Apple showed a person whose brain is connected to an iPad

Paralyzed man controls iPad with the power of thought: Apple and Synchron demonstrate revolutionary technology in action. The new system, introduced in May 2025, allows neural interfaces to connect to Apple devices via Bluetooth, reports PC Mag.

In an impressive video, Mark Jackson, a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, demonstrates the capabilities of the Synchron Stentrode implant. Without using his hands, voice, or even eye movements, he freely navigates through the iPad menu, launches applications, and types texts. "When I lost the ability to use my hands, I thought my independence was gone forever," Jackson admits. Thanks to this innovative technology, he has regained the ability to communicate with loved ones, follow the news, and feel part of the world, recovering a significant portion of his lost independence.

Apple's breakthrough solution lies in integrating support for BCI devices (brain-computer interfaces) at the operating system level. Now iPad tablets and Mac computers recognize neural interfaces as naturally as a regular keyboard or mouse. Until this point, connecting to Apple products required special non-standard solutions from neural implant manufacturers.

Of particular note is the new visual indicator that displays the level of brain signal recognition on the screen in real-time. A blue frame around app icons gradually fills as the signal strengthens, clearly showing the user how accurately the system is reading their intentions. Kurt Haggstrom, Chief Operating Officer of Synchron, emphasizes the critical importance of such feedback: it allows the user to adjust their concentration for more effective interaction with the device.

The uniqueness of the Stentrode implant from Synchron lies in its installation method — it is inserted into the brain through a blood vessel, eliminating the need for skull trepanation. To date, this revolutionary device has been installed in ten patients in the United States and Australia.