Rubik’s WOWCube adds complexity, possibility by reinventing the puzzle cube

The WOWCube is made up of eight modules. Each module has its own PCB, processor, gyroscope, and accelerometer. A Cubios spokesperson told me that the company opted for a 2×2 grid because “the most expensive components are the screens and the motherboards with the processor and battery, so increasing it to a 3×3 model would raise” the price. The predicament begs the question of whether electronics really improve the Rubik’s Cube.

Games and other apps

Once I played some of the WOWCube’s other games, I saw the advantage of the smaller grid. The 2×2 layout is more appropriate for games like White Rabbit, which is like Pac-Man but relies on tilting and twisting the cube, or Ladybug, where you twist the cube to create a path for a perpetually crawling ladybug. A central module might add unneeded complexity and space to these games and other WOWCube apps, like Pixel World, which is like a Rubik’s Cube puzzle but with images depicting global landmarks, or the WOWCube implementation of Gabriele Cirulli’s puzzle game, 2048.

One of the “games” makes the WOWCube look like a virtual aquarium.

Scharon Harding

One of the “games” makes the WOWCube look like a virtual aquarium.

Scharon Harding

The Ladybug game.

Scharon Harding

The Ladybug game.

Scharon Harding

One of the “games” makes the WOWCube look like a virtual aquarium.

Scharon Harding

The Ladybug game.

Scharon Harding

At the time of writing, the WOWCube has 15 “games,” including the Rubik’s Cube puzzle. Most of the games are free, but some, such as Space Invaders Cubed ($30) and Sunny Side Up ($5), cost money.

Unlike the original Rubik’s Cube, which is content to live on your shelf until you need a brain exercise or go on a road trip, the WOWCube craves attention with dozens of colorful screens, sound effects, and efforts to be more than a toy.

With its Widgets app open, the cube can display information, like the time, temperature, and alerts, from a limited selection of messaging apps. More advanced actions, like checking the temperature for tomorrow or opening a WhatsApp message, are unavailable. There’s room for improvement, but further development, perhaps around features like an alarm clock or reminders, could turn the WOWCube into a helpful desk companion.