All-White Tactile Surface Rubik’s Cube: Just as Hard as the Original

Posted on 08/03/2021 by hite

When I read “All-White Rubik’s Cube” I thought, finally, a Rubik’s Cube I’ll actually be able to solve. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with the All-White Rubik’s Cube, because each side has a different tactile surface to differentiate it from the others. I already give up.

Available from the Japan Trends Shop for $43 or from Amazon Japan for ¥2,000, the cubes have six different materials on their pieces: synthetic leather, wallpaper, plastic, synthetic fur, silicone, and Velcro. Now I know what you’re thinking, but no, as tempting as it sounds you probably shouldn’t try to solve it with your tongue. Oh who am I kidding, I say go for it.

There are two kinds of people in the world: people who understand how to solve Rubik’s Cubes, and people like me. I’ve actually had the same Rubik’s Cube since I was six, and it’s spent its entire life outside of the packaging unsolved. Every once in a while I’ll pick it up and have a go at it, and every time I disappoint myself. A couple of months ago I tried following a guide to solve it, but even that was over my head. Threatening it with a hammer didn’t work either.

When is a Rubik’s Cube Not a Cube? When It’s a Fruit

Posted on 15/09/2020 by Paul Strauss

The original Rubik’s Cube is one of the most iconic and popular toys of all time. From its deceptively simple design to its frustrating complexity for noobs, to the amazing way that some people can solve them in seconds, they’re a mechanical masterpiece of puzzle goodness.

The original 3x3x3 puzzle has inspired many variants, including much more complicated versions, and shapes like pyramids and dodecahedrons. Now, you can buy some Rubik’s inspired puzzles that look good enough to eat.

These Fruit Series “cube” puzzles are anything but cube-shaped, but they work in a similar way to the original Rubik’s Cube, with a multi-axis pivoting mechanism to scramble then arrange their parts out. The puzzles come in five tasty and nutritious versions, including orange, banana, pear, lemon, and apple. Okay, plastic isn’t actually nutritious.

At first glance, these things look like they’d be more challenging to sort out than a piece of fruit that you already took a bite out of, but apparently, they’re not that hard. Despite the temptation, don’t try and chomp down on one of these, or you’ll certainly chip a tooth.

All of these fruity puzzles are available individually from Hong Kong novelty shop Brando, where they sell for $16 each. The SpeedCubeShop sells a set of three that includes the orange, apple, and banana for just $17.95. I also found a set of four on Amazon for $19.99.

These Transparent Jigsaw Puzzles Are Clearly Insane

Posted on 31/03/2020 by Paul Strauss

A 144-piece jigsaw puzzle doesn’t sound very difficult, does it? Now imagine that all of the pieces of the puzzle were transparent, then ask yourself the same question. Now that sounds like a challenge to me!

These see-through jigsaw puzzles are laser cut from clear acrylic, with each piece being virtually indistinguishable from the next. In addition to the fact that they all look the same, you get the added confusion of whatever the surface might be underneath the pieces messing with your perception. I’d recommend assembling this puzzle on a nice monochromatic background if you want any chance of it not driving you mad.

Etsy seller Little Flower Pot Shop is making these puzzles in four different sizes, ranging from a stupid simple 3×3 version up to a 12×12 version. They’re available for pre-order now, with prices ranging from $16.99 to $24.99, or you can get all four sizes for $69.99. They’re hoping to start shipping these out by late April.

[via Bored Panda]

Disney+ announces two adventure competition shows for teens

Posted on 29/01/2020 by Engadget RSS Feed

While Quibi is remaking the once-popular Nickelodeon show Legends of the Hidden Temple, Disney+ is planning two of its own mazes-based, puzzle-solving shows that could be Legends of the Hidden Temple-esque with a reality TV spin. Today, the streaming...

Develop your kids’ STEM skills with the Thinking Putty Puzzle

Posted on 30/07/2019 by mandy

The early years of a child’s life are the most important. These are the most consequential times of their life because this is the part where they learn their values and develop their thinking skills...

Magic Leap’s Independent Creator Program delivers its first app

Posted on 25/07/2019 by Engadget RSS Feed

Last fall, Magic Leap launched its Independent Creator Program (ICP), which was meant to give developers the funding and support they need to launch apps and games on the company's augmented reality headset. Today, the first app to come out of the pr...

‘Moss’ free VR missions come to PlayStation, Oculus Rift, Vive and Windows

Posted on 25/06/2019 by Engadget RSS Feed

Oculus Quest owners were treated to a free new chapter of Polyarc's adorable puzzle game Moss back in May -- now it's rolling out to other platforms. On June 25th, the "Twilight Garden" update will roll out across PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift/S, HTC V...

VR puzzle game ‘Moss’ gets new missions for the Oculus Quest

Posted on 14/05/2019 by Engadget RSS Feed

To celebrate the release of wireless VR headset Oculus Quest, Polyarc is releasing new content for Moss, the adorable puzzle adventure that's made waves on the VR gaming landscape. Our swashbuckling mouse heroine Quill will now be able to explore the...

ActivePuzzle Turns Puzzle Pieces into Robots

Posted on 23/03/2019 by Conner Flynn

If you’re looking for a new interactive robot toy for the kids, the ActivePuzzle looks like a fun one. It lets users build their own robots that can perform simple tasks or challenges simply by snapping together puzzle pieces.

These interactive puzzle pieces can be pieced together to build fun robots, and your kids will learn some valuable STEM skills while they’re at it. As they are building their little robot, they will learn things like logic, computational thinking, and problem-solving. It’s a pretty cool educational toy.

Each ActivePuzzle kit includes a variety of output blocks, input blocks, logic blocks, and a power block. Sensors like IR, light, temperature, and proximity can be used to control things like a motor, light, buzzer, or an IR transmitter.

You can get in on the robot puzzle fun with a pledge over on Kickstarter. A 16-piece kit sells for $98, while the 122-piece version is going for $122, both a 30% discount from the expected MSRP. Educators can get a special discounted price for quantities of 10 or more advanced kits.

[Geeky Gadgets]

Kiki’s Delivery Service Jigsaw Puzzle Forms a Bowl

Posted on 21/03/2019 by Shane McGlaun

I never saw Kiki’s Delivery Service, but fans of the Studio Ghibli animated film absolutely loved it. But even if you aren’t familiar with the movie, you will want this if you’re into jigsaw puzzles. This isn’t some flat puzzle you are used to seeing or a puzzle made out of foam that assembles into a building. This puzzle comes together to form a bowl.

Ensky’s plastic jigsaw puzzle has 80-pieces, and when it’s completed, you get a bowl that is 3″ tall x 3″ wide, x 3″ long. It’s not gigantic, but it might be great for holding candy or some flowers on your desk. You might even be able to use it to hold paperclips.

The bowl puzzle is available now over on Amazon for about $26. Be sure to check out all of their different bowl-shaped puzzles here. There are designs for Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro as well, but they seem to be rare and much more expensive.

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