Weird and Overpriced

Hardware
21

But the quote is from, what, 10 years ago? I would argue that 2025 Apple and 2016 Apple have massively different stances regarding “doing the right thing.”

I get that Apple does a lot of work in software regarding making devices accessible. It’s not completely out of character for them to have a device in their store that’s accessibility-focused.

But it is surprising, given that there are TONS of accessiblity-related devices that don’t exist in the Apple online store. Their “accessibility” section is, en toto: this thing, a Stream Deck, a pedal for the Stream Deck, a Logitech Lift vertical mouse, and a Logitech Wave keyboard.

There’s low-hanging fruit that they’re not picking. The same people served by this chunky case, for example, would likely benefit from a thicker grip that goes over the Apple Pencil. Or a Studio Neat Cosmonaut stylus. There’s nothing like that in the Apple store. Not because the product doesn’t exist, but because Apple chooses not to carry it.

So the question is back to why they have this particular thing. I searched for “phone grip”, and 8 things came up, but not this thing. “Phone stand.” More results, but still not this thing. “Bailey Hikawa.” There it is!

It really, really looks like this is a brand collaboration that conveniently ties into a sometimes-neglected (in the modern environment) Apple talking point.

22

Apple has a long history of supporting 3rd parties who in turn sell all sorts of devices to help physically disabled people.

Yes it is true that they chose this particular device as a limited edition that they are selling directly as a way of drawing attention to their commitment to accessible design. I do not see that as a negative nor inconsistent with their history.

It is an area close to me because I regularly work with patients who have accessibility needs - quite often Apple products are both more accessible and much less expensive than formal medical devices. This has been true for quite some time.

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