Smart Covers flexibly and minimally protect the iPad 2

By Molly McHugh March 2, 2011

If you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, you missed today’s introduction of the iPad 2. And even if you didn’t, it’s easy for tablet cases and covers to get overlooked in all the hype. But Apple’s new Smart Covers deserve a mention.

CEO Steve Jobs indeed made his rumored appearance at today’s product launch, and in addition to revealing the device of the hour (or, according to Apple, the year), he showed off a new concept when it comes to cases. Er, excuse us, covers.

During the event, Jobs admitted “We did a case for the original iPad. It worked pretty well, but we went to all the trouble to make this beautiful design, but then covered it up with the case. We thought we could be better than this with the iPad 2.” Instead of a traditional, inflexible housing case for the tablet, Jobs revealed the new Smart Covers. The covers are little more than flaps of polyurethane (the stuff space suits are made of) or leather that attach to the iPad 2 using magnets that automatically align the cloth to the device.

The Smart Covers are both flexible and sturdy, and can support the tablet for angled use. But that’s old news and something outside vendors have been offering for the original iPad; what’s really innovative about the cover is how it connects to the tablet itself. Closing it puts the iPad to sleep, and opening wakes it up. And just to take multitasking (or laziness) to new heights, the cover also features a microfiber cloth for simultaneous cleaning.

There are a variety of colors to choose from as well. A polyurethane Smart Cover will run you $39, and a leather one (available in more muted tones) is priced at $69.

The concept is undeniably cool, and we definitely want to get our hands on the covers and see for ourselves how well they work with the new iPad. But we’re still compelled to question how effective they are: A Smart Cover will keep my screen clean and won’t add bulk to the tablet, but it’s not going to keep it safe from anything heavier than butterfly. A protective case is still necessary. Jobs said it himself: “It’s not a case – it’s a cover.”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…

Computing

Best Apple deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook

Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Apple is one of the biggest companies in the world, and if you're looking for some great tech, then you probably already know that Apple makes some of the best wireless earbuds, the best smartwatches, the best laptops, and even the best tablets. That said, it does also garner a very premium price tag, which is a pretty big part of the brand itself, meaning that for a lot of folks in the Apple ecosystem, making any sort of upgrade or expansion to that ecosystem can be very costly. On the bright side, there are a ton of great Apple deals out there in the world, whether it's trade-in value from Apple, or direct discounts from Amazon and Best Buy, you have options.

That's why we've gone out and searched through various big retailers to find you some of the best deals we can find. That includes everything from the MacBook deals, AirPods deals, Apple TV deals and Apple Watch deals to the AirTag, so hopefully, you can find the perfect deal that fits your needs and budget.
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $79, was $99

Mobile

Flash deal: Get $100 off the latest iPad Mini for Memorial Day

An iPad Mini standing in tent mode.

Best Buy has one of the best iPad deals around but it only lasts for as long as today does. Right now, you can buy the latest Apple iPad mini for $400 meaning you’re saving $100 off the regular price of $500. A great and highly portable tablet, it’s sure to be a hit with Apple fans and more. Here’s what you need to know about it before you buy but remember that you only have until the end of the day to grab it for this price.

Why you should buy the Apple iPad mini
The best iPad around for anyone seeking something small, the Apple iPad mini is a “little powerhouse” as our review explains. It has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and wide color support so it’s small but looks gorgeous. It’s powered by an A15 Bionic chip so it can handle quite a lot including many games or simply multitasking.

Mobile

The one thing stopping me from buying a new iPad

Three 2021 iPads are stacked on a table.

Want an iPad? Apple wants you to be paying attention to the new iPad Pro -- and for good reason. It's the thinnest product Apple has ever created, which is impressive considering it packs in a laptop-level M4 processor, a gorgeous display, and a number of new software tricks. But the announcement concealed something far more important: the dustbinning of the 9th-gen iPad. The last of the "retro" iPad designs, the 9th-gen is now finally retired from the stage, and for me, it means this is my last chance to grab a quick and reasonable upgrade for my 7th-gen iPad.

I figured I could grab the 9th-gen for a decent discount now that it's on the way out -- and to Apple's credit, I absolutely could. But a realization began to sink in as I shopped, and I came away without making that final purchase.