Cubios plans to release the WOWCube later this year. (Image Credit: Cubios)
We're familiar with the Rubik's Cube, a favorite childhood 3D twisty puzzle. But, now there's a new twist: WOWCube! Developed by Cubios, this cube is a puzzle reimagined as an interactive digital platform with screens, combining gameplay with apps and games. It's set for a late release this year (November or December), potentially priced at approximately $200.
This cube is a doozy, blending fun puzzles with modern gaming technology! How does it work? Simply twist sections to get the ball, or well, cube, rolling! The 2x2x2 cube has 12 interconnected mini-cubes, with four high-res 240x240 pixel IPS screens that have tempered glass surfaces and are fingerprint-resistant. In total, 24 screens surround the cube, so players can twist it to play a game or run an app.
The compact cube (70x70x70 mm, weighing 385 grams) features magnetic connectors for data and power transmission, an energy-efficient SoC (8 autonomous modules), Bluetooth 4.2, and an inertial measurement unit (gyroscope + accelerometer) that captures motion and orientation. Users can also enjoy getting lost in the sound waves during gameplay, as eight speakers are integrated into the cube.
Want decent time-to-play out of the device? No worries! It runs on a 3360 mAh lithium-ion battery, providing five hours of gameplay on a single charge. Each screen works simultaneously with the others, too.
The WOWCube with app widgets on its screens.(Image Credit: Cubios)
Even neater, WOWCube has its own operating system—CubiOS—designed to support the applications running on the screens. Each screen has touch inputs that work with the twisting, shaking, and rotation of the cube, making the gameplay more interactive for the user.
Third-party developers can build and upload apps and games through the system's SDK. So far, there are around 24-36 built-in titles available, such as educational apps, puzzles, arcade-style games, and mini widgets for weather updates and smart home notifications. Its main focus revolves around spatial and 3D puzzles.
This is like an advanced, futuristic version of the Rubik's Cube, but more fun. It offers a versatile, hands-on experience for video game fanatics who love diving deeply into puzzles. There's a lot of tactile play involved, and it holds promise for educational purposes like STEM.org. WOWCube may even see lots of growth as developers upload new content for the system.
So much potential for this and later version. I’m really excited to get my hands on one and take it apart. Play with it? You know how engineers are, that’s a secondary feature.
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