Since the iPad launched, the button at the top of the right-hand side of the iPad has been used as an orientation lock. Under the iOS 4.2 betas, the button has been changed to a mute switch – and apparently that change is going to become a permanent one when iOS 4.2 is released to the public next month.
According to a report at 9to5Mac, Steve Jobs has confirmed the permanent change in another of his direct email exchanges with a user.
So in iOS 4.2, the top right button will be a Mute button and the Orientation Lock will be toggled via a button in the Multitasking Bar, just to the right of the iPod controls.
When I first saw this change in the first iOS 4.2 beta I thought it might be a nice change, but I’ve come to agree with those who commented on it here – it’s not a good change. Orientation Lock is much more commonly needed on the iPad, and the hardware button is a far easier way to get to it for quick toggling.
Also, there’s already a perfectly good and quick way to mute the volume on the iPad – just by holding down the Volume down switch for a second or so.
Obviously Apple are able to change hardware button functions via software updates, so hopefully they will reconsider this one at some point.

I agree that orientation lock is needed quite often, but totally disagree that the current volume button is fine for muting. I often want to turn down my iPad a fair bit but not mute it so i do what we do with every other device in the world with a volume button – i hold down the Reduce Volume button until its at an acceptable volume. Of course on the iPad e volume is muted if you hold it for longer than it takes to remove a mere two bars of volume. This is extremely annoying.
I for one will be most glad of that ‘function’ taking a hike. It remains to be seen if changing the orientation lock to Mute will be the disaster it’s sort of being pegged as by certain people… ;)
"I for one will be most glad of that 'function' taking a hike."
I was told that function will not be changing. Holding down the volume button will still lead to mute.
I don't think it's going anywhere. It certainly still works the same way in the current Beta 3 version of iOS 4.2.
The real crime of this forced change is that is is trivial to make it a user-selectable option like Caps Lock. Steve certainly knows how to be inflexible and unyielding when it matters; he apparently hasn't learned the converse.
Yup, good point. We also used to have choices for the double-tap action on the Home button.
Hey #Apple, change the #iPad switch back to screen lock!