In this episode of Life Designer, I sit down with Napoleon Smith, Chief Marketing Officer of Rubik’s Wow Cube, to explore a story at the intersection of innovation, nostalgia, and human resilience.

The Rubik’s Wow Cube is a revolutionary digital reinvention of the classic Rubik’s Cube. With 24 interactive screens, endless customizable games, and seamless smart-device integration, it transforms playtime into a multisensory, educational, and highly interactive experience. Napoleon shares the inspiring journey of the father-and-son duo behind the Wow Cube, who spent years prototyping, coding, and refining this futuristic console—navigating global moves from Russia to America, countless iterations, and the challenges of transforming a 50-year-old classic into a modern technological marvel.

Listeners will discover how nostalgia and reminiscence are core to the Wow Cube’s design, drawing from the timeless charm of the original Rubik’s Cube to spark curiosity, creativity, and joy across generations. As Napoleon notes: “Because of the nostalgia factor of the Rubik’s Cube, grandparents want it too—and they can play with their grandkids. It fills the gap between retro and technology, bringing generations together through fun and curiosity.”

Grandparents, parents, and children can share in the experience, bridging the gap between retro play and modern technology. Beyond entertainment, the Wow Cube empowers kids to think in 3D, develop problem-solving skills, and even create their own games—offering cognitive benefits and early engagement with coding, technology, and interactive learning. Through neuroscience research, it also supports focus, dexterity, and mental agility.

Wow Cube has also earned the approval of its predecessor, Rubik’s creator Mr. Ernő Rubik, as well as recognition from tech pioneers like Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, all of whom have celebrated the Wow Cube as an innovative evolution of the original Rubik’s Cube.

Napoleon also revealed WowCube’s broader vision: integrating AI, interactive avatars, and future innovations that extend far beyond gaming. The DNA embedded in WowCube, as Napoleon pointed out, is their engineering team—engineers who are also exceptionally strong in development. With those two strengths in mind, they have a great platform to build on. They are always working on how to make it better—the platform, the technology itself, the hardware. What makes it even more exciting is that it’s a truly global collaboration. Their teams bring relentless passion and energy, constantly pushing boundaries, and that spirit translates directly into the games they create. They explained that so many people come to them wanting to develop games for it because they love it so much. The games carry passion, nostalgia, and fun—and that’s where they see a real advantage.

Napoleon stated: “Rubik's has been around for 50 years and now because of what we've done, it's going to be around for another 50 years.” yet , I believe innovation that honors its legacy as well as standing out on its own is bound to be perpetual—to go beyond 50 years.

Also big shoutout to the WowCube’s upcoming launch, its goal as the ultimate holiday gift, and the remarkable social “wow factor” it brings—turning ordinary spaces into hubs of curiosity, collaboration, and connection. Developers around the world are invited to innovate on the platform, creating new games, experiences, and interactive possibilities.

This episode is a fascinating exploration of how nostalgia, creativity, and cutting-edge technology converge to inspire learning, connection, and joy—proving that the legacy of a 50-year-old classic can be reinvented to bring generations together, bridging the past, present, and future of play.

lifedesignerwithjingyuchen