I reall y dont think that apple have really thought this through, i just carnt understand why they coulnt of made the smart cover fit all the way round, not only protecting the front, but the back has well, come on apple get a grip.
The smart cover does what apple wants it to do. And, if you do think about it, it would be impossible to find another Cover and 2-position stand for the iPad for even a fraction of the price that the Smart Cover provides.
Don't get me wrong, I don't LIKE the smart cover, because it doesn't work for me and how I use it..
But the smart cover does some things and it does them in a decent way.
1) It protects the screen from getting scratches.
2) It provides a vertical stand
3) it provides a horizontal stand
4) It gives a heck of a lot of "grip" when on, either front or back, versus the naked iPad
5) It's better than NOTHING.
Why not just use the smart cover to protect the back of the IPad by turning it over when not using it. That way the smart cover will be on the surface and the back of the IPad will be face up? That's what I intend to do when my IPad and smart cover arrive.
Can you do that? It looks to me like you have to remove the cover completely when using the iPad, which is a downside for me - it makes it easier to misplace or leave somewhere..
No, you don't have to remove it. The hinge allows it to fold completely over onto the back of the iPad. There's no reason you need to take the cover off for... well, anything.