There are many things about an Apple product which tech fans may consider to be the company’s most-wanted products - from the flash new MacBook Pros to the latest iPhone.
What gadget lovers probably wouldn’t consider Apple’s most sought-after product, though, is a $19 cleaning cloth.
According to The New York Times, the technology giant’s most back-ordered product is nothing more than a 6.3in square of fabric to clean off muck from phones, laptops and tablets.
“Made with soft, non-abrasive material, the Polishing Cloth cleans any Apple display, including nano-texture glass, safely and effectively,” reads the product description on the company’s website.
And don’t worry, the cloth – which was launched last month - is “compatible” with a large number of iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches and iPods.
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Though if you wanted to flush £19 down an apple-shaped toilet, you’d have to wait a while. The UK online store reports a 10 to 12-week wait for the cloth, while the US store currently displays a message saying it’s out of stock.
“Looking for something? We thought so. However, the product you’re looking for is no longer available on apple.com,” it reads.
Apparently, an Apple official told The New York Times that the company “was not surprised” by the success of the fabric, with the cloth being “very effective” and “designed to be special”.
We’re wearing glasses and we still can’t see what’s “special” about it – and no, we don’t need to polish them.
And while the cloth may prevent scratches when cleaning, it looks like the price hasn’t stopped people from scratching their heads instead, with Tesla founder Elon Musk recently trolling Apple CEO Tim Cook over the product:
Come see the Apple Cloth ™️
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 22, 2021
Others have also enjoyed an opportunity to rip into the cloth – though not literally, of course.
New orders of the Apple Polishing Cloth are now delayed until late November. The high-powered processor and intricate design makes this cloth another casualty of the chip shortage. pic.twitter.com/Vd6ETIni0E
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 19, 2021
Apple's cleaning cloth is now 10-12 weeks out. I hear this is due to supply chain issues related to the huge number of chips required in each cloth. pic.twitter.com/KVzqFuli36
— Rob Griffiths (@rgriff) October 27, 2021
Microsoft has just overtaken Apple to become the largest company in the world by market cap. This makes sense because Microsoft is researching DNA to revolutionize data storage while Apple's idea of innovation is a $20 white cloth.
— Dr. Parik Patel, BA, CFA, ACCA Esq. 💸 (@ParikPatelCFA) October 29, 2021
Mom: We have an #Apple Polishing Cloth at home. pic.twitter.com/EKWZKeNYyv
— Alex (@AlexRapada) October 26, 2021
I can’t believe I’m going to walk into the Apple Store tomorrow and ask if a polishing cloth is in stock… pic.twitter.com/P6Y6n03XHb
— Brandon Butch (@BrandonButch) October 26, 2021
There are also rumors that Apple is working on the Apple Towel Max, which basically has the size of a beach towel! Can’t wait for that one! #applememe #applecloth #applejoke pic.twitter.com/HIYeGgzy0D
— Appledsign (@appledsign) October 27, 2021
Yet one user has shared some pretty impressive results:
Apple’s new Polishing Cloth is pretty legit
— Zach (@theeaglesfan005) October 26, 2021
Dry rub pic.twitter.com/0wpsBk2AFf
Though with lengthy delays in the UK and the product out of stock in the US, it’s too late to buy this product as a stocking filler.
