One of the more frequent criticisms of Apple’s iOS mobile operating system is that there’s no easy way to switch between iTunes accounts on a given device. The fact that Apple has applied for a trademark on the phrase ‘Guest Mode’ in Australia and elsewhere suggests that a fix might finally be on the way.
Picture: Getty Images
TM Watch reports that Apple has applied to trademark ‘Guest mode’ in Australia, and similar applications have been made in Europe. The trademark application covers an astonishingly broad range of devices, including computers, phones, gaming devices, ebook readers, dog whistles and electrically-heated socks. (iSock, anyone?) A trademark does not equal functioning software, but Apple’s interest suggests it isn’t dismissing the prospect entirely.
iOS’ principal rival Android introduced the ability to switch between different user accounts in 4.2, and enhanced that feature in Android 4.3 by allowing some accounts to have a restricted profile. Guest account switching can be especially useful on tablets, which are often used in communal settings and may be shared in office environments.
Apple files for ‘Guest Mode’ [TM Watch]
Comments
10 responses to “Apple Preparing To Introduce Guest Mode”
“Apple has applied for a trademark on the phrase ‘Guest Mode’ in Australia and elsewhere”
(Rolls eyes)
Your comment really made me laugh! I couldn’t agree with your sentiment more. It’s like watching a child cling to their favourite toy… even after they realise everyone else has the same toy now.
One thing that Apple does well is marketing. As an IOS user, I can’t tell you how happy I am that Apple has finally implemented a control center – I can now toggle WIFI in two presses … albeit several years behind the competition.
But, the good thing is that once Apple do it, it brings public-wide recognition and understanding to a capability – it’s a bizarre phenomena, almost like most IOS users can’t understand (or don’t want to know) something until Apple does it.
Once Apple do it, the mainstream media and IOS users enmasse will pick up on it – and then the concept is socially understood and accepted.
Marketing.
Um what? Apple’s implementation is essentially a copy of Android’s Quick Settings panel which came out with 4.3…
@Jerry Your reply in no way contradicts @Dans post … While Android may have incorporated the concept before Apple (I would maintain that Jailbreakers beat them both to it), it’s often not until it is incorporated into iOS that a concept becomes universally understood across platforms.
No, I disagree.
The concepts are understood very well to android users and the alike – it’s really that they don’t bother hyping up common sense, and marketing a pretty obvious tool as a “Feature”
@Dan Zammell: I want to complement you on an astute observation.
You’ve explained a phenomenon I’ve seen but never quite got ’round to articulating!
There are many features that Android and/or Jailbreakers have had first, but – until it is implemented by Apple – it’s not recognised and/or understood by the majority of users.
I would add the supposition that it is more than *just* marketing – it is also design.
For example – multiple users. I’m aware the facility is available on my Android tablet, but I’ve not bothered investigating because the process & interface is just so badly implemented!
Once an elegant, well-thought out way of doing it becomes established (almost becoming a ‘meme’) by Apple having it in their OS, it will then most probably become a feature that most will ‘grok’ and use.
Onya Dan!
Wow Apple seriously? My router already has a “guest mode”. You going to sue everyone again? The trademark system needs to be fixed.
@Jerry To be fair, Apple didn’t design the trademark/copyright/patent system: they (like every other company out there) must work in it with due diligence to their shareholders (and employees & users (most probably in that order)).
Your ‘beef’ is with those who have made the laws, and those who have not changed them to reflect a fair and common sense environment where individuals & companies can protect their IP without stifling innovation.
Actually, it’s the WAY Apple use it that pisses most people off.
@juice Could you please provide an example of how Apple’s approach differs from any other company trying to protect their IP in this ridiculously hostile environment?
The recent case of Apple v Samsung had both sides making similar (outrageous) claims because if they didn’t they would lose IP …
So… sort of like Kids Corner in WP8? XP