Locking apps on iPad

icesurfer wrote:

It was immediately clear to me, and "lock down" is exactly the "term" I used to find this thread. Instead of wasting other's time with a senseless post I suggest if you have trouble understanding a question just wait a bit for other more erudite users to provoide some productive answers. Then perhaps all will become clear to you. If not, well, then I hope I never encounter you driving on the highway. Definitely one of those dudes who leaves a turn signal flashing for 30 miles...

Why is it always the total clueless newbie that wants to give advice to those with vast amounts of experience?

icesurfer wrote:

Ah, yes, what one would expect from freakin' Jersey. Can't help it, must be pitied and/or ignored. Kidding, kidding! We have to use iPads for security reasons. No choice. The decision was made for us. Ergo the "number one rule" is actually don't make assumptions about what the number one rule should be. Stay on track here. It's a software issue. Easily corrected. Just needs the attention and resources properly directed. It's a great idea. Apple should just do it.

Now, since yer from Jersey, just for fun hold your tongue firmly between your thumb and forefinger and say "My teacher has a big red Apple".

Do it.

If an App Developer w/ over 10 years experience is a "totally clueless newbie" what does that make you? I guess perhaps totally clueless? Reading your posts I'd say that would be obvious 😉

I'm doing great, thanks. Lighten up, it has taken me far in this world. An utterly humorless attitude has left you in the sorry state you're in. That would be Jersey...

Wow.

I realize this thread is old, but it still gets attention, so here's my situation.

My son's iPad was bought specifically FOR him. He was barely 4 and non verbal due to autism. He was advanced in something called the picture exchange communication system, which requires lots of little icons with Velcro attached to them. He would use these icons to communicate his needs and wants. Occasionally, he would lose an important icon. I researched a specific app that does the same thing as the picture exchange communication system and bought the iPad as an assistive communication system. It needs to be available to him at all times for this purpose. Yes, I gave my 4 year old a $500 device to be at his disposal all the time.

Then, we added other educational apps. He started using these apps instead of communicating with the iPad. I don't want to take these apps away from him completely, but I want him to ask (via the communication app) an adult to open any of his other apps. For this reason, I need the ton to lock all apps except one with passwords.

I realize I could jailbreak and add a Cydia app, but I think this is an important issue for Apple to address. Because this is a device used by a child exclusively, I don't want to void the warranty. As it was pointed out, if enough of us leave feedback, as I did, maybe this will happen.

Despite all the gremlins who perch on the ledge and toss rocks and garbage at the folks who agree with you, you are to be commended for a very tasteful and articulate expression of why this is a very real and very obvious shortcoming in the iPad that needs to be addressed immediately.

Our situation is very different, but almost as serious as yours. We have technicians who will be using the iPad to perform checklists and log events and readings on a production line. It is abolutely essential that the iPads are used ONLY for the purpose intended. Human nature is such that people want to explore and play, so if the option to do so is there the temptation will also be there.

Apple needs to address this issue as soon as possible, and I'm hoping an update that facilitates locking apps will be announced very soon.

If you haven't already done so then you can try leaving feedback for Apple : http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

You could see if anything on this page is of any use : http://www.apple.com/ipad/business/resources/

A work around for now might be this app. It creates a folder which can be password protected. You could put the apps you want protected in there.

My Secret Apps

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-secret-apps/id483056081?mt=8

You could put the apps you want protected in there.

I'm fairly certain that you can't do this. Read the app description carefully.

No one has thrown rocks and garbage. Many have, however, stated that no product in the world can possibly be "all things to all people." While there definitely are instances where certain characteristics are important, any manufacturer must make a decision regarding the benefit of providing those characteristics relative to the cost involved and the related impact on others.

You have described a "single use" product which is totally contrary to the entire concept of the iPad. Implementing your wishes will certainly entail another layer of password protection and, if you spend some time here on the forum, you'll see that a very significant number of individuals have major difficulties with passwords.

Apple does not "need" to address your problem if it will adversely affect others.

Oops you're right, sorry.

No worries. 😉

No one would be forcing you to use these restrictions. We just want them available to use. I don't really see the problem.

Exactly. Thank you.

I'm somewhat aghast with these bizarre, moronic issues like "people who have problems with passwords" (?) and the dificulty for the manufacturer adding "another layer of password protection" (??) and what is contrary to the "entire concept of the iPad" (which is one of the most nauseatingly vapid comments I've ever read). This, of course, is just mindless drivel that should be ignored (e.g. as a developer I can assure you it's *quite* basic to add "layers" of password protection, and, of course, if one has a "problem with passwords" it's safe to assume they probably shouldn't be bothering to use technology that's too advanced for their intellectual capabilities 😉).

Again, thank you for stating the obvious for those that just don't get it.

It's a valid need, it should be implemented, it should be implemented as soon as possible, and if you don't want to use it or feel it's anathema to the "entire concept" of your insignificant being or you just can't get a handle on using passwords, well, just don't use it.

icesurfer wrote:

Exactly. Thank you.

I'm somewhat aghast with these bizarre, moronic issues like "people who have problems with passwords" (?) and the dificulty for the manufacturer adding "another layer of password protection" (??) and what is contrary to the "entire concept of the iPad" (which is one of the most nauseatingly vapid comments I've ever read). This, of course, is just mindless drivel that should be ignored (e.g. as a developer I can assure you it's *quite* basic to add "layers" of password protection, and, of course, if one has a "problem with passwords" it's safe to assume they probably shouldn't be bothering to use technology that's too advanced for their intellectual capabilities 😉).

Again, thank you for stating the obvious for those that just don't get it.

It's a valid need, it should be implemented, it should be implemented as soon as possible, and if you don't want to use it or feel it's anathema to the "entire concept" of your insignificant being or you just can't get a handle on using passwords, well, just don't use it.

Clearly you're new on the forum and totally clueless.

You can repeat your demands all you want but don't hold your breath. Quite simply, the iPad is not the product for you.