The latest incarnation of EEG-based devices comes from Muse - The Brainwave Sensing Headband.
Just like other BCI claims, How Mind-Controlled Games Work - And Why It's Way, Way Bigger Than That is a new approach to consumer brain monitoring applications. From the Muse site (my highlighting):
Our early apps will be focused on building the core of your mind to improve intellectual skills such as memory and concentration, or emotional skills like maintaining composure in high stress situations. Other Muse apps would be just plain fun stuff so you could paint or compose music with your mind or play video games using your mind as the game controller.
The FAQ assures you they're not mind reading and that it's not a mind control device.
Taking the "brain heath" approach, see CES 2013: InteraXon debuts Muse along with Brain Health System application, is an interesting twist. I'm a big fan of EEG-based technology. The research efforts and advancements in the BCI field have the potential to improve many lives.
InteraXon is probably doing great things (e.g. the headband is very clever) and they appear to be active in the BCI community. My only issue is with the marketing claims being made. Just like the mind control game controllers that have come before (see Turning the Mind Into a Joystick), the reality of the current technology is still not able to live up to most people's expectations. This seems especially true when it comes to something as subjective as concentration or stress. Also, painting with your mind -- really?
InteraXon raised over $287,000 through Crowdfunding at Indiegogo: MUSE: The Brain-Sensing Headband that lets you control things with your mind. Many of the contributions levels included receiving a device and the brain fitness app. They also expect to provide developers with a SDK by mid-year. That might be fun to play with.
