A curious Google Nexus 7 owner – for whatever reason – decided to experiment with his new device by exposing it to a magnetic force, the result of which has revealed a magnetic smart cover sensor.
With the tablet in portrait mode and the display on, the user runs a magnetic disc along the edges of the device, and discovers that hiding secretly on the bottom left-hand side is a magnetic sensor that switches off the display and locks the screen.
This indicates that Google’s tablet will support a cover that can enable this sensor, similar to the iPad Smart Cover.
However, as Android Police points out, Apple does hold a patent for its magnetic cover system – and we all know how litigious it can be when it comes to patent infringement.
Though the Apple patent is very specific to its product, could it be that Google is keeping this function under wraps until it’s certain it’s just original enough to avoid a lawsuit?
