Solved: iPad 3 Smart Cover Sleep/Wake Feature Not Working

The web has been abuzz with reports of both genuine Apple and third-party Smart Covers, folios and leather cases not working properly to sleep/wake the new iPad (iPad 3). There's been speculation that the sleep/wake sensor switch in the iPad 3 has been moved slightly, thus causing the problems. However, that is NOT the cause!

The reason older genuine Apple Smart Covers and many third-party covers, cases and folios don't work is because Apple changed to a different type of sleep/wake sensor in the iPad 3. The sleep/wake sensor in the iPad 2 worked with any magnet, regardless of that magnet's orientation or polarity. The newer sleep/wake sensor in the iPad 3 requires a specific polarity. It will only be activated by one side of a magnet and not the other.

Everying this is explained and demonstrated (HD video) at the blog post I made last night:

http://markshangout.com/blog/2012/3/17/ipad-3-smart-cover-sleepwake-feature-not- working.html

According to several Apple Support Community readers, Apple is exchanging older genuine Apple Smart Covers for the newer model. Just visit your local Apple Store.

Many of the third-party case manufacturers have watched my video and are in the process of changing their manfacturing process to make sure the proper polarity is observed when installing the embedded magnets.

Mark