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Is the iPad a single-user device?

smithrh

smithrh

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Feb 28, 2009
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Is it like the iPhone in that it's designed for just one user, or will it support multiple users?

I'm looking to get one for a family I know. If it's single-user, that may be OK as long as you can lock the screen with a passcode.

Thanks!
 
smithrh said:
Is it like the iPhone in that it's designed for just one user, or will it support multiple users?

I'm looking to get one for a family I know. If it's single-user, that may be OK as long as you can lock the screen with a passcode.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

in it's current form it is single user.
 
Making it multiuser would be... counterintuitive... to selling the things. :)
 
I agree and disagree.

Yes, for families that have money, buying multiple iPads is going to be the way to go.

Other families are not so fortunate and will have to share one - or not buy one at all, because then Jane and John will be able to see all of the stuff that the other has.

Again, not a huge deal as long as it can be locked from prying eyes (and fingers).
 
smithrh said:
I agree and disagree.

Yes, for families that have money, buying multiple iPads is going to be the way to go.

Other families are not so fortunate and will have to share one - or not buy one at all, because then Jane and John will be able to see all of the stuff that the other has.

Again, not a huge deal as long as it can be locked from prying eyes (and fingers).
Click to expand...

it'd be nice in this regard to be able to lock/protect by app. e.g. Mail is one I can think of, maybe Facebook, that I wouldn't want general eyes/hands on, whether family or guests - too much havoc they could wreak!
 
It's one of those things none of the reviewers have thought to mention. A clear oversite on Apple's part as far as I'm concerned if it's not included. Of course everyone at Apple that has had one to play with or work on may never have even considered the need.
 
4DThinker said:
It's one of those things none of the reviewers have thought to mention. A clear oversite on Apple's part as far as I'm concerned if it's not included. Of course everyone at Apple that has had one to play with or work on may never have even considered the need.
Click to expand...

it's only an oversight if Apple didn't think about that scenario, which I'm quite sure they did.

I can tell you this, I will buy another iPad just so my wife is not suckling mine.
 
I agree one for anyone that wants one is a better concept for Apple, and those getting them. But at over $500 and something no one will need to use every awake moment, multi-user accounts would have made me think "$250 per user, sounds about right for trek PADD" and I'd have one on the way already. I might have upgraded to $300 per user even. My wife and I are rarely both on a laptop in the living room after work. We get along well enough that we can even share such things.

IMHO rather than fewer sales I bet Apple would sell more if the iPad had multi-user login capability.
 
It would be a genuine requirement. Imagine that you play a family game or the iPad is passing from one family member to another. Why don't you just let them see your emails? Why is it a problem that while you are in the office, your Facebook status shows it to your boss that you are doing something else?


Surely, there is a need to restrict access...
 
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