Marware’s new EcoVue for the new iPad (3rd-Gen) ($55) is a good example of what can happen when a company rushes a case out the door without doing hands-on testing with the product that fits inside. The name comes form the environmentally-friendly process used to tan the leather. It’s real cowhide, but with a somewhat plasticky feel and a terrible smell out of the box.
EcoVue has a basic folio-style setup, with a soft fabric frame inside to cradle the iPad, allowing not quite optimal, but still full access to all the ports and buttons. Inside the front cover, there’s a fold-down stand that can be used for typing, as well as a hand strap. Soft rubber protrusions along the edge allow the case to stand in a viewing orientation as well.
There’s a loop of elastic material to hold a stylus on the side, and another to keep the whole thing shut. The big problem with the case is that the magnets meant to trigger the automatic locking and unlocking of the tablet don’t work. We tested the case with the iPad 2 and it did work, indicating that Marware didn’t have a chance to account for the repositioning of the magnets inside the new iPad.
