In 2011, Orbotix released the world’s first robotic ball, Sphero, and in August 2013, it was upgraded to a better, faster and brighter version – Sphero 2.0! For those of you who don’t know, Sphero is a small ball that you can control with either your smartphone or your tablet and it’s the next generation of fun for kids and adults alike.
Sphero 2.0 is identical to its predecessor (given the fact that a ball will always look like, well, a ball): it is still white, made of the same sturdy plastic as Sphero 1.0 and sports the cute Sphero mascot across its gleaming surface. However, according to its makers, it now comes with a few notable differences. Sphero 2.0 is twice as fast, rolling around at an impressive speed of 7 ft (2 m) per second, due to a lower center of gravity. You can even take it outside, create your own racing track with obstacles and have quite a workout while chasing after it. When you buy Sphero, you start out a slower speed, but once you level-up (and you do this by playing games and completing various challenges) it becomes faster and faster.
Sphero 2.0 is two times faster than its predecessor.
But that’s not all. The color lights have been improved as well and Sphero 2.0 is now three times brighter than version 1.0 and glows in an array of beautiful colours (the more you play, the more colours become available). The refined Bluetooth keeps the connection between Sphero and your smartphone/tablet perfect and makes it easier to control and navigate the ball.
Sphero 2.0 comes with a pair of plastic ramps, an induction charger and an optional silicone protective cover called Nubby, which provides you with a better grip on the ball if you decide to use it outside. It is fully-waterproof and should give you an hour of uninterrupted fun on a three-hour charge.
New and improved Bluetooth allows for a much better connection with your smartphone or tablet.
There are now more than 25 applications and games compatible with Sphero 2.0 on iTunes and Google Play. You can play tabletop and multiplayer games, drive Sphero, use it as a controller or even explore augmented reality.
