The audio controls stick to the lock-screen when the phone is locked, in the same screen location but always present to allow even quicker control and obviate the need to tap the volume rocker in order to play, pause or skip on the lock-screen. Interestingly, the “vibrate” or “ring + vibrate” button, which I call the mute switch, does not remain on the lock-screen, and requires that the user press the volume rocker to display it when the phone is locked. This means that to mute a Windows Phone, the user must take the phone out of their pocket, tap the power button, tap the volume rocker, and finally tap the mute switch. With the current iPhone design, the user need only reach into their pocket and flip the hardware switch to prevent all unexpected noises.
The answer to David’s question is clear and unequivocal: YES! While having an excess of rarely needed/used hardware buttons and toggles can diminish the quality of a device, a deficiency of such buttons/toggles can do the same thing. It sounds small, but the ability to rapidly and easily mute a device is a key professional feature of a device.
Excited Pixels 