Rubik’s Cubes were invented during the 70’s and became a big hit during the 80’s. After that decade the Cubes slowly faded away into a niche market. However, the speed cubers are still going strong and are refining the best algorithms combined with pure sleight of hand to solve the cube as quickly as possible. But even through the years and the many competitions, the basics of the Rubik’s Cube remain the same: solve the three by three 3D combination puzzle by getting the similar colors on each face. Xiaomi has released a Bluetooth version of the Rubik’s Cube. You can get a up to speed quickly by using the Smart magic cube app to train yourself solving the puzzle. You can even integrate the cube in your smart home setup to make it act as a switch. But does the Xiaomi version justice to the original Rubik’s Cube?
Contents
Specifications
The following specs can be found on Banggood:
- Applicable age: 6 years+
- Main material: ABS
- Support system: Android 6.0 or iOs 9.0 and above
- Product net weight: 100g
- Product size: 57x57x57mm
- Battery Type: CR1632 Button Battery
- Wireless connection: Bluetooth version 5.0
- Working temperature: 0-40 ℃
Expectations
An ancient device containing new technology and updated and released by Xiaomi, that can lead to some conflicts: the look and feel of the Rubik’s Cube should at least be as the original one but the current technology and mechanics may open a new world that makes handling the cube more smoothly. I really wonder how it ends up feeling. The next thing I am curious about is the interaction with the apps (both the Cube solver app as the Mi Home app).
Packaging
The Bluetooth Rubik’s Cube is wrapped in a plastic blister packaging. It is branded with the Mi brand (which is one of Xiaomi’s primary brands) and clearly aimed at the Chinese market, because of the Chinese texts on the packaging.
What’s in the box
The Plastic blister packaging contains the following:
- Xiaomi Rubik’s Cube
- Manual in Chinese.
Features
The following features are stated on Banggood:
- Perfect Science Education Gift – Perfect as science education gift for your family, boyfriends, children, classmates, and yourselves.
- A Good Magic Cube, Realize Your Childhood Dreams – What is a good cube? It turns quickly and firmly, will not get stuck or scatterred, compatible all sorts of techniques.This product meets your needs at one time. Powerful performance, cost effective, with APP, let you easily get new skills, the realization of childhood restore dreams.
- Movable Magnetic Module Design: Automatic Positioning, Light & Smooth Movement – With built-in strong magnets , it can be aligned automatically with a flick of the dial. Innovative movable magnetic module design brings a stronger sense of the sound of magnetic suction, like with BGM itself, can not stop at first.
- High Performance Racing Structure Design – More Accurate Rotation, More Stable Elasticity
The innovative segmented lengthened shaft and dual metal shaft sleeve has greatly improved the verticality of the six axes and the rotation accuracy of the center block. Combined with the new integrated design of the center block and the elastic system, the elasticity on all six sides remain stable and consistent. Players can freely adjust the tightness, just breaking the hand speed as fast as you can.
The Rubik’s Cube
The Xiaomi Rubik’s Cube is a perfectly functional cube with a decent quality build. It does not feel either too heavy or too light. It moves smoothly and has magnets in it to give that the sides click when rotating. The cube has all the sensors in it to read the state of the cube on every moment and to send the state of the cube over Bluetooth to the app. The CR1632 battery can be replaced by removing the top cubes (the white face with the Mi logo).
Important to know: there are different types of Bluetooth Rubik’s Cube available from the brand Xiaomi, the other one is the Xiaomi GiiKer Cube which uses another app, the Super Cube app. Unfortunately, these apps are not interchangeable. This probably has to do with both the used protocols and the power usage. The Giiker Cube charges with a USB cable, where the Xiaomi Rubik’s Cube comes with a single Button Battery that needs to be replaced when empty.
Using the Smart Magic Cube app
The app Mi Smart Magic Cube is only available on Android. After you install it you need to sign in with your Mi Account (Yes, let that sink in: you need an account to connect to a Rubik’s Cube). After logon you can add the Cube by connecting to it. Once the Cube is registered in the app, it shows the synced position on the screen.
The first main feature of the Magic Smart Cube app is the Cube Solver, where the app helps you to solve the Rubik’s Cube in real-time. It tracks every move and corrects any mistakes you make on the way. Next the app offers you a large variety of tutorials that help you master the Rubik’s Cube. Third, you can record your best solving time with the in-app Timer. In general the app is very good. During the period we tested, the app lost connectivity with the Cube a few times. Some of the things are a bit buggy. This results in the cube to be out of sync but you can reset this in the settings.
Using the Cube with your smart home
An additional of the Xiaomi Rubik’s cube is that you can also connect it with the Mi Home App. The cube connects to any Mi smart home device via Bluetooth and these devices can be controlled by the cube. So you can connect it to a smart lamp to change the intensity or even the color temperature. This is a very cool gimmick, but we doubt if it is always that useful. For instance, almost everyone grabs a Rubik’s Cube and starts twiddling with it when they see it somewhere lying in a room. This will either mess up your lightning plan or scare the sh*t out of the one holding the Rubik’s Cube.
Where to buy?
Xiaomi Smart Magic Cube
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Design
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Quality
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Usability
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Home-Automation compatibility
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Price
Summary
The Xiaomi Smart Magic Cube is a very example of bringing something to the next level by using smart technology. Without the smart component, the Cube feels durable and handles smoothly. When you connect it to the app, it trains you to solve the Magic Cube, like a navigation system that tracks and determines every next step. Since it has sensors to track its moves, you can also use the cube as a smart switch in your Xiaomi ecosystem. And the best thing is that all this technology comes at a very reasonable retail price. This makes the Bluetooth Xiaomi Smart Magic Cube an ideal gift for everyone who likes a good puzzle. Just make sure the receiver of the gift has an Android phone, since the app is currently not available on iOS.
Pros
- Feels durable and handles smooth
- Audio feedback
- App helps you master the Cube
- Can be integrated in Mi Home ecosystem as smart switch
Cons
- App is not available on iOS
- You need an account to use the app
- It comes in a plastic blister packaging
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