Is there seriously no "Guest account"?

There is not.

Let Apple no what you think:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Matt

There are no user accounts on the iPad, so no guest account. Integrating it would be far from simple, but would require a major rethink of the whole operating system. As Matt said, offer feedback, but for technological and financial (ie sales) reasons I wouldn't expect such a change soon.

This does seem strange. It has to be common for people to offer use of iPhones/iPads for various reasons and not want everyone to have full access to personal information and communications.

People do offer them all the time for others to share... but the iOS operating system was originally designed for a phone, and I don't know any phone that has different user profiles and accounts. If you don't want people to have full access to your personal info and communications, then don't offer them your phone ... or your iPad. :-)

It has to be common for people to offer use of iPhones

The Emergency Call feature would allow someone to use you phone to make a call without unlocking the phone.

Matt

but only to call 911 (or the international equivalents), correct?

PogoPossum wrote:

but only to call 911 (or the international equivalents), correct?

Yeah, you're right. But when did they change that?

You used to be able to call any number you like.

For example:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1715227?start=0&tstart=0

Matt

I think the original posters were correct that it was a bug. Any emergency call I've ever seen on a phone is limited to emergency numbers... otherwise, there's not much point in it.

Anyway, I slept through that change!

Thanks for correcting me.

Matt

I could be wrong, of course... I've never tried to make an emergency call, fortunately. :-)

I tried calling my home phone (which I used to be able to do) and couldn't.

I'm taking it on faith that calling 911 works!

Matt

This idea makes perfect sense given the vast amounts of personal information we store on these devices. The objective is not to create multiple user accounts, but to simply provide a guest mode that allows the owner to share the device with others without exposing personal data and content.

Then don't share it with anyone whom you don't trust sufficiently. When I lend my iPad to anyone I might not totally trust I don't let it out of my sight (i.e. my students).

This isn't a helpful response.

Agreed, that last response is not helpful. iPads are commonly being used and made available in public spaces, such as hotel business zones.