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Tag: Smart Cover

  • iPad Mini Gets Its Own Smart Cover

    iPad Mini Gets Its Own Smart Cover

    Today, Apple unveiled the all new iPad mini, their highly-anticipated and widely-expected new tablet. The iPad mini is the smaller cousin of the new iPad 2 boasting a 7.9-inch display with a 1024×768 resolution. It’s shocingly thin, and only 7.2 mm and weighs only 0.68 lbs.

    Of course, Apple thinks that if you’re going to get the tablet, you should probably get the case that was designed for it.

    With that, Apple unveiled a new Smart Cover for the iPad mini at their event. It’s almost exactly the same as the bigger Smart Cover, but sized to fit the smaller tablet.

    “The cover that wakes up, stands up, and brightens up iPad has been redesigned for iPad mini.11 And what a smart pair they are. iPad mini and the iPad mini Smart Cover, that is. Magnetic technology built into each one really pulls them together. The Smart Cover snaps perfectly into place to protect your screen — without adding bulk. Open the Smart Cover and your iPad mini wakes up. Close it and your iPad mini goes to sleep. Fold the Smart Cover and it becomes a stand. It’s all just so, well, smart,” says Apple.

    In a promo video for the new iPad mini, Apple’s Jony Ive also mentioned that the metal hinge has been nixed. meaning that your smart cover now wraps the iPad mini in one single wash of color.

    You can preorder the iPad Mini this Friday, October 26th. The first ones (Wi-Fi only) will ship on November 2nd. The online Apple Store doesn’t yet list the new iPad mini smart covers.

    Check here for more Apple event coverage.

  • Apple, Target Sued Over iPad Smart Cover

    Apple, Target Sued Over iPad Smart Cover

    Another day, another patent suit, it seems. Apple and Target have been sued by Jerald A. Bovino of Colorado for patent infringement. Bovino owns a patent for a ribbed computer case, and claims that Apple and Target are infringing on his patent by selling the iPad Smart Cover.

    The patent, which can be read here, covers “a portable computer having an integral case that incorporates a resilient material to protect the portable computer from wear and tear encountered when transporting and/or using the portable computer. The integral case also includes a retractable strap means that can be utilized to facilitate the transporting of the portable computer.”

    Ribbed Computer Cover

    According to the complaint, which is embedded below, the alleged infringement centers on the ribs in the iPad Smart Cover. Interestingly, though, while the ribs in the smart cover are lines along with it is folded, the ribs in the patented computer cover are designed to reinforce the cover. Or, as the patent itself says, “to provide additional security and shock absorption for the computer in the case” (fourth page, near the end of the first paragraph of the left-hand column):

    iPad Cover Lawsuit Copy

    It’s not at all clear why Bovino has singled out Target as a co-defendant. The suit alleges that Target has participated in the infringement by selling the Smart Cover (which allegedly has “no substantial non-infringing use”), but Target is hardly the only retailer to do so.

    Bovino is asking the court for a declaration that the patent has been infringed, and that he be paid a “reasonable royalty for said infringement,” including interest. The suit also asks the court to declare Apple’s and Target’s judgment to be willful and increase damages accordingly, and to award him with legal fees.

    Interestingly, as Patently Apple reported earlier this week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office just awarded Apple a series of patents related to several of its products. The newly awarded patents cover features of the iTunes Store, the Time Machine software, Apple Store display structures, and the Smart Cover. Bovino’s suit was filed just two days after Apple was awarded the Smart Cover patent.

    What do you think? Did Apple (or Target) infringe on the patent? Check out the patent and the lawsuit, then let us know what you think in the comments.

  • iPad 3 Gets New Smart Case, iPhone Keeps Glass Back

    One of the more unique aspects of the iPad 2 last year was the device’s Smart Cover. The cover attached to the side of the iPad with magnets. Another set attached to the right side of the tablet’s front panel to keep it closed. The Smart Cover is one of those interesting design choices that Apple is known for.

    The Smart Cover has been largely ignored in the run-up to the iPad 3. Now, though, it looks like Apple has been working on a redesign for it, too. According to Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge, the iPad 3 will be getting a new Smart Case. Unlike the Smart Cover, the Smart Case will cover the back of the iPhone as well. The Smart Case is said to retain the magnets in the front cover, with a rear panel made of leather-covered fiberglass. The case is inspired by InCase’s Magazine Jacket for the iPad 2 (just as the Smart Cover was apparently inspired by the original Convertible Magazine Jacket for the iPad).

    InCase Magazine Jacket

    Horwitz also says, citing “a repeatedly reliable source” at Apple, that rumors of an aluminum rear panel on the next iPhone are false. Apple is apparently only looking at glass or ceramic rear panels for the iPhone. He also said, however, that the next iPhone will likely be thinner than the iPhone 4S, thanks to Corning’s new Gorilla Glass 2 and size reductions of several internal components (including the current 30-pin dock connector).

    What do you think? Do you like the Smart Cover idea? Should Apple stick stick with a glass rear panel on the iPhone? Sound off in the comments.