OCZ's Brain Mouse Hits the Store

John Roller writes "Three months to the day since Slashdot originally received word that OCZ's "brain-mouse" — the Neural Impulse Actuator was ready for shipping, the first in-depth review of the device containing pictures of the retail packaging along with several videos have arrived on the internet. Overclock3D.Net got the first look at the device, and although it's still early days, they managed to play a game of "Pong" using only brain power. The article is only part one in a month-long log of using the device, but it's extremely interesting to see what the people who have pre-ordered the device can expect from it when it arrives on their doorsteps shortly."

Comments

Re:Hurray?

[Anonymous Coward]

I wondered this myself, but the screenshots on the 3rd page make me think that it doesn't...

They had a "calibration" option, and the application "profile" option (that has the word "joystick" on it).

So out of the box Linux support doesn't look promising...

Optimism

[foobsr]

From TFA: "Heading down to HQ, I knew the device would have limitations, but the little kid in me was imagining it granting me near-psychic powers. Unfortunately, after several hours of trying and still only being able to control one input, those limitations look to be greater than I thought. That being said though, I have every confidence that had I played with settings and kept the thing on my head for a few hours a day, I would learn to master more of the inputs and utilize them during gameplay. So if you are looking at buying the nia, I urge you to realize that you are buying a heavily scaled-down version of what you have envisaged." (emphasis mine)

Hmm, given that it lasts a couple of years with continuous martial arts training to establish a process approaching a near optimum with regards to 'naturally given/wired' I/O I still believe that it is appropriate not to be optimistic indeed.

CC.

Re:Optimism

[raddan]

Actually, I met a software developer for this device at a dinner recently. I, too was skeptical. He said that learning how to use the device takes quite a bit of practice-- because this is like an appendage you never knew you had-- but mainly because controlling things on-screen requires concentration. Basically the problem is this: we deal with distractions all the time; the human brain is really good at doing context switches. But when you wear this interface, those context switches (someone comes up behind you and says "Hi!") change the input to the device. You need to learn to control those state changes-- you can do it, but it takes practice. He assured me that after some practice, this becomes much easier.

As a side note-- this would be a great tool for learning how to beat polygraph exams! "Escape from Gitmo" for PS3 coming soon! ;^)

Re:Hurray?

[bloodninja]

I wondered this myself, but the screenshots on the 3rd page make me think that it doesn't...

They had a "calibration" option, and the application "profile" option (that has the word "joystick" on it).

So out of the box Linux support doesn't look promising... Exactly what I was thinking. It includes a driver CD, so even if it is HID it will not be fully functional out of the box with Linux. Here's the page where you contact OCZ and let them know that we want Linux support for this thing:
http://www.ocztechnology.com/contact/

Re:Neat, but...

[zsouthboy]

The Mighty Steven Hawking is *already* a fucking quake master.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MC_Hawking

Link Page Down

[writerjosh]

Try these links instead: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/475/1/ http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38413

Inside the NIA

[slifox]

For those interested in whats inside the OCZ NIA, AnandTech has a product teardown available

Anyone else have specific info on whats inside, etc? First thought that comes to me is, I want to make one myself!

Teardown Article:
http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=452

Picture Gallery:
http://www.anandtech.com/Gallery.aspx?id=123

Re:Great for non-gaming also

[doomy]

Similar devices are already being used to give paralyzed people the ability to walk around and explore virtual worlds. For example recently Japanese scientists from Keio University demoed a product that lets a physically handicapped user interact with a virtual world like Second Life.

This is part of Keio University and Dentsu's joint venture into Secondlife, UI, interaction and social study.