Now that the iPad 2 hysteria has passed — at least until launch day, it’s worth circling back to focus on its companion Smart Covers. Apparently Steve Jobs was upset that the old iPad case hid the beauty of the original iPad’s industrial design, so Apple went back to the drawing board to develop an accessory that could protect the tablet and act as a stand, while still letting it show off a bit of skin. These covers utilize magnets to snap on the device — which pair perfectly with magnets built in the bezel of the iPad 2. Opening the cover will automatically wake the iPad from sleep, while closing it will do the opposite. Just like the old case, these covers can also be folded to act as a portrait or landscape stand. Ten color options will be available, five of which will be made of rich, aniline-dyed Italian leather. All of them will also feature a microfiber liner that will clean the iPad screen each time it’s opened or closed.
Coming Soon: Polyurethane $38 | Leather $70