iPad Smart Cover rip-off case lands Samsung in hot water
Samsung has hastily dumped a laughable clone of an Apple accessory after realising it's a blatant rip-off -- providing Apple with ammunition in the legal battle between the two tech giants.
Samsung has hastily dumped a third-party accessory for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 after realising it's a blatant rip-off of an Apple product. The Anymode Smart Case, a laughably obvious clone of the iPad 2 Smart Cover, was quickly yanked from sale, but will still provide Apple with ammunition in the legal battle between the two technology giants.
The timing couldn't be worse for Samsung, currently embroiled in a legal spat with Apple over claims the Korean company has been copying Apple's products. The fruit-flavoured phone flinger reckons Samsung's Galaxy range of phones and tablets rips off the iPhone and iPad, right down to the design of the packaging.
Take a look at the two covers. Coinkydink? We think not:
The Anymode cover (top) appeared briefly on the Samsung website, decorated with the 'Designed for Samsung Mobile' that denotes officially endorsed accessories for Sammy products. Samsung quickly yanked the case after 9to5Mac spotted the similarities, and issued a brief statement:
"As a general practice, Samsung Electronics reviews and approves all accessories produced by partners before they are given the 'Designed for Samsung Mobile' mark. In this case, approval was not given to Anymode for the accessory to feature this official designation. We are working with Anymode to address this oversight and the product has already been removed from the Anymode sales website. The product has not been sold."
The Apple Smart Cover attaches to the iPad 2 by magnets, which clip to the side of the tablet and form the hinge. The fabric cover then folds over the screen, but it doesn't protect the back of the iPad. The Anymode Smart Case does protect the back of the Tab, attaching to the tablet by a standard case. But the flap at the front, with its pastel colours and folding segments, is nearly identical to the Apple product.
The clone cover folds into a triangle to prop up the Tab for typing or for watching video, exactly like the iPad cover.
The genuine article automatically wakes the iPad when opened, or puts it to sleep when covered. It also keeps the touchscreen clean. But it's nowhere near as protective as a proper case -- so here's a fistful of our favourites and a dashing transforming iPad waistcoat to transport your tablet with a dash of panache. Stylish.