Quantum Solace of Supremacy
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| Quantum Solace of Supremacy | |
| Number | 3623 |
| Broadcast Date | SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 |
| Episode Length | 29:56 |
| Hosts | Tom Merritt, Sarah Lane, Roger Chang |
Google claims to have achieved quantum supremacy after completing an experiment with a quantum computer in 3 minutes and 20 seconds that would have taken the traditional super computer, Summit, 10,000 years to solve.
Quick Hits
- Friday we mentioned that some TiVo users were seeing ads played before their recorded shows. TiVo has confirmed this is not just a test, and a spokesperson told LightReading.com, "DVR advertising is going to be a permanent part of the service. We expect to be fully rolled out to all eligible retail devices within 90 days.”
- Friday afternoon, YouTube announced it was changing its verification policy to leave all existing verifications in place. It also decided to continue to let channels apply for verification when they reach 100,000 subscribers. YouTube will make sure channels are authentic before verifying them and may still move verification in cases where it was applied mistakenly. YouTube will also make the change form a checkmark or music note to a grey background for verified channels, but that will now happen next year instead of in October.
- Samsung's Galaxy Fold is finally arriving in the United States later this week in two variants: an AT&T version that will be in retail stores, online, and through Best Buy.. and an unlocked version available in select Best Buy stores and online. It is not available from T-Mobile or Samsung’s own online store. The Galaxy Fold will launch in the US with Samsung’s Premier Service, which includes device and accessory support for the Galaxy Buds headphones and Samsung’s custom aramid fiber cover for the Fold. Pricing is still $1,980.
- In a response to an inquiry from German legislators, Facebook revealed details about the currencies used to back up the Libra cryptocurrency stablecoin. Libra's reserve will be made up of 50% US dollars, 18% euros, 14% yen, 11% British pounds, and 7% Singapore dollars. The actual assets used in the reserve will be a combination of a pool of cash and very short-term government securities in those denominations.
- The Consumer Technology Association released the official display definition for 8K sets, which includes a minimum 7,680 x 4,320 resolution, support for 24, 30 and 60 frames per second, production of 10-bit color, support for key HDR functions, and HDCP 2.2-level content protection, and the ability to upscale any video to 8K. Devices can start using the logo representing these specs on January 1st, 2020.
- AMD announced the release of the 16-core Ryzen 9 3950X processor is delayed until November, originally announced as shipping in September. AMD cited high demand and the need to build up sufficient stock for the launch. AMD also announced that the next generation Threadripper processors will come to market in November as well. Those chips will start at 24-cores, although no other product details were announced.
Top Stories
- Google announced users can now opt in to let people potentially view transcriptions of Google Assistant recordings. Existing Assistant users will have to confirm this new Voice and Audio Activity setting before any human review might occur. Only 0.2% of snippets are reviewed. Google will also release a Google Assistant hotword sensitivity setting, which lets you balance accidental activation vs. the ease of being heard in s noisy environment. And Google says it will be more stringent about excluding accidental activation from human review, even when the user has opted in.
- Google announced Google Play Pass will launch soon giving Android users access to more than 350 apps, including games, for $4.99 a month. Unlike Apple Arcade, Google is not funding the apps. These are all apps that exist already on the Play Store. If you subscribe and already have an app in Google Play Pass, your installed app will be upgraded to remove ads and unlock in-app purchases. Among the non-games in Google Play pass are AccuWeather and Hi-Q recorder. PlayPass subscriptions can be shared to up to 5 family members. Google will pay developers based on screen time and opens of apps. Google will give users 10 days free and says it will offer the first year at $1.99 per month. It will be available in the US this week and other countries “soon.”
- The Wall Street Journal reports its sources claim Snap has documented Facebook's alleged anti-competitive moves in a collection of files named 'Project Voldemort.' Offenses reportedly include preventing people from linking to Snapchat profiles, and intentionally suppressing Snapchat-related content. Also reportedly, Snap management said that Instagram was blocking searches for Snapchat-related content, including the #snapchat hashtag and filters.
- The International federation of robotics released its report that 422,000 robots were shipped worldwide in 2018 up 6% year over year and the first time the number was above 400,000. Shipments are expected to fall in 2019 but then rebound to grow 12% a year from 2020 to 2022. Logistics systems like those used in autonomous vehicles represent 41% of all units sold followed by inspection and maintenance robots at 39%. service robots aimed at consumers was up 15%. Asia remains the largest market with growth in Japanese installation offsetting declines in China and Korea for overall growth in Asia of 1%. The number two market, Europe grew 14% and the Americas in third grew 20%. The top 5 markets for robotics installations representing 74% were China, Japan, Korea, the US and Germany. Automtive remains the top industry for robots with 30% fo the total supply in 2018 and a 2% increase in installations. Electronics is number two but declined 14% because of trade restrictions. Metal and machinery is the third largest industry for robots, the top countries deploying robots in metal and machinery are Finland, Swede, Switzerland and Belgium.
- The US Trade Representative confirmed that regulators have approved exemptions for the December 15 tariffs on partial circuit boards and graphics cards among other parts. Among the exemptions are 10 of 15 components used to build Apple's new Mac Pro. Apple confirmed Monday that the new Mac Pro will continue to be assembled in Austin, Texas.
Discussion
- Google may have just ushered in an era of ‘quantum supremacy’
- Google researchers have reportedly achieved “quantum supremacy”
- Google’s Quantum Supremacy Announcement Shouldn't Be a Surprise
Thing of the Day
- Chris Christensen aka The Amateur Traveler shares a news bit on airlines tracking your potty time.
YouTube
Links
| Preceded by: "YouTube Verification Hiccups!" |
Quantum Solace of Supremacy |
Followed by: "No Dignity, No Doubt" |