Myo Tips and Tricks

     I am a Myo fanatic!I love my Myo, and I wear it every day. I am to a point where I am using it in public and others are getting them. I also gave away one at an ed tech event that I hosted this week, so I think its time I did a Myo Tips and Tricks blog post to help those who have gotten one. (Especially, those who got one because of me!)
     For those that don't know, the Myo is a gesture control armband. It works by combing the data that comes from the electrical activity of your muscles with motion sensors. Those sensors combine the data into computer commands based on what gestures you make. They currently have 5 basic gestures, but there are possibilities for more. The best thing about it though, is that the gestures work on MANY different platforms, software, and devices. Not only does it work with Mac, Windows, IOS, and Android, but it also is quickly gaining support for items such as Google Glass, Oculus Rift, Sphero, AR Drone, and Home Automation. This makes it very different from almost all other devices.
     On to the Tips and Tricks:
          1. Remember What this is: I have read several twitter post, message board post, and have talked with people who are extremely frustrated with the device. Several of them have given up on it. Those folks just don't remember what this really is. It's cutting edge! There is really nothing on the market that is even close to it, and its potential is limitless. When you go into the Myo world, don't expect the device to be an Ipad (a device you can just get on and go). It does have a learning curve, and you have to be willing to experiment with it.
          2. Don't Give Up: This goes without saying after the first tip. I really believe that if you give up on the device you will be missing out. Just like anything, it will improve. The steps that Thalmic has made since February are AMAZING. When I first got the device it would constantly have a false unlock, but it doesn't anymore. They have also changed presentation controls in order to fit more natural gestures and not just the ones that made logical sense. (Such as changing advance to double tap rather than wave right)
          3.  Put it on after a Hot Shower or Wait- If you wear the device all the time, it is very obvious when you have taken a break from it. The sensors are COLD when you have not worn it for a while. If you put it on shortly after your shower in the morning, it seems to advance the warm up process to your arm. For the sensors to work effectively, they have to be warm.
          4. Listen to the Light and the Buzzers- Myo has to warm up for it to work effectively, and the guys at Thalmic have made it pretty clear on the device. Connect your Myo but don't do anything until the Thalmic logo stops flashing
          5. Use the Sizing Clips and Keep some with You- Our bodies naturally expand and contract during the day. I am convinced that this can effect the Myo fit, and in turn that effects the Gestures. I am 6'5" 300 pound man, ad there are times when I actually feel like the device is a little loose. I have taken to carrying a few sizing clips with me to adjust fit on the fly
          6. Find the Sweet Spot- Think about what this device is really doing. It's reading electrical activity so it makes total sense that you would have a really specific place on your arm that the read would be the best. I have taken to actually marking the spot on my arm with a marker. (I know I am a nerd, and I mark it by putting lines on either side of the link with the Thalmic logo) By doing this I can get the Myo in the same place everyday which is super important.
          7. Sync with a computer first- It makes perfect sense that you would sync with you Android or IOS device first. (For example, you sync it to your mobile device to control music on your way to work) You would then unsync with your computer and sync up with your IOS device. To me, again it makes perfect sense. The computer requires a bluetooth adapter while the mobile device does not. I am not certain, but I think by doing it on the computer first you establish the correct read on your gestures. My hope is that Thalmic will eventually do something like the getting started guide and custom profiles on your mobile device so you don't have to log into the computer first.
          8. When you sync with your computer for the first time during the day, use the custom profile- In Myo Connect, go to armband manager, then click on calibration. From there you can complete a custom profile. Our bodies naturally change so the best way to ensure correct gestures is to find the best place for the read and create a custom profile. Basically, that will map the date from the gestures you make rather than having a default map. Really, it makes sense that it would be your best avenue.
         9. Again Listen to the Buzzes- One of the keys to Myo is listening the way the buzzers work. It gives you a certain vibration based on when it is unlocked and a different one based on gestures. Learning that code will give you lots of insight into how your armband works.
         10. Use all your fingers to unlock- Thalmic has turned the sensitivity of unlock WAY down. This means that at times the unlock gesture does not always want to read correctly. I have found that at times it works better with my index finger and my ring finger. Try them all, and trust me you don't want this to go back the other way as you would get false unlock all the time.
          11. Use the Keyboard Mapper- One of the things that they are working on, but needs to come soon is the ability to switch between connectors. Until then, you can use the Keyboard Mapper to really have controls that work with almost anything you want to do. It also gives you the ability to make it work for you and your preferences. 


Last but not least, relax and don't give up! This technologies potential is limitless and the improvements will continue to come.

My hope is that Thlamic will use the comments to add or correct!