Daily Crunch: Facebook wants to build brain-controlled wearables

Facebook reveals its research into brain-controlled wearable devices (yes, really), iPhone sales dip and Samsung announces a new Galaxy Tab. Here’s your Daily Crunch for July 31, 2019.
1. Facebook is exploring brain control for AR wearables
Facebook revealed that it’s working with UCSF to research a brain-computer interface as a way to control future augmented reality interfaces. The company says the approach would involve “a non-invasive wearable device that lets people type just by imagining what they want to say.”
The company acknowledged that there are some thorny privacy issues here: “Neuroethical design is one of our program’s key pillars — we want to be transparent about what we’re working on so that people can tell us their concerns about this technology.”
2. Apple’s revenue growth slows as iPhone sales dip 12% year-over-year
Across categories, iPhone revenue had the biggest year-over-year dip, going from $29.5 billion in last year’s Q3 to just $26 billion this most recent quarter.
3. Samsung targets iPad Pro with the Galaxy Tab S6
Samsung’s latest tablet is going after the same slice of creatives targeted by the iPad Pro and various Surface devices. Its most appealing feature may be the addition of the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 03: The Spotify banner hangs from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on the morning that the music streaming service begins trading shares at the NYSE on April 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)