[Discussion] What is the next advancement in puzzle hardware?

[One Wheel]

@cuber314159 said on the World Record predictions in the year 2020 thread that he didn't think that there would be any more significant improvements in hardware after magnets. Rather than hijack that thread, I thought I'd start a new one to ask what's next in hardware?

Personally I'm slightly pessimistic about significant improvements to 2x2 and 3x3 hardware, and even 4x4, but I'm very optimistic about 5x5, and even more optimistic about 6x6 and 7x7. I'm all but certain that there will be massive improvements in megaminx hardware in the next few years.

On a scale from 1 to in your dreams, cupcake, here are a couple of my ideas:

0. Better megaminx hardware (independent of magnets)
1. 5x5-7x7 hardware designed around magnets, rather than modified after the fact.
2. Megaminx designed around magnets. Harder, but possible.
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.
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In your dreams cupcake: dynamic inner layers on higher-order cubes (wider inner layers for reduction, switch to wider outer layers for better 3x3 stage)
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Fuhggetuboudit: A real speed gigaminx: good sculpted tiles with good stickerless colors, magnets, the works.

What do you think? Has twisty puzzle hardware suddenly reached a plateau? Will it keep getting better indefinitely? Can we quantify improvement and try to find a trend? What is perfect, anyway?

 

[thecubingwizard]

There is always going to be someone out there that has a revolutionary idea. I consider Cubing to be a relatively newer hobby, and would also like to think that we are in the beginning of improvements in Cubing hardware. I will agree that 3x3s are getting very similar to each other, but I also believe that other events have a long way to go, primarily Megaminx, Square-1 and Clock. I don't think we will see a plateau in Cubing hardware for ALL events in a long, long time.

 

[Zerksies]

The cube is very simple, I would think of something like a newer core design maybe based around ball bearings. For faster turning or a lighter smoother turn

 

[Competition Cuber]

Maybe what the cube is made out of? Like maybe certain types of composites (that feel like plastic) could effect the feel of the cube.

 

[Ordway Persyn]

Cubes that solve themselves, that way you don't have to do anything to get fast.
Maybe some sort of weighting system? I believe the first gan 356 had this, but it wasn't really taken to it's full advantage. It wouldn't be revolutionary, but could be more customizable.

 

[Rubix Cubix]

Maybe one is the big companies will make a decent clock that doesn't need opening just to be usable. I think this would get more ppl interested in it, although I think it is quite unlikely tbh.

 

[TDM]

I do think a new idea for something to replace the core could be an improvement. People are already trying things like maglev, but I wonder if there's something which could replace the idea of a core entirely.

Custom stickerless shades would be nice, though I'm not sure how that would work - maybe if it was only available in DIY? Cube shops could get given a bunch of pieces and then only send out the ones people ask for. Custom shades are something I wish stickerless cubes would have.

One thing which isn't too unrealistic would be cubes which are easier to grip. It would be very helpful for OH, since I keep dropping my stickerless cube because I can't grip it well enough. Although that might require a different texture on the outside compared to the inside, which would be difficult to make...

And a magnetic clock would be amazing. People have already made their own, but a mass-produced one would be great.

 

[EmperorZant]

A clock that also tells time

 

[Ghost Cuber]

One thing which isn't too unrealistic would be cubes which are easier to grip. It would be very helpful for OH, since I keep dropping my stickerless cube because I can't grip it well enough. Although that might require a different texture on the outside compared to the inside, which would be difficult to make...

Tiles or caps would be a simple solution. The ShengShou Gem has textured outsides.

 

[TDM]

Tiles or caps would be a simple solution. The ShengShou Gem has textured outsides.

Oooh, I didn't know about the Gem! It would be nice if there was a better cube with it though.

 

[Competition Cuber]

One thing which isn't too unrealistic would be cubes which are easier to grip. It would be very helpful for OH, since I keep dropping my stickerless cube because I can't grip it well enough. Although that might require a different texture on the outside compared to the inside, which would be difficult to make...

Like Qiyi's frosted plastic?

 

[heyitsconnor]

Cheap magnetic cubes

 

[One Wheel]

Cheap magnetic cubes

Like this?

 

[heyitsconnor]

That's really low quality, the magnets literally fall out as ur solving, also the magnets appeared to be different strength

 

[One Wheel]

That's really low quality, the magnets literally fall out as ur solving, also the magnets appeared to be different strength

But it is cheap, so technically it fits your criteria

 

[heyitsconnor]

Ok, I probably should have worded that better, I meant cheap magnetic cubes that aren't completely terrible

 

[Sion]

I feel on the contrary are speedcubes that are stable without magnets?

Maybe improved reverse cutting?

 

[Underwatercuber]

One word: clock

 

[applezfall]

One word: clock

lol this is what I expected u to say

 

[I_<3_SCS]

I feel on the contrary are speedcubes that are stable without magnets?

Maybe improved reverse cutting?

Why don't you finally make your cube, then? (Jw, how is it going with QiYi?)