The $299 Rubik’s Cube: Now With Screens and Apps
▼ Summary
– The Rubik’s WOWCube is a modern reinvention of the classic puzzle with digital screens instead of solid-colored stickers.
– The cube includes built-in sensors, speakers, and a battery lasting up to seven hours, controlled via a mobile app over Bluetooth.
– It utilizes magnetic connectors for seamless data and power transfer between modules and runs on a custom operating system called CubiOS.
The classic Rubik’s Cube, a beloved puzzle known for its colorful squares and manual dexterity challenges, has received a high-tech makeover. This new version, called the Rubik’s WOWCube, integrates digital screens and modern electronics, transforming the traditional brain-teaser into a multifunctional gaming device. While the original cube featured six faces with 3×3 grids, the WOWCube opts for a 2×2 grid on each of its six sides. Instead of colored stickers, each of the 24 squares is a 240×240 IPS display, allowing for dynamic visuals and interactive gameplay.
The WOWCube is constructed from eight separate “cubicle modules,” each containing three IPS screens and its own system-on-a-chip. Patented magnetic connectors link these modules, ensuring consistent electrical contact and smooth data transfer regardless of how the cube is rotated. This design supports real-time data sharing and distributes low-voltage power throughout the device, enabling complex functions without interruption.
Players can use the WOWCube to solve a digital version of the classic Rubik’s puzzle, with each screen showing a solid color. Beyond that, twisting and turning the cube activates a variety of games, such as Block Buster, Space Invaders, and Jewel Hunter. Weighing 11.29 ounces, the cube also includes a gyroscope, a 6-axis accelerometer, and eight built-in speakers. Its integrated battery provides up to seven hours of play before requiring a recharge.
To expand its capabilities, users must download the WOWCube Connect app on iOS or Android. After pairing the cube with a smartphone via Bluetooth, the app allows users to browse and install additional games from an online store. Currently, the store offers 47 titles, though some are paid and others are still in development. The WOWCube operates on its own operating system, CubiOS, and the company provides a free DevKit for those interested in creating new apps or games for the platform.
(Source: Ars Technica)
