Multi-user support on the iPad

[mrgreen4242]

Unfortunately, I think Apple's version of multi-user support will be "go buy another one".

[pubwvj]

Good point. I've wondered how to handle this. I would like to get an iPad but don't want my six year old messing with my work files.

[HiRez]

This is something that's been bothering me the more I think about it. I haven't heard anything from Apple or even any rumors or leaks that address multiple users using the same iPad. Whether or not that's intended, it seems like a major oversight.

With a phone, I understand the single-user nature of it. But an iPad is supposed to be something you leave around the house: on the sofa, coffee table, by your bed, in the kitchen, or uh *cough* the bathroom. Which would really seem to imply it's meant for people to just have it convenient to pick it up and play with it. But that's a real problem if it's used by more than one person. Does that mean only one person can check their email? That everyone has to share apps? What about syncing?

An extension of this is what if you have a family with two or more iPads? Now I have to keep track of which one belongs to whom, and if I borrow the wrong one for something quick, it's going to sync to the wrong account.

In short, this could become a mess for many people unless they find a way to manage it.

A rundown of some of the issues I see:

• How could you switch accounts? I guess something like Fast Uer Switching. A while ago there was even a rumor that a front-facing camera could do face detection and assist with autoswitching.

• How is syncing dealt with? The "one device syncs to one and only one desktop computer" paradigm is starting to look pretty old and clunky. But admittedly, it's not a super simple software solution and I do understand Apple wants to keep things simple for the user.

• If the device is passcoded, is it a master passcode for everyone on the device or does everyone get their own?

• Can I share books (and possibly movie downloads) between multiple iPads and have them synced automatically to all the devices I'm registered on? Along with my bookmark(s)? This is a great feature of the Kindle and it'd be a shame if Apple can't make it work.

• Each user needs their own home screen and should be able to lay out their apps independently. But if an app is bought on one account, can other users on the same device use it? How would user preferences work in this situation (for example, two people would want their different game states saved on the same game).

• You can download an app you purchase for both an iPhone and an iPad. But can you download it to two iPads? I'm guessing not.

Bottom line is it's a shame if multiple iPads in a single house can't share data, and multiple users on a single iPad can't have their own setups. I know the answer is probably "Too complex and too many issues with content providers and DRM". Big drawback for me if they can't address it though.

[dave1812dave]

Originally Posted by carlrothottawa

Multi-user will be a "deal breaker" for me. If I can't leave the iPad in my living room or rec room to be used by whoever in my family without mixing up email etc it will not be cost effective for me. I have an iPhone and i don't need another "personal" device. I hope they sort this out and announce something soon.

apple doesn't want it to be cost-effective for YOU. they want it to be a cash cow for THEM. That's one of the reasons it won't get Flash. that would mess up their revenue stream, aka iTunes App Store.

[HiRez]

Originally Posted by lordhamster

Granted all you super-nerds may have multiple user accounts set up on your home computer. However your average family shares a single OS user account. They'll deal.

This seems exactly opposite of why multiuser should be supported. It's super-nerds who know how to deal with such a situation. "Normal" people do not, and it opens up all kinds of problems (whether desktop or iPad). Kids need to be blocked from certain web content but not the parents. What happens when sis or uncle Joe accidentally deletes your term paper or textbook notes? What about when little Stevie replies to an email by your boss on your work Exchange account, or declines a meeting invite? How about when he orders up $40,000 of music or apps on your iTunes account? Do you really want everybody's Safari bookmarks mixed in together? Do you want everyone reading everyone else's email (or responding to it, or deleting it)?

It's for just these kinds of things that I insisted my parents set up their own user accounts, and why I have one separate from my girlfriend on our desktop and laptop machines. I don't want anyone messing with my stuff and I don't want to have to weed through her cruft either. If someone else wants to keep their room messy, that's up to them, but I don't want to live in it. It works well.

In the long run, keeping separate user accounts makes things simpler for users, not more complex.

[dave1812dave]

Originally Posted by lordhamster

Granted all you super-nerds may have multiple user accounts set up on your home computer. However your average family shares a single OS user account. They'll deal.

hamster, did you just make that up as you went? I'd like to see one shred of evidence that "the average family" shares a single OS user account". Until then, I say "baloney".

[4DThinker]

One more area where Apple drops the ball. They make a device more than one family member would probably love to use. You may get your kids their own Touch at $199, but it's less likely each kid will have their own iPad at $499 and up. Anyone sending a kid to college would be smarter to get them a notebook or desktop PC for their dorm room. Another area where Apple fails to realize the potential of it's own device. A message for Steve: It's NOT an iPhone or a Touch. Sure, the iPhone OS was a smart place to start. PLEASE don't stop there.

[EssentialParado]

I can imagine Apple adding a user select screen with optional password support into OS 4.0. But there's not much reason to have it in the iPad at launch.

[4DThinker]

I keep forgetting one fact about Apple's devices. They are all "i"devices. Personal, private, single owner. A multi-user tablet from Apple would have to be the wePad, or ourPad. Apple might want to trademark those names. The way everyone else seems to be jumping on the tablet bandwagon we can expect Nintendo to come out with a WiiPad soon.

Many thread here and elsewhere have trouble seeing the point of a tablet. For them it's the whyPad.

[thejakill]

Sorry, kids. You'll have to wait until next year when ipad 2.0 comes out. Then daddy will let you have the old one.

That's what I did with my original iPhone.

[Durious]

Originally Posted by 4DThinker

I keep forgetting one fact about Apple's devices. They are all "i"devices. Personal, private, single owner. A multi-user tablet from Apple would have to be the wePad. Apple might want to trademark that name. They way everyone else seems to be jumping on the tablet bandwagon we can expect Nintendo to come out with a WiiPad soon.

Many thread here and elsewhere have trouble seeing the point of a tablet. For them it's the whyPad.

Best explanation ever!

[macdim]

I guess for email you could simply add different accounts for each user in the Mail app. So long as you don't mind others seeing your email.

[Peanut207]

Not having a multiple user account option would be a big disappointment. It would be nice to be able to leave the iPad laying around the house for family members or visitors to pick up and mess around with. However, if the iPad doesn't allow for multiple users it would not make this possible (for me at least)...or you would have to closely monitor the content you sync onto your iPad like pics, video etc. and who wants to let other people have complete access to your email? (I don't)

I will probably still get one, most likely the base 16GB wifi but it'll be a bummer not being able to let it sit around for everyone to pick up and enjoy.

[Lara F]

Originally Posted by lordhamster

Granted all you super-nerds may have multiple user accounts set up on your home computer. However your average family shares a single OS user account. They'll deal.

I love how nerd, geek, etc have become the new label for those not happy with the iPad. Give me a break. Not to mention that it's just plain wrong. Family members use separate accounts on both Windows and OSX. The iPad may not be extremely expensive but it's not so cheap as to be afforable for each person on average.

[Night Spring]

Originally Posted by HiRez

• You can download an app you purchase for both an iPhone and an iPad. But can you download it to two iPads? I'm guessing not.

Apps can be installed on as many devices as you want, as long as they are synced to the same computer. So I would think yes, you can download apps to two iPads, if they sync to the same computer.

[bossxii]

I can see this questions going to SJ already...

Email to sjobs@apple.com

Hi Steve! Love the iPad and can't wait to buy it. I was wondering however if the iPad will support multiple users? My brother and I would like to share it.

SJ: Buy two...

[Eso]

Originally Posted by macdim

So long as you don't mind others seeing your email.

Who would mind that? Let them delete email and even reply to email as if they were you too.

In fact, why do email services even require a password? You should just be able to enter your email address to log in to your account.

[macdim]

Originally Posted by Eso

Who would mind that? Let them delete email and even reply to email as if they were you too.

In fact, why do email services even require a password? You should just be able to enter your email address to log in to your account.

I just meant that if you share the iPad in a family setting and your kids are older and trustworthy, there is no reason why someone who doesn't care about their family members seeing their email would need separate user accounts, from an email perspective anyway.

[kerryn]

We have a Macbook at home and we have multiple user accounts on it so it can switch settings from say my wife, to my children to myself. Very useful stuff.

This multiple user accounts is not on the iPhone OS as far as I am aware (we don't have one) but we do have an iPod touch and it's not on there. This is fine as these tend to be "personal" items.

I don't see the iPad as being a "personal" item though. If we were to get one it would be mainly for in the house usage, video for the kids etc. It could be used by anyone. Consequently I would rather hope for the ability to have user accounts so that I need not log out the previous user for all the apps individually just so that I can get mine apps working with my accounts. Trouble is, as this is iPhoneOS based I do not know if I can not this.

Anyone have any idea if the iPad will allow fast user switching between accounts?

[Surely]

It will work the same as the iPhone and iPod touch.

It uses the same OS.

/thread

[saving107]

currently the 3.2 software that the iPad has doesn't support Multiple Accounts, but that could change with the new 4.0 software later this summer.

[spammerhamster]

Originally Posted by saving107

currently the 3.2 software that the iPad has doesn't support Multiple Accounts, but that could change with the new 4.0 software later this summer.

heard nothing about multiple accounts on the new 4.0. gotasource?

[netdog]

To those of you with so much concern that Apple must add multi-user capability.

Don't worry.

She already knows you like porn.

[bosox2009]

Just being able to password lock your email app would be sufficient. That way your 3 year old can't accidentally delete the important message your boss might have sent you earlier. Apps can be locked down if I am not mistaken, should the developer write in that capability.

[rpryor]

so what happens when you purchase 24 of them for a mobile lab at a school and need multiple user accounts to access storage, proxy, application, and other misc settings?