( Mashable ) -- Magnets : How do they work ? Differently on the new iPad than on the iPad 2 , it has emerged -- and that 's bad news for anyone with an old or third-party smart cover . A number of users who bought new iPads over the weekend ( this reporter included ) were dismayed to discover that the smart covers they 'd bought for the iPad 2 did n't work on the new model . Smart covers , which attach to the iPad 's built-in magnets , are supposed to turn the tablet on automatically when you flip them open . But as dozens of iPad users in this Apple forum concurred , that was no longer the case with many smart covers on the new iPad . That seemed odd , as the new iPad is physically no different from the iPad 2 -- on the surface , at least . But it turns out Apple has been messing with the polarity of its magnets under the hood . Photographer Mark Booth uncovered this when he did some experiments with magnets , iPads and a couple of smart covers . You can see the results in a video on Booth 's blog . `` The iPad 2â€²s sleep/wake sensor was n't polarity specific , '' Booth explains . And that apparently led to an issue for iPad 2 users who flipped their smart covers around so that they sat flush with the back of the tablet -- an everyday act that could cause the iPad 2 to switch off unintentionally . So it seems the new iPad 's sleep/wake sensor does require a specific polarity . But in fixing one issue , Apple appears to have caused another for users who want to use their old smart covers with their new tablets . ( We 've asked Apple to comment , and will update you if we hear back . ) Booth theorizes that Apple quietly made the polarity change in their smart covers at some point in 2011 , since newer Apple-made smart covers do seem to work with the new iPad . If you got yours for the holidays , there 's a good chance you wo n't see a problem . If your smart cover hails from early 2011 , try taking it back to the Apple store ; Booth says he 's hearing from users that the store will exchange old smart covers for new ones . Owners of third-party smart covers , however -- such as the beautiful wood covers from Miniot -- appear to be out of luck . And it may not simply be a case of having to turn the new tablet on manually . In tests using my Miniot as a stand -- the other purpose of the smart cover -- the new iPad 's screen was plagued by fuzzy electronic lines and flashing artifacts . Do you own a smart cover and a new iPad ? Have you noticed this issue ? Let us know in the comments . See the original article on Mashable . © 2011 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
Users note that magnetic smart covers for the iPhone 2 are n't standard on the new model . The reason ? The sleep / wake sensor is n't polarity specific . If your smart cover is from early 2010 , try bringing it back to the Apple store .