iOS Multiple User Idea

[mickbab]

Hi guys,

Seen a couple of posts around here suggesting support for multiple users on iOS, but doesn't seem to be much of an idea of how to implement it.

I think that this support could be a useful improvement to iOS, specifically on the iPad where the device might be sitting around the house and different family members might like access to their own personal content.

Could it be something as simple as this? When the device is unlocked, the options for which user profile to enter are presented, and the user simply chooses which one to access.

Just a thought I had, what do you guys think? (quick mockup attached)

 

[hockeyhammer]

I like that, the only thing is if we get lockscreen widgets with ios5 then you wont be able to customize them individually. Great idea though.

 

[mickbab]

I like that, the only thing is if we get lockscreen widgets with ios5 then you wont be able to customize them individually. Great idea though.

Ah yes, hadn't thought of that, thanks for your input.
And now that you mention it, I suppose there would only be one lock screen wallpaper for all users as well. Though there is still the option to have customised home screen wallpapers.

 

[maflynn]

Since iOS is only on iPhones and iPads and you posted this in the iPhone forum, I'll give my two cents.

I don't see the need to make iOS multi-user. Phones by their very nature and design, single user. As for the iPad, its in apple's best interest to make this single user as well, that way they can sell more iPads, i.e., multiple iPads in a given family.

 

[Krandor]

I don't see the need to make iOS multi-user. Phones by their very nature and design, single user. As for the iPad, its in apple's best interest to make this single user as well, that way they can sell more iPads, i.e., multiple iPads in a given family.

For iPhone I agree.

For iPad, Apple may want that, but most families are not going to buy multiple iPads. Multi-user on the iPad would be good for many users.

 

[maflynn]

iPads. Multi-user on the iPad would be good for many users.

Agreed, but I don't think apple is going to add multi user ability and so the point is rather moot, in so far as families will need to cope with dealing with a single iPad or buy another.

 

[myddrak]

No sale

Agreed, but I don't think apple is going to add multi user ability and so the point is rather moot, in so far as families will need to cope with dealing with a single iPad or buy another.

You missed the 'or buy something else' option, as this is a deal breaker for me......

 

[TheyCallMeSaint]

You think there would be a JB feature to accommodate this, but I haven't really heard of one to date.

 

[ChristianVirtual]

iPad & multi user would be good for business user; like field force.
The configuration would be adopted per user. eg different email, calendar etc. Data might be shared. But my guess we will not see that because the units-sold might be impacted.

For the phone I don't see the need; which user should get the incoming call ? For developer it would make sense as you could try different versions while keeping the released version untouched. But that's more relevant for smaller companies.

 

[vincenz]

But then people won't have an excuse to buy one for themselves

 

[DocNYz]

iPad & multi user would be good for business user; like field force.
The configuration would be adopted per user. eg different email, calendar etc. Data might be shared. But my guess we will not see that because the units-sold might be impacted.

For the phone I don't see the need; which user should get the incoming call ? For developer it would make sense as you could try different versions while keeping the released version untouched. But that's more relevant for smaller companies.

Yeah I agree for the phone it doesn't really make sense but it is practically necessary for the iPad if you have friends, families, or ANY sort of confidential or private information. A lot of us talked about before the original iPad was even released because some low res photos made it look like the photo option at the lock screen might be a user option. Once we learned that was not the case I suggested things like having passcode protected folders so we could put apps like mail in there and let people borrow the pad without worrying they'll read out mail or change any settings or install any apps etc. If you agree either of these ideas are good PLEASE go to apple.com/feedback and send them in! They often listen (case in point being the HDMI out and tethering) and the more people to do ao the higher the chance it'll be an available feature in a future update!

As said by others above, this has prevented me and a lot of people from buying iPads and has driven many to look elsewhere.

I don't believe it's to sell more, one could say the same argument about laptops but clearly you can put multiple accounts on them. (Trolls: before you respond to that, consider the most expensive iPad when compared to the cheapest laptop)

 

[acfusion29]

for the iPhone it's dumb and no point. it's not common for people to share cell phones, so the feature would be useless.

as for the iPad, i think it's a great idea.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I could see multiple users being useful on an iPad, but not an iPhone.

 

[monaarts]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

I think apple should just do a triple click to change user. Even if on the lock screen, triple click home button, click change user, click on you name. Now when the lock screen is back up you will see your lock widgets until user is changed again. ;-).

This way you could change user at any time. If someone was playing angry birds... Click click click - change users - user 1... DONE!!

 

[DocNYz]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

I think apple should just do a triple click to change user. Even if on the lock screen, triple click home button, click change user, click on you name. Now when the lock screen is back up you will see your lock widgets until user is changed again. ;-).

This way you could change user at any time. If someone was playing angry birds... Click click click - change users - user 1... DONE!!

That'd be awesome!

 

[Brien]

Agreed, but I don't think apple is going to add multi user ability and so the point is rather moot, in so far as families will need to cope with dealing with a single iPad or buy another.

This is pretty much it. In the post-PC, computer-as-an-appliance world Apple is building, "computers" will be cheap enough that everyone gets their own. No need for multi-user.

And hey, even then, with 'the cloud' you would just access your stuff over the air anyway.

 

[svenn]

What about skipping that 2nd screen in altogether?

Just slide, enter your secret code, and have it log in to the appropriate account.

 

[monaarts]

What about skipping that 2nd screen in altogether?

Just slide, enter your secret code, and have it log in to the appropriate account.

Because it makes it alot easier to guess the password. ;-) You would now be trying to get one of two, three, or four passwords... Believe it or not, I bet that divides the amount of guesses needed by a whole number. ;-)


- Joe

 

[monaarts]

Click, Click, Click...

 

[fastuning]

why not in IOS 5?

for me is a MUST BE

 

[Eric H]

I'd love to see multi-user capabilities. I own a small business, and have 10 employees with iPhones. Would love to be able to lock one "user" and admin that with apps and security settings that can't be changed, but allow them to use the other half of the space (another "user") as their personal phone. I could force the dozen or so apps we rely on on one user, and they could share contacts, music, email, bookmarks, etc, between users, but if they want to download HBO Go and a whole bunch of fart apps on their side they can, with their own iTunes account.

And if this already exists and I can't figure out where to find it, please feel free to slap me in the right diretion.