hypnocube

So recently we’ve started producing a manufactured 4Cube (as opposed to our previous kit and hand-built versions.) ThinkGeek carries them now. They’re much (much!) cheaper for those who can’t or don’t want to build a kit. Heck, they’re significantly cheaper than even the kits. Which is all pretty awesome. But as we hadn’t launched it on this site yet, information about it doesn’t appear here… Which has apparently led some of you to quite understandably confuse the new version available on ThinkGeek with the old still here. And for that I apologize. While the core Cube is much the same, there are some important feature differences, namely the lack of USB connectivity and forward/back buttons. So if you were expecting them on the new Cube, I can understand you might be upset. Sorry.

Now, for the hacking minded amongst you, we didn’t entirely cripple the new Cube in terms of hackability. The firmware on it still fully supports the protocol used by the old Cube, and while there is no longer a USB-UART bridge on board, the UART pins are exported on the PCB. So you can connect your own USB-UART bridge, RS232-UART bridge, or another microcontroller to it and have full control over it. I’ll write up a quick tutorial on how to go about doing that shortly.

As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact me.

To ring in the new year, we’ve got some new prices:

We recently updated the 4Cube to eliminate the expensive USB module and instead implement USB functionality through a second PIC microcontroller. Power is also now through the USB, and our international customers will be glad to find that the power adapter now accepts up to 240VAC so a transformer is no longer required (just a physical plug adapter if your outlets differ from the US style.) So we’ve lowered the price of 4Cube kits to $150. I’m going to make it retroactive to all December orders, so people who ordered recently will be getting a refund to the lower price.

We’re also knocking back the finished prices. In addition to the cost savings of the kit, I’m now having a friend of mine do the construction; it’s not China, but it’s cheaper labor than yours truly . I will still be doing a final inspection to ensure everything is constructed well before shipping.

The 8Square design hasn’t been updated yet, since we don’t move as many of those units, but we’ve lowered the price to be in line with the 4Cubes since otherwise it would seem unbalanced.

My new year’s resolution: be more efficient at getting stuff out the door. Starting with the ^&@#$ oft-delayed 8Cube. I will have an update on that shortly.

A little while ago, one of our customers provided us with an improved jig design, and was kind enough to provide detailed instructions and pictures. It’s easier to make, use, and should produce better results than our jig design, so I recommend everyone use it. I’ve packaged it up into a PDF and posted it alongside the kit instructions. Thanks Rob!

…since I’ve posted anything here. Despite what it may seem, we’re not dead yet! We’ve been working on the 8Cube, and actually making progress on it this time; hopefully we’ll have something available in the next couple of months.

To inject some life back in here, I’ll be posting pics of various things (better pics of the 8Square, new jig, maybe some prototype 8Cube) in the next couple of days.

Well, we’re finally moved over to a new host. Everything should be peachy, but if you come across any problems or weirdness please let us know.