<![CDATA[Gizmodo: Brain Age]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: Brain Age]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/brain age http://gizmodo.com/tag/brain age <![CDATA[ SegaToys Brain Checker Flirts With Your Prefrontal Cortex ]]> SegaToys%20Brain%20Checker%20GI.jpgThe SegaToys Brain Checker is a handheld game that allows you to get your gray matter flexing. Given the Japanese content of the source, we are not too sure what the Brain Checker will actually involve, but derivations of Dr. Kawashima's Brain Age games are to be expected. From the screenshots available, the game will involve picture and number based puzzles on a pocket sized LCD screen, which will attempt to get your prefrontal cortex all hot and sweaty.

However, you may not want to organize an import, which will set you back 5,775 ($51), just yet. According to new research, fresh out of Mark's very own brain, taking a 25-minute walk/day is actually more beneficial than solving puzzles from dusk till dawn. The research is actually spearheaded by Art Kramer, who states there is no conclusive evidence for any slowing of the brain's aging with use of such video games. Hey, what the hell? It's not going to make you any more of a gargantuan douche, right? [Product Page (Japanese Link), via Technabob]


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Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST Haroon Malik http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=338898&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Brain Age Creator Developing Intelligent Toyotas for Old People ]]> Old_Lady_In_Car.jpgFirst he developed Brain Age, a hit Nintendo DS game that helps keep people's brains fit well into their golden years. Now, the same guy, Ryuta Kawashima, is working with Toyota to make cars that help the older folks who perhaps didn't do all the mental calisthenics they should have.

The car systems, which will are now going into development, will be able to determine whether or not the driver was doing anything dangerous or erratic, and control for that or even act to prevent that kind of behavior.

There might be a system that uses both climate control and navigation to make sure the drivers stay alert, for instance. The system might automatically slows the car down if it senses an irrational punch of the gas pedal. There's no mention of the opposite, however. You know, the system that speeds the hell up when it determines that you've just merged onto a 75mph freeway and you're only doing 34. [SMH]

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Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:14:37 EST Wilson Rothman http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=335125&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Chimpanzees Beat College Students at Computerized Brain Test ]]> You know that game in Brain Age where you get a quick look at a batch of numbers then have to tap them in numerical order after they're hidden? In news that must please the good Dr. Kawashima to no end, scientists at Kyoto University have found that five-year-old chimps are able to perform a (very) similar feat much faster than a group of nine able-minded college students on a touchscreen test bed that resembles the best-selling DS game.

With a .7 second look, both man and beast are on even ground, but with a 0.4 second or 0.2 second (!!) peek, the college kids got owned, completing it 40% of the time compared to the chimps' 80%. One thing's for sure— taking this test probably didn't help the college kids with their self esteem. While not as funny as a chimp working a typewriter while smoking a cigarette, the video above of brave Ayumu doing his thing is pretty damn amazing. Get that chimp a stylus!

And if you want to be impressed, see the next video, showing the chimps memorizing the digits after the mere peek.

[AP]

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Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:55:56 EST dango http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=329518&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Crimson & Black DS Lite Unboxing ]]> Remember that Crimson & Black Nintendo DS Lite that was supposed to be packaged with Brain Age 2? Well they actually went through with it and Gamepro got their hands on one for an unboxing session.[Gamepro via Kotaku]

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Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:32:01 EDT blongo3 http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=290790&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Nintendo Gives DS Lite + Brain Age To President Bush For 60th Birthday ]]>

Check out this DS Lite + Brain Age pack Nintendo gave to President Bush for his birthday. That's pretty neat, but I wonder if he'll play it. With no sons in the house, we doubt there was a Nintendo or Sega Genesis to be found. Well, it'll give him something to do when his iPod runs out of juice.

The full letter after the jump.

Nintendo Gifts DS Lite to President Bush [Kotaku]

Nintendo of America 4820 150th Ave. NE Redmond, WA 98052 July 6, 2006 President George W. Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:
Happy Birthday!
Don't worry, turning 60 is an exciting milestone. As you know, you've joined millions of other baby boomers in an invigorating new decade of your life. And, like many boomers, you may be looking for ways to keep your mind sharp. That's where we come in.

Please accept our gift of a new Nintendo DS Lite system and a copy of Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day. You now join millions of people around the world who have fun challenging themselves with Brain Age. If you have never played a video game before, don't worry. Brain Age is part of our new Touch Generations brand, which includes games that are easy for people of any age - regardless of their video game experience - to pick up and start playing immediately.

It's obvious you don't have a lot of time to play games, which makes Brain Age such a great activity for you - just a few minutes a day with more than 15 daily training tests will help keep your mind sharp. Training tests include categories like math, reading and memorization. Try it for a few days and watch your score improve. Brain Age also comes with more than 100 sudoku puzzles - these could make your next long flight on Air Force One a bit more fun! (Perhaps copies of Brain Age for journalists joining you on your next flight would be a nice distraction!)
Have fun exploring Brain Age with your Nintendo DS Lite and be sure to let us know your brain age!

Have a tremendous birthday!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Nintendo

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Thu, 06 Jul 2006 19:47:16 EDT Jason Chen http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=185602&view=rss&microfeed=true