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iPad 5 Smart Covers Begin Surfacing in Multiple Colors [Update: Fake]

Thursday September 26, 2013 8:39 am PDT by Eric Slivka
While numerous leaks have shown that the next-generation iPad will be adopting smaller form factor based on that of the iPad mini, a new piece of evidence pointing to a launch in the relatively near future has surfaced in the form of a video from Unbox Therapy showing new Smart Covers in a variety of colors designed to fit the new form factor.


The video shows the new Smart Covers in gray, black, red, pink, orange, blue, white, and green. The video also shows the new Smart Covers attached to a fifth-generation iPad assembly of the rear shell and front panel, demonstrating how they fit the new design.

With the upcoming iPad measuring significantly narrower than the current-generation model, Apple will be shifting from the current four-panel Smart Cover to a three-panel design similar to that used for the iPad mini Smart Cover. As with existing Smart Cover products, the cover can be folded behind the iPad to act as a stand.

Apple is expected to launch its redesigned iPad and a Retina iPad mini in the near future, perhaps at a media event as soon as next month. Apple also has several updates to its Mac products still to come before the end of the year, and they may make an appearance at that same event.

Update: 9to5Mac has discovered that the alleged Smart Covers are actually being offered for sale on Chinese marketplace Alibaba for just $5 each, strongly suggesting that these are fake/knockoff Smart Covers not from Apple or its official suppliers.

Related Roundup: iPad
Tag: Smart Cover
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[ 104 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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Rogifan
72 months ago
Why do these covers have the metal hinge? I thought they got rid of that with the mini smart covers.
Rating: 8 Votes
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hobbbz
72 months ago
the 3 fold mini cover is horrible! it needs the 4 folds like the iPad 4 cover.
Rating: 8 Votes
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iChrist
72 months ago

iPad 5gen, the biggest leap since the original iPad


No.

That would be the retina screen a few years ago. This just removes some of the bezel (finally). Nothing to see here really.
:apple:
Rating: 6 Votes
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lordofthereef
72 months ago
I am going to get slain for this...

But why don't they add a flash to the iPad camera? Now don't get me wrong. I am just as annoyed as the rest of you at the countless number of people busting out their ipads to take photos. It looks ridiculous. It is ridiculous. But, fact is, people are doing it. May as well give them a good experience taking photos, no?
Rating: 6 Votes
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darkslide29
72 months ago
I wish MacRumors had a roundup for the iPad 5 specs..
What are we thinking?

Same A7 chip, but running a bit higher?
Same 1gb of ram, but perhaps 2gb ram?
Perhaps Touch ID?

Seems like details are scarce.
Rating: 5 Votes
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TWSS37
72 months ago
We took space... and made it grayer

----------

Stunning I'll definitely buying a few of these for my new iPad to mix it up according to mood. Can't wait.


I'd love to know what type of mood correlated with the color of the day for you.
Rating: 4 Votes
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nazaar
72 months ago
I don't care what the covers look like Apple... just give me more value for the cost.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Macalway
72 months ago

That guy has the best unboxings videos.


I hate unboxing videos.

However I love de-boxed videos.

Go figure

Although Apple boxes are pretty nice, they suck
Rating: 3 Votes
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OldSkoolNJ
72 months ago
No one is taking notice to all the steps back here? The colors are the original muted colors they got rid of about 1-1.5 years ago. The orange color is there which was also discontinued. The Dark grey which was introd when the orange disappeared is also not present. The inside microfiber is grey and not color matched which they also stopped doing along with the muted colors some time ago. If these are indeed for new then why all the steps backwards? All just seems off to me.
Rating: 3 Votes
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macmacgoose
72 months ago
Kill the 3-panel cover, please. I love my 4-panel and I love the smart cover. I usually have it folded in half, whether on my lap or on the table. Good grip, it balances (more or less), smooth side down.

I rarely ever have it in triangle mode, as I find it unstable and the screen-facing side ends up on the outside (why would I want to dirty it and then end up scratching the screen?). I also almost never use it without the cover, as it's hard to hold then, and I don't want to scratch up the back cover. I also hate cases.

I'm not in the market for an iPad anytime soon because my 3rd gen is working perfectly fine. But certainly the decision between a mini and a full-size will be affected by the availability of a good smart cover (Apple or 3rd party). Basically, I consider it a critical part in the "form factor" of the product. It makes it easy to hold and handle.
Rating: 3 Votes

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