Lumosity

Luminosity belongs to the new genre of brain-train apps, aimed at developing your memory through the use of exercises that require the use of your full cognitive ability.

The app improves memory and the ability to focus by employing various activites in Memory, Attention, Speed, Flexibility and Problem Solving – the five categories used to calculate the Luminosity Performance Index (LPI).

The app functions on the basic premise of an exercise – the more you answer, the obviously better you’ve become; this reflects in an increased score

which then triggers the app to increase the level of difficult for the next rounds. Starting with a quick quiz to find out what areas you want to work on,

the app conducts a few random seeming tests to gauge your ability. This forms the basis for the app to prepare a training session that suits you – based on how much you would like to pay.

It also sends you the result of the initial Fit Test that it takes to gauge your mental capacity. While I would love to use Luminosity on a daily basis, it has become quite frustrating that I am able to have just one session every day unless

I shell out what seems like a lot of money, as the app keeps improving on the level of difficulty. While the basic app costs nothing and has a decent number of tests you can take,

the tests in the free version are pretty basic and you can find yourself getting bored after a bit (You cannot re-play the activities that you have completed that day).

For the more interesting and engaging exercises, you really need to be prepared to fork out a fair bit of money. Premium comes at $7.99 a month or $59.99 a year.

While Luminosity is quite interesting, and I seem to be getting better at it, I haven’t really noticed much of a difference in my cognition. It’s not really assuring that for the same price, I can do much better on apps like Elevate or Fit Brains Trainer The app is free for download on both Appstores (Devices running iOS7 and up, Android 2.3 and up).