Virtual cube

If you choose "Virtual cube" as your onscreen display, you will see an animated cube on the screen. The virtual cube usually reflects to the actual state of the cube (the only exception is when you use 2 cubes, in which case only one cube can be displayed). This is recommended in the learning phase only... for actual performances you will use one of the other display options. For routines which use the virtual cube, this display type will be the only option.

You can select a background for the virtual cube, also you can use your own wallpaper. Using this screen you will see written instructions at the top of the screen. When you start the routine, for a few seconds (can be set in OTHER SETTINGS) you can switch to the previous/next routine by turning any side of the cube forward/backwards. During this time the name of the routine is displayed over a semi-transparent background. When it changes to "Ready to go", you can start the routine.

Fake lockscreen

You will use this secret display mostly at the table. When you select this option, a new section called "LOCKSCREEN" will appear on the Settings page. You can customize everything on the lockscreen: font, size, color and opacity of the clock/date, secret text, and also the "Swipe to unlock" text at the bottom - which you can also edit where you can customize all other texts. You can also select a background (wallpaper) for the fake lockscreen. You can make a screenshot of your actual lockscreen before the performance, setting that image as the background... of course you have to set opacity to zero for the clock/date and the text at the bottom.

During the routine you can change the size of the secret text by swiping up/down with 2 fingers on iOS, or by pinching in/out 2 fingers on Android. Move secret text vertically by swiping 1 finger up/down. You can also align the text to left-center-right by swiping one finger to left/right.

Using the fake lockscreen you can also put your phone in your pocket (or just cover the proximity sensor on top), the screen will turn off while the app will remain in foreground. You can try different kinds of anti-spy reflection glasses (screen protectors) so the screen would be visible only from a narrow angle.

Stopwatch

This is the latest addition to the app. If you select stopwatch as your screen, you can put your phone on the desk (table) openly, pretending you only want to measure the time needed to solve the cube. The secret instructions can be set to low opacity, so only you would notice them. You can try different kinds of anti-spy reflection glasses (screen protectors) so the screen would be visible only from a narrow angle. You can also select a background (wallpaper) for the stopwatch screen.

During the routine you can change the size of the secret text by swiping up/down with 2 fingers on iOS, and by pinching in/out 2 fingers on Android. Move secret text vertically by swiping 1 finger up/down. You can also align the text to left-center-right by swiping one finger to left/right.

Large help screen

Use this option in places where you can prepare before performing. Place your phone or tablet where only you can see it (on the floor, on a shelf, in the window etc.). This screen will display short (abbreviated) instructions with big bold letters in a vertical arrangement, so you can easily see them from a distance. When solving the cube, steps you already took will fade out, while correction steps will be displayed in red.

During the routine you can change the size of the secret text by swiping up/down with 2 fingers on iOS, or by pinching in/out 2 fingers on Android. You can also turn the screen to landscape mode, which will display information in a horizontal way. Using the large help screen you can also put your phone in your pocket (or just cover the proximity sensor on top), the screen will turn off while the app will remain in foreground.

Audio guide (text-to-speech) and earpieces

A nice way to get secret instructions is the audio guide, which uses the built-in text-to-speech engine of your phone. IMPORTANT: on Android devices make sure that "Google" is selected as the default text-to-speech engine, and also the language pack is downloaded - or else you won't hear any speech. You can select male/female voices and also set the default speed in your device's settings (look for Accessibility - Text-to-speech).

In OTHER SETTINGS you can adjust the speed of the speech, and also select your preferred language. You can customize a bunch of spoken texts, so you can use the audio guide in your own language, even if it's not officially supported by the app.


The best way to receive audio instructions is using a small (or invisible) bluetooth earpiece. I recommend 2 types of earpieces:

There is a small, skin-colored Bluetooth earpiece which is visible, but not from behind - you can secretly put it in your ear when you turn around (to solve the cube behind your back), and steal it when you are done. I do it all the time, and never got caught!



Or you can use a really invisible tiny earpiece, and an inductive neckloop around your neck (hidden below your shirt). This device has a constant electric noise, but does the job very well. You can also use it in other surroundings (like on stage).

Webscreen

You can get secret instructions on any device that has a web browser. Visit this URL on the device:

cubing.rocks/webscreen

After logging in you can bookmark the URL containing your login data, and also send it to your Apple Watch if you own one (Watch series 3+ can open URL's from an email or a text message). The webscreen will display short (abbreviated) instructions with big bold letters in a vertical arrangement, just like the "Large help screen" does. Of course this screen has a small delay compared to the built-in "Large help screen" of the app, also past steps are not fading out... but it's a nice extra feature anyway. Once I used 3 phones/tablets on the stage, so I wouldn't stare in the same direction while solving... :-)

In the web browser you can change the size of the displayed text by swiping up/down with 1 or 2 fingers.