Let’s make fun of the $400 WiFi-connected juicer that couldn’t be more useless

Silicon Valley is renowned for technological innovation, a worldwide leader in ushering society into a future of luxury and convenience. Twitter was abuzz yesterday with news of the region’s latest invention, which had the backing of big-name venture capitalists like Kleiner Perkins and Alphabet, Google’s parent company.
The product is a WiFi-enabled juicer that squeezes ultra-fresh juice from bags you acquire via subscription. It also ensures the product hasn’t been since recalled, and incorporates “aircraft-grade aluminum and precision-forged gearing components” that “generate thousands of pounds of force to extract high nutrient and juice levels.” Here’s a video showing the process:
There’s one catch. According to a Bloomberg profile, “some investors were surprised to discover a much cheaper alternative: You can squeeze the Juicero bags with your bare hands.” The reporters confirmed this:
In Bloomberg’s squeeze tests, hands did the job quicker, but the device was slightly more thorough. Reporters were able to wring 7.5 ounces of juice in a minute and a half. The machine yielded 8 ounces in about two minutes.
Maybe this wouldn’t be such an egregious discovery if the machine itself didn’t cost $400 (it previously cost $1,200, then $700). So, if you can squeeze the packets, why do we need the Juicero again? As Bloomberg reports:
Juicero declined to comment. A person close to the company said Juicero is aware the packs can be squeezed by hand but that most people would prefer to use the machine because the process is more consistent and less messy.
Silicon Valley “disruption” is always ripe for parody and derision, so a story like this was pounced on.
So juicero is just caprisun for yuppies