Opening Quantum Computing To the Public 191
director_mr writes "Tom's Hardware is running a story with an interesting description of a 28-qubit quantum computer that was developed by D-Wave Systems. They intend to open up use of their quantum computer to the public. It is particularly good at pattern recognition, it operates at 10 milliKelvin, and it is shielded to limit electromagnetic interference to one nanotesla in three dimensions across the whole chip. Could this be the first successful commercial quantum computer?"
28 Qubits ought to be enough for everybody (Score:5, Funny)
There's only a market for at most 10 of these computers, and only big companies will need one.
Was I the only one? (Score:5, Funny)
"operates at 10 milliKelvin"?
"...electromagnetic interference to one nanotesla in three dimensions..."?
Throw in a few universal phase detractors and you've got one heck of a retroencabulator! [youtube.com]
Re:28 Qubits ought to be enough for everybody (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Qbert vs. Qubit (Score:5, Funny)
^%$#@!
Re:But does it work? (Score:5, Funny)
All I know is that every time I even mention quantum computing my cat gets nervous and absolutely refuses to get in the box.
Re:What does this mean for encryption? (Score:2, Funny)
No impact on encryption, unless you use ROT-13.
Re:What does this mean for encryption? (Score:4, Funny)
Yeah; I sleep well at night knowing my secrets are safe.
1st thing I'd get it to compute... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:What does this mean for encryption? (Score:5, Funny)
No, their device is *NOT* a universal quantum computer. So far as I know, no reputable quantum physicist not in their employ has been allowed to examine what they actually do.
Duh, of course you can't examine what a quantum computer is doing. That would change the outcome.
Quantum computer tech support (Score:5, Funny)
"Hello, Quantum Computer Tech Support"
"My new QC is not working, I'd like a replacement under the warranty"
"What makes you think it's broken?"
"It keeps giving wrong results"
"But it's giving the right results in lots of nearby parallel universes. The computer is not broken - you're not observing from the recommended viewing position. This is user error." CLICK.
Re:The real question is... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Qbert vs. Qubit (Score:4, Funny)
You must build it (Score:2, Funny)
Re:28 Qubits ought to be enough for everybody (Score:2, Funny)
Your statement is ironically close to the truth. Quantum computers actually function in parallel to conventional devices when it comes to the simple tasks that they perform, such as rendering intricate scenes, or estimating series values. What quantum computers are better at is taking advantage of quantum effects to exponentially outperform conventional computers at things such as factoring immense integers. They will most likely be used for decryption and quantum simulations, or other mathematically novel applications. In other words, it benefits businesses and scientists the most. They will most likely have commercial value in the future, but that is when they develop more uses for it, such as emulating the human mind to make ultra-realistic (if not realistic) AI. At the moment however, it is still in the computer equivalent stage of useless behemoth. Someone in some field will most likely make a huge discovery similar to the silicon transistors of the past, win a Nobel prize, and set the stage for a new revolution. Feels like a long way from now, but I'll probably be proved wrong.
I actually am inclined not to agree with you. Back when people were making similar statements about the computer in general, they weren't small enough, powerful enough, or cheap enough for anyone to afford them who wasn't going to set up some sort of business unit around them. But I say give it 20-30 years. What will probably end up happening is that they'll be making quantum processors that run along side traditional processors, working much like today's GPUs, or yesterday's "Math Co-processors." Programmers will take particularly complex mathematical tasks and offload them to the quantum processor. My money says that 50-60 years from now, you'll be running a hybrid quantum/traditional computer on a mobile device you carry in your pocket.
Don't believe me? Try going to someone in the 1950's and explaining to them that in 50-60 years, people will have computers that fit in their pockets and instead of solving the world's mathematical problems with these computers, we've created MySpace... *shutter*
Re:28 Qubits ought to be enough for everybody (Score:1, Funny)
Click!
Re:28 Qubits ought to be enough for everybody (Score:3, Funny)
You have just received the ancient reference of the day award!
Well played! :-)