解:(1) 因为$\frac{3}{2} \geq 0,$所以$[\frac{3}{2}] = \frac{3}{2} - 2 = -\frac{1}{2};$
因为$-1 < 0,$所以$[-1] = -1 + 2 = 1。$
(2) 因为$a > 0,$所以$[a] = a - 2;$因为$b < 0,$所以$[b] = b + 2。$
由$[a] = [b]$得$a - 2 = b + 2,$即$a - b = 4,$所以$b - a = -4。$
代数式$(b - a)^3 - 2a + 2b = (-4)^3 - 2(a - b) = -64 - 8 = -72。$
(3) 分情况讨论:
① 当$x < -1$时,$2x < 0,$$x + 1 < 0,$则$[2x] = 2x + 2,$$[x + 1] = x + 3。$
方程为$2x + 2 + x + 3 = 1,$解得$3x = -4,$$x = -\frac{4}{3}。$
② 当$-1 \leq x < 0$时,$2x < 0,$$x + 1 \geq 0,$则$[2x] = 2x + 2,$$[x + 1] = x - 1。$
方程为$2x + 2 + x - 1 = 1,$解得$x = 0$(舍去,因为$x < 0$)。
③ 当$x \geq 0$时,$2x \geq 0,$$x + 1 \geq 0,$则$[2x] = 2x - 2,$$[x + 1] = x - 1。$
方程为$2x - 2 + x - 1 = 1,$解得$3x = 4,$$x = \frac{4}{3}。$
综上,方程的解为$x = -\frac{4}{3}$或$x = \frac{4}{3}。$