Apple's Worst Product
Published May 11, 2026 · 2:21 · 31,000 views
About This Video
Not the $4,000 ski goggles. Not the iPad. The Apple Pencil. A $100 finger that requires batteries, configuring, double-tapping, and a four-step eraser workflow that took ChatGPT ninety-eight seconds to decode. Van demonstrates the absurdity live: flip a real pencil over to erase versus navigating Apple's settings labyrinth. The punchline lands because the frustration is universal and the comparison to analog tools is devastating.
The thesis in seven words: Apple makes toys, not tools. A clip from the flagship episode.
Transcript
I am being held hostage by Apple Inc. I cannot escape, but I can send this communicate.
Toy company Apple is best known for its planned obsolescence and well-designed garbage. But did you know they make a product even worse than their computers? And it's not the $4,000 ski goggles.
Believe it or not, it's not the iPad either. I keep mine here to hide it from thieves like Chris Rock recommends, as if a thief would bother. Apple's worst product is the Apple Pencil.
It's basically a $100 finger that requires batteries and configuring. Theoretically, the iPad charges the pencil, but that's not true, and you have to turn the [__] thing on, double tap or something, or maybe set it up in preferences or settings, which are not in alphabetical order for some reason.
I like to handwrite titles in the notes app. Well, I don't like to do it. Always shows me the keyboard, though I never ever use it. So, here you go. Isn't that amazing? Just like a real pencil. And if I make a mistake, I just flip it over. And hang on. No. How about this? Guess I got to go through the app. I'll just use my finger. Thank you very much. Select the eraser and boom.
Huh? Why don't my finger work? It took chat GPT a minute and 38 seconds to figure it out and I have chat GPT Pro. It's this many instructions. Four instructions. Well, you get the idea. 79 to 179 bucks. But before you buy, remember Apple makes toys, not tools.
This video is a piece of a long-form episode that's either linked to in the description or coming out soon. Join a paid tier of the Patreon to get in touch with me or to avail yourself of this channel's alternative universe. You can click this. It'll take you right there.
Products & Tools Mentioned
- Apple Pencil negative — "$100 finger," requires batteries and configuring, Apple's worst product
- Apple negative — "toy company," planned obsolescence, well-designed garbage
- iPad negative — "hide from thieves," theoretically charges pencil but doesn't
- Apple Vision Pro negative — "$4,000 ski goggles"
- ChatGPT mixed — took 1:38 to figure out Apple Pencil eraser, 4 instructions
- Notes app negative — always shows keyboard, handwriting UX broken
People Referenced
Chris Rock