There’s an undeniable charm to gadgets that function seamlessly. While technology can enhance devices, it can also overcomplicate and hinder products that thrived without advanced features like sensors and software.
When a classic product like the Rubik’s Cube is inundated with wires, processors, and rechargeable batteries, it needs to not only meet the standard set by the original but also significantly surpass it.
The Cubios Rubik’s WOWCube injects new excitement into the iconic puzzle but also serves as an example of how excessive technology can detract from a gadget's fundamental allure.
Credit: Scharon Harding The WOWCube showcases one of its screensavers. The WOWCube showcases one of its screensavers. Credit: Scharon Harding
The WOWCube represents a contemporary evolution of the Rubik's Cube, initially crafted by Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian architecture professor. Rubik envisioned a structure made of eight cubes that could move independently without falling apart. The Rubik's Cube became a widely recognized toy, capturing the '80s imagination and eventually becoming a puzzle icon.
The original Rubik’s Cube achieved this esteemed status without the need for electronics, and it still retails for a modest $10. In contrast, the WOWCube adopts an entirely different approach. Priced at $399 (at the time of this writing), it trades the traditional 3×3 grid for a 2×2 version, a format that accommodates not only the classic puzzle (in a reduced form) but also additional features like games and weather updates.
Cubios Rubik’s WOWCube Specifications
- Resolution Per Panel: 240×240 (5760×240 total)
- Panel Type: 24× 1.4-inch IPS panels
- Weight: 3.58 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.76×2.76×2.76 inches
- Battery: 8× 450 mAh (3600 mAh total)
- Audio: 8× speakers
- OS: CubiOS
- Charging Dock: ESP32-S3 SoC, USB-C port, WOWCube proprietary charging interface
A Smaller Puzzle
The WOWCube's 2×2 grid may dishearten hardcore puzzle fans. It lacks the capability to replicate the classic 3×3 Rubik's Cube challenge or any more complex versions of the 2×2 layout. With only 24 squares compared to the traditional 54, solving the WOWCube is notably easier than a standard Rubik's Cube. Nevertheless, adept players might relish the opportunity to solve the WOWCube at an accelerated pace.