPad Air 2 Lock/Mute Switch is gone

[David Goldfield]

Ah.  From what I've read, you hold down one of the volume buttons to 
mute the iPad air 2.  OK, that works ...

      David Goldfield,
Assistive Technology specialist
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On 10/18/2014 7:52 AM, David Goldfield via Trainer-talk wrote:
> People who are familiar with iOS devices and who might be considering
> purchasing the new iPad Air 2 should know that the handy, nifty switch
> for muting the device or locking the screen orientation is gone. You 
> can still
> perform these functions but they need to be done via software. I am so
> used to flipping down that switch to mute my iPhone before I teach a
> class or enter a church that I'd have a hard time getting used to not
> doing that. What would be nice is if Apple could implement an option
> where you would locate it from the status line at the top of the screen,
> maybe to the immediate left or right of where the time is displayed.
> Does anyone know how you mute the iPad via the software?
> Here's the article about this from Apple Insider ...
>
> Apple's iPad Air 2Apple's iPad Air 2 eschews physical orientation lock
> switch in favor of software control
> By Mikey Campbell
> A lot of attention has been paid to the iPad Air 2's slimmed-down
> design, but one of the most striking changes — the removal of the
> orientation lock/mute switch — is a significant evolution in Apple's
> design philosophy.
>
> When Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller took the stage on Thursday to
> give a rundown of the new iPad Air 2, he touted the tablet's thinness,
> Touch ID and battery life, but glossed over the fact that the
> orientation lock switch normally flanking the tablet's volume buttons
> has been deleted.
>
> Schiller made no mention of the switch's disappearance even when that
> particular area was highlighted to show off a much improved rear-facing
> iSight camera. Instead, he pointed out the iPad Air 2's dual microphones
> that offer high-fidelity audio recording, one of which is positioned in
> the exact location of where the switch used to be. The original iPad Air
> also featured a two-mic setup.
>
> This particular design change was first seen in June with a supposed
> iPad Air 2 dummy unit, then again in subsequent parts leaks. Some
> publications were so set on the traditional iPad design, they refused to
> entertain the idea that Apple would do away with the switch, speculating
> instead that the mic port was a "pilot hole" to be bored out later in
> the production process.
>
> Apple first introduced the physical toggle as a carryover from the
> iPhone's mute control, but extended functionality to include locking the
> tablet's screen orientation. When using the device in portrait mode, for
> example, a user may lie down or reposition themselves, which results in
> an unexpected switch to landscape orientation. The switch prevented this
> from happening.
>
> While earlier versions of iOS included a software setting that allowed
> users to map orientation lock/mute controls to the physical switch, it
> was only with the introduction of iOS 7's Control Panel that the option
> became readily accessible. Instead of digging into the Settings menu,
> users can now simply swipe up on any screen and tap a button to lock in
> portrait or landscape views.
>
> Although the iPad Air 2 design change was left unexplained, it can be
> assumed that Apple finds the software controls to be just as effective
> as a physical switch. Also, by getting rid of the external control,
> Apple has removed a moving part from the iPad's design, reducing the
> potential for hardware failures.
>
> The change is likely not an issue for new users, but could take some
> getting used to for longtime iPad owners.
>
> For now, it appears only the iPad Air 2 is taking on the design tweak,
> as the switch remains on Apple's new iPad mini 3. It should be noted
> that the latest iPad mini release includes only internal component
> enhancements, the addition of Touch ID and a new gold color option, not
> a redesigned chassis. eschews physical orientation lock switch in favor
> of software control
>