iOS 6 Beta Removes Requirement to Enter Password to Download Free Apps and Upgrades [Updated]

[Kaibelf]

Great. Now the pranksters at work can use up my data allotment by doing app updates when I'm not looking.

I'll have to set a lock screen pw which is much more annoying.

Get better coworkers. There are plenty of people looking for a job.

 

[marcusj0015]

/slightly off topic
I'm not running iOS 6, but from that screenshot I see 2 things that bug me. A) why has top charts been moved one to the left? Just turn categories into genius... and B) now you can only view 4 apps at a time, opposed to 5. seems to be going backwards.. (although on the longer iPhone 5 screen, I'm sure that'll move back up to 5)

Just because you can see one less app icon, doesn't mean it's "going backwards" That's only one metric, the MAIN metric that actually matters, is layout and visibility, and the OS 6 app store is lightyears ahead of the iOS 5 one.

----------

Too late Apple - my entire family already hates you for this crap.

I'm sure they're crying right now, about how little you matter to anyone.

 

[fruitpunch.ben]

maybe you should be parenting them instead of apple.

I'm sure this makes sense to people without any kids.
But anyone who has kids, and likes to give them their iPhone occasionally to play with, or to give them a few minutes of peace during long car rides knows that they are not watching their kids every second of the day.
Meaning that with the password restriction on free apps lifted, a kid can get to the app store and download any free app - not a good idea. (and this is coming from a parent of a 2 year old who has literally been able to unlock my iPhone, navigate through screens and folders to his favourite app, launch it and start playing it since he was 12 months old). All we're asking is for Apple to include a setting (even in parental controls if they want) to allow updates without a password, but to ask for a password every time a new app is downloaded, in the same way that I can remove the 15 minute window I don't have to re-enter my password.
Asking for that does not make me a bad parent. It just means I actually am a parent who understands children.

 

[*Calypso*]

I'd love an option to hide particular updates in the AppStore. It annoys me when there is an update just to add iAds, but I keep on installing them, because otherwise I'll have the notification on my phone forever.

 

[rmwebs]

... which looks like the desktop iTunes store. Why didn't you think of that? Can't you see it's borrowed from the desktop iTunes store? Don't immediately jump to the android conclusion.

The google play (MOBILE) store looks nothing remotely like the iTunes store. The new iOS AppStore colour scheme is what the op meant, and he's correct - it does look very much like the play store.

That said, it's highly unlikely that it's intentional on apple or googles part.

 

[marcusj0015]

I'm sure this makes sense to people without any kids.
But anyone who has kids, and likes to give them their iPhone occasionally to play with, or to give them a few minutes of peace during long car rides knows that they are not watching their kids every second of the day.
Meaning that with the password restriction on free apps lifted, a kid can get to the app store and download any free app - not a good idea. (and this is coming from a parent of a 2 year old who has literally been able to unlock my iPhone, navigate through screens and folders to his favourite app, launch it and start playing it since he was 12 months old). All we're asking is for Apple to include a setting (even in parental controls if they want) to allow updates without a password, but to ask for a password every time a new app is downloaded, in the same way that I can remove the 15 minute window I don't have to re-enter my password.
Asking for that does not make me a bad parent. It just means I actually am a parent who understands children.

Or. You could just disable cell and wifi signals, and it'd save battery to boot.
Face it, you're in the minority, and the majority has wanted this forever, lrn2deal.

 

[Alisstar]

I noticed this change when beta 3 came out, but I just downloaded a free app and, strangely enough, asked me for my password. I'll wait the 15 minute period to see if it asks for my password again.

 

[furi0usbee]

Marble Anyone?

Looks like the rumored "marble" UI for Mac OS was actually iOS...

 

[baller1308]

I noticed this in the first beta. A welcomed change.

 

[charlituna]

Installation of apps should still be behind a password. You don't want your kids installing something you don't want on there, even if it is free.

compromise. Restrictions already lets you reduce the minutes in the grace period. Probably easy enough to add a setting to turn on the need for a password

 

[champ01]

In another change designed to make the purchasing process quicker and easier, the App Store no longer returns users to the home screen when an app is purchased. Instead, it downloads in the background, making the purchase of multiple apps much easier.

OMG OMG they finally fixed it!

 

[charlituna]

finally.

Can iOS6 allow subscription to podcasts as well? Because it's not truly PC/Mac free until you can do that.

don't need iOS 6 for that. just get the Podcasts app.

 

[snowcrash]

I'm sure this makes sense to people without any kids.
But anyone who has kids, and likes to give them their iPhone occasionally to play with, or to give them a few minutes of peace during long car rides knows that they are not watching their kids every second of the day.
Meaning that with the password restriction on free apps lifted, a kid can get to the app store and download any free app - not a good idea. (and this is coming from a parent of a 2 year old who has literally been able to unlock my iPhone, navigate through screens and folders to his favourite app, launch it and start playing it since he was 12 months old). All we're asking is for Apple to include a setting (even in parental controls if they want) to allow updates without a password, but to ask for a password every time a new app is downloaded, in the same way that I can remove the 15 minute window I don't have to re-enter my password.
Asking for that does not make me a bad parent. It just means I actually am a parent who understands children.

I have a child and this makes no sense to me. I parent my child and he knows to "ask me" if he can download an app to my iPhone when he is using it for those times I allow him for long car rides. He would never just start installing something without asking me. I don't need Apple to police my personal phone. Yes I can restrict his iPod touch for those times I'm not there but overall there is an understanding that apps cost money, space and not all apps/games are age appropriate so even if it's free he needs to ask first.

 

[Alisstar]

Yep, it asked for my password again when downloading a free app.

 

[thefourthpope]

Huzzah!

(I don't have Beta access, so this is news to me)

 

[Lindono]

Proven fact: Lighter colors tend to make people happier. Perhaps the black app store isn't such a good idea.

I have a child and this makes no sense to me. I parent my child and he knows to "ask me" if he can download an app to my iPhone when he is using it for those times I allow him for long car rides. He would never just start installing something without asking me. I don't need Apple to police my personal phone. Yes I can restrict his iPod touch for those times I'm not there but overall there is an understanding that apps cost money, space and not all apps/games are age appropriate so even if it's free he needs to ask first.

And that, ladies and gentlemen is what I call parenting. Teach the kids to police themselves, don't raise them to rely on others. Such a lost art good parenting is these days...

 

[Deadman64]

How about a wish list feature? I'd love to throw apps I'm thinking of purchasing on it, or apps I feel are too expensive and would wanna buy in a few months when it's cheaper.

The web os app store (yeah yeah) has this and it's really nice

 

[Alisstar]

There's an app for that called "AppShopper". I believe it's owned by macrumors also. Great app for keeping track of app prices and updates.

 

[koobcamuk]

About bloody time.

reminds me of the google play store ...

Well, if it ain't patented, it's fair game

 

[Jemani]

finally.

Can iOS6 allow subscription to podcasts as well? Because it's not truly PC/Mac free until you can do that.

Huh? Just download Apple's Podcast app from the app store. It's been available for a while. Keep up!

 

[b_scott]

I'm sure this makes sense to people without any kids.
But anyone who has kids, and likes to give them their iPhone occasionally to play with, or to give them a few minutes of peace during long car rides knows that they are not watching their kids every second of the day.
Meaning that with the password restriction on free apps lifted, a kid can get to the app store and download any free app - not a good idea. (and this is coming from a parent of a 2 year old who has literally been able to unlock my iPhone, navigate through screens and folders to his favourite app, launch it and start playing it since he was 12 months old). All we're asking is for Apple to include a setting (even in parental controls if they want) to allow updates without a password, but to ask for a password every time a new app is downloaded, in the same way that I can remove the 15 minute window I don't have to re-enter my password.
Asking for that does not make me a bad parent. It just means I actually am a parent who understands children.

I didn't have an iPhone as a child, and I was fine. Get more creative with toys or buy them their own iPod. Or if you can't control them stealing your phone then passcode lock it.

 

[b_scott]

don't need iOS 6 for that. just get the Podcasts app.

Wow, this was not publicized. I should know, I've been wanting it forever. Thanks.

 

[Jemani]

I'm sure this makes sense to people without any kids.
But anyone who has kids, and likes to give them their iPhone occasionally to play with, or to give them a few minutes of peace during long car rides knows that they are not watching their kids every second of the day.
Meaning that with the password restriction on free apps lifted, a kid can get to the app store and download any free app - not a good idea. (and this is coming from a parent of a 2 year old who has literally been able to unlock my iPhone, navigate through screens and folders to his favourite app, launch it and start playing it since he was 12 months old). All we're asking is for Apple to include a setting (even in parental controls if they want) to allow updates without a password, but to ask for a password every time a new app is downloaded, in the same way that I can remove the 15 minute window I don't have to re-enter my password.
Asking for that does not make me a bad parent. It just means I actually am a parent who understands children.

Why are you giving kids a phone to play with? Who in the world are they calling?

 

[Jessica Lares]

What a relief! I HATE entering passwords for free apps.

 

[dra]

also in the news obama is the first black pres