material speculations: refinement
what
It is a hand scanning device which connects to the user's implant to receive or manage any updates. The updates are capable of alternate the brain functions of the user, e.g. enhancing creativity or logical thinking.
Just how we use google, users can update their implant if they need something, but else the hand scanning is rather a tool for the implant rather than playing an active part.
However, similar to google, it tracks the user's behaviour and also shows the trendiest alternations currently around, potentially influencing the user to get certain enhancements.
who
It is intended for everyone who can afford and is willing to receive an implant, but due to the surgical risk is only available for people above 18. It is produced by a private small company, which due to the sudden popularity of the implant is getting world wide recognition over night.
Currently, not a vast majority uses it but it is already widely accepted the devices are in use and it is getting more and more common. You can compare how people view ChatGPT, as some people name it the next big step of technology, other feel the implant will negatively affect the human thinking in the long term.
why
People are using it to enhance their own brain's capability, as the implant send certain neural impulses in order to strengthen neural connections in the specific parts of the brain. In this way e.g. the creative thinking of the user or the capability of seeing logical connection are vastly improved.
So, people who want to receive an advantage to others are the most common users. Examples are people who have to make quick decisions, such as traders, or people who are in creative fields, e.g musicians and artists.
It exists because of why phones and other technical advancements exist - to make life of humans more comfortable, more advanced, in short "better".
where
It is produced and the surgery is executed in the US, as the laws in terms of human modification are rather liberal in comparison to other states. However, people are specifically travelling to the US to receive the implant and the hand scanner.
when
As mentioned before, you use the hand scanner whenever you want some new updates. There are of course mandatory updates every once in a while, but else it is up to you to manage your updates.
how
As the scanner is based on a software, it is possible to hack into in the system and upload your own modification to whatever you likings are. If you think a step further it is not excluded to hack into the scanner of another person and get access to its implant without the need of their hand scan. Also, the company themselves could potentially leak bugs into the system, causing the implant to malfunction, which is the case in the episode.
future
If people are getting more dependent of the implant, the company could start prey on the user's assets for the sake of further development, e.g. tracking their data without their consent. As more and more people are using the implant, it could increase the gap between poor and rich, and possibly creating another form of two class system - the enhanced and the non-enhanced.
