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It is poor design. I fully expect the dock to be wholly incompatible with 3rd party accessories/cases, but not with an Apple product that they touted as being one of the best products they've ever designed and acted as if buying the cover alongside the iPad was a foregone conclusion for all buyers.

Apple has come to expect a lot from themselves on the design of their products, and consumers are no exception. I feel like the diehards love to trumpet Apple's superior design, but when they do something boneheaded like this, the consumer is just supposed to pay $29 and deal with it.

Although they do all sorts of nifty things these days, docks have traditionally been used as a quick way to pop in your devices for charging and syncing. For me personally, no amount of effort or sacrifice of protection is worth the trouble if I can plug in a 30-pin connector with less haggling.

I'll save my $29. Do as you wish. Thanks. :)

How is this any different from the first dock and the original iPad case? While it's certainly not perfect, seems like the new dock/smart cover combo works better than the old dock/Apple case. In fact, if you made a dock that accommodated the smart cover, it probably wouldn't work well with a naked iPad. Can't please everyone all of the time.
 
How is this any different from the first dock and the original iPad case? While it's certainly not perfect, seems like the new dock/smart cover combo works better than the old dock/Apple case. In fact, if you made a dock that accommodated the smart cover, it probably wouldn't work well with a naked iPad. Can't please everyone all of the time.

Not to be super nit picky, but just because there is a precedence of these types of conflicts with official accessories doesn't make it OK. These are exactly the types of lame issues that Apple fans routinely lambaste other manufacturers for.

I certainly don't expect Apple to please everyone all of the time. It just makes sense to me that the few accessories they sell for their devices would work together. *shrug*
 
A better question is how the dock works if you have the cover behind the iPad; flat, folded in half, or folded in the triangle?


My iPad 2 dock arrived and it works FINE if you fold the smart cover back into a triangle (so it is essentially is on the side when docked/connected), then you do NOT need to take it off - I've successfully docked mine like this without any issues. Works great.

I also have a BSE on the back and it sits firmly on the dock with just enough room.

FYI, Folded in half or flat does not work.
 
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...In fact, if you made a dock that accommodated the smart cover, it probably wouldn't work well with a naked iPad. Can't please everyone all of the time.
Some people look for any reason to complain.

My iPad 2 dock arrived and it works FINE if you fold the smart cover back into a triangle (so it is essentially on the side when docked/connected), then you do NOT need to take it off. Works great. Folded in half or flat does not work.
Good to know that there really isn't a compatibility issue.
 
My iPad 2 dock arrived and it works FINE if you fold the smart cover back into a triangle (so it is essentially on the side when docked/connected), then you do NOT need to take it off. Works great.

Folded in half or flat does not work.

It doesn't actually work this way (you'll notice the iPad tilting on the cover, not level on the dock). But really the solution is to just take it off, and leave it unless you're taking it somewhere. Clearly, both implementations are meant for different uses. Not really an excuse since all it needed was a slightly thinner base for clearance, but its not worth the sweat.
 
Some people look for any reason to complain.
This is the standard response of someone who has no explanation for a decision. No solution? Attack the user.

Thank goodness the world isn't filled like people like this because how the heck would there ever be progress if we were all expected to conform or shut up about our personal opinions on how we would like things to work.
 
Thanks for the compliment. They both have multiple openings at the base of the stand that allows the connector to fit through. With the classic design, the cord then feeds through the back of the unit (with a removable back panel to aid in feeding the cable through).

Here is a shot of the base where the iPad sits. You can see that the multiple openings allow for placement of the iPad centered, or justified left or right. In the portrait mode, there is room next to the iPad to hold an iPhone (in portrait mode) and both can be plugged in at the same time. It's very functional - not tippy at all. The classic version has a felt back support and the acrylic version has a matte finish to keep it fingerprint-free.

I see -nice! Time to go into mass production then!
 
Personally I think Apple needs to make a dock that allows induction charging that would allow you to put the iPad/iPhone in portrait or landscape mode without the need of a physical connection.

A hybrid of sorts between these two:

82CA7666.jpg

motorola-dock-for-motorola-xoom-tablets-angleimage-320w.jpg
 
Thanks for the compliment. They both have multiple openings at the base of the stand that allows the connector to fit through. With the classic design, the cord then feeds through the back of the unit (with a removable back panel to aid in feeding the cable through).

Here is a shot of the base where the iPad sits. You can see that the multiple openings allow for placement of the iPad centered, or justified left or right. In the portrait mode, there is room next to the iPad to hold an iPhone (in portrait mode) and both can be plugged in at the same time. It's very functional - not tippy at all. The classic version has a felt back support and the acrylic version has a matte finish to keep it fingerprint-free.

Thanks for putting this up. How do we order/ track your progress?
 
This is the standard response of someone who has no explanation for a decision. No solution? Attack the user.

Thank goodness the world isn't filled like people like this because how the heck would there ever be progress if we were all expected to conform or shut up about our personal opinions on how we would like things to work.

AMEN!

How long do we give them a pass based on past failures? "They've never done it right so...." So I freaking HOPED Apple would fix the issue in their latest "revolutionary and magical" product.

I love Apple. I'm a fanboy. Is this a major issue? No. But for heavens sake they touted this cover as the best thing since sliced bread and it can't be left in place when we put it into the dock THEY MADE?

Well maybe for the iPad 3! :rolleyes:
 
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I received my dock yesterday.

It's a drastic improvement from the original iPad dock. The weight is better and the wider width makes it more stable.

It works great with my JustStickIt Carbon skin. But it isn't playing nice with my SGP front Crystal Film.

It seems that when the iPad is mounted, the pressure put against the edge of screen and film from the lipped edge of the dock is just enough to cause bubbles to form on that area of the crystal film.

Not sure if this is because the adhesive on the SGP film is weak or if this is something I'm just going to have to live with. I have the PS film arriving in a few days and I hope I don't have the same problem otherwise one of the two will have to go - either the front film or the dock!
 
A ton of Different Style Sync-Charge Stations..

Stuff for the desktop...

Can be used with a Case or without one.. even Book Style cases...No one offers that.. You should not have to remove your case to place it on a dock..

Some with USB hubs built in and even Hard drive Bases.. prefect next to the old Mac.. dual docks.. even triple docks.. for those who have it all..lol

This stuff goes with my Old time computer line.. Old style keyboards , Monitors and iMac covers...

All Custom Made.. here in the USA.. in my Hot Rod Woodie Shop.. Even have easy kit versions offered..

yea its weird stuff.. but it fits a natural decor... Not a Plastic Thingy... lots of Eras ...Art Deco to Victorian..err,... old tech

6-photos-ipad-iphone7.jpg
 
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Heavy enough to stay on the desk?

Is the new dock heavy enough so that it stays on the desk when you remove the iPad? The first gen dock would lift up with the iPad when I lifted it up! I had to use 2 hands to undock it, one to hold the dock down and the other for the ipad.
 
That looks amazing!! Where can I get one?

Stuff for the desktop...

Can be used with a Case or without one.. even Book Style cases...No one offers that.. You should not have to remove your case to place it on a dock..

Some with USB hubs built in and even Hard drive Bases.. prefect next to the old Mac.. dual docks.. even triple docks.. for those who have it all..lol

This stuff goes with my Old time computer line.. Old style keyboards , Monitors and iMac covers...

All Custom Made.. here in the USA.. in my Hot Rod Woodie Shop.. Even have easy kit versions offered..

yea its weird stuff.. but it fits a natural decor... Not a Plastic Thingy... lots of Eras ...Art Deco to Victorian..err,... old tech

6-photos-ipad-iphone7.jpg
 
Is the new dock heavy enough so that it stays on the desk when you remove the iPad? The first gen dock would lift up with the iPad when I lifted it up! I had to use 2 hands to undock it, one to hold the dock down and the other for the ipad.

I have the same question ...
 
ipad 2 dock

local authorised seller said dock 1 and 2 were the same. Both ipad 1 and 2 fit into it as easily as each other. have to hold dock to release both ipads. part number A1352 so not sure if really meant for 1 or 2 and whether one is wider than other!! looking at the MC##### part number, it seems that I have ipad 1 dock - no bother as I said they both dock and release the same?
 
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I'm a pretty big Apple fan boy, BUT COME ON! The freaking Apple dock does not work with the Apple smart cover? Are you freaking kidding me? I don't care how easy the thing is to take off. They tout how this cover was designed right along with the iPad. It's the "ingenious device" on this "magical product" and the f'n thing does not work with its dock.

Apple add this design flaw to the screen bleed and your really starting to piss me off. :mad:

Then maybe you should've looked into it before you purchased it...
 
Is the new dock heavy enough so that it stays on the desk when you remove the iPad? The first gen dock would lift up with the iPad when I lifted it up! I had to use 2 hands to undock it, one to hold the dock down and the other for the ipad.

Just picked up the new dock at an Apple store. The iPad 2 fits so much nicer on it than the previous dock design and feels a lot more sturdy too. When you take the iPad off however, the dock does lift up a little, so that you tend to want to hold it down with your hand or at least a finger. Even still, it works a lot better than the first, I wouldn't let it discourage you. It is a shame you have to remove the smart cover first; you won't if you use the first generation dock, but the second is still better.
 
I received two ipad2 docs today. My first "wth?" was why won't it fit with the Smart Cover on. It's not a matter of ease of removal of the Smart Cover, its the protection. The purpose of the Smart Cover is to keep the dust off the ipad2. What good does it do if I uncover it while charging overnight for 8 hours? Duh, Apple?
 
I received two ipad2 docs today. My first "wth?" was why won't it fit with the Smart Cover on. It's not a matter of ease of removal of the Smart Cover, its the protection. The purpose of the Smart Cover is to keep the dust off the ipad2. What good does it do if I uncover it while charging overnight for 8 hours? Duh, Apple?

Then maybe you should've looked into it before ordering. Duh. :D
 
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