Apple granted patent for even smarter iPad cover, with built-in display & sketchpad

- May. 10th 2016 5:46 am PT

Apple has today been granted a patent for an iPad Smart Cover with more smarts than usual: it incorporates a built-in display, and even a Wacom-style drawing tablet.

The patent illustrates a number of different ways the Smart Cover display could be used, from simply extending the iPad’s own display through text-only displays of things like reminders to a combined display and touchpad. Some of the options show the display acting as a full input device too, allowing both handwritten notes and drawings.

While we of course add our usual disclaimer that Apple patents way more things than it actually makes, two element of this patent have actually made it into production …

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How-To: Enhance Apple Pencil with a standard pen clip for carrying and stabilizing

Zac Hall

- Dec. 13th 2015 4:00 am PT

@apollozac

iPad How To iPad Pro Clips Apple Pencil

Apple Pencil is a terrific digital stylus that transforms iPad Pro into a highly capable electronic sketch pad and notebook, but it’s dead simple design potentially leaves something to be desired for some users. For example, its cylindrical-shaped symmetrical body lacks a basic pen clip for attaching it to your shirt pocket or elsewhere, which makes it look prettier and simpler but means it easily rolls down inclines and can’t attach to cases or pockets. Apple has weighted it internally to sit in place on a flat surface cleverly with the Apple Pencil marking facing upward, but it’s still no match for a slight slant and where exactly are you supposed to put it?

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Sylvania HomeKit Light Strip

The best iPad Pro cases, covers, keyboards & accessories

Jordan Kahn

- Nov. 10th 2015 2:16 pm PT

@JordanKahn

iOS Devices iPad Pro Apple Accessories Logitech

With iPad Pro officially going on sale tomorrow (possibly at midnight tonight Cupertino time if Apple follows past launches), it’s time to move our attention to accessories for the device.

Will you go the Apple route and stock up on the official but pricey Apple keyboard, case & cover, and Apple Pencil? Or perhaps you’re looking for accessories with features that aren’t offered by Apple’s. Whatever the case, below we’ve started rounding up the best of the best accessories for iPad Pro. Most are available to order now while a couple are coming soon. We’ll be adding more as they pop up in the weeks following the iPad Pro’s launch. expand full story

Apple showcases iPad with creative Smart Cover storefront display at Apple Store

9to5 Staff - Jan. 10th 2015 2:52 pm PT

Apple has had some interesting retail storefront displays for the iPhone, iPad and Mac in the past, but its latest effort all but tops the cake. At the iconic Apple Store on Regent Street in London, the Cupertino-based company now has a row of iPads on display with colorful Smart Covers that automatically open and close.

This video (from Vid.Me) does not explain how the Smart Covers are able to move on their own, although magnets underneath the shelf are almost certainly involved. Anyone who has used a Smart Cover knows that the accessory is not actually able to open and close by itself, but that hasn’t stopped some customers from inquiring about the trick at Apple Stores.

9to5Toys Last Call: Canon laser printer $40, iPad mini Smart Covers $16, 2x JBL Lightning speaker docks $37, more

- Dec. 2nd 2014 3:20 pm PT

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the brand new 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Canon LBP6200d Monochrome Laser Printer: $40 shipped (Orig. $170)

Apple iPad mini Smart Covers as low as $16 w/ free in-store pickup from Best Buy (Reg. $39)

Daily Deals: Two JBL OnBeat Micro Lightning speaker docks: $37, more

Get unlimited access for one month to over 15,000 digital Marvel comics for 75¢

Other new deals:

Today only, The Sopranos Complete Series on Blu-ray and Digital HD: $110 shipped (orig. $280) http://t.co/ixw4QVMnJi pic.twitter.com/Kwqr2gJgBt

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) December 2, 2014

New! 10% off in-store electronics purchases at Target, save on Sonos
New! WD My Passport Ultra 2TB Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive: $80 shipped (orig. $140)
New! Apple iPad Air 16GB WiFi (silver or space gray): $330 shipped (Reg. $399)
New! Games/Apps: Destiny $45 (Reg. $60), Mini Motor Racing FREE, more iOS freebies
New! Valve’s live gameplay broadcasting is now available to all Steam users for free
New! Sennheiser: RS120 wireless on-ears (refurb) $54, MX 365 in-ears $16, more
New! Harman Kardon 5.1 Channel Home Theater $189 shipped (orig. $599)
New! Incase Cyber Week: New deals every day on iPad, iPhone and MacBook accessories
New! Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10″ 16GB $360 shipped (Reg. $500)
New! Home: Neato XV Pro Robotic vac in black $280 (orig. $400), more
New! 1080p HDTVs: VIZIO 60″ 120Hz Smart $848 w/ Prime, Toshiba 40″ 60Hz $330, more
New! Alesis Q25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller $40 shipped (orig. $180)
New! Harman Kardon Onyx Studio Bluetooth Speaker $124 (orig. $400), more
New! Samsung BD-F5700 Compact/Smart Wi-Fi Blu-Ray Player: $53 shipped (reg. $100)
New! Big USB batteries, lowest ever prices: Anker 13,000mAh: $24, Aduro 10,800mAh: $18

Quirky + GE Aros smart window air conditioner: $100 shipped (Reg. $300) http://t.co/S6EftlmvmG pic.twitter.com/BZyZzjOG0h

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) December 2, 2014

New products/ongoing promos:

Refurb. Apple AirPorts: Extreme (newest) $120 (Reg. $199 new), Express $60 (Reg. $99 new)
Top 10 kids’ toys of 2014 per early Google Search data
Bang & Olufsen: new lambskin lined BeoPlay H2 headphones
ShotTracker brings Bluetooth LE and data collection to your hoop game
Twelve South makes the best iPhone 6/iPad dock even better
littleBits: DIY Smart Home Kit, options for creating an internet-connected home
Internet Archive brings 900 classic arcade titles to your web browser for free
The thinnest iPhone 6/Plus cases we’ve found so far

Apple Smart Covers and Smart Cases updated for iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3

Zac Hall - Oct. 16th 2014 12:52 pm PT

In addition to introducing the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, Apple has refreshed its online store with new Smart Cases and Smart Covers to compliment and protect the new hardware.

The latest iPad Air Smart Cover will work with both the iPad Air and iPad Air 2. The iPad Air Smart Cover is available in polyurethane for $39 with options in black, white, pink, yellow, blue, green, and red. Apple says each iPad Air Smart Cover is available to ship in 1-3 days currently.

The iPad mini Smart Cover is available at the same $39 price point in the same colors. All three 7.9-inch iPad mini generations are compatible with this accessory. Apple also says the iPad mini Smart Cover will be available to ship in 1-3 days currently.

Apple has also updated its Smart Case for the iPad Air 2. Because the iPad Air 2 is thinner than the previous generation iPad Air and features a second microphone in place of the previously existing mute/rotation toggle switch, the new iPad Air 2 cases are only compatible with the new tablets. The iPad Air 2 Smart Case is available for $79 in leather with options in black, red, midnight blue, olive brown, and soft pink. These new cases are currently unavailable for order and coming soon for store pickup.

The iPad mini Smart Case is also available in leather at $69 with the same color options available. Apple says it will be begin shipping 1-3 days after ordering.