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+0.24 Reading the undocumented MEMS accelerometer on Apple Silicon MacBooks via iokit (github.com)
152 points by todsacerdoti 4 days ago | 59 comments on HN | Mild positive Product · vv3.4 · 2026-02-24
Article Heatmap
Preamble: +0.25 — Preamble P Article 1: +0.25 — Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood 1 Article 2: +0.25 — Non-Discrimination 2 Article 3: ND — Life, Liberty, Security Article 3: No Data — Life, Liberty, Security 3 Article 4: ND — No Slavery Article 4: No Data — No Slavery 4 Article 5: ND — No Torture Article 5: No Data — No Torture 5 Article 6: ND — Legal Personhood Article 6: No Data — Legal Personhood 6 Article 7: ND — Equality Before Law Article 7: No Data — Equality Before Law 7 Article 8: ND — Right to Remedy Article 8: No Data — Right to Remedy 8 Article 9: ND — No Arbitrary Detention Article 9: No Data — No Arbitrary Detention 9 Article 10: ND — Fair Hearing Article 10: No Data — Fair Hearing 10 Article 11: ND — Presumption of Innocence Article 11: No Data — Presumption of Innocence 11 Article 12: +0.07 — Privacy 12 Article 13: +0.30 — Freedom of Movement 13 Article 14: ND — Asylum Article 14: No Data — Asylum 14 Article 15: ND — Nationality Article 15: No Data — Nationality 15 Article 16: ND — Marriage & Family Article 16: No Data — Marriage & Family 16 Article 17: -0.20 — Property 17 Article 18: +0.20 — Freedom of Thought 18 Article 19: +0.45 — Freedom of Expression 19 Article 20: +0.25 — Assembly & Association 20 Article 21: ND — Political Participation Article 21: No Data — Political Participation 21 Article 22: +0.15 — Social Security 22 Article 23: ND — Work & Equal Pay Article 23: No Data — Work & Equal Pay 23 Article 24: ND — Rest & Leisure Article 24: No Data — Rest & Leisure 24 Article 25: +0.35 — Standard of Living 25 Article 26: +0.35 — Education 26 Article 27: +0.38 — Cultural Participation 27 Article 28: +0.20 — Social & International Order 28 Article 29: +0.15 — Duties to Community 29 Article 30: ND — No Destruction of Rights Article 30: No Data — No Destruction of Rights 30
Negative Neutral Positive No Data
Aggregates
Weighted Mean +0.24 Unweighted Mean +0.23
Max +0.45 Article 19 Min -0.20 Article 17
Signal 15 No Data 16
Confidence 32% Volatility 0.15 (Low)
Negative 1 Channels E: 0.5 S: 0.5
SETL -0.03 Structural-dominant
Evidence: High: 2 Medium: 13 Low: 0 No Data: 16
Theme Radar
Foundation Security Legal Privacy & Movement Personal Expression Economic & Social Cultural Order & Duties Foundation: 0.25 (3 articles) Security: 0.00 (0 articles) Legal: 0.00 (0 articles) Privacy & Movement: 0.18 (2 articles) Personal: 0.00 (2 articles) Expression: 0.35 (2 articles) Economic & Social: 0.25 (2 articles) Cultural: 0.36 (2 articles) Order & Duties: 0.17 (2 articles)
Domain Context Profile
Element Modifier Affects Note
Privacy +0.10
Article 12
GitHub has standard privacy controls and policies protecting user data and discussion content from unauthorized access.
Terms of Service +0.05
Article 1 Article 2
GitHub ToS establish baseline equal treatment of users without discrimination, though enforcement depends on implementation.
Accessibility +0.15
Article 25 Article 26
Observable accessibility features including keyboard navigation, ARIA support, and responsive design promote equitable access to platform functionality.
Mission —
GitHub's public mission emphasizes open collaboration and global access to development tools, indirectly supporting knowledge-sharing rights.
Editorial Code +0.08
Article 19 Article 27
GitHub community guidelines establish standards for respectful discussion and protect user expression within community contexts.
Ownership -0.05
Article 17
GitHub retains platform control; user-generated content ownership is subject to platform terms, creating conditional rather than absolute intellectual property rights.
Access Model +0.12
Article 19 Article 27
Public discussion board model enables open participation and knowledge dissemination without gatekeeping, supporting freedom of expression and information access.
Ad/Tracking -0.08
Article 12
GitHub's feature flags and analytics tracking create potential privacy concerns; behavioral data collection may infringe on privacy of thought.
HN Discussion 13 top-level comments
userbinator 2026-02-20 07:14 UTC link
undocumented

The one thought that comes to mind is this: "Your warranty claim was denied because we determined that the laptop was subjected to a sudden shock."

krackers 2026-02-20 07:20 UTC link
>have a hard to find mems accelerometer managed by the sensor processing unit

How did OP even know that an accelerometer exists in the first place?

seductivebarry 2026-02-20 07:38 UTC link
Way back in ~2008 I wrote the Newton Virus https://www.everita.com/how-the-newton-virus-was-made + https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh75j6OHhRc (sorry for the broken images, need to update that site). Between that and using a hidden API to take screenshots of each individual element on your desktop (from icons, to taskbar, to windows) the effect was pretty believable. One of the most fun (and frustrating) projects I ever worked on.
ggm 2026-02-20 08:14 UTC link
Could this be used as "shake your mac for highly random seed" bits?
JSR_FDED 2026-02-20 08:27 UTC link
If it can read your heartbeat from your wrists resting next to the trackpad, maybe it can use that as a user satisfaction signal for gratuitous UI changes.
LoganDark 2026-02-20 09:53 UTC link
I wonder if this sensor is used for Vision Pro display mirroring.
1e1a 2026-02-20 10:29 UTC link
I've been wondering about this for a while, glad someone's finally managed to access it.
1e1a 2026-02-20 10:50 UTC link
On my M4 14-inch MacBook Pro, it looks like there are two accelerometers: One with {"DeviceUsagePage"=0xff00,"DeviceUsage"=3}, and one with {"DeviceUsagePage"=0xff00,"DeviceUsage"=9} - They both identify as Bosch BMI286
47282847 2026-02-20 12:49 UTC link
I would like an app to lock my screen on sudden movement; optionally disable TouchID for next login.
thenthenthen 2026-02-20 13:31 UTC link
This is so cool thank you!
renecito 2026-02-20 18:43 UTC link
"hidden", checks API: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/coremotion/cmdevic...

and there is Mac Catalyst (iOS on Mac) and Mac support.

what am I missing ? that this uses a raw stream ?

thekevintang 2026-02-22 17:59 UTC link
Score Breakdown
+0.25
Preamble Preamble
Medium Practice
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.25
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository structure enables collaborative knowledge sharing and equal access to technical information without gatekeeping; platform supports dignity and equal rights in participation.

+0.25
Article 1 Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood
Medium Practice
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.20
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Public repository model treats all contributors equally regardless of background; no observable discrimination in access or participation rights.

+0.25
Article 2 Non-Discrimination
Medium Practice
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.20
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository content and contribution mechanisms do not discriminate based on status, origin, or other characteristics; GitHub ToS enforce non-discrimination baseline.

ND
Article 3 Life, Liberty, Security

Right to life, liberty, personal security not directly observable in technical repository context.

ND
Article 4 No Slavery

Slavery and servitude protections not directly applicable to open-source repository content or structure.

ND
Article 5 No Torture

Torture and cruel treatment protections not directly observable in repository context.

ND
Article 6 Legal Personhood

Right to legal personality and recognition before law not directly addressed by repository structure or content.

ND
Article 7 Equality Before Law

Equal protection before law not directly observable in technical project context.

ND
Article 8 Right to Remedy

Right to remedy for rights violations not directly relevant to repository content or structure.

ND
Article 9 No Arbitrary Detention

Arbitrary arrest and detention not applicable to open-source repository context.

ND
Article 10 Fair Hearing

Right to fair and public hearing not directly observable in repository structure or content.

ND
Article 11 Presumption of Innocence

Presumption of innocence and criminal procedure protections not applicable to repository context.

+0.07
Article 12 Privacy
Medium Practice
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.05
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository structure allows limited data exposure; GitHub privacy controls mitigate tracking concerns but feature flags and analytics present modest privacy considerations. Combined domain modifiers (privacy +0.1, ad_tracking -0.08) net +0.02.

+0.30
Article 13 Freedom of Movement
Medium Practice
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.30
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Public repository enables free movement and residence of ideas and information globally; no observable restrictions on who may access or contribute.

ND
Article 14 Asylum

Right to seek asylum and nationality not directly applicable to technical repository context.

ND
Article 15 Nationality

Right to nationality not directly observable in repository structure or content.

ND
Article 16 Marriage & Family

Marriage and family rights not applicable to technical open-source repository context.

-0.20
Article 17 Property
Medium Practice
Editorial
ND
Structural
-0.15
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository content ownership subject to GitHub platform terms; contributors retain limited intellectual property control relative to platform. Domain modifier (ownership -0.05) reflects conditional rather than absolute rights.

+0.20
Article 18 Freedom of Thought
Medium Advocacy Practice
Editorial
+0.15
Structural
+0.25
SETL
-0.16
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository documents technical capability to access undocumented hardware features; demonstrates freedom of thought and conscience through technical exploration and knowledge dissemination.

+0.45
Article 19 Freedom of Expression
High Advocacy Practice
Editorial
+0.35
Structural
+0.35
SETL
0.00
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository exemplifies freedom of expression and information dissemination; technical documentation shared openly without censorship. Public repository model enables unrestricted access to knowledge. Domain modifiers (editorial_code +0.08, access_model +0.12) total +0.20, capped at +0.10.

+0.25
Article 20 Assembly & Association
Medium Practice
Editorial
+0.25
Structural
+0.25
SETL
0.00
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository structure enables peaceful assembly and association through collaborative contribution model; no observable restrictions on collective participation in development.

ND
Article 21 Political Participation

Political participation and democratic rights not directly applicable to technical repository context.

+0.15
Article 22 Social Security
Medium Practice
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.15
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository structure enables social participation through open contribution model; technical knowledge sharing supports social development within developer community.

ND
Article 23 Work & Equal Pay

Work and employment rights not directly observable in open-source repository context.

ND
Article 24 Rest & Leisure

Rest and leisure rights not applicable to technical repository context.

+0.35
Article 25 Standard of Living
Medium Practice
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.20
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository content supports knowledge access and development opportunities for technical community; GitHub accessibility features enable equitable platform access. Domain modifier (accessibility +0.15).

+0.35
Article 26 Education
Medium Advocacy Practice
Editorial
+0.20
Structural
+0.20
SETL
0.00
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository content contributes to education and knowledge development in systems programming and hardware interfacing; open access supports lifelong learning. Domain modifier (accessibility +0.15).

+0.38
Article 27 Cultural Participation
High Advocacy Practice
Editorial
+0.30
Structural
+0.30
SETL
0.00
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository demonstrates participation in scientific and technical culture; open-source sharing of hardware discovery contributes to collective cultural and scientific heritage. Domain modifier (editorial_code +0.08).

+0.20
Article 28 Social & International Order
Medium Practice
Editorial
ND
Structural
+0.20
SETL
ND
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository structure supports social order enabling rights described in UDHR; GitHub platform provides infrastructure for equitable knowledge sharing and collaborative development.

+0.15
Article 29 Duties to Community
Medium Framing
Editorial
+0.15
Structural
+0.15
SETL
0.00
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Repository content reflects duties to community through knowledge sharing; technical documentation contributes to collective development and respects others' rights to information access.

ND
Article 30 No Destruction of Rights

Interpretation and limitation clauses not directly observable in repository content or structure.
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build fc56cf0+0q5s · 2026-02-25 01:32 UTC