Google published a research paper in the scientific journal Nature stating it achieved quantum supremacy. The company says its 53-bit quantum “Sycamore” processor computed a task in 200 seconds. That same task would take the current world’s fastest supercomputer 10,000 years.
“Unlike classical computing, which runs everything from your cell phone to a supercomputer, quantum computing is based on the properties of quantum mechanics,” says engineering director Hartmut Neven. “As a result, quantum computers could potentially solve problems that would be too difficult or even impossible for classical computers.”
The “classic” computers we use today rely on data broken down into processed electrical bits. Each bit can only exist in one state: Either “on” (1) or “off” (0). Quantum computing, however, breaks data down into quantum bits, or qubits. They’re based on elemental particles — photons and electrons — that can exist in multiple states simultaneously.
The declaration officially arrives after the research paper briefly appeared on NASA’s website. IBM’s head of research Dario Gil disputed Google’s claim in September, saying the company is “just plain wrong.” Unlike IBM’s efforts in quantum computing, the system Google built only solves a single problem. It’s not a “general-purpose computer.”
Others in the industry applaud Google for reaching this milestone. While the test is limited to a single task, Google managed technical breakthroughs that pave the way for quantum computers.
Daniel Lidar, an engineering professor at the University of Southern California, told The Financial Times that Google’s system produced error rates lower than test systems built by other researchers. This is due to a reduction of “crosstalk,” or the interference of neighboring qubits. Google also seems to have a better handle on controlling quantum states.
Google’s successful test doesn’t have any practical use. Instead, the company merely demonstrated how a quantum computer should work.
In an interview published alongside the research paper, Google CEO Sundar Pichai compared the breakthrough to the first flight performed by the Wright brothers. You must start somewhere, he says, as the first plane only flew for 12 seconds. That’s not a practical application, but instead created opportunities. Now we’re flying all over the world and into space.
According to the paper, quantum computing is “only one creative algorithm away from valuable near-term applications.” Pichai said that quantum mechanics “shines” when simulating molecules and molecular processes. Possible applications include reducing emissions emitted during fertilizer creation, developing life-saving drugs not possible using “classic” computing, designing better batteries, and more.
But applications like these won’t arrive for another 10 years.
“We are still a few years away from scaling up and building quantum computers that will work well enough,” he said.
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.