Report: Apple Preparing to Launch Mind-Control Support for iPhones

[rikki_t]

if I have to take my tin foil hat of for it work properly it's no deal, seriously for a certain segment of people it would obviously be great, on the other hand it could be a disaster waiting to happen because if it fails the amount of ridicule Apple will receive will be off the scale

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Apple is apparently planning to add support for BCIs into its existing Switch Control accessibility framework, which allows input from non-standard devices such as joysticks and adaptive hardware. The company reportedly intends to release this new standard later in 2025.

Not “ apparently”, actually, because they announced it earlier today on their accessibility page.
Not “planning to”, but already planned, because they announced it on their accessibility page earlier today.
They don’t “ reportedly intend”, because there’s no reportedly, they announced it earlier today in their accessibility press release.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Not “ apparently”, actually, because they announced it earlier today on their accessibility page.
Not “planning to”, but already planned, because they announced it on their accessibility page earlier today.
They don’t “ reportedly intend”, because there’s no reportedly, they announced it earlier today in their accessibility press release.

The phrasing is correct until it's actually released. Apple could backtrack from an announcement or delay a release, even indefinitely.

 

[nfl46]

Are we certain this isn’t being delayed to 2026, then 2027, and finally canceled? Haha.

 

[Howard2k]

Competition for Neuralink. Fantastic.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

The phrasing is correct until it's actually released. Apple could backtrack from an announcement or delay a release, even indefinitely.

That is not correct.
Correctly it would say “ apple intends to release this feature”, not “ apple reportedly intends”.
There is no reportedly, Apple literally announced the feature themselves on their own website.

 

[VictoryHighway]

Borg? Sounds Swedish.

 

[DrJR]

well, i hope it likes cheeseburgers. i spend a lot of time thinking about them.

 

[wanha]

With all due respect, after the whole Apple Intelligence shortcomings, I'm not optimistic haha. Sounds like vaporware.

with all due respect, you're basing your opinion on superficial and unsubstantiated rumors instead of a thorough understanding of applicable technological capabilities, existing prototypes, or potential hurdles, so your opinion - or mine, for that matter - may not be all that valuable

 

[csnwbd2251]

"Your mind storage is full, you can free up space by deleting TV jingles from the 1990s or upgrade your subscription plan"

Or, maybe it will allow us to "un-see" certain events!!!!

 

[gluckett]

Mind control? I feel like it's April 1st.

But would be really impressed for how it could be used for accessibility. I would certainly appreciate it if I end up in such a situation in my future years.

I seriously had to check the date on the article to see when it was posted.

 

[germanbeer007]

...and where do you see anyone gushing? I see nothing but skepticism.

Here's one https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...rol-support-for-iphones.2456996/post-33902420

 

[SidricTheViking]

Borg? Sounds Swedish.

Rewatched First Contact last week. It holds up very well!

 

[FoxyKaye]

Oh dear, this has "Snow Crash" written all over it.

 

[philstubbington]

Mind control? I feel like it's April 1st.

But would be really impressed for how it could be used for accessibility. I would certainly appreciate it if I end up in such a situation in my future years.

That was my instinct 😂

 

[VictoryHighway]

Rewatched First Contact last week. It holds up very well!

Yes, it definitely the best of the TNG films!

 

[MNJohn]

Apple is planning to allow users to natively control iPhones, iPads, and other devices using brain signals later this year, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The initiative involves a partnership with Synchron, a neurotechnology startup that produces an implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) device called the Stentrode. The Stentrode enables users with severe motor impairments, such as those caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to control Apple devices using neural signals detected from within blood vessels located above the brain's motor cortex.

The Stentrode is implanted through the jugular vein and rests inside a blood vessel on the surface of the brain. The device contains 16 electrodes that can detect motor-related brain activity without requiring open-brain surgery. These neural signals are then translated into digital commands that allow users to interact with an interface.

Synchron has implanted the Stentrode in ten patients since 2019 under the FDA's investigational device exemption. One test participant based in Pennsylvania with ALS, who cannot use his arms or hands, is able to use the Apple Vision Pro and other Apple devices through thought alone, although it is slower than conventional input mechanisms.

In 2014, Apple introduced the "Made for iPhone" hearing aid protocol as a Bluetooth standard that enables seamless wireless communication between hearing aids and Apple devices. The company is now apparently pursuing a similar approach with brain-computer interfaces, aiming to establish a dedicated industry standard in collaboration with Synchron.

Apple is apparently planning to add support for BCIs into its existing Switch Control accessibility framework, which allows input from non-standard devices such as joysticks and adaptive hardware. The company reportedly intends to release this new standard later in 2025.

Synchron's approach differs significantly from that of other companies such as Neuralink, which is developing a more invasive implant called the N1. Neuralink's device contains more than 1,000 electrodes embedded directly into brain tissue, providing a higher-resolution neural data stream. This allows for more complex control, including moving a cursor across a screen and typing using mental intention.

See Synchron's full press release for more information.

Article Link: Report: Apple Preparing to Launch Mind-Control Support for iPhones

Maybe Apple should try to get Siri functional first.

 

[TechWhisperer]

They found another unrealistic new project. This is the equivalent of the cancelled Apple car project. Lmao!

 

[klasma]

No thank you. I realize right now its for a select group of people but you just know they are going to try to go mainstream with this or something like it.

Looking forward to Apple AirHead and Apple AirHead Pro.

 

[klasma]

Or, maybe it will allow us to "un-see" certain events!!!!

It will be required by law to “see” or “unsee” various stuff.

 

[citysnaps]

I'm impressed.

Despite all of the above expected negative comments, there's no doubt in my mind Apple will deliver on this.

 

[rizzo41999]

with all due respect, you're basing your opinion on superficial and unsubstantiated rumors instead of a thorough understanding of applicable technological capabilities, existing prototypes, or potential hurdles, so your opinion - or mine, for that matter - may not be all that valuable

Chill bro, didn't mean to trigger you. I'm entitled to my opinion, as you are yours.

 

[kagharaht]

What happens when I have the urge to have a really big poopie? I mean when I have those, my veins are really maxing out and the brain might send some strange signals.

 

[Plerf]

Two useless comments on language:

“Mind control” typically connotes a mind being controlled in popular usage.

“Stentrode” is possibly the worst brand name for a product I have ever heard. I’m sure it’s on-point: “sten” for [something] and “trode” for electrode, but it sounds like, I dunno, a water-borne illness-causing exotic bacterium to me. Or a particularly difficult bowel surgery.

 

[ghanwani]

Building on the immense success and popularity that Apple has enjoyed with voice commands.