Apple is working on technology that could let you use your iPhone just by thinking

Apple logo

What if you could use your iPhone without touching it, just by thinking? Sounds like science fiction, but Apple is actually working on making that possible. And it could be life-changing, especially for people with disabilities.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Apple is developing technology that would let people control their devices — like iPhones, iPads, and even the Vision Pro headset — using their thoughts. The company is working on a standard that could be shared with other developers later this year.

To make this happen, Apple has teamed up with a company called Synchron. They make a brain implant called the Stentrode. It’s a tiny device that’s placed in a vein near the brain’s motor cortex (that’s the part that controls movement). Once it’s in place, it can pick up signals from the brain and turn them into actions on a screen — like opening apps or scrolling through menus.

This isn’t just an idea on paper. Last year, a patient with ALS used this technology to control Apple’s Vision Pro headset — and even “traveled” through the Swiss Alps in virtual reality. Synchron is also working on ways to connect the system with AI tools like ChatGPT.

Of course, this kind of tech won’t be widely available right away. Experts say it might take years before it reaches more people. Bob Farrell, who works on accessibility at a tech company called Applause, said it’s great to see these advances — but we still need to focus on making devices easier to use now for people with disabilities.

Apple, to its credit, has been leading the way when it comes to inclusive tech.