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New iPad 2 Smart Covers inspired by Japanese bath tub lids?

by Kelly Hodgkins Mar 3rd 2011 at 7:00AM


Everyone following the iPad 2 announcement is aware of the new Smart Covers for the iPad 2. These flap-like covers attach to the iPad using a magnet and have an accordion-style look. The covers, amusingly enough, also resemble a style of Japanese bath tub lids!

The resemblance is so uncanny that the unveiling of these new cases caused a flurry of bath tub lid comments among Japanese Apple fans (our Rick Martin points to Asiajin's note that the caption above translates as 'Completely Identical,' a common Japanese web meme similar to the English 'Separated at Birth'). Makes you wonder how many unsuspecting Westerners will be the target of quiet snickering when they whip out their Smart Cover-adorned iPad 2 the next time they are in Tokyo.



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Everyone following the iPad 2 announcement is aware of the new Smart Covers for the iPad 2. These flap-like covers attach to the...
 

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John

Using the iPad and Smart Cover as tray for carrying nachos is a great idea. I'm hoping the next Apple accessory will for my iPad will be a cup-holder!

March 11 2011 at 12:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tom Abbott

The instant I saw it in the macnn/electronista coverage, that was my first thought, 'It looks like a Japanese bathtub cover!' (Ive spent a lot of time in Japan.)

March 08 2011 at 12:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
darbronnoco420

My Bathtub in Tokyo was AWESOME!! flip a switch and it automagicly fills up and shuts off at the perfect temp! That and I had a view of the Tokyo Tower to boot. The toilets were great too... maybe iPad 3 will be heated and have a cover that closes its self when you are done using it? Good luck finding open wifi with that ipad. For the life of me finding wifi was trickey business. 1 of the hotels in my 2 weeks in Japan had wifi and I was staying at some very nice 5 star places. 3G would be the way to go. Anyone have any good sugestions for pre paid 3g plans for Japan?

Here's my toilet from Japan... wish I got one of the tub now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6SJVNf4kog

March 07 2011 at 10:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tom

...if only I get the chance to go to Tokyo to be able to receive such snickers...

March 05 2011 at 1:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Elema

Why isn't anyone asking the real question:
Why does a bathtub need a lid?
Why aren't the Japanese emptying their bathtubs?
This seems to be an unhygienic practice.

March 03 2011 at 10:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Daniel408

Why would you want a lid on your bathtub?
Shouldn't it be empty if you're not using it? Or do people re-use bathwater & want to keep it warm?

March 03 2011 at 4:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Daniel408's comment
south

The latter -- bathtubs are for soaking, not washing, so you can keep the same water for days & just keep heating it up. That's how I do it, anyway!

Also, with a lid on top you can put stuff on the bathtub. Like sponges, smaller tubs, toys, whatever you fancy.

March 04 2011 at 5:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jake

He did go to Japan... ninja-style!

March 03 2011 at 4:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jake's comment
L3

So that's why he was escorted out of Japan!
Industrial espionage!

Seriously, I need one of those to keep my iPad from falling into the tub.

March 04 2011 at 12:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bill

This is quite a stretch. Note that the bathtub cover folds in both directions, like a Z-rest or a folding fan. The Apple cover only (partially) folds in one direction to form a triangle. It's much, much more similar to the Convertible Magazine Jacket by Incase (as Eduardo mentioned) than to this bathtub cover.

March 03 2011 at 4:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
glad

I am sorry but there are quite a few items that have that kind of jointed look as for the Japanese bathtub why does it need a cover?

March 03 2011 at 12:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gto_mex_80

So if others companies copy features from an Apple product they are copycats, cant think for themselves, and if apple copies features(even if they snck) it's an "Inspiration"? give me a break. but again this is an apple site.

March 03 2011 at 12:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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