Apple's Most Back-Ordered New Product Is Not What You Expect 89
Apple this month unveiled an array of new gadgets: more powerful MacBook laptop computers, AirPod wireless headphones with longer battery life and HomePod Mini speakers in three more colors. But a different and unheralded Apple release is garnering so much interest that it has become the company's most back-ordered new product: a $19, 6.3-by-6.3-inch cloth to wipe smudges and fingerprints off screens. From a report: The cloth, imprinted with the Apple logo in the corner, is made with "soft, nonabrasive material" to clean the screens of iPhones, iPads and MacBooks "safely and effectively," according to the product page. The listing adds that the Polishing Cloth -- capital P, capital C -- is "compatible" with 88 different Apple products. For most U.S. shoppers, shipment is delayed until Jan. 11, at the earliest. Charging $19 for a piece of cloth about the size of two stacked dollar bills is bold even by Apple's standards, a company whose legions of loyal customers are conditioned to stomach steep prices. An Apple-branded set of four wheels to "improve mobility" for the Mac Pro, the company's most expensive desktop computer, is priced at $699, for instance.
anyone got a free link (Score:5, Insightful)
It's not like I care too much about that particular article, but I have noticed a trend of linking to paysites. And I sure as hell am not going to sign up for anything just to read one single article.
Either provide a free page or be prepared that nobody gives a fuck about your story.
Why any link... (Score:3)
Ordinarily I'd agree, would like to see a free link - b ut in this specific case do we really need any links at all? Pretty much the summary is more than enough for people to laugh at a polishing cloth being pre-ordered for months from now, then moving on with the day...
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No, but since it's such a non-story, we can as well use it to discuss something more important.
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OK, here's a link to Apple's own site [apple.com]
It may seem expensive, but according to the compatibility section it works with iPhones all the way down to iPhone 6 and SE, not to mention a wide range of iPads, MacBook Pros, Apple Watches and iPods. If you still have an iPhone 5 you're out of luck, but still, this is quite impressive for an Apple product.
Re:Why any link... (Score:5, Funny)
"Ordinarily I'd agree, would like to see a free link - b ut in this specific case do we really need any links at all? Pretty much the summary is more than enough for people to laugh at a polishing cloth being pre-ordered for months from now, then moving on with the day..."
Goop has a similar one for $27.50 that smells like vagina.
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What? Has Apple reached the limits of your shamelessness, SuperKendall? Defending the greatness of this product is too far for you? Since when do you decline to tell us how great an Apple product is?
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I started asking google news to hide any articles from publishers I find to be paysites, apparently google now allows paysites keep you from hiding them....
*sigh*
Re:anyone got a free link (Score:4, Informative)
"It's not like I care too much about that particular article, but I have noticed a trend of linking to paysites. And I sure as hell am not going to sign up for anything just to read one single article."
Click Reader-Mode and Refresh, like everybody else.
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Click Reader-Mode and Refresh, like everybody else.
I come to Slashdot to make reading news easier not to take extra steps because editors are stupid.
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"Click Reader-Mode and Refresh, like everybody else.
I come to Slashdot to make reading news easier not to take extra steps because editors are stupid."
You got a 2 click method to circumvent the pay-'wall' for one of the largest newspapers on the planet and you complain?
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You got a 2 click method to circumvent the pay-'wall' for one of the largest newspapers on the planet and you complain?
Yes. Even if it were only 1 extra click I would complain about having to make this click because of someone else's incompetence.
Re:anyone got a free link (Score:5, Informative)
try here [deccanherald.com].
Pro tip, highlight the title of a jealously guarded article, right clisk and select search. Many of them are direct from a wire service and can be read for free on dozens of other sites.
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try here [deccanherald.com].
Pro tip, highlight the title of a jealously guarded article, right clisk and select search. Many of them are direct from a wire service and can be read for free on dozens of other sites.
It's a good tip, but this article was definitely written for the New York Times, not whatever unnamed wire service you're gesturing at. The Deccan Herald is clear about the article being directly from the NYT, or INYT anyway.
I completely understand everyone's annoyance with paywalls, I get that nobody wants to pay for stuff that's easy to copy, and we all hate ads, but come on, attribution isn't too much to ask for. If the AP wrote it, the AP wrote it, and you can find it free* over here, if the NYT wrote
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Ubuntu 20.04, Firefox with NoScript
So what else is your tech doing to you vs doing for you?
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It's not like I care too much about that particular article, but I have noticed a trend of linking to paysites. And I sure as hell am not going to sign up for anything just to read one single article.
Either provide a free page or be prepared that nobody gives a fuck about your story.
It's not 2005 anymore. Just about everything has a paywall these days. Be prepared to have a lot of spare time on your hands, because the golden age of the internet is over.
Re:anyone got a free link (Score:4, Funny)
Sounds like... (Score:5, Funny)
the equivalent of Monster Cables that are over sold to audiophiles...
but, but, but Apple logo makes it better
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I'm prepared to believe that, but I'm also prepared to believe that Apple came up with a fiber composition that cleans better than other commonly available cloths. There are a few reviews online, some are sarcastic, some are positive.
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IF they have produced a better product, then they would likely tout it.
Until there is some real info, this is all supposition based on love of a brand
Re:Sounds like... (Score:5, Informative)
It's the Apple logo. Period. Full stop.
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Now they're bringing out similar tech on their laptops, they've made the cloth available there too. Is it tongue in cheek and a bit daft and fun? Yes, But you specifically asked "why would Apple waste engineering time to develop a better cloth?". The answer is: the cloth was paired with their most expensive screen meant to be so
Re:Sounds like... (Score:4, Informative)
Because they didn't. This was originally bundled with the XDR, which has a ludicrously high density. The cloth was to ensure not scratching it, and it wasn't available separately.
No cloth can realistically ensure that. Scratches aren't caused by cleaning cloths unless the top layer of material is just comically soft (e.g. resin-based materials that aren't correctly cured or lack adequate hardener). Scratches are caused by whatever debris gets on the cleaning cloth or on the screen. Whether it's dirt, sand, or any other material that's harder than the topmost material on the screen, if it gets on the screen or on the cloth, it will scratch the screen. And there's no way for any kind of cloth to prevent that from happening, though different weaves might reduce the likelihood. The only thing you can really do to guarantee that you won't get scratches is to remove the abrasive material before you start applying any sort of pressure with the cloth.
The best way to do that is by cleaning the screen in multiple stages. Treat it like a camera lens. Start with pressurized air to blow away loose debris. Then use a whisk brush to brush away any other dust. If you still can't get the stuck debris unstuck, that's when you need to add liquid to wash it away. Doing this safely on a computer screen is... well, problematic, but a wet finger generally works if you're careful. Then you end with a microfiber cloth to remove any grease after you're sure there's nothing else stuck to the screen.
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Apple developed a cloth that cleans better?
How do you know it doesn't? The rest of your post is just motivated reasoning, blending into fantasy.
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I didn't say it doesn't clean better. I didn't say it does clean better. I asked a question.
You asked a rhetorical question. Maybe you don't know what a rhetorical question is. Would that make you a genius? You are creating new communication styles, albeit re-inventing them. In any case, you already knew what the answer was when you said it.
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No, I am mocking you, and well deserved. Do you really think it's impossible for Apple to develop a cloth that cleans better?
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so how does this differ from the little black cloth that already ships with the iMacs?
I will admit, I keep one in the drawer here, it does an amazing job of cleaning my glasses.
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despite them touting no such thing?
What did they tout? If you can't answer, then you just made something up.
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I'm prepared to believe that, but I'm also prepared to believe that Apple came up with a fiber composition that cleans better than other commonly available cloths.
Phantomfive, we all know that you are prepared to believe *anything*. That was never in question.
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It's probably extraterrestrial cloth cleaning technology.
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Aww did skepticism hurt your widdle feewings?
FYI, skepticism is not a constitutional right, but it helps
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The best thing is an air compressor. Be careful because it's powerful, but nothing else cleans as well.
Who cares? (Score:5, Insightful)
I've never met a group of people who cared more about what other people spend their own money on than Apple haters.
You'll live a much happier and healthier life if you care less about what other people do and care more about what you are (or are not) doing.
Re:Who cares? (Score:5, Insightful)
I've never met a group of people who care more about what other people think about Apple people than here on Slashdot.
You'll live a longer and happier life if you stop worrying about people who hate Apple idiots.
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Ah yes the Pee Wee Herman response.
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Ah yes the Pee Wee Herman response.
It's valid though.
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IMO, more amused than hating...
Does imagining them as 'haters' make it easier to ignore the laughter?
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I've never met a group of people who cared more about what other people spend their own money on than Apple haters.
Perhaps. But in my case, I am married to her. So the money she spent on this silly wiping cloth was my money too.
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Perhaps. But in my case, I am married to her. So the money she spent on this silly wiping cloth was my money too.
Ah but that's where you're wrong; what's hers is hers, and what's yours is hers too.
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You married her so why are you complaining now?
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I've never met a group of people who cared more about what other people spend their own money on than Apple haters.
We don't care what they spend money on, so much as we appreciate the entertainment value of their purchases. It's kinda like watching Karen videos.
You'll live a much happier and healthier life if you care less about what other people do and care more about what you are (or are not) doing.
I absolutely care a lot about what I am or am not doing. That's why I watch Karen videos and laugh at Apple!
Disclaimer: my wife loves Apple and owns the phone, the watch, and three tablets. She's definitely not a Karen though.
MC Hammer's computer-U can't touch this either. (Score:5, Funny)
An Apple-branded set of four wheels to "improve mobility" for the Mac Pro, the company's most expensive desktop computer, is priced at $699, for instance.
If it keeps the poor from touching one's shiny-new computer then it's worth it.
In Apple's Defense... (Score:4, Informative)
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I tried those. They don't clean, only smudge what's already there so the result is worse.
The "high end" microfiber cloths for eyeglasses are actually doing what they are supposed to do but cost almost half of the Apple ones.
AliExpress (Score:2)
Eww (Score:1)
AliExpress - I'm sure there are plenty of knock-offs available.
Yeah but if there's a way to include spyware in a microfiber cloth, AliExpress would carry them.
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AliExpress - I'm sure there are plenty of knock-offs available.
Yeah but if there's a way to include spyware in a microfiber cloth, AliExpress would carry them.
Aw, c'mon moderators - that was actually funny!
Between the increasing inability to spot sarcasm, and a startling lack of humour, Slashdot is becoming really tight-assed. That's sad.
awww ... snap (Score:1)
Man, it makes me wish I had some magic sauce that makes people think something that I've put my mark on is worth an order of magnitude more money than the otherwise indistinguishable generic version of the same thing.
Seriously, these items, with imprinting, are going to be under $1 at wholesale quantities. There probably isn't enough capacity in the entire imprinting industry to support the level of sales that Apple has.
I'm envious of Apple's chutzpah.
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Become a famous musician like the Beatles and people will be ripping your hand-me-downs off your body.
Column Stabilization Assembly (Score:4, Interesting)
Long ago, worked for a company that sold chromatography columns. They came in various sizes, but the biggest were over a foot across and a few feet high. Fill it with chromatography medium which has density like water and now it's heavy.
Customers want a way to move these things, but if you just put it on casters it's tippy, and if it tips over it probably breaks and now you've got a broken column and a HUGE mess. So the casters were on a metal frame with a diameter of a couple of feet and the column in the middle, and the whole thing has to be safe for sterile environments so now we're talking stainless steel, and the list price for this thing ended up being in the thousands for, you know, a set of furniture casters.
We called it the "Column Stabilization Assembly" to try and take the edge the sticker shock.
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In the epitaxy industry, little things matter like not using pencils in shops because graphite dust is a real problem
People in the industry regularly use pens as a result, one company came up with the idea of selling "Calcium Free" pens at a premium cost
This caught the eye of the industry, because calcium is the big baddie for epitaxy
Turns out that off the shelf, plain old pens like us everyday idiots use... don't have calcium in them anyway
The company made millions off of a created assumption
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This sounds a lot like slapping the 'gluten-free!' label on things that don't contain grain products to begin with.
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Or my personal favorite... "Organic Salt"
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The really sad part is that Mad Magazine explained that tactic decades ago using the example "Contains no linseed oil".
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I was surprised when I learned that MAD Magazine was riffing off of MADison Avenue, the breeding grounds of the Mad Men
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Long ago, worked for a company that sold chromatography columns. They came in various sizes, but the biggest were over a foot across and a few feet high. Fill it with chromatography medium which has density like water and now it's heavy.
Customers want a way to move these things, but if you just put it on casters it's tippy, and if it tips over it probably breaks and now you've got a broken column and a HUGE mess. So the casters were on a metal frame with a diameter of a couple of feet and the column in the middle, and the whole thing has to be safe for sterile environments so now we're talking stainless steel, and the list price for this thing ended up being in the thousands for, you know, a set of furniture casters.
We called it the "Column Stabilization Assembly" to try and take the edge the sticker shock.
Wheels you say - Apple has you covered for this: https://www.apple.com/shop/pro... [apple.com] it goes well with the $999 stand. See https://www.apple.com/shop/pro... [apple.com]
security chip? (Score:2)
Hankie Code (Score:3)
If you wear one of these new Apple cloths in your back pocket, it's a signal that you're a bottom.
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Very nice
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If you wear one of these new Apple cloths in your back pocket, it's a signal that you're a bottom.
Note to 'Asynchronously': now this is what I was talking about!
Um... (Score:2)
Apple next logical move (Score:2)
Not that I'd put it past the fanbois (Score:2)
But, even having read the article, I have not seen any evidence that the stated premise is actually true. All the story seems to say is that the cloth is back-ordered and not shipping until 2022.
Linux/BSDs ? (Score:4, Insightful)
I just received a OpenBSD 7.0 sweatshirt to help the artists (I hope). It was a little bit more but to me far more useful and rather nice. That got me thinking --
So, maybe the Linux/BSDs Foundations should come out with something similar for fundraising. I think it would sell rather nicely and help with your favorite project. It would be rather nice to see people using those in Starbucks rather than the Apple People waving them around :)
This is the new intelligence test. (Score:2)
Can this withstand being washed 1000 times? It better. But some failers will fail more by ordering a new one when the original gets 'dirty'.
my Apple Pro Display XDR needs a new stand (Score:2)
And the Pro Stand [apple.com] fits the bill, costing only $999. What's great is you can get a VESA mount adapter for only $199 to allow you to get all your monitors upgraded with the industry's best stand, the Pro Stand.
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Tell me that's not real. I mean, nobody would pay a thousand bucks for a metal bracket, right?
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Or $700 for some stainless steel casters for their mini-tower computer?
This has been like Louis Vuitton bullshit but for technology. For us computer nerds that value function over form, what Apple does seems like madness. Give me a beige box that's expandable and fast, ugly blue jeans, and a hoodie with the elbows worn through.
Not entirely unexpected (Score:2)
Apple has built a brand cult around their products, vertically integrated at every opportunity. This is just another example of adherents rotely clamoring for some widget bearing the fruit logo and suddenly ignoring options that lack the identity fetish. The same kind of microfiber cloth can be found for $5 or less on a display rack near the checkout counter at Walgreens, among all the other generic phone accessories.
Buy it in store (Score:2)
Compatibility (Score:2)
Why the click-bait headline? (Score:2)
How hard would it be to make the headline read something like...
"Apple's Most Back-Order Item is Polishing Cloth"
Why the click bait headline? Didn't anyone on the editor staff graduate high school? This isn't even journalism school level knowledge, I learned what makes a good news headline in 8th grade. Who, what, when, where, that's what makes news. Leave any of those out and it's gossip or rumor, or at least it's not news.
Also, I don't find this particularly unexpected. People will spend $20 on brand
Slashdot should block paywalled stories (Score:1)
Designed in California, made in China (Score:2)
Not disposable (Score:2)
Re: Not disposable (Score:2)
It's the stickers! (Score:1)
And here I expected to read that customers were ordering an item just to get more of the new stickers (BLM - black logos matter). I'll need to put my old rainbow colored stickers on eBay.
Well. (Score:2)
Incompatible cloth (Score:2)
So they managed to make a frigging piece of cloth that they proudly proclaim is incompatible with 12% of their devices for its intended purpose.
Some people just don't know any better (Score:2)
I'm reminded of my time working in an optics lab at uni. I was designing electronics for a laser interferometer, and one of the PhD candidates was browsing a webpage looking at microfibre cloths. I asked him what he was doing and he said he accidentally touched one of the IR filters and needs a microfibre cloth, but he was having trouble finding one which didn't cost a fortune in shipping costs. He closes the window and said he'll sort it in the evening.
Anyway I go out to lunch, I come back and drop 5 micro
So . . . (Score:2)
This cult never ceases to amaze me (Score:2)