Should WCA replace Stackmat timers with smart cubes?

[gsingh]

No.

There's no way the WCA is going to go through the trouble of creating an ENTIRELY SEPERATE LIST for Smart Cubes. That's just unfeasable.

We're either going to completely change to smart cubes, or don't use them at all. There's no in-between in a situation like this

Bumping, because this is an interesting thread.
This definitely wont happen for a while, smartcubes are way too expensive and don't turn that well yet. But in the future, I can totally see it happening.
2x2 wr's will go down to like 0.1-0.2 lol.

 

[ShortStuff]

I mean, they should keep the stackmat for those who want to use a non-smart cube, and have smart cube as an option,but have people competing with a smart cube like a +0.5s penalty acting as them starting and stopping the timer or some other thing to keep it fair for non-smart cube cubers

 

[Deleted member 36445]

A 2x2 smartcube would be kinda hard to make though. You'd have to fit the machine inside the ball at the center of the cube, and it might be hard to keep track of the turns. I'm not saying it's impossible though, but it would be hard to make.

wat

 

[gsingh]

A 2x2 smartcube would be kinda hard to make though. You'd have to fit the mechanics inside the ball at the center of the cube, and it might be hard to keep track of the turns. I'm not saying it's impossible though, but it would be hard to make.

go cube and giker both have a 2x2 smartcube

Giiker Super Cube i2 2x2 (Tiled)

The GiiKer Super Cube i2 is the worlds first smart 2x2! With this cube you can battle people from around the world on your smart phone using the Supercube app! There are also features that can guide a beginner on how to solve the puzzle as well as games to keep you entertained! Check out this...

www.thecubicle.com

GoCube 2x2

The GoCube 2x2 is a smart 2x2x2 puzzle that works with the GoCube app! This puzzle is pillowed with colorful tiles surrounded by transparent plastic in the style of the original GoCube. Comes with: GoCube Smart 2x2 Charging cable GoCube puzzle bag While we are committed to providing a good...

www.thecubicle.com

 

[LeviGibson]

We should not use smart cubes because:
1. Smart cubes are still expensive
2. Differenct companies making different models with different apps will make competing difficult
3. Smart cubes don't exist for any event besides 3x3
4. It's easy to cheat and see the scramble on your phone before you solve

We should not use keyboard because:
It's easy to turn the cube while still pressing down the space bar
Not as spectator friendly
Wildly expensive

 

[Lio2010]

3. Smart cubes don't exist for any event besides 3x3

And 2×2

 

[Deleted member 36445]

We should not use smart cubes because:
1. Smart cubes are still expensive

laughs in GAN cubes

 

[Thom S.]

+2 with smart cube...

 

[PikachuPlayz_MC]

brings up a really strong point. you legit cannot +2 a smart cube the timer just goes on and on. I say that it would be cool to do an event where you used s smart cube and stack mat maybe as a side event that way it isn't official and can't cause any issues.

 

[AJT17]

brings up a really strong point. you legit cannot +2 a smart cube the timer just goes on and on. I say that it would be cool to do an event where you used s smart cube and stack mat maybe as a side event that way it isn't official and can't cause any issues.

That would be interesting to see as an unofficial event at some comps, especially with faster cubers where the time difference might matter more, like with Max and Tymon.

 

[PikachuPlayz_MC]

That would be interesting to see as an unofficial event at some comps, especially with faster cubers where the time difference might matter more, like with Max and Tymon.

yeah i think that WCA events should start to really take some notes on Pokemon regional and world champion events because if you have ever been to one of those they do games and side events constantly for people who are just there to hang, dropped, or got eliminated. it makes the place more lively.

 

[Cuber.Hello.com(:]

I like the stackmat more because it's a lot more classic than some dumb old smart cube. Also, if we all had the same cube, then no one would be able to compare or talk about which cubes are best. Think about it. Jperm wouldn't unbox 3x3s because we all have the same one, AND he already unboxed the smartcube. He also wouldn't do it for 2x2s either. No more GAN 2x2... Ugh. Just the idea gives me the shivers. But I might just be cold.

 

[Cuber.Hello.com(:]

yeah i think that WCA events should start to really take some notes on Pokemon regional and world champion events because if you have ever been to one of those they do games and side events constantly for people who are just there to hang, dropped, or got eliminated. it makes the place more lively.

No offense, but what does Pokemon have to do with GoCubes?

 

[Thom S.]

yeah i think that WCA events should start to really take some notes on Pokemon regional and world champion events because if you have ever been to one of those they do games and side events constantly for people who are just there to hang, dropped, or got eliminated. it makes the place more lively.

The problem that organizers and delegates face is that most and I mean most cubers absolutely want all of their results archived for later. You can see older comps where they hosted unofficial events more often have those integrated into the website. Doesn't work that well if you need it custom for most side events.

 

[OldSwiss]

Only Smartcubes would not work because there are to many different cubes on the market.
Maybe they could allow smartcubes in addition to stackmat timers for easier reconstuctions of the solves.
Official timing is the stackmat timer but you can record your solves with smartcubes.

The problem with this is that the cubes need a free scramble mode and the even bigger problem would be that the competitors could see the scramble on their phone before they are allowed to see it.
Maybe they could hand out the phone to the judge but that would make it to complicated.

So i't probably the easiest to stay with the stackmat timers and use smartcubes for special formats like online battles

 

[brickinapresent]

Although smart cubes do give a accurate time, they are quite expensive (i mean i guess stackmats are too) and they can probably be manipulated in some way. Plus cubers would have to get used to smart cubes and smart cubes are even really good in the first place.

 

[CatSharked]

My friend got a gan smart cube and said the app was trash. This would just make people mad, not improve anything.

 

[Waqfiqh cubing]

Noooo no smart cubes I like timer

 

[TheSpeedSkewber]

My friend got a gan smart cube and said the app was trash. This would just make people mad, not improve anything.

The app is underrated. It's actually decent. They had a massive redesign recently and they fixed loads of bugs. Sure it is poorly translated but they are a CUBE COMPANY not an app company. I've only had issues with glitches 2 or 3 times (not including translation or image loading errors).

 

[OldSwiss]

Yes, half a year ago the app was really crappy but they did a big redesign and fixed most of the issues.
It's still not perfect but probably the best smart cube software on the market.

If you don't want to use the GAN Software, you can use

Cubeast - Cubing the Smart way

www.cubeast.com

This works with all smartcubes and is really good.