iOS Is Falling Behind For Family Users

Posted by Jennifer Allen on September 5th, 2013

With the announcement of iOS 7 came plenty of expectations and hopes. While some were realized (hello better multitasking and improved notification center), I think one very important area has been overlooked: the family market.

I don't have kids of my own but I've heard the woes of many friends of mine that do. Apple just isn't cutting it for them. This is an area where Android is currently ahead and it's something that I was really hoping that iOS 7 would catch up on.

Take a look at the latest Android update, Jelly Bean. In one deft move known as restricted profiles, it's covered a lot of ground for the family user. Owners of Android tablets can now set up profiles for everyone in the household. Want to keep the kids away from using specific apps or viewing mature content? Just want to split up everyone's high scores? It's possible through setting up their own profile, without leaving everyone else using the tablet to suffer from such restrictions. It's not perfect, given that developers have to allow their users to be able to restrict such things, but it is a major step forward.

iOS does have one significant advantage here in that users have total control over app-related permissions, but its restrictions tab is really pretty, well, restricted. Without the option for multiple profiles, users can hand over their iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad but they need to turn restrictions on or off each time. Multiple profiles are just so much simpler and require less maintenance, plus there's the advantage that everyone has their own workspace to deal with rather than the clutter that comes from using one device across an entire family. I know a few families that struggle with the finer details of things like restrictions. If it was just a matter of setting up profiles, I could easily do it for them and they'd be set up for the future. Even better, such profiles would ensure that each member of the family felt like they had some kind of ownership over the device. Something in particular that kids get a real kick out of from technology.

While we prefer to not cover rumors at 148apps, there is an significant one that could relate to this issue: the prospect of a fingerprint sensor built into the iPhone 5S. There's no guaranteed proof as of yet, and we'll have to see what's fully announced in September, but this could pave the way to multiple profiles.

For now though, parents are stuck with the option of using separate apps such as Disconnect Kids rather than a simpler, more comprehensive, built-in solution. However, the potential is great if the fingerprint reader comes to fruition. And if it doesn't? Well, families may find themselves even more tempted towards an Android tablet purchase, and who can blame them.