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Apple is making a move that could shape the future of its wearables. Recent reports highlighted that the Cupertino-based tech giant is acquiring parts of Sonera, which develops small magnetic sensors. The technology can detect tiny magnetic signals linked to activity in the brain and body.
Currently, none of the concerned parties said anything about the acquisition, but a regulatory filing in the European Union brought this to light. Reportedly, the filing discloses that Apple will first acquire certain assets from Sonera and hire some of the company's employees through one of its subsidiaries.
Sonera’s sensors could give Apple a new way to study signals from the body. Sonera consists of a proprietary biomagnetic chip, which Apple may use to create a new wearable category. One key feature is that the sensors can pick up these signals without needing direct contact with the skin.
For Apple, this could open new options for future Apple Watch models or other wearables. Still, Apple did not confirm any product based on Sonera’s technology. The idea is still in its early stages, so users should not expect a brain-controlled Apple Watch anytime soon.
Touchscreens are still the easiest way to control phones and watches, while voice commands can speed up simple tasks. Similarly, gestures can help users control a device without touching it.
Brain-sensing controls could take things one step further. Instead of tapping a button or saying a command, users could one day control certain features through brain signals.
The Sonera deal does not mean Apple is ready to launch a thought-controlled device. It does show that the company is exploring new ways to make wearables smarter. The next big change in device control may not come from a better screen, it could come from how the device reads the human body.
