In a move that may redefine how humans interact with technology, Apple has introduced a native brain-computer interface (BCI) protocol across its devices — paving the way for mind-powered control of iPhones, iPads, and Vision Pro headsets.
The newly unveiled BCI HID (Human Interface Device) protocol enables devices to receive and respond to neural inputs — no voice commands or physical touch required. Initially designed for users with motor impairments, the system works with Synchron’s Stentrode, a minimally invasive brain implant that allows users to navigate screens and make selections using only their thoughts.
While the immediate impact is on accessibility, the implications are far-reaching. Apple is positioning neural input as a new foundational layer in its human-computer interaction model — joining touch, voice, and motion as core methods of control. Much like the seamless integration of Bluetooth hearing aids or the Apple Watch’s biometric ecosystem, BCI support at the OS level could usher in continuous syncing, frictionless pairing, and entirely new app categories built around cognitive interaction.
The move places Apple at the forefront of the $721 billion neuroscience market, which is rapidly shifting toward direct-to-consumer applications of brain data. Emerging neurotech companies like Muse, Myndspan, and Kernel are already offering EEG and MEG-based insights into mental focus, brain aging, and cognitive performance — while Elon Musk’s Neuralink and startups like Atom Limbs are exploring the frontiers of cognitive augmentation and neural-controlled prosthetics.
Looking ahead, Apple’s native support for brain-computer interfaces could mark the beginning of a larger shift: transforming the human mind from a passive observer to an active operating system.
Source: https://insider.fitt.co/apple-adds-neural-input-to-ios/