Apple does the unthinkable and changes its mind about the Orientation Lock on the iPad

> [](http://www.macrumors.com/2011/01/12/ios-4-3-beta-brings-software-option-for-rotation-lock-or-mute-on-ipad#) > One of the more controversial changes made with the release of iOS 4.2 late last year was a change in the functionality of the [switch](http://www.macrumors.com/2010/09/15/ipads-orientation-lock-switch-becomes-mute-switch-with-ios-4-2/) on the side of the iPad, moving it from a screen rotation lock to a mute switch as seen on the iPhone. Apple CEO Steve Jobs had even reportedly [responded](http://www.macrumors.com/2010/10/24/ipad-os-4-2-orientation-lock-to-mute-switch-change-permanent/) to a customer question by noting that the change was permanent and that it would not be a user-configurable option. > > Apple appears to have had a change of heart, as today’s iOS 4.3 beta appears to have [added an option](http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=11714118&postcount=58) in the device’s Settings application to allow users to customize the behavior of the switch. I haven’t been this happy to have been [wrong](http://jcieplinski.posterous.com/on-the-ipad-muteorientation-lock-controversy) in a long time. Apple seems to have seen the light on this one.