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“If an unauthorized user were to attempt to access an iPhone or another device, the owner of the handset could be notified in a variety of manners, including a phone call, text message or e-mail. It could even send the owner — or the police — a picture of the unauthorized user, or other information specific to the potential thief, such as the current location,” Hughes reports.
Hughes reports, “But beyond security, such technology could also be used to identify individual users and allow users who share a product, like an iPad, to customize it to their liking.”
Read more in the full article, which includes Apple’s patent application illustrations, here.
Please Apple, bring support for multiple users to the iPad.
It’s the single greatest overlooked feature on the Mac.
Most visitors to this forum may not understand as they are undoubtedly single, but when you have a family, multiple users are a must. Even IF you have multiple computers, don’t you want YOUR desktop, YOUR mail, YOUR preferences, YOUR iTunes ratings, etc when you log in?
An iPad without support for users offers no privacy to YOUR mail, no Parental Controls for Safari or Apps for young children.
I’d rather buy multiple iPads for different rooms in the house than have everyone carry THEIR iPad from place to place.
MULTIPLE USERS IS A MUST!
As-is, the iPad is a one-user device.
It holds MY email, MY photos, MY apps and MY itunes songs, playlists and ratings but everyone else in the family must access their content via the internet and webmail. FAIL
Sure, multiple users would eat up more space, but that would push buyers toward the higher end models.
Someone who gets it:
http://macenstein.com/default/2010/04/attention-apple-the-ipad-needs-to-support-multiple-users-now-go-make-it-so/
Multiple users would encourage users to buy the 64GB and hopefully forthcoming 128GB iPad models.
What’s the point of having a MobileMe Family Pack when it works with only one user.
An iPad is more of a shared device as opposed to an iPod or iPhone. Security, privacy and parental controls are a must.
Easiest way to do this is Multiple Users.
Multiple postings also seem to be desirable.
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Good one. But, at least I didn’t scream write “First” ; )
Trying to start a conversation about this but I guess I’m in the minority concerning the need for multiple users.
Considering Apple hasn’t caved to heavy demand for matte screens, I don’t see them adding this feature with lukewarm support.
The patent idea is a system/method for recognizing 1 individual, but I’m sure you can have an OS that allow multiple authorized users per device (iOS is supposed to replace the Mac, right?), or just fall back to a simple access code. Surely workplace handhelds will be shared among workers who come and go, even in Apple stores, and Apple will have a way to deal with that.
Hmm. Sounds like most of you want a laptop in an iPod Package. Maybe they should come back with the 13″ MBP.
Just buy everyone in the family their own iPad like Steve intended.
@ MacRaven
There IS a 13″ MacBook Pro.
I agree. Multiple users would be a great option! No need on an iPhone iOS but iPads are family shared devices. Then logging in with your voice/face/heartbeat would be very cool.