The Mindwave Mobile headset lets you play games using your mind powers. Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired

When you think of mobile gaming, you probably imagine Cut the Rope or Angry Birds tapping, flicking and touching your devices capacitive screen. But now theres a new way to play: with your mind.

The Mindwave Mobile Brainwave Headset is a $130 EEG headset thats compatible with iOS devices, Android phones, and, yes, even desktop computers. The headset measures brainwaves from your forehead changes in electrical activity, really which it then filters with complex algorithms to eliminate any interference from other electronic sources, and narrow down what those brainwaves really mean. Currently, the system can detect concentration, meditation and blinks, and uses these cues to control simple iOS and Android games.

When you put on the headset, you look like a dork. I dont think even Brad Pitt could make this thing look cool. Its definitely not the sort of thing any sane person is going to wear in public, but it actually works.

With the system properly situated on your head, you begin your Mindwave experience by pairing the headset over Bluetooth with your mobile devices free MindWave Mobile Tutorial app. If the headset isnt correctly positioned, an alert switches from Connected to Check fit. It took me about 20 minutes to get the fit just right.

Get a hang of focusing or relaxing with the MindWave Mobile Tutorial.

Once its on, its (theoretically) pretty easy to use. With the tutorial app loaded, you can focus on a math problem or an image onscreen, and watch your concentration levels rise via in-app meter. Conversely, if you relax and take deep breaths, you can monitor how well you can control your meditation levels. The system can also track blinks of different intensities. You can then use these techniques to play one of around 100 compatible desktop and mobile apps via mind control.

I checked out a few games, and overall the system was intriguing but not a replacement for other forms of gameplay control. Yes, the technology does work. Its just not very fun.

Within the MyndPlayer app, theres a product-placement title for Red Bull (the future of advertising, perhaps?) where you have to focus just enough to open up the can. If you focus too much, the can blows up. I blew the can up. MyndPlayer also includes a game of Tug of War, in which different opponents can be defeated by either relaxing or focusing as much as possible. Another app, W.I.L.D., offers a variety of different brain-controlled mini-games and challenges, all focused on navigating waking dreams using the powers of meditation and attention.

Put out a fire using your mind in the W.I.L.D. app.

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Heads-On: MindWave Lets You Control Mobile Games With Brain Waves