Third-Party iPad 2 Cases Take on Smart Covers [telecom]

open original image

Third-Party iPad 2 Cases Take on Smart Covers

By NICK BILTON MARCH 25, 2011

Although most hardware technology companies offer protective gear and cases for their gadgets, they also rely on third-party companies to create and design a variety of products. Over the past few years, partly fueled by the creation of delicate mobile devices with large flat screens, these companies have become an integral part of a product's success - and a multi-million dollar business.

When Apple announced its latest iPad 2 this month, one of the featured updates it showcased was its own Smart Cover, a sleek protective overlay for the iPad 2 that also turns the device on or off when opened or closed.

As my colleague Miguel Helft noted recently, although companies that sell cases for the iPad are impressed with Apple's new Smart Cover design, competitors said they were confident they would be able to offer a better and more innovative solution.

Judging from the few iPad 2 covers that have been announced so far, it looks competitors might be have a few tricks up their sleeves.

...