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Apple patents Smart Cover with built-in display
It's rare that we both bringing up new Apple patents here at TUAW, simply because most of them are too nonspecific or obscure to really put much weight on, but this newly published patent is just too cool not to mention. The patent describes a new Smart Cover that features a notification system to alert the user of calls, messages, and other information without having to flip the cover open. The patent covers two different ways a user could get notifications while the cover is equipped: Either by built-in illumination elements within the accessory itself or via a semi-transparent portion of the cover that would allow light from the screen underneath to shine through. The portion of the patent that describes the shine-though feature seems to point to something like the HTC Dot View case that is current available for the HTC One M8 (pictured above). Having used that cover myself, I can say that it's quite an ingenious design that makes quick glances for notifications and time super easy. I'd definitely be interested to see Apple's take if this patent ever gets translated into an actual product. [via AppleInsider]
Apple announces new iPad covers and cases
Apple today made a number of sweeping iPad announcements. Naturally, Apple also took the opportunity to announce new iPad covers and cases. First, Apple announced new iPad Smart Covers made of polyurethane that will be available for both the iPad mini and the iPad Air. Apple's iPad Smart Covers work well to protect the front-end of your tablet and will retail for US$39. Apple also announced new iPad Smart Cases, which protect both the front and back of your tablet. They're a tad fancier than the Smart Covers, as they're made out of leather. They'll be available on the Air for $79 and on the mini for $69. Both the iPad Smart Cover and Smart Case will be available in Product (Red) versions as well.
iPad mini Smart Cover priced at $39
If you managed to order an iPad mini before it sold out this morning, you may have added a $39 Smart Cover to your order and thought to yourself, "That price sounds familiar." And it should, because it's the same price as the full-size Smart Cover for the larger iPad. The mini version of the intelligent accessory is available in six colors of polyurethane and attaches by wrapping onto the side of the tablet, rather than using the aluminum hinge of the original. For the larger version, customers have the option of upgrading to leather material, though that choice is mysteriously absent for the mini. It's interesting that despite being considerably smaller in size, the iPad mini version remains the same price as its bigger brother. Perhaps it was just a mistake. No? Ok then.
Apple shows off new improved Smart Cover for iPad mini
Today as part of the press event, Apple showed a video about the iPad mini and in the video showed off a new Smart Cover, one without the current aluminum hinge. These were only shown/mentioned in relation to the iPad mini, and show a single piece of material wrapping around to where the magnets attach to the body of the iPad. They are available in blue, green, pink, light gray, dark gray and Product (Red). It is not clear if they will be available for other models, and no price has been mentioned as of yet.
Apple introduces new Smart Cover for iPad mini
Not a huge surprise here, but Apple has also introduced a new polyurethane Smart Cover for the iPad mini. While mostly identical in appearance to its larger counterpart, this smaller version does do away with the metal hinge in favor of a new design that Apple's Jony Ive says essentially wraps the device in a single piece of material. The cover also expectedly comes in a variety colors -- six, to be specific, including a (Product) RED model, each of which will set you back $39. For more from this event, follow along in our liveblog!
Daily Update for August 2, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
iPad "Smarter Cover" patent application would add display, controls to cover
Like your iPad Smart Cover? You can look forward to a possible future "Smarter Cover" from Apple if the company follows up on a patent application filed about a year ago for a Smart Cover-like tablet cover with a flexible secondary display. As shown in the lovely, high-resolution color images filed with the patent application (one seen above), Apple's idea would take power from a connector on the side of the iPad to drive a flexible display in one of the cover segments for adding extra icons, controlling media playback, or displaying notifications. One drawing, seen below, shows the entire "Surface" of the cover (pun intended) being used as a keyboard, while another turns it into a drawing digitizer. Of course, just because the company has applied for a patent doesn't mean that they'll get the patent or ever add the concept to a future product if they do. #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Apple seeks patent for Smart Cover with embedded secondary display
According to a patent application made public by the USPTO this morning (and originally filed a year ago), Apple believes it's possible to build a flexible display into an iPad cover in order to "greatly enhance" the functionality of the tablet itself. Taking power and data from a dedicated connector on the side of the slate, at least one segment of the name-deserving Smart Cover could be used to augment the main display with space for extra icons, or operate as a separate media control interface, or simply display notifications. Drawings collected in the gallery below also hint at using the entire inner surface of the cover as a keyboard (ala Microsoft Surface) or as a drawing area. As with all patent applications, there's nothing to say such an idea will ever see Californian sunlight, but it'd be crying shame if it didn't.%Gallery-161615%
Nexus 7's Smart Cover-like magnetic sensors
Google's Nexus 7 tablet appears to have a feature that isn't showing up in any of the official specs. Over on YouTube, user wwscoggin showed off an experiment in which he used a magnet to discover a sensor that puts the display to sleep. Does this sound familiar? Yes, it's a function that has been used in the last two generations of iPad to allow the Smart Cover to switch off the display when closed. The Nexus 7 is manufactured by ASUS, and the company has demonstrated a case for the device that is surprisingly like Apple's Smart Case. It's unknown if the ASUS case will take advantage of the magnetic sensor to pull off a Smart Case functionality, but if it does this may add fuel to the fire for yet another patent infringement case from Cupertino. The original video is shown below for your edification.
Google's Nexus 7 discovered to have Smart Cover-like magnetic sensor
You won't find this on its official specs list, but Google's Nexus 7 tablet apparently has a magnet-enabled sensor that'll automatically set the display to sleep -- it's hard not to think of the iPad's Smart Cover. YouTube user wwscoggin was able to discover and pin-point the functionality near the bottom left of the device by gliding a magnet along its bezel. As Android Police notes, the feature is seldom found on Android tablets, and there's no word on whether ASUS' decidedly Smart Case-esque cases will make use of it. We've been able to replicate the action on our end, but don't take our word for it, catch the video after the break.
Microsoft one ups other tablet 'smart' covers with Surface's Touch Cover and Type Cover
What's 3mm thick, crafted from the finest Polartec and attaches to a tablet magnetically? If you guessed an iPad smart cover you might be right, but right now we're pretty enamored with Microsoft's Touch Cover for the newly announced Surface. See, it works almost exactly like that other "smart" tablet shield, but this one actually earns it's smart moniker. When you peel the plastic shroud back it turns into a fully functional keyboard and touchpad. Obviously, being a thin plastic sheet, the cover is relying on touch for key presses, not the actual depression of mechanical switches. So, while that means it's theoretically possible to touchtype on this bad boy, it remains to be seen just how pleasant of an experience it actually is. Our guess -- it'll be fine for quick emails and Google Bing searches, but we probably wouldn't have to write the Surface review on one. Now, the Type Cover on the other hand, perhaps we'd consider drafting lengthy posts on. It's safe to assume this one is thicker and heavier, turning your tablet into something more closely resembling an Ultrabook. But, it does have a traditional keyboard with solid plastic, separated keys as opposed to a pressure sensitive pad. Perhaps one of the more interesting features though, is their ability to force Win 8 to color coordinate with your chosen shade of folio. Click the blue Touch Cover on to the Surface and the background switches to a soothing shade azure. There's even an accelerometer inside those 3mm-thin softer covers -- which is an impressive feat of engineering. The Touch Covers can easily distinguish between you simply resting your hands on the keyboard and actually typing, which should help minimize accidental key presses. We'll be back as soon as possible with some hands-on. %Gallery-158535% %Gallery-158544%
iPad Smart Case hands-on
Surreptitiously introduced to Apple Stores in the midst of new MacBook introductions and hardware refreshes, the Smart Case is Apple's latest official option for iPad protection. It's teamed together the foldable Smart Cover of last year with a soft-touch rubbery shell to defend the other half of Apple's premier tablet. The case fits both the Retina display-decked new iPad and the iPad 2, so we decided to grab one to protect our iOS slab. Does it do the job? Well, it certainly protects the tablet from keys, spare change and other pointy objects, however, because it's made for two slightly different sized devices, it didn't fit as snugly as we'd hoped, with an especially wide rim around the front also reducing the premium feel of the Smart Cover-esque front flap. So, is it still worth the $50 price tag? That's a little trickier to say, so check out some more impressions and our verdict after the break.%Gallery-158414%
Apple intros new iPad Smart Case: clever enough to cover both sides, priced at $50
And we're still not done. A new iPad case has managed to sneak onto the Apple Store's online shelves, and it'll protect your precious slab on both the back and front. The Smart Case appears to augment last year's Smart Cover with an additional (polyurethane hardshell) coating for the back of your iPad. Priced at just under $50, the case fits both second and third-generation iPads and will arrive in six different color options. And yes, you can still get that ever-pressing message engraved onto it too. [Thanks Nikhil] For more coverage of WWDC 2012, please visit our event hub!
Mad Catz anticipates Wii U launch with line of gaming peripherals
Mad Catz is, quite literally, gearing up for the Wii U's impending holiday launch. Aligned neatly with Nintendo's keynote at E3 today, the accessory maker's outing a host of peripherals intended to play nicely with the gaming titan's next gen, tablet-y splash. Prospective early adopters eyeing what the Big N's selling can look forward to a pair of Wiimote- and Wii U GamePad-compatible Power Up ChargeDocks, a FlipStand protective cover and a TRITTON Kunai headset which will also work across Sony's current gaming platforms. There's no pricing available yet for this add-on kit, but the lineup should make its market bow in step with the console's looming launch. Hit up the break to peruse the official pressers.
Rocketfish's Sound Prism is triangu-lovely
Cunning design is a wonderful thing, and this triangular bundle of smarts is almost meta! Rocketfish's Sound Prism is exactly what it says it is, a three-sided speaker bar with a twist (metaphorically speaking.) Inventors, CRE8 Design studio, cooked up the clever idea of using the empty space created by a folded Apple Smart Cover. This fella neatly slips into the cubby-hole of the folded case, and attaches itself magnetically. It's Bluetooth, so can pair up with any compatible device, but won't look quite so snug as when used as nature -- or rather its creators -- intended. How much for a slice of the Pythagorean action? That'll be 80 rectangular dollars, sir.
iPad Smart Cover issue apparently due to magnet polarity
Many customers bought a new iPad last weekend, and some found that Apple's Smart Cover doesn't work with certain previously Smart Cover-compatible cases. Mark of Mark's Hangout has discovered why, and he's posted a detailed explanation. It appears that Apple added a polarity-sensitive sensor to the new iPad, and that the original Smart Covers were made with magnets facing in either direction. Later model Smart Covers don't exhibit this behavior. We can only assume Apple made an adjustment when it refreshed the line in October. Mark had help from an independent case manufacturer in sussing out the problem. You'll find all of the details here. He also pointed out that if you have an incompatible Smart Cover you can get it swapped out at the Apple Store. [Via The Verge]
Apple snags a patent for the Smart Cover's magnetic know-how
No, it doesn't cover the totality of the Smart Cover itself (or any case that folds into a triangle), but Apple has now managed to obtain a patent for one of the accessory's key bits of functionality. First filed in July of 2011 and published by the USPTO today, the patent described as an "accessory device with magnetic attachment" details how magnets can be used in a particular manner to attach a cover to a device (like an iPad) and secure it in place, yet still allow it to be easily released. Again, that doesn't cover all cases that use magnets -- just magnets used in this very specific way. Hit the source link below for all the details in patent-speak.
Apple patent looks to create 'secure magnets' to unlock your device
It's an Apple patent application: please be aware this is unlikely to wind up in your next device, please fasten seat belts and fix your tray table in the fixed and upright position. Inside the bezel of your iDevice or Mac is a magnet that operates a switch -- that will only be activated when a "correlated" magnet inside a key-fob makes contact. That's the thinking behind Cupertino's newest patent application, attempting to turn magnets into a way of keeping your stuff secure. An example listed in the patent is using a stylus with specially encoded magnets to securely unlock an iPad, which we attribute to a zealous patent attorney and not a reversal of the "they blew it" rule. It may sound ridiculous when you first consider it, but given the magnetic-activation of the iPad 2's smart cover, it's not as outlandish as you believe. Still, we'll believe it if we see it in a couple of years.
Nominate your favorite iPad case for TUAW's Best of 2011 awards
During December and January, The Unofficial Apple Weblog is soliciting your nominations and votes for the best products for Mac, iPhone/iPod touch, and iPad. We'll start with nominations in a category, and then tally your votes for the top-nominated products a few days later. The winner in each category receives the highly-coveted title of TUAW Best of 2011. The nominations are closed for iPhone apps and accessories, and now the TUAW Best of 2011 awards move to everybody's favorite tablet, the iPad. Today's category for nominations in the TUAW Best of 2011 awards is iPad cases. There are literally hundreds of different cases, most of which have been reviewed here on TUAW during the past year. Whether it's Apple's own Smart Cover (US$39 - $69) that is protecting the screen of your iPad 2, or the Otterbox Defender Series Case ($89.95) creating a zone of protection around the entire device, readers are sure to be vocal about their favorites. Of course there's the entire world of iPad folio cases and keyboard cases to think about. Could it be the luxurious Logitech Fold-Up Bluetooth Keyboard ($129.99) that is the Apple of your eye? Or maybe it's the IPEVO Typi folio ($79) with its removable keyboard and leather highlights? TUAW wants to hear from you -- what's your favorite iPad case? Leave your nomination in the comments below. Voting will start soon! Nominations close at 11:59 PM ET on December 24, 2011.
ASUS Transformer Prime origami-style Smart Cover is ready for its closeup (video)
ASUS Taiwan's been busy updating its Facebook with pictures of all its BFFs, completing the 30-day music challenge and posting a video of the Transformer Prime's new origami-style smart cover. Slotting into two hook-holes on the side of the bezel, it folds into a cunning stand that props the tablet at a variety of angles -- disconnecting with a gentle pull (and a slightly sickening metallic scraping noise). After which, it probably posted a message about wanting an unlike button and played some Farmville. If you wanna see how easy the cover is to position, head on past the break to watch it in action in glorious high definition. [Thanks, dy4me]
