Reinventing Rubik

October, 2009

The Rubik's Cube is one of the best-selling toys ever—a frustrating symbol of the '80s whose six sides and 43 quintillion possible configurations have remained unchanged. The new Rubik's TouchCube ($150) seeks to replicate the experience with what can only be described as an unnecessary technological overload. Instead of relying on mechanical manipulation, its touch-sensitive sides allow users to change the squares' colors with the swipe of a finger. Fancy? Definitely. But its price tag could buy you a dozen old-style cubes and, honestly, it's just not the same.