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Case Makers Await Apple's Media Event with iPad 5 Cases Ready to Go

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As Apple prepares to launch its radically redesigned fifth-generation iPad, multiple case makers are gearing up to release cases to fit the thinner, slimmer tablet. Because Apple does not provide case makers with specifications, accessory manufacturers gamble on case design by utilizing rumors and product leaks to create their cases, as noted by ABC News.

For example, Gumdrop Cases (also responsible for the Hard Candy brand) has developed a line of fifth-generation iPad cases that it had already begun manufacturing back in June, in anticipation of a WWDC launch for the redesigned tablet. Since then, the company has gone on to create several additional cases for the iPad 5, all without a glimpse of the product.

gumdrop.jpg

According to Gumdrop CEO Tim Hickman, Gumdrop has worked with the Chinese factories that produce the iPad in order to acquire dimensions and computer-aided designs to make the cases, communicating back and forth with the factories to make sure the cases will fit the final product.
"I'm pretty confident that our cases will fit the new iPads," Hickman told ABC News. "We work with the factories really closely. We aren't going to be really far off."
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In addition to Gumdrop, multiple other companies have begun manufacturing cases for the iPad 5, including well-known brands like Kensington, hoping to get an edge on the competition. MacRumors has received several reports of iPad 5 cases showing up in stores and online, and Amazon is also offering a number of pre-designed cases for the tablet. Fifth-generation cases first started appearing in February, with additional models being displayed in April.

M-Edge, another popular case maker, also spoke with ABC News on the trial and error behind creating early iPad cases. The company utilizes several data sources for its design, according to CTO Adam Ashley, including leaked photos and rumors.
"We analyze the data - the rumors and the photographs - we compile this information and we meet with our product team to assess the confidence level," Ashley told ABC News.

Ashley said there are also a few tricks to making sure the case will fit without the exact measurements. The product designers will leave some room for error in the size of the case and also leave room for button adjustment. For instance, they may leave a larger opening for the buttons on the edge in case Apple decides to make adjustments.
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Manufacturing cases based on rumor can be a major risk, as some highly-rumored Apple products never make it to market. For example, in 2011 rumors suggested that the next iPhone would utilize a tapered design, which never reached fruition. Given the number of fifth-generation iPad part leaks, however, it is likely that early case production will prove to be successful for many companies.

According to Gumdrop, the company has spent a quarter of a million dollars pre-preparing cases, and both M-Edge and Gumdrop claimed the risk was worth it, as not having cases at launch would cause a bigger fiscal impact.
"If we are wrong we lose a bunch of money, but if we are right, we can make a lot of money," Hickman said. "It is still a gamble, but in this world, it is the game that is being played."
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Apple's fifth-generation iPad will be announced tomorrow, on Tuesday, October 22 at a San Francisco event. The iPad will take on an iPad-mini style design, with narrower side bezels and a smaller, lighter form factor. It is expected to feature an upgraded A7X processor and an improved camera.

Alongside the iPad, Apple is also expected to debut a Retina iPad mini, Haswell MacBook Pros, the redesigned Mac Pro, Mavericks, and revamped versions of its iLife and iWork software.

Article Link: Case Makers Await Apple's Media Event with iPad 5 Cases Ready to Go
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/10/21/case-makers-await-apples-media-event-with-ipad-5-cases-ready-to-go/
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I guess they are waiting to see if it will come w/ touch id or not. That is what will make or break some of these companies decisions.
 
These first to market cases always seem like the crappiest ones as far as how bulky and weird they are. I always like to wait until Belkin comes out with something. I always end up gravitating back to Belkin.
 
spiderman0616 said:
These first to market cases always seem like the crappiest ones as far as how bulky and weird they are. I always like to wait until Belkin comes out with something. I always end up gravitating back to Belkin.
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Yeah true. The actual good case making companies wait 1-1.5 months to come out with their cases.
 
It's interesting that they admit they work closely with Apple's manufacturers. I'm sure Apple wouldn't be too happy about this. They like to have a monopoly on their cases upon release and double down on secrecy. :cool:
 
Xerotech said:
It's interesting that they admit they work closely with Apple. I'm sure Apple wouldn't be too happy about this. They like to have a monopoly on their cases upon release and double down on secrecy. :cool:
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They didn't say they work closely with Apple. They said they work closely with the manufacturers. Apple essentially leases FoxConn, etc. for their manufacturing work. They don't own them at all. These case makers probably use the same manufacturers to make their own products. Thus, they "work closely with them".
 
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I bought some of these for knock off cases for iPad 3 when it came out and all though it worked, soft of, it was not perfect. I am happy with the apple cover now.

As I said in a different thread, I hope apple comes out with a keybord cover for the new iPad as that would be a reason for me to switch. I will be like a mini laptop at that point. I know MicroSoft was first with this, but I am betting that Apple will do it and do it in a unique way.
 
Sorry but what consumer will wanna buy a case that was manufactured based on rumors? Even if the shape/size is accurate, this is a slippery slope as the company CANNOT say it was product-tested.
 
GREEN4U said:
Sorry but what consumer will wanna buy a case that was manufactured based on rumors? Even if the shape/size is accurate, this is a slippery slope as the company CANNOT say it was product-tested.
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Some people like to have protection from day 1.

Me personally, I wouldn't waste my money because I know there will be something better in the near future.
 
The CEO in the article readily admits that he has no confirmation of the product to be released. He is working on second-hand supply chain information, which is about 1 step away from manufacturing a case based on the images on rumor sites. I would not get too caught up on this.
 
zip lock

boshii said:
Some people like to have protection from day 1. Me personally, I wouldn't waste my money because I know there will be something better in the near future.
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The solution is sell 2 for 1... "zip lock" delivered immediately, followed by form-fitting zip lock, or upsell to silicon, metal or wood :D
 
Naked > *

Assuming they truly are working closely with the manufacturers, this is a pretty good indication there will indeed be no fingerprint scanner. I figured that anyway, but its kind of a bummer.
 
In other news, we're pretty sure the iPad 32 is going to be a tiny ball the size of a marble that will display a hologram onto your table. WE HAVE A CASE FOR IT THAT WE'RE PRETTY SURE WILL FIT!

(of course, when you put the case on that marble sized ball, it's about the size of a wrecking ball.)
 
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