When Hungarian engineer Erno Rubrik designed the Rubik’s Cube in 1974, the toy’s intended use was as a teaching tool to explain 3-D geometry. The Rubik’s Cube found fast success the world over as a toy for adults and children alike.
For the 30th anniversary of the Rubik’s Cube, a mobile app version of the toy was released. It’s Rubik’s gone digital, and it takes the Cube far beyond 3D geometry. The the Rubik’s Cube iPhone App is available for $2.99.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
The first Rubik’s cube was made of wood. The app gives the cube new dimensions, as players can select different sizes, styles, and looks of app cubes.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
The controls are easy to manipulate, and the app is properly responsive.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
It’s not necessarily any easier to solve than 3×3.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Put your own pictures on the cube.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
A built-in picture option is available.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
The app includes a Teacher function, where players can learn how to solve any Rubik’s Cube, whether in the app or in your hand.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
For the cube’s 15th anniversary, Diamond Cutters International built a solid gold and jeweled cube. It was 185 carats and fully functional.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
There are three 3D options depending on what glasses you have: red cyan, red green, and red blue.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
3D
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Solution hints are available.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
The solution hints are easy to follow.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Varying difficulties exist.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
The Rubik’s app offers a great many options to customize play.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Changing the background might make it easier to see.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
On the Home screen, if you click the More Fun button, it takes you to a list of other Magmic games, many of them free or in lite versions. I actually enjoyed some of these games more than the Rubik’s Cube, though that’s likely because I lack an interest in 3D geometry. But once you’ve mastered the cube, the More Fun button adds value to the app.
Screenshot by Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic.
Nicole Bremer Nash is Director of Content and Social Media for HuTerra, where she uses SEO and social media to promote charitable organizations in their community-building and fundraising efforts. She enjoys volunteering, arts and crafts, and conducting science experiments at home. Nicole has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Transylvania University, and has experience in copywriting for education, print, business, and the web. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter via @HuTerra.
