iFixit wasn’t content with tearing apart a brand new iPad 2, so the company took apart the tablet’s Smart Cover, too. What the found was more than just a hinge a leather sheet. They also found 21 magnets.
The Smart Cover is Apple’s own iPad 2 cover. It attaches via to the iPad via a magnetic hinge and locks in place with a magnetic latch. It also includes a sensor component that sleeps the iPad when closed, and wakes it back up again when open — much like a laptop lid.
Apple’s Smart Cover: Magnet-palooza
The magnets in the Smart Cover work along with 10 additional magnets in the iPad itself. Four magnets in the cover and four in the iPad 2 hold the cover in place when closed. There’s a sensor in the iPad that detects when a fifth magnet in the cover is near and triggers the sleep or wake function.
The Smart Case hinge includes a set of magnets that align with matching magnets inside the iPad body. They’re polarized to help the cover attach in the right place every time.
There’s also a metal plate inside the cover that the remaining magnets attach to when the whole contraption is folded into a stand, along with a could plastic panels to help keep everything shaped right.
Apple’s deceptively simple Smart Cover is available in polyurethane or leather in five colors for each material type. It is priced at US$39 and $69, respectively.
15 Comments Leave Your Own
I was messing around with mine using a paperclip, you can easily find the location of the magnets. It is not a strong attraction, much less than a cheap refrigerator magnet. Dangle a Smart Cover hinge about 1/2’ from the edge and it snaps on “smartly”
I don’t know if I’ll ever be willing to spend that much on a cover, but man, what a brilliant design, form and function integrated. I watched the video two or three times just to keep saying, “Coooool.”
‘Course, it probably makes more sense for me to buy an iPad first, anyhow.
Thanks to ifixit for the insight!
Really? A magnet is polarized? Is the world coming to an end?
I am sure that there is a big markup on the Smart Case, but it is very useful. One of the things is that it gives a nice grip when carrying or holding the iPad. The aluminum back has a slight satin finish, but it is still slick making it easier to slip out of your hands.
My god, it’s full of magnets!
I am almost wanting more. It would be handy to have some on the back of the iPad to help hold the Smart Cover from flapping when it is folded flat against the back.
Nice 2001 reference, Substance.
Shouldn’t it be:
“Oh my God. It’s full of magnets”
AAAAND:
“Open the iPod bay doors, Hal.”
OMG! Apple has a high markup on something? :D
Believe me, I see the benefits ? that’s why I applauded it for both “form and function.”
I was being a wise guy about the markup.
Some pundit said that perhaps the price of the Smart Cover is in the upper troposphere so as not discourage 3rd part case providers. It takes time to design and ramp production up for something even as simple as a case. They couldn’t give them a mockup or preproduction model or the beans would have been spilled. We will probably see some 3rd party smart covers in a bit, perhaps Banksy will do some artwork on them.
Permanent magnets out & around in the world usually have a small accumulation of iron/steel/nickel splinters and dust clinging resolutely to their surfaces. I wonder how often iPad screens might become abraded by such ferromagnetic grit on the covers as the iPad gets frequently covered & uncovered.
Thanks, Brad. I was in the shadows so couldn’t see the stars.
Sounds plausible. Fits their m.o. pretty consistently—(plus the high markup on others’ products as well in the retail stores).
Again, I’m not worried about it yet ? gotta get an iPad first. Probably I’ll go for the iPad 3 (or a price-break iPad 2 when the 3 comes out).
I am not about to test it on mine, but how hard is that glass? My iPhone 3GS has a few scratches from whatever. Maybe iFixit can go at one to see what it would take to etch the glass.
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