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 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 -- Feel free to visit my new Web site http://www.DavidGoldfield.info Feel free to visit my LinkedIn profile http://www.linkedin.com/pub/david-goldfield/12/929/573 Visit my blog http://davidgoldfield.wordpress.com Follow me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/davidgoldfield David Goldfield, Founder and Peer Coordinator Philadelphia Computer Users' Group for the Blind and Visually Impaired To learn more about the users' group, visit http://davidgoldfield.wordpress.com/2014/04/20/updated-faqphiladelphia-computer-users-group-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/