In a perfect world, every student would have their own personal device to customize and use how they saw fit. Beginning with a custom wallpaper, then apps, bookmarks, and media; each tablet would be as unique as the individual wielding it. Unfortunately, not all schools or districts have the funds or the infrastructure to support a 1 to 1 ratio of devices to students. The good news is with the latest update available for the SONY Xperia Z tablet, a single tablet can be setup to support multiple users each with their own apps, media, and bookmarks. Android 4.3 commonly known as Jelly Bean provides this feature and enables one tablet to serve the needs of many.

The Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update

Recently on February 7th, SONY pushed out the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update to the Xperia Z tablet. Among other things, Jelly Bean enables multiple users in addition to restricted profiles. While you are able to add additional users who can then customize their own Android experience, the restricted profile feature provides a way to limit the apps and content someone using your tablet has access to. If you haven't received the update yet, don't worry. Everyone should have it made available to them within the next couple of days.

Creating a New User

Creating a new user is a fairly straightforward and simple process. Begin by navigating to the settings menu on your tablet:

The easiest way to get to the settings menu is to pull down the notification shade and tap "Settings". Once you are in the settings menu, find "Users" under the "Device" section of the Settings menu and tap "Add user or profile":

Follow the steps in the video below to setup an additional user account.

Creating a Restricted Profile

A restricted profile is different than a new user. New users have the ability to add their own apps, content, and bookmarks in addition to customizing their Android experience. Someone logging in with a restricted profile can only access the apps and content that you specify. What's more, the apps and content they are accessing are from the owner's account. For example, a teacher could hand a student their tablet and only enable Animoto and Google Drive. Those are the only apps that would be available to them. Setting up a restricted profile is slightly different than created a new user. Watch the video below to setup a restricted profile.

SONY Xperia Z Tablet: One to One or One to Many

With the Android Jelly Bean update, multiple students can use a single tablet. Each with their own customized apps, content, bookmarks, and experience. Whether you have a classroom set of devices or just a single tablet, it is now possible to maximize their use and expose every child to the wealth of possibilities these tablets present when creating or consuming content. Restricted Profiles compliment mulitiple users by providing a "sandboxed" environment where students only have access to the apps and content you choose. Either way, the new features enabled by 4.3 Jelly Bean bring the SONY Xperia Z tablet to a whole new level in terms of one to one and one to many computing.