D-Wave Launches Free 'Leap' Quantum Computing Service (ieee.org) 33
talonyx writes: D-Wave Systems, the contentious but scrappy maker of quantum annealing processors, has launched a cloud-based platform where developers can sign up for free and run problems on their quantum processor unit (QPU). There's an in-depth set of demos, documentation, and an open-source Python SDK to look at. "Leap is the latest addition to the quantum cloud -- services that virtualize quantum computing for almost anyone with a computer and a broadband connection to use," reports IEEE Spectrum. "Leap allows anyone to sign up, giving them one minute of time on a cloud-connected 2000Q each month. That might not sound like much, but a key advantage of quantum computing is to be able to solve in milliseconds problems like factoring large numbers, optimizing routes, or calculating molecular structures that could take traditional computers days or weeks."
"D-Wave estimates that each user's free minute of quantum computing time should be enough to run between 400 and 4,000 jobs each month," the report adds. "If developers want more, the company will charge commercial users $2,000 for one hour of access each month."
"D-Wave estimates that each user's free minute of quantum computing time should be enough to run between 400 and 4,000 jobs each month," the report adds. "If developers want more, the company will charge commercial users $2,000 for one hour of access each month."
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https://cloud.dwavesys.com/lea... [dwavesys.com] - it's not BS, I've clicked through a lot of it. I can't say I understand it but it's given me an API token and I can run their "ping" command which apparently executes... something.
Wish I hadn't failed math!
If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... (Score:2)
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There are some problems that a quantum computer will not handle any faster than a classical computer.
Mining is one of those.
Re: If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... (Score:2)
Quantum annealing is another, this company is ripping off investors
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Yes, I'm sure.
I've been studying quantum theory for about 50 years and continue to absorb current progress.
We cannot know, precisely, any characteristic of a quantum. The best we can do is a good guess.
A quantum computer (QC) can spit out good guesses rather rapidly, and that can be useful for optimization problems, but not very useful for other problems.
Classical computers either know, or they don't know.
I offer this blurb because it comes from [wired.com] D-Wave and correctly sums it all up:
Pakin says his team are believers in D-Wave’s potential, even though they admit its systems might not yet offer performance improvements except in very narrow cases. He also explains that D-Wave's computers don't necessarily provide the most efficient answers to an optimization problem—or even a correct one. Instead, the idea is to provide solutions that are probably good, if not perfect solutions, and to do it very quickly. That narrows the D-Wave machines' usefulness to optimization problems that need to be solved fast but don't need to be perfect. That could include many artificial intelligence applications.
Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... (Score:4, Insightful)
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And the device has been shown to demonstrate some qualities in simulating quantum materials https://www.dwavesys.com/sites... [dwavesys.com]
There are some solvers that make use of the D-Wave's limited connectivity (which will improve in the near future) like the HFS solver. These will become less effective as the connectivity improves
Ove
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Yes and no: [wired.com]
Pakin says his team are believers in D-Wave’s potential, even though they admit its systems might not yet offer performance improvements except in very narrow cases. He also explains that D-Wave's computers don't necessarily provide the most efficient answers to an optimization problem—or even a correct one. Instead, the idea is to provide solutions that are probably good, if not perfect solutions, and to do it very quickly. That narrows the D-Wave machines' usefulness to optimization problems that need to be solved fast but don't need to be perfect. That could include many artificial intelligence applications.
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well the laws and tax rules on bitcoins make that not work.
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From what I've read, it's not useful for factoring problems, but it can solve optimization problems like the Travelling Salesman with excellent solutions in a short period of time.
Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... (Score:4, Insightful)
You would need to reformulate the hash search as a QUBO problem (Quadratic unconstrained binary optimization).
This is probably impossible. Even if such a mapping existed, chances are it would require a level of connectivity and number of qubits far in excess of what the current chip provides.
Factoring large numbers (Score:2)
a key advantage of quantum computing is to be able to solve in milliseconds problems like factoring large numbers
They already broke RSA, and nobody told me?
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a key advantage of quantum computing is to be able to solve in milliseconds problems like factoring large numbers
They already broke RSA, and nobody told me?
If you want to factor up 18-bit RSA, sure, you are in trouble :)
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1804.027... [arxiv.org]
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So, for the low low price of [more money than you have], you can get a high maintenance toy that is slower than most desktops, let alone supercomputers.
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Rigetti's a different company with different technology. I don't think they're offering free live access to anyone in the way D-Wave is, you can just go sign up and run... quantum problems, if you can figure out how to write one anyway
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Any worthwhile computer has a BASIC interpreter!
leap quantum? (Score:2)
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Oh Boy..
Discount for Slashdot users (Score:2)
I have 60 one-minute accounts for sale. Who wants to buy the bundle of them for a price of less than $2000?
D-Wave marketing, get Scott Bakula (Score:2)
That this was announced without Scott Bakula being on stage at some industry event is already a lost opportunity. They really should get him on board.