Apple is working on a new accessibility idea that uses brain signals to control its devices, as reported by The WSJ. The project connects medical implants with digital interfaces, aiming to help users with serious movement problems. One goal is to give full device access without any hand or voice input.
The system involves brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs. One company, Synchron, has built a small device that gets inserted into a brain-related vein. It listens to neural activity and sends signals to connected systems. Apple is learning how to use this data to control iPhones, iPads, Macs, and the Vision Pro headset.
So far, a few patients have tested the technology. One of them has a condition that prevents him from walking or speaking. Still, with the device inside his body and an Apple headset on, he can explore virtual places and select apps by thinking. The setup connects thoughts to digital actions.
The method isn’t perfect yet. Some features like pointer movement or drag-and-drop gestures are missing. The pace is slow. But it works, and Apple is building tools to support it better in future updates.
Later this year, Apple will roll out new software versions—iOS 19 and visionOS 3. These versions will have new support systems for BCI users. A setting called Switch Control will allow users to do more using brain signals only. No hand movement will be required.
Apple is also changing how users create a synthetic voice that sounds like their own. Last year, the process required many spoken sentences and hours of training. With iOS 19, people will need to record only ten short phrases. The result is processed in one minute. The final voice sounds smoother and closer to natural speech.
These steps show how Apple is designing accessibility tools that may one day become standard features. The company is building for people who can’t move or speak, but the impact could go further.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: Android 16 Brings Major Security Upgrades and Smarter Anti-Theft Features
The system involves brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs. One company, Synchron, has built a small device that gets inserted into a brain-related vein. It listens to neural activity and sends signals to connected systems. Apple is learning how to use this data to control iPhones, iPads, Macs, and the Vision Pro headset.
So far, a few patients have tested the technology. One of them has a condition that prevents him from walking or speaking. Still, with the device inside his body and an Apple headset on, he can explore virtual places and select apps by thinking. The setup connects thoughts to digital actions.
The method isn’t perfect yet. Some features like pointer movement or drag-and-drop gestures are missing. The pace is slow. But it works, and Apple is building tools to support it better in future updates.
Later this year, Apple will roll out new software versions—iOS 19 and visionOS 3. These versions will have new support systems for BCI users. A setting called Switch Control will allow users to do more using brain signals only. No hand movement will be required.
Apple is also changing how users create a synthetic voice that sounds like their own. Last year, the process required many spoken sentences and hours of training. With iOS 19, people will need to record only ten short phrases. The result is processed in one minute. The final voice sounds smoother and closer to natural speech.
These steps show how Apple is designing accessibility tools that may one day become standard features. The company is building for people who can’t move or speak, but the impact could go further.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: Android 16 Brings Major Security Upgrades and Smarter Anti-Theft Features
