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iOS 9.3 beta opens door to multi-user support for iPad users

Apple’s new iOS 9.3 beta brings a long-requested new feature into play; the chance for multiple users to share access an iPad with their own accounts.

A new Education preview page (as spotted by TechnoBuffalo) explains how students can share a single iPad by logging into their Apple ID.

The new feature could be a boon for parents in the United States, who are often ludicrously required to buy an iPad for their children, which replaces textbooks and is retained by the school.

Related: iPad Air 3

On its education page Apple explains: “When a 1:1 student-to-iPad ratio isn’t possible, Shared iPad offers an elegant solution that lets students enjoy the benefits of having their own iPad in whatever classroom they’re in. They simply log in to any iPad, and their content is ready to go.”

Under the improved scheme, teachers and school administrators can also log into iPads using special Education IDs that are independent of the regular Apple ID.

The company says the forthcoming feature introduces “one central place for admins to create Apple IDs, build courses, and access everything you need to deploy iPad in your school. All from the web browser on your Mac or PC.”

Related: iOS 10 release date

Although the benefits are primarily aimed at students and educators, a swift roll out for every day users would also be welcome.

The multi-log in solution had been offered for Android tablets since Android 4.2 and is considered a major shortcoming of the iPad platform.

That feature was built-upon with smartphone support within 2014’s Android Lollipop.

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