Chess Books and Equipment Forum. This has been around for a while btw.
Square Off Chess board!!!!
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Look to this amazing Kickstarter Square Off project - ending in two weeks!
Nov 7, 2019
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#5
The only question about the Square Off board that TechMoan also pondered is will the board’s smartphone based software continue to work after Square Off ceases to exist? Will it be like Anki where Vector’s more interesting features stopped working after Anki folded.
I would be interested to know if anyone who has a Square Off board has tried using it as a standalone chess computer while offline.
Additionally, if Square Off did fold and stopped updating their app, the likes of Apple would make the app unusable on later phone models. So, can the Square Off board be played against without the app at all?
I would be interested to know if anyone who has a Square Off board has tried using it as a standalone chess computer while offline.
Additionally, if Square Off did fold and stopped updating their app, the likes of Apple would make the app unusable on later phone models. So, can the Square Off board be played against without the app at all?
I say enjoy the now and not worry if squareoffnow.com is supported down the road by the phone software. You cannot get any of those chess computers fixed anymore that were made years ago so I see no difference. I don't see squareoffnow.com going anywhere now that there is a Neo just about any chess player can come up with its cost. They continue to upgrade everything about their software, and if they remain loyal to the chess customers end they will do fine. Especially if they come out with a version the size of the Excalibur Grandmaster. They have gone smaller this time to engage a larger market but a full sized board would be a hit with us die hards as well. I say great job squareoffnow.com All technology becomes obsolete at some point but technology will also provide you yet a better squareoff in the futur even if it is not made by squareoffnow.com
Nov 7, 2019
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#7
I understand your point. However, as a person who has a collection of working chess computers from two decades ago, owns and uses a Pye cathode ray tube television, had a 60 year old wind up wall clock and gets about on a 17 year old bicycle I do not buy into the capitalist use now, throw away soon mentality.
Just because technology becomes obsolete does not mean it should be designed to also become dysfunctional. The Square Off chess board looks to me to be designed with obsolescence in mind instead of something for future generations to enjoy.
Just because technology becomes obsolete does not mean it should be designed to also become dysfunctional. The Square Off chess board looks to me to be designed with obsolescence in mind instead of something for future generations to enjoy.
Rubicon0367 wrote:
The Square Off chess board looks to me to be designed with obsolescence in mind instead of something for future generations to enjoy.
To be fair, all the previous chess computer manufacturers used the best technologies available to them at their respective times. Over time, the Phantom Milton and Excalibur computers’ motor, belts and springs eventually weaken. The Novag had the worst failure rate with respect to its mechanical arm, and Excalibur did not even release their version. For the rest of the computers, the LCD screen connectors fail, the LEDs along the sides burn out, the sensor plate loses sensitivity, or the diodes cannot sense the pieces.
Those people who have the aptitude to mess/tinker under the hood can keep these machines working just as grease monkeys can keep old cars running. However, we know that 99% of the population will simply junk them and move on to the new offerings. The automobile industry has been relying on this for 100+ years now.
Today’s Internet generation sees “future-proofing” differently. It is all about the “software” and the support of the users. As long as people continue to subscribe (aka pay-to-play) or use the service, manufacturers+software companies will continue to support and keep their services alive. I use Blizzard as the prime example with their Diablo and Warcraft franchises.
In true capitalist tradition, manufacturers will always steer their customers to the latest and greatest hardware that will support newer software. Apple is the ultimate example.
Wow this is absolutely amazing, this has to be the way of the future. Everyone including myself needs to invest to make this technology more accessible. Well done to the creators, real engineering brilliance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKCwi6L8pHI