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iFixit Tears Open The Smart Cover To See How It Works

In what is quite a first, iFixit has done a tear-down on Apple’s new Smart Covers and found that Apple has used a whopping 31 magnets to make the Smart Cover system work with 10 in the iPad and 21 in the cover. To the disappointment of the iFixit team, the magnets were the plain old two-pole kind, not the more intriguing correlated magnets, however the way in which the magnets were placed is what allows the Smart Cover to effectively clip on with relative ease and accuracy.

One of the magnets in the Smart Cover is used by the iPad to work out when the iPad should be locked and unlocked whilst the rest are used to “either clamp to the iPad on the right side (the far-right column of magnets), or to form the triangular shape used to create a stand for the iPad 2.” Finally the magnets inside the iPad 2 were polarised + - + - whilst the Smart Cover complemented this and had the opposite being - + - + (obviously to snap to together the magnets in either part must be opposite to attract each other).  Jump the break for some more break down images by iFixit!

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Reports Suggest Apple Won’t Include NFC Technology In The iPhone 5

An article today by The Independent (a UK publication) has suggested that the previously rumored inclusion of Near Field Communication technology in the iPhone and iPad will not be coming this year. The technology is perceived to become a new way for consumers to pay for goods and services and it was hoped by many in the retail industry that Apple could set the standard by adding the technology to the iPhone.

It appears however, according to several sources in UK mobile operators, that Apple had decided against the inclusion of NFC technology in the next version of the iPhone. One source told The Independent “The new iPhone will not have NFC, Apple told the operators it was concerned by the lack of a clear standard across the industry.”

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Apple Showcasing “Great AirPlay Apps” In The App Store

With the release of iOS 4.3, Apple enabled third-party developers to implement the AirPlay streaming technology in their apps, a feature that was previously exclusive to Apple’s own software on iOS 4.2. On the new iOS 4.3, not only does Safari allow you to stream video content from the browser to an Apple TV, developers also got the possibility to use the AirPlay APIs (after several requests) in their applications. Apps like Air Video or StreamToMe greatly benefit from the addition of AirPlay without any manual hacking.

To celebrate the new feature for all developers, Apple has put up a section on the App Store to showcase the first apps that make great use of AirPlay. “AirPlay-Enabled Apps” collects 11 different apps that have been updated to support wireless streaming, The list includes the VEVO Player, Air Video, ESPN Magazine, and Discovery Channel HD. All these apps let you beam video from your iOS device to the Apple TV in your local network.

You can find the section here, and we hope Apple will soon update it to feature more great apps for the iPhone and iPad. The problem? If you have a Verizon iPhone you might be out of luck.

iPad 2 Is Jailbroken

Jailbreaking the iPad 2 is quickly underway, as revealed by @comex and @chpwn this evening on Twitter. The Jailbreak has yet to be packaged, and no release date has been announced. Shown to be running on a white 3G iPad 2, Cydia is displayed as ready to launch – a replacement exploit found in the latest version of iOS 4.3 enabled the hackers to install Saurik’s directory. Previous works by @comex include an iBooks fix in the 4.2.1 jailbreak that enabled users to read DRM’d content, and a universal jailbreak web tool for iOS devices.

Phil Schiller: White iPhone This Spring

The elusive white iPhone 4 has become one kind of a myth among tech bloggers following Apple news and fans willing to get their hands on a different colored model of the popular device. Initially announced in June 2010 at the WWDC then delayed multiple times due to alleged manufacturing issues (light leaks, color paint, picture quality have been mentioned in the rumors), a series of DIY replacements have surfaced in the past months, but none of them quite managed to win the hearts of consumers that, at the same time, kept hearing about this white unit finally becoming available in Spring 2011.

Now it is Apple’s Phil Schiller to confirm the news officially through his verified Twitter account: the white iPhone is coming this Spring. In a reply to a customer, he says the white iPhone is a “beauty”. We have no doubts about it – well, at least basing on what we saw back in June 2010.

A number of reports in the past weeks suggested Apple had fixed the production issues with the device and it is now ready to ship it in volume. It’s also worth noting that Schiller didn’t mention the “iPhone 4” in his tweet, but we think it’s pretty clear that we’re not talking about an iPhone 5 available in Spring. It’s unclear whether Apple will release only a GSM version of the device, or both GSM and CDMA for Verizon. [via Engadget]

The Billion Dollar Smart Cover→

The Billion Dollar Smart Cover

I’m estimating that at least 60% of iPad buyers will get one. Based on an estimate of 36 million iPads sold in 2011 and an average price of $48 (70% polyurethane and 30% leather mix), the total revenue for Smart Covers will top $1 billion this year.

While waiting in line for the iPad 2, chit chat with the line neighbors eventually turned to Smart Covers. Quite a few people I was in line with wanted either the orange or green polyurethane Smart Cover, with only a few opting to get the (PRODUCT) RED leather model. I agree that more people will opt for the polyurethane covers at the entry price. Based on Horace Dediu’s prediction, Apple will possibly make more money selling Smart Covers alone than competitors selling tablets.

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Browse Instagram From Your iPad With Instagallery

Instagram photos are uniquely genuine to the photographer, often showcasing beautiful sceneries, elegant dishes, and perhaps a kitten or two. Unlike a DSLR where you prepare and tailor each scene, Instagram focuses on the now, capturing life as it happens in the moment. While I don’t have an iPhone to share experiences of my own, I can enjoy what friends and Twitter associates post from the couch cushion. Instagallery brings Instagram to the iPad display, allowing you to browse through popular photos, view pictures taken at the same geo-location where you took your photo, view photos as a slideshow, and like or comment on inspiring shots all in one place. Instagallery is available for $1.99 in the App Store.

The Smart Cover: Revisited & Reviewed

When I wrote about the genius of Apple’s Smart Cover for the iPad 2, I didn’t need to have it in hand to make my bold assertion. The Smart Cover had sold itself before anyone needed to touch it, thanks in part to Apple’s well done product showcase. It is the first accessory offered as you purchase an iPad 2 online, and the Apple store representative I was with made sure I knew all about the must-have covers. Apple is aggressively putting the spotlight on Smart Covers wherever they can, and for good reason. Put simply, this is the accessory you’ll want to buy with your next iPad.

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Donate To Red Cross for Japan Through iTunes

As noted by 9to5mac, Apple has enabled an option in the iTunes Store to donate to the American Red Cross for the Japan relief fund. If you want to make your donation to the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan, you can by visiting this page and choosing to donate $5, $10, $25, $50, $100 or $200. Everything happens through the iTunes account you already have – a clever move to make donations easy and just a click away for iTunes users.

100% of your donation will go to the American Red Cross, which is set to provide food, shelter and assistance to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.