This hopefully short review will feature 2 parts. A casual fun side, and "I like to develop video games or robotics" side.
CASUAL:
First off, this will drive on carpet, as long as it's not too thick!
This thing this fun right out of the box! It has all sorts of intuitively built functions, albeit with a couple issues.
Driving it around, it has multiple fun ways to accomplish this task.
The stick controls work well but are finicky. However it's still quite fun. Feels like you're directing a drunk driver around, as it seems to function like a weirder version of a quadcopter drones' headless mode.
Frustrating and hard to control, but extremely fun.
The other driving modes are weird but neat. It has a tilt control mode, which is hard to get working properly, as it still feels like it has a weirdly programmed headless mode. So it can get confusing.
It also has an entertaining "golf" mode. The golf mode is fun but is hard to learn at first. Your swiping of your phone is hard to get used to, because the angle and side you're swiping is asynchronous to the way you aim the actual ball. Swipe any way you want, and it will only go the way you aimed before you swiped.
The other driving modes are poorly made gimmicks, not worth mentioning.
The games are fun, but the controls make it irritating and sometimes not responsive.
Yes, it comes with games. You use the ball as the controller to move a ship across a screen, or drive a car.
Very neat!
If these were the only functions of the ball, I would give this ball a 3.5 out of 5, or a 4 out of 5. Fun, but eventually an adult like myself will grow tired of it. This concludes the casual part of the review.
Are you a game developer or robotics developer? Yes? Enjoy your new toy!
If you install the education app, you will quickly find yourself in a funland! It seems to run on javascript, and at the time of this review, I haven't checked that completely. However, I've looked into it's engine.
Yes, this app seems to have a javascript powered engine, which functions similar to Unreal Engine 5's blueprints system.
THE FUNCTIONS REALLY SURPRISED ME! (but if you're serious about having fun with this ball, buy the advanced version)
This ball has axis positioning check features, collision check bools, airborne bool checks, landing from airborne collision check bools, sound effect functions, LED color change functions, variables, functions, loops, and probably more than what I saw in just a couple minutes of looking into the app.
It absolutely blew my mind when I looked into the app.
I seriously recommend one of these if you want something to mess around with for farts and laughs.
But if you want a fuller experience, you should probably buy the 200 dollar version.
OVERALL: I love this ball! I can't wait to see what I can do with this coding wise!
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From the manufacturer
Driving. Gaming. Coding. Now Fun-Sized.
Drive a robot and then learn to code it on your own! Sphero Mini is a powerful, ping pong-size robotic ball with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and LED lights that glow in tons of colors. Our free apps make it simple to explore a huge range of experiences.
Each robot ball comes with 3 traffic cones and 6 bowling pins. Weave in and out of the cones, knock down the pins, or build your very own obstacle course. Different drive modes, arcade-style games, and basic coding commands enable endless fun in the Sphero Play app.
More experienced learners can advance to programming the Mini with block-based coding or JavaScript in the Sphero Edu app. Get started learning STEM at home with Sphero Mini and our how-to resources guide for parents and remote educators.
Tech Specs
- Interchangeable, removable plastic shell
- Bluetooth Smart connection (10 meter range)
- Micro USB charger (almost 1 hour of play)
- Height: 42mm / Width: 42mm / Weight: 46g
- Compatible with Sphero Edu app on iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows & Chrome
- Compatible with Sphero Play app on iOS & Android
Little Robot. Lotta Fun.
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Drive ModesTilt your device. Pull back and slingshot forward. Use the Joystick. Whatever you’re in the mood for, the Sphero Play app has it. |
Play GamesUse the ball as a controller with the Sphero Play app to dodge and destroy asteroids, race through a rotating tunnel, or smash a polygon of bricks. |
Program 3 WaysUsing the Sphero Edu app, program your Mini using draw and drive commands, Scratch blocks, or even JavaScript text programming. |
STEM ActivitiesFoster creativity through discovery and play with Mini and the Sphero Edu app, all while laying the foundation for computer science. |
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| Sphero Mini | Sphero Mini At-Home Learning Starter Kit | Sphero Mini Activity Kit | Sphero BOLT | |
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| Customer Reviews |
5,074
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696
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1,228
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| Price | $49.99 | — | $89.00 | $179.00 |
| Size | About as big as a ping pong ball | About as big as a ping pong ball | About as big as a ping pong ball | About as big as a baseball |
| Support Guides | Downloadable at-home learning guide. | Sphero Mini Kit At-Home Guide, 15 Sphero Play App STEAM Activities, 15 Sphero Edu App Coding Activities | 15 Sphero Play App STEAM Activities | Downloadable at-home learning guide. |
| Material | Plastic shell opens for charging and exploring the robot. | Plastic shell opens for charging and exploring the robot. Construction set is made of flexible, durable plastic. | Plastic shell opens for charging and exploring the robot. Construction set is made of flexible, durable plastic. | Clear, durable, waterproof, scratch-resistant. Shell is sealed and does not open. |
| Top Speed | 1 meter per sec (2.2 mph) | 1 meter per sec (2.2 mph) | 1 meter per sec (2.2 mph) | 2 meter per sec (4.5 mph) |
| What's in the Box? | Sphero Mini, Micro USB charging cord, 3 mini traffic cones, 6 mini bowling pins | Clear Sphero Mini, Bumper cover, 6 pins and 3 cones, 30 STEM-inspired activity cards, 28-piece construction set, Micro USB cable | Clear Sphero Mini, Bumper cover, 6 pins and 3 cones, 15 STEM-inspired activity cards, 28-piece construction set, Micro USB cable | Sphero BOLT, Inductive charging base with UBS cable |
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Very Versatile Steam Toy: Sphero Mini Review
🌟 Joost Nusselder
Reviews with images
Love this little guy!
I have other Sphero products; however, I was curious about the Mini. I wanted to assess it for classroom use--to bring technology and fun into my high school classroom. So, I purchase the Green Sphere Mini as a test unit to explore its potential. I wasn't disappointed! Set-up was easy and problem free. I knew in advance that I'd need to charge it before trying any of its features. Once it was charged, the fun began. There are two apps that work with this device: 1) "Sphero Play," which allows people to drive the robot, choose drive modes, and play games ; and 2) "Sphero Edu," which allows users to code / program their robot to do unique tasks. Both apps worked with my iPhone X and my HP Chromebook (similar to what my students have). "Sphero Play" works better for me on my mobile phone. For coding / programming, I actually prefer to work the Chromebook because the screen canvas is much larges. Overall, I'm satisfied with my purchase! :)
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