Locking functionality within iPhone/iPad

Yes there is a number lock to access the content of your iPhone/iPad. But why isn't there the option of locking access to emails or photos? You have a friend that wants to use your iPad but maybe you have some 'personal' stuff on there. So you let him borrow it for a second and all the while you are standing over his shoulder making sure he doesn't access your photos of your .... *ahem* well we will just leave that to your imagination. It would be nice to 'lock' apps within iOS so that prying eyes aren't looking at things they shouldn't.

Ipad needs a USB port

Why is something so simple as a USB port so hard for Apple to integrate into the iPad? Think of the functionality: You could use it as a way to move files to and from your iPad, you could easily add one of thousands of USB accessories out there, you could connect your iphone to it - hell you could CHARGE your iphone from it - Voila! Back up battery! Yes I know that the 'connector' is basically a USB port - just by another name ... but I want the STANDARD USB port. I don't want an adapter to an adapter .. it just looks clunky. I know there is plenty of real estate on the iPad - even the iPad mini - to be able to add a USB port.

iPad needs Infrared capacity

My mom bought a Samsung Galaxy (much to my chagrin) but it was cheaper than an Apple product and she wanted a tablet. So I played around with it a bit ... not a fan of Android at all - obviously. But one hardware feature that the Galaxy Tab has that the iPad does not ... IR capability. Now I just happened to 'stumble' upon this feature when I found a 'TV' app on the galaxy tablet and I must say I WAS impressed.

Easy set up - just type in the name of your cable provider and your zip code and then put in your TV model ... voila! One VERY SMART Remote.

Just scroll easily through the channels and see what is playing - RIGHT NOW. All with great images and graphics (a lot more fun that just a boring grid display. You can even tell your DVR to record a show.

Again - what happened to Apple innovation? Why didn't they think of this? Why doesn't the iPad have IR capability? Yeah yeah - I know what your gonna say - its got Apple TV connectivity through your ethernet connection  - BUT and there is a big BUT here ... thats great for controlling Apple TV .. but that doesn't include your Cable TV nor your DVR shows.

Again Apple ... you are getting left behind and in the dust on this one. Catch up!!

Getting Bored with the Grid

Dear Apple,

Love your products - I own an iPhone, MacBook, & AppleTV. Yes I'm a fanatic. I haven't yet bought an iPad cause I'm holding out for V.2 of the mini - with a retina display and a current processor - something that SHOULD have been released the first time - but Apple's standards have slipped IMHO - but I digress.

What I'm writing to you todays is the ubiquitous grid on all iPhones/ipads. BORING, sterile .. monotonous. It Strongly needs an upgrade. I don't know how you are going to dig yourself out of this one. You seemed to have ingrained it forever into the mac product line. I still think there is hope.

Here is a few ideas:

How about a zooming toolbar - like you have for the desktop. Where you can glide over tiny icons that zoom into view?

Maybe a desktop motif with spring loaded piles (also used in the toolbar on desktop?)

Anything other than the boring grid! Its getting old! I'm tired of looking at my 4x5 grid on my phone. And I think the grid on the iPad just looks silly. Not only is it way too spaced out and clunky - but the icons seem small for such a large screen. Why can't it be customizable? decide how many rows? how large of icon?

its been 5 years ... please give us some other option