It looks like some people are having problems getting their iPad 2 cases to work properly with the magnets in the iPad 3. Not only third party cases, but Apple’s official Smart Covers that were made very early on. Turns out, there is a reason: Polarity.
Mark Booth:
[A case manufacturer disassembled] the first panel of the case’s smart cover and reversed the entire panel—thus reversing the polarity of the magnet embedded in the panel—and held the panel in place with clear packaging tape. Then he tested the modified case cover on both the iPad 2 and the iPad 3. Success! With the reversed panel, the case cover works perfectly with both the iPad 2 and iPad 3!
I’ve learned that some of the original genuine Apple Smart Covers do not work properly with the iPad 3. Sometime in 2011, Apple apparently modified the design specifications of the Smart Covers in preparation for the release of the iPad 3. According to reports on Apple’s support forums, the model numbers for the Smart Covers changed at the same time. Apple is reportedly exchanging these older Apple Smart Covers for the newer models at your favorite Apple Store.
Your mileage may vary, though. If you walk into an Apple Store, explain your situation politely and earnestly. It seems likely that the Apple folks will help you out. If you go in ranting and raving about how your Smart Cover doesn’t work, you’ll probably be escorted the hell out of the store.
Are you having problems getting your cases and covers to work properly with the new iPad’s magnets? What make and model are you using? We’d love to hear about your experience. Sound off in the comment section of this post. Alternately, you can hit us up on Twitter. Our username is @macgasm, and we love to hear from our readers.
Source: Mark’s Hangout
