A 'Brain Charger': The Ultimate PDA Accessory?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/2100-1121-5109628.html' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/2100-1121-5109628.html</a><br /><br /></div>"For those cynics who said nothing new would be unveiled at Comdex, South Korean start-up DreamFree counters with the Peeg, a peripheral for PDAs that is said to stimulate brain activity. Peeg, short for "personal electroencephalogram," is designed to stimulate different types of brain waves by sending positive waves to the wearer, said Joonon Moon, a director in the planning department at Seoul-based DreamFree. Company literature says Peeg is the "world's best mobile digital brain charger." <br /><br />The Peeg consists of a software application for Microsoft Pocket PC, headphones and a set of silver eyeglasses that look like the sort of thing triathletes wear. The lenses are made of opaque plastic. When the PDA application is set on "concentration," rhythmic pinging sounds are heard in the earphones while lights flash off and on inside the glasses. Users close their eyes, so they only faintly perceive the light pulses. The frequency of the pings and the lights are meant to be synchronized so that they induce brain waves of the same frequency. By altering brain wave frequencies, Peeg can alter moods, Moon said." <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/111903_peeg2.jpg" /> <br /><br />Looks goofy, but if it works, this might be something I need to get my hands on. My brain feels tired a lot. :-)

[Foo Fighter]

It's Lt. Jordi LaForge! 8O

[KAMware]

Krap like this has been around for years! They have just connected to a PocketPC and chaged more for it.

You can build the same thing with a few dollars of parts from Radio Shack.

Why is all this hookey stuff showing up again? :roll:

[MaximumPDA]

Yeah, I actually have one of the original units in a box somewhere. There are a bunch of settings you adjust by punching in a code that come from a book and each number relates to a setting like "better sleep", brain stimulator", 15 nap invigorator", etc. It would play “delta” or “theta” waves via headphones if I remember correctly or you could hook up a walkman and the LEDS mounted in the glasses would pulse with the sounds and are supposed to induce the setting you have punched in.

As I recall, they were kind of cool, and relaxing, an aid to mediation at best. This looks like they have attached the glasses part to a PocketPC instead of the black box.

[ctmagnus]

I had an EEG once. I don't know if it detected any brain activity.

This sounds interesting for relaxation, except for the goofy-looking glasses. I wonder if this could be implemented using Subliminal Memory Glasses (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=186374). Subliminal relaxation?

Yeah, I actually have one of the original units in a box somewhere. There are a bunch of settings you adjust by punching in a code that come from a book and each number relates to a setting like "better sleep", brain stimulator", 15 nap invigorator", etc. It would play “delta” or “theta” waves via headphones if I remember correct

How does it function using only one earphone? I have a good ear and a not-so-good ear.

[cmchavez]

Wonder if it can correct my astigmatism while its' working... 8O

[Anthony Caruana]

What if your Pocket PC locked up while you were using it :?:

Would your brian also freeze?

[BugDude10]

Man, I could really use something like that while I'm driving...

[MaximumPDA]

Man, I could really use something like that while I'm driving...

I think half the people in Seattle are already :D

[pocketpcfox]

Krap like this has been around for years! They have just connected to a PocketPC and chaged more for it.

You can build the same thing with a few dollars of parts from Radio Shack.

Why is all this hookey stuff showing up again? :roll:

Ah, I see why... It's a Korean company. There is an entire industry based just on these kinds of devices to help students "learn" more efficiently. Essentially it is just a glorified relaxation device... with tons of testimonials from "scientific doctors". University entrance exams are unbelieveably competitive there... basically high school entails getting just four hours of sleep a night for these kids so I guess the device can be a kind of pressure release value.

I even saw one of these things marketed by a dodgy religious sect in Korea (I was covering it for my newspaper).

[kzemach]

I've used one of these a LONG time ago. Let's see, that would be 1994... Obviously not on a PPC. It was hooked to a computer in the robotics lab. It was actually quite an interesting experience. You're lying on the floor, and the lights are blinking quickly (allegedly to get in sync with the beta waves in the brain) and then tamped down slowly, until... well, the next thing I knew, someone was gently shaking me. It had been over three hours, I don't remember a freakin' thing, and I hadn't moved a muscle. Not tossing, turning, rolling, nothing. Which, in itself, might not be all that healthy. No, I was not 'on' anything.

But it does raise some interesting questions... I mean, it IS messing with your brain waves. (Of course, so do florescent lights). Does that make it a medical device of sorts? I stayed away from it after that, because I just didn't know. But I WILL attest to the fact that it ain't all hype.

[Paul]

Wow that sucks. What good is sleep if you don't remember enjoying it?

[KAMware]

I mentioned previously that you can build one of these from Radio Shack parts because I did exactly that years ago. I think I still have it some place.

Just get some old sunglasses with plastic lenses, place some red LEDs in them and run the wires down to a box with one or two 555 timers, a switch, variable resitstore etc. adjust the rate to the same for all the brain wave functions. Alpha, Beta, Theta etc.

Now play around. It can cause some spooky effects. You could dial it in to you "sweat zone" with the resistor and get some odd reslults. :mrgreen:

If you like experimenting on your brain! 0X

[onepieceman]

OK, I know a lot of you out there are cynical, and you're probably quite right to be in this particular case. However, stimulating the brain through a headset CAN provide significant benefits. Take a look at the following link http://www.oxfordcc.co.uk/Res/3/4_OCCNEWSLETTER.PDF

It shows how a suitably equipped PDA/headset combination can be used to increase mobility amongst patients who are suffering from Parkinsons disease, which in its later stages can cause its sufferers to become wheelchair bound.
Here's an example where a PDA can literally cause the wheelchair-bound to walk. Know of any other PDA applications that can do that?

[Stefan]

What if your Pocket PC locked up while you were using it :?:

Would your brian also freeze?

Ouch! That might hurt, if you stick the stylus into the wrong opening for a warm reset. :?