Daniel Eran Dilger
The $39.99 in polyurethane or $69.99 in leather, magnetically retained iPad 2 Smart Covers are presented in a retail package that doesn't require scissors to open. Instead, there's an adhesive-backed tab that holds the cardboard back of the box to its clear plastic front.
Once peeled up, the box opens to reveal a recyclable plastic film that slides out of place to access the Smart Cover itself.
Available in both several colors of polyurethane (blue, green, orange, pink and grey) or "aniline-dyed Italian leather" (cream, tan, black, dark blue and red), the Smart Covers snap in place, then roll up to form a tall stand optimized for FaceTime or watching a movie, or a flatter stand for touch typing on the virtual keyboard or playing games.
Inside, the Smart Cover has a soft side that helps pick up smudges and dust. And while the new cover fits the previous iPad, it doesn't work with it because that model lacks the magnets that the new cover needs to hold on and snap into place.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
57 Comments
While the Smart Cover is probably the most clever invention of the last several decades, I would personally prefer the old case. The new one appears to lack a "open and hold in your hands, but don't detach the cover" mode.
I too was impressed by the packaging.
Some milestones here. iFixit does teardown of a case/cover for the first time and AI does an article on the box the case/cover comes in.
While the Smart Cover is probably the most clever invention of the last several decades, I would personally prefer the old case. The new one appears to lack a "open and hold in your hands, but don't detach the cover" mode.
I haven’t found that to be a problem. I fold it over, but I can let is flop to the side and open with gusto without the hinge detaching. I have to be deliberate to get hinge to come off.
While the Smart Cover is probably the most clever invention of the last several decades
wow. i just spat coffee all over my monitor (luckily it missed my macbook).
neat and cute sure. but probably a few inventions of the last several decades that i'd put ahead of it.
eg PCs, cellphones, the internet, the iPhone...
wow. i just spat coffee all over my monitor (luckily it missed my macbook).
neat and cute sure. but probably a few inventions of the last several decades that i'd put ahead of it.
eg PCs, cellphones, the internet, the iPhone...
I never said useful, or important to society. I specifically said clever.