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Why I Want a Do Not Disturb Feature for the iPhone 5

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Apple’s latest software update to OS X Mountain Lion, the next version of Mac software, includes an incredibly handy Notification Center feature — a do not disturb option.

The new do not disturb feature makes it simple to turn off all notifications on the notebook so I can focus on work instead of seeing software updates and status updates.

Apple brought the notification center from iOS over to OS X Mountain Lion, and I’m hopeful that this do not disturb feature jumps from Mountain Lion to the iPhone 5 as a core part of iOS 6.

Do Not Disturb iPhone 5 iOS 6

Apple could announce the do not disturb feature for the iPhone 5 in June when we expect to get our first look at iOS 6, the new version of the iOS software that runs on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

The moon icon in the upper right shows when I have turned on do not disturb, and could easily show up in the iPhone’s top bar, just like the alarm n signal does.

Read: 11 iOS 6 Features We Want on the iPhone 5.

To turn on the new Do not disturb feature for Notification Center, users just need to slide a toggle to the On position at the top of the Notification Center window in OS X. The style of the toggle looks like Apple pulled it right from iOS, so I’m hopeful that it is a sign of things to come for iOS 6.

Why I Want Do Not Disturb for the iPhone 5

There are a number of places where a do not disturb setting would be a huge help. While there is still a need to turn off the ringer and alarms, a Notification Center Do Not Disturb mode on the iPhone would take care of the annoying vibration alerts that would otherwise require changing multiple settings.

iPhone Do Not Disturb iOS 6 Notification Center Feature

Do Not Disturb for the iPhone 5

Concerts and Conferences – Instead of going viral for interrupting a symphony thanks to a push notification for new levels in an iPhone game, a do not disturb mode would keep things quiet and vibration free.

Sleep – Anyone with Facebook friends on different shifts knows the annoyance of a 3 am vibration alert that someone just posted something witty on their wall. Hundreds of other apps light up the iPhone’s lock screen filling a dark bedroom with blinding light. Do not disturb could keep the screen dark and the vibration motor asleep until morning.

Concentration – Do not disturb is a much-needed Notification Center feature on the Mac for those times when users need to concentrate on a specific task without interruptions. By routing all the notifications through Notification Center and providing a single switch to pause notifications Apple simplifies notifications. Pausing all my computer notifications doesn’t do much if my iPhone is buzzing on the table next to me and lighting up to steal my focus.

Conversation – Some users will put their iPhone in Airplane mode while having a conversation with a good friend or business partner to avoid interruptions, but a do not disturb toggle would be just as useful, while still allowing access to the web if either party needed to share something or look up a topic related to discussion.

Obviously there are nuances to work out. Do phone calls, text messages and alarms qualify as a do not disturb notification? Rather than use a one size fits all method, Apple could allow users to control how phone calls, text messages and alarms fit into the mix.

It would be great to offer profiles based on time and location, turning on do not disturb for all apps and text messages at 11 PM any night I am home, but leaving everything alone if I am out or if I am traveling.

Would you like to see a do not disturb feature for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5? Any other places you would use it?

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Tim

    05/02/2012 at 9:23 am

    Airplane mode is the same thing. Wat a waste of internet space to writh an article like this.

    • Voxeey125

      05/02/2012 at 1:59 pm

      Well you can’t browse the web undisturbed in airplane mode.

    • Someguy

      05/10/2012 at 8:46 am

      What about people who might be expecting calls, but don’t want to see/hear other Notifications?
      First think. Then write.

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    05/03/2012 at 2:30 am

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  3. Colin

    05/03/2012 at 11:59 pm

    Whilst airplane mode will stop disturbances, calendar events will still interrupt you, and if making a presentation or showing a video from your iOS device you don’t really need an alert to tell you you’re having your haircut tomorrow. Or another app using the notification centre for that matter

  4. Sheri

    01/24/2013 at 6:59 am

    It’s a great feature because you can set a time that you don’t want you phone to go off. And the best part is the phone numbers you have on your favorites are the only people that can call you anytime. So if there’s an emergency you will get the phone call…

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