Apple showed a person whose brain is connected to an iPad

Apple and Synchron presented a video demonstrating how a paralyzed man with a neuroimplant controls an iPad using the power of thought. This became possible thanks to Apple's new technology, announced in May 2025, which allows brain-computer interfaces (BCI) to connect directly to their products via Bluetooth. This was reported by PC Mag.

In the video, Mark Jackson, who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, uses the Synchron Stentrode implant to navigate menus, open applications, and type text without using his hands, voice, or gaze. According to Jackson, after losing the ability to use his hands, he thought he had lost his independence. The technology allowed him to communicate with loved ones again, read news, and feel connected to the world, restoring part of his former life.

Apple's key innovation is universal support for BCI devices at the operating system level. Now iPad or Mac recognize neural interfaces just like a standard keyboard or mouse. Previously, non-standard solutions from implant manufacturers were required to connect to Apple products.

An important element of the demonstration was a new visual indicator that displays the level of brain signal recognition on the screen in real time. A blue frame around the app icon fills up as the signal strengthens, showing the user how well the system is reading their intentions. According to Synchron's Chief Operating Officer Kurt Haggstrom, this feedback is critically important: it allows the user to adjust their concentration for more successful interaction.

Synchron's Stentrode implant is distinctive because it is inserted into the brain through a blood vessel, eliminating the need for skull trepanation. Currently, the device has been installed in ten patients in the US and Australia.