I came up with a great way to do iOS User Switching (Feedback Requested!)

[Armen]

I was in the shower pretending it was WWDC 2015 and I came up with a way to do iOS User Switching. It's designed specifically for the iPad. The iPhone and iPod touch wouldn't have this feature.

Accessing the accounts
How it would happen is at the lock screen, instead of swiping right to unlock, you can swipe left, and a list of users and their icons appear. Tapping one will change the background to the user's personal background, and they can swipe to unlock. Also, at any time the user can swipe up on Control Center, and a new option appears that shows their photo and name. When they tap on that, a list of users comes up. What's unique is that you can even have it so if you switch while an app is open, you can have the option to switch to your account AND keep that app open. So if Sarah is on Facebook on the iPad and AJ wants to switch to his Facebook, rather than switch to his account and go find the app and re-open it, the account switches to his AND Facebook automatically switches to his account, without even having to leave the app.

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Passwords and Sharing
Each account can have an individual password and can have individual apps as well. Individual apps can be shared through one account (like a family account or multiple accounts under the new Family Sharing option, sharing apps). If each account wants to use an individual iCloud account without Family Sharing, but they both want to use the same app (i.e. both accounts want to use Netflix and Facebook), then the app can be updated by either user. In addition, thanks to iOS 8's Family Sharing, each account on the device can pick and choose which iTunes content is sharable. For example, if Michael really wants to listen to Jack's new Coldplay album, but doesn't want Jack's entire music library, they can choose to share only THAT album on the device. Or if Timmy wants to watch Lego Movie that his dad bought on his account, but his dad doesn't want him to be able to access the other movies he's bought like Clockwork Orange, he can choose to only share THAT item. This could even be extended to 3rd-party apps such as comic book readers or Kindle.

Account types
As far as accounts, there are 3 major types. Regular, Restricted, and Junior. Regular is exactly what you think - unrestricted access to settings and apps. Restricted presents the standard iOS interface but with integrated parental controls including time limits and activity reports. You can do everything the current parental controls on iOS can do but it's made more accessible and easier to use and is tied to the main account's iCloud OR can be tied to the accounts that belong to the parent.

(added 7/8/2014) Touch ID is a feature that could be utilized, provided future devices support it. Touch ID could be used in one of two ways - The first method would be that Touch ID can automatically switch accounts. So if Ed is logged in, and Jim hits the home button with Touch ID, the account automatically switches and logs him in.

The second thing Touch ID could do would be to allow Continuity for answering phone calls. For example, if Mariah is logged in and James gets a phone call, he can use Touch ID to automatically answer the call. Thanks to haikuandhoney from reddit for the idea!

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Junior would be a new addition that would also be added to Mac OS X designed for younger kids in elementary school and preschool. It would use large fonts and utilize Siri to create a fun, personal connection to the child. It would allow the parent to pick and choose which apps the kid could use and would also make smart recommendations on what apps the device thinks could help the kid. There would be avatar powered by Siri that the child could customize, and developers could even add in rewards into their educational apps that can unlock things like clothing for the avatar or background materials. There would be very minimal settings that would let the child do things such as choose a color scheme or change brightness and volume, but would lock down things such as the web browser, messages and email, FaceTime, non-approved apps, and major system settings. The avatar would also guide them through their games and educational apps and let them know things such as when it's time to give the iPad back to their parents. Parents could also choose to set "goals" for their kids and they could be rewarded as well. Goals could include "do x educational app for 20 minutes" or something basic, and 3rd party developers could add goals for parents to set up. For example an app designed to help the kid learn addition could have a goal made by the developer to do x amount of addition problems in a certain amount of time and they can be rewarded for completing it, or try again in an hour/tomorrow/next week, etc. The camera would also be accessible but there would be no sharing options. The parent account can access all photos taken via the Junior account on their account.

iCloud sync
Each account would also sync information via iCloud and keep that data separated. For example, if Mom has a MacBook Air and an iPhone, Dad has a Macbook Pro and an iPhone, and the kids share a Mac mini and both the kids have iPod touches, and each person has their own iCloud account, each individual account syncs to that iPad. So when Dad goes to pick up the iPad and logs into his user account, his messages and emails are available, he's automatically signed into his apps via iCloud keychain, and his iCloud photos and documents are ready to go. When Mom goes to switch accounts, on her account only HER iCloud information appears.

Handoff, Continuity and Notifications
As far as Handoff is concerned, if the current active iPad user is able to use handoff, the icon will appear as normal. However, if Jeff is logged in, but Alex is on her Mac, then her icon along with a "!" or "->" or possibly a smaller version of the app icon appears. Tapping on that allows her to switch to her account and use Handoff.

For Continuity, everything is handled through iCloud. So if Art signs in on his account, his text messages are available in Messages and if he gets a call he's able to answer it on the iPad. If Sarah is logged into her account and Art gets a phone call or text message, the iPad will not be able to answer the call. Call answering will ONLY be available for the current active account and will not work on the lock screen at all UNLESS the user gives specific permission to allow call answering on the lock screen. Text messages for individual accounts will still produce notifications.

On to notifications, during usage only the current active account will receive notifications. However, thanks to iCloud, any notifications sent to the iPad, even iPad-specific notifications, will show up on the owner's other devices signed into iCloud, including Macs. However, at the lock screen, if an account gets a notification an all new notification manager appears, with a layout similar to the notification center currently. The current active account is always displayed first, but is always collapsable. If another account gets a notification, the list expands similar to Notification center. The name of the account as well as their account picture would have a darker background (similar to the background given to the title of an app in Notification center) and their notifications would be listed below. Only the active account user can interact with their own notifications, i.e. if User 1 is the active user and user 2 gets a notification, User 1 cannot interact with that notification in any way until they switch to user 2's account. Users may also have the option to not have their name show up in the notification list, in which case when they swipe to access the users, a simple number will display next to their name to indicate how many notifications they have.

Alternatively, notifications for other accounts could be indicated by Handoff-like icons in the corner.

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Settings and Open apps
Certain settings, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular & Data, Usage settings, and other critical system settings will be universal and each account can actively change them (unless the account is restricted with the controls disabled or a Junior account). However almost every other setting will be tied to the user and can change.

As far as apps that the user already has open, on devices that support it (i.e. an iPad with 4GB of RAM), the apps will be ready and instant upon opening with no need to wait for refresh. This can be turned off if users so choose, in which case a simple image would be taken and saved, however this would require a short wait period for the app to reload.

This is a basic outline of what I envision. When I get the chance I plan on updating this post with GUI mockups. I'll probably do hand-drawn ones tomorrow to help better illustrate what I'm talking about, but until then can I get some feedback on my ideas. Things you like? Things you hate? Things that work great? Things that don't work at all? Let me know!

You are missing an important point. Apple needs to sell as many units as possible to continue to grow as a company. Allowing 1 device to be shared by more than 2 people would have an impact on their sales numbers.

Although you concepts are solid it's counter-productive for Apple to do this.

 

[afsnyder]

How about transparent user switching?

As soon as anyone turns the device on, it recognizes them through it's front camera and instantly displays their lock screen. As far as that person is concerned, it's their iPad. They may not even be aware of the other users.

Not through the camera, through their finger prints... think touch Id.

 

[charlituna]

But many people are sharing iPads.

well yeah, many people have been sharing iPads since the first one came out. But that still doesn't mean that Apple wants them to be doing this or is going to support that behavior in any large scale way like putting user accounts on iPads as if they are computers. That folks have been sharing them for years and Apple has done basically nothing to support such sharing is a big clue where their thoughts lie.

Remember Apple is about making money. They make it by selling hardware. A device per person sells more and makes them more. Heck allowing kids under 13 to have their own Apple ID without lying etc just adds to the notion of solo devices (you don't need your own id when you are sharing with mommy or daddy).

 

[Armen]

well yeah, many people have been sharing iPads since the first one came out. But that still doesn't mean that Apple wants them to be doing this or is going to support that behavior in any large scale way like putting user accounts on iPads as if they are computers. That folks have been sharing them for years and Apple has done basically nothing to support such sharing is a big clue where their thoughts lie.

Remember Apple is about making money. They make it by selling hardware. A device per person sells more and makes them more. Heck allowing kids under 13 to have their own Apple ID without lying etc just adds to the notion of solo devices (you don't need your own id when you are sharing with mommy or daddy).

That's what I said in my reply!

 

[Winona Northdakota]

A phone/tablet is a "personal" device. I don't think that there will ever be a way to have multiple users use the same iOS device. Apple wants you to buy multiple devices instead of sharing one so there's no motivation for them. Sharing a personal device doesn't make much sense anyway. Especially for a phone.

I don't see a problem with multiple users for most everything except for phone calling, text messages on a device and the App/iTunes Store. iCab web browser on iOS already has multi-user login mode, guest mode and kiosk mode. Perfect solution for web browsing.

 

[CutterSlade]

I don't see a problem with multiple users for most everything except for phone calling, text messages on a device and the App/iTunes Store. iCab web browser on iOS already has multi-user login mode, guest mode and kiosk mode. Perfect solution for web browsing.

It's not really a matter of privacy, but a matter of functionality. Only one person can have the phone in his/her pocket at a given time, and unlike a tablet, people keep their phones always around. They can't really share it with anyone, unless none of them uses it as a phone.

It can only make sense for tablets, which can actually be shared. I share an iPad with my brother but never needed to have separate accounts. In fact using the same account let us use each others apps without having to pay twice.

 

[MattInOz]

You are missing an important point. Apple needs to sell as many units as possible to continue to grow as a company. Allowing 1 device to be shared by more than 2 people would have an impact on their sales numbers.

Although you concepts are solid it's counter-productive for Apple to do this.

Doesn't that all depend....
By creating more users for the same amount of customers aren't also creating a gateway to more customers.

By allowing little jimmy to have his own accounts on mums iPad he's more likely to get his own iPad at an appropriate aged birthday party.

Also in business offices are more likely to have an iPad for a group of staff, as they get to rely in it more and more they have to buy more to service demand.

 

[Winona Northdakota]

It's not really a matter of privacy, but a matter of functionality. Only one person can have the phone in his/her pocket at a given time, and unlike a tablet, people keep their phones always around. They can't really share it with anyone, unless none of them uses it as a phone.

It can only make sense for tablets, which can actually be shared. I share an iPad with my brother but never needed to have separate accounts. In fact using the same account let us use each others apps without having to pay twice.

I didn't mention about privacy. Though, privacy is covered with multi-user login.

 

[Armen]

Doesn't that all depend....
By creating more users for the same amount of customers aren't also creating a gateway to more customers.

By allowing little jimmy to have his own accounts on mums iPad he's more likely to get his own iPad at an appropriate aged birthday party.

Also in business offices are more likely to have an iPad for a group of staff, as they get to rely in it more and more they have to buy more to service demand.

Dude, I understand the concept or need for multiuser profiles. I'm just saying I just don't see Apple changing it's "personalized" product philisophy.

 

[Stuke00]

Where are the photos?

 

[CutterSlade]

I didn't mention about privacy. Though, privacy is covered with multi-user login.

Every problem you said you can see are about privacy. Even though a multi-user login can solve them, because of what I said in my previous message, it has absolutely no real-world application in practice so it will never happen for phones.

 

[LostSoul80]

I don't see the usefulness or the need of such a feature on a tablet. Having one account setup helps keeping the one Apple account under control, and everything works just fine. Why would you need to introduce such a feature? To add complexity, and potentially create dangerous and confusing scenarios with doubled applications, safety and privacy concerns on something so simple to use such as an iPad?

 

[MattInOz]

Dude, I understand the concept or need for multiuser profiles. I'm just saying I just don't see Apple changing it's "personalized" product philisophy.

As you said the main aim is to sell. So I think if they see a way to get it to drive sales it'll happen. While it won't help sales it won't happen.

The iCloud API make such a big deal about the possibility that account may change while the an app is open. Not just allowing for the account to go away or be deleted, but to change accounts. Given they would try not to let you have multiple accounts it seems like overkill unless some user switching was planned in the future.

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I don't see the usefulness or the need of such a feature on a tablet. Having one account setup helps keeping the one Apple account under control, and everything works just fine. Why would you need to introduce such a feature? To add complexity, and potentially create dangerous and confusing scenarios with doubled applications, safety and privacy concerns on something so simple to use such as an iPad?

What about all the bring your device to work types, who might want two accounts for themselves one for work related one for private use. Similarly for school kids have a school account and free time account.

Even with the device having only a single user there is still value in multiple accounts.

 

[saberahul]

Would like to see the pics but all I see are question marks in blue boxes.

 

[BJMRamage]

I only saw the video as the Pics are not linked now.

Anyway, I would LOVE to have user accounts and would buy the 128gb iPad if it had them.

Instead I hold and wait as long as I can with the current 16gb.

I don't see Apple doing this as it doesn't benefit them as much as keeping things singular for iPad use.

 

[AlphaHumanus]

I won't buy an iPad because it doesn't have multiple user accounts, and can count around 12 people I know that feel the same way.

I personally think this would drive ipad sales more than the current philosophy.

 

[FSMBP]

I won't buy an iPad because it doesn't have multiple user accounts, and can count around 12 people I know that feel the same way.

I personally think this would drive ipad sales more than the current philosophy.

I agree...I'm more likely to buy iPads more frequently if they had multiple users (currently using iPad 2, want an iPad Air but can't justify buying a $500 device that's just for one user).

 

[roland.g]

I too don't see the iPad getting multiple user accounts. I don't think there is enough demand to warrant it and it would require some significant programming.

Apple truly hasn't solved multiple users on the Mac side anyway.

Sure you can set up multiple users and Yosemite and iOS 8 will allow for families to share purchased content without having to repurchase it.

That's great in a house where 2 teenage kids have bought songs and want the new "blah blah blah" album the other just bought. Families can now share, etc.

However, take my wife and I. I have an iMac and have my mail, photo library, iTunes library, and bookmarks on it. I tried several years ago setting up a separate account she could log into with her own mail app, and bookmarks, basically to leave my stuff alone. But if you want to share content without duplicating it you have to move photo and music libraries into shared folders and then no two users can access iPhoto at once. It would have been nice for her to sync her iPhone or iPod at the time to iTunes and just manage her own playlists. But if I bought a song it won't appear in her library unless she adds it, of course without copying it to another destination. It is a nightmare trying to set it up and it doesn't work. Apple has never made this a priority and won't.

One of the big issues was if I created her an account and she wanted to email a pic of the kids, she needed access to the iPhoto library, which resided on my side. Sharing that kind of media is not built in to the OS and there are severe limitations to doing it in a "way that just works". Apple would prefer that we each have our own Mac. Contacts is another issue. It's even tough with two iPhones.

 

[charlituna]

I won't buy an iPad because it doesn't have multiple user accounts, and can count around 12 people I know that feel the same way.

I personally think this would drive ipad sales more than the current philosophy.

The iPad has been out for five versions now, none with user accounts, and solid millions. Apparently you and your friends aren't even a blip on the radar compared to those that are willing to deal with the absence. So what do you think Apple will do. Cater to 0.0000000001%? Don't think so

 

[FSMBP]

The iPad has been out for five versions now, none with user accounts, and solid millions. Apparently you are your friends aren't even a blip on the radar compared to those that are willing to deal with the absence. So what do you think Apple will do. Cater to 0.0000000001%? Don't think so

With that mentality, Apple doesn't have to ever update iOS because its already sold millions of iPhones/iPads...People's needs evolve over time, as does technology.

It's like saying in early 2009 "Apple already sold 50 million iPhones - it's not like they need to add cut/copy/paste or Bluetooth Stereo Audio. So what do you think Apple will do. Cater to 0.0000000001%? Don't think so"

 

[AlphaHumanus]

The iPad has been out for five versions now, none with user accounts, and solid millions. Apparently you and your friends aren't even a blip on the radar compared to those that are willing to deal with the absence. So what do you think Apple will do. Cater to 0.0000000001%? Don't think so

It isn't catering to anyone but their pockets. They've sold iPads to everyone else, so update the features and finish the drive. You talk as if these features would detract from the existing experience. We should never see advancement because you're satisfied?

Come off it.

 

[Stuke00]

I think Apple expects everyone to have their own personal devices rather than shared ones. You can kinda see that with the new family features. Allowing families to share purchases across multiple devices rather than using a shared account, or device.

 

[Winona Northdakota]

I think Apple expects everyone to have their own personal devices rather than shared ones. You can kinda see that with the new family features. Allowing families to share purchases across multiple devices rather than using a shared account, or device.

I agree with this. This makes sense, so that Nanna can FaceTime with the grand kids while little Cooper can be playing Grand Theft Auto and Uncle Joey can be in the garage with some auto diagnostics app, instead of fighting over who gets to use the iPad.

 

[diazj3]

I was in the shower...

It would be great if you get a chance to fix the images' broken links in your posts... once you get out of the shower, of course .

Please do, as your post is very interesting, but incomplete.

The iPhone and iPod touch wouldn't have this feature.

I disagree on this one... it should be possible, and specially necessary. For example, I see lots of parents that lend their phone to their kids to keep them occupied for whatever reason... and they would love this feature in their iphones as well - with or without the telephone functionality.

 

[JamesMike]

Found very useful information.