With all the companies trying to copy Apple designs, it’s not surprising that the tech giant would want to protect its intellectual property and patent every single invention it has made so far. Cupertino is now trying to get an iPad Smart Cover patented.

The filing has been made public by the US Patent and Trademark Office and it is entitled “Packaging Assembly”. So basically Apple isn’t interested in the technology making the cover “smart” but in the packaging. Cupertino explains in the patent that in today’s super competitive tech market, it should be important to design not only great advanced products but also smart and intuitive accessories to serve those devices.

“While many designs and techniques used to package products have generally worked well in the past, there is always a desire to improve packaging, such that improved functionality and/or appearance is provided.”

The Smart Cover for the iPad not only looks good but it’s a perfect fit for iPad users. Remember the iPad 2 Smart Cover and its reputation of being a “frustration free” item every Apple tablet user should own. Well that’s what Apple is actually hoping to patent and keep competition away from. The Cover has been designed by Jony Ive, Apple’s design chief that is known to work with a large team of Apple specialists like Jody Akana, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel J. Coster, Danielle de Iuliis, Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russel-clarke, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, and Rico Zorkendorfer.

By Radu

Source: PACKAGING ASSEMBLY - Apple Inc.

Hmm....I think the smart cover is overpriced and not very effective at protecting the iPad. The sleep/wake feature with the magnetics, OTOH, is something they should patent. I think other vendors designed better protection that Apple provided, but the sleep/wake feature in the cover was the real innovation.

Originally Posted by AQ_OC

Hmm....I think the smart cover is overpriced and not very effective at protecting the iPad. The sleep/wake feature with the magnetics, OTOH, is something they should patent. I think other vendors designed better protection that Apple provided, but the sleep/wake feature in the cover was the real innovation.

This. There are better cases/covers out there that can protect the iPad better.

I currently have a smart cover and use it as my main cover. I'd like to try out the Apple smart CASE sometime

I love my black leather smart cover. I have it teamed up with a Belkin rear cover. Not only is it luxurious, it keeps that thin factor too. IMO, not really designed to offer full protection. I am an adult and careful with my iPad. It does deserve a gentle hand!

Also, I use the smart cover protects for the tablets is very well, and have great colors

I have one, and no longer use it.
My question is, are they trying to keep other accessory makers from selling smart covers for the iPad, or are they trying to keep other tablet manufacturers from ending up with smart covers?

Smart cover is a POS. I hate mine...always slides off and if you grip it the wrong way your iPad can go down falling with smart cover in hand.

Does anyone realize you are operating a $700 tablet computer? I can see a child not operating the Smart Cover properly, but an adult? If you can't hold it correctly, how the heck do u even operate it? The wake feature w/magnets is brilliant. The leather Smart Cover (black) is beautiful and ingenious!

I have been using the Smart CASE ( not cover) for a few weeks now and really like it. I read several negative reviews before I bought it, saying it didn't fit well and I know what they meant - on the sides, the case appears to be loose but in fact there is no way, because of the clever engineering, that the iPad could fall out. My only criticism would be that the edges are quite harsh to the touch when holding or leaning the iPad in one hand for any length of time. I have tried to simulate the iPad falling out but it is securely held. As all of the case is somehow designed to be outside the white bezel, I imagine the sturdy material would protect the corners really well if it was dropped.