Google Unveils Breakthrough Quantum Chip ‘Willow’

Google’s quantum computing lab has achieved a major breakthrough with its new chip, Willow, which completes a computing task in under five minutes—a feat that would take the world’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years. This achievement surpasses Google’s 2019 milestone, where its quantum processor solved a mathematical problem in three minutes, compared to 10,000 years on a supercomputer.

Key to this advancement is Google’s progress in error reduction, a significant challenge in quantum computing. Unlike traditional computing bits, quantum computers use qubits, which can represent multiple states simultaneously. However, qubits are prone to errors due to interactions with their environment.

Google has mitigated this issue by increasing the number of qubits and implementing real-time error correction, achieving what’s known as “below threshold” performance—an essential step for scalable quantum computing. The research, published in Nature, marks significant progress since quantum error correction was first proposed in 1995.

Willow, with 105 qubits, is now described as having “best-in-class performance.” Google’s next goal is to achieve a “useful, beyond-classical” computation relevant to real-world applications, such as AI data collection, new medicine discovery, efficient battery designs, and advancements in fusion energy.

Hartmut Neven, founder of Google Quantum AI, emphasized that quantum technology could become indispensable in addressing critical challenges. Competing companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM are also advancing their quantum computing systems, pushing the field toward practical applications.

Google Unveils Breakthrough Quantum Chip ‘Willow’

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Despelote is dribbling its way to the Nintendo Switch

Wanna go outside and kick the ball around? The soccer story game Despelote is coming to the Nintendo Switch in early 2025. The game was previously announced for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Despelote is a story-driven game about people and the emotional spirit and camaraderie of football. You play as a plucky 8-year-old kid named Julián from Quito, Ecuador who goes out with his friends for a fun-filled afternoon of neighborhood football after a long day of school. The game tells the story of Ecuador’s economic struggles in the late 1990s and the sense of community and unity that grew leading up to the 2002 World Cup. Developers Julián Cordero and Sebastián Valbuena based the game’s setting, dialogue and experiences on their own childhood memories and photos growing up in Ecuador.

Despelote was an official selection of the 2023 Tribeca Festival. It’s also one of the games featured by Wholesome Games’ Wholesome Snack Showcase ahead of The Game Awards.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/despelote-is-dribbling-its-way-to-the-nintendo-switch-231254398.html?src=rss

Despelote is dribbling its way to the Nintendo Switch

Wanna go outside and kick the ball around? The soccer story game Despelote is coming to the Nintendo Switch in early 2025. The game was previously announced for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Despelote is a story-driven game about people and the emotional spirit and camaraderie of football. You play as a plucky 8-year-old kid named Julián from Quito, Ecuador who goes out with his friends for a fun-filled afternoon of neighborhood football after a long day of school. The game tells the story of Ecuador’s economic struggles in the late 1990s and the sense of community and unity that grew leading up to the 2002 World Cup. Developers Julián Cordero and Sebastián Valbuena based the game’s setting, dialogue and experiences on their own childhood memories and photos growing up in Ecuador.

Despelote was an official selection of the 2023 Tribeca Festival. It’s also one of the games featured by Wholesome Games’ Wholesome Snack Showcase ahead of The Game Awards.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/despelote-is-dribbling-its-way-to-the-nintendo-switch-231254398.html?src=rss

Microsoft Copilot Vision: AI-Powered Browsing Redefined

Microsoft has introduced Copilot Vision, a cutting-edge AI-powered feature integrated into its Edge browser, currently in limited preview for Copilot Pro subscribers in the U.S. Designed to redefine internet browsing, it offers contextual assistance, visual analysis, and personalized recommendations to streamline tasks across gaming, shopping, travel, and productivity. This innovation aims to make online experiences more efficient and less overwhelming.

Enhanced Browsing Experience:
Copilot Vision delivers real-time insights tailored to the user’s activities. Whether conducting research or exploring websites, it provides actionable suggestions, such as highlighting product features, comparing alternatives, or summarizing key points—reducing the need for tab-switching and additional searches.

Visual Analysis for Gaming and Beyond:
The feature excels in real-time visual content analysis. For gamers, it offers hints by interpreting in-game visual cues. Beyond gaming, it aids in analyzing images for studies, research, or planning, such as identifying landmarks or decoding diagrams.

Personalized Planning and Recommendations:
Copilot Vision simplifies planning by tailoring suggestions based on user preferences. It helps organize outings, professional events, or travel itineraries by recommending venues, attractions, or transportation options—ensuring decisions align with individual needs.

Streamlined Shopping:
The tool enhances online shopping with detailed product comparisons, evaluating features, prices, and user reviews. It also advises on product maintenance and suitability, making it especially helpful for high-value purchases like electronics.

Boosting Productivity:
By providing relevant data and insights in real time, Copilot Vision supports professionals and students in managing complex projects and tight deadlines. It assists in content creation, resource organization, and decision-making, optimizing workflows.

As Microsoft refines Copilot Vision, it is set to redefine digital productivity, offering users a more intuitive, efficient, and personalized browsing experience.

Microsoft Copilot Vision: AI-Powered Browsing Redefined

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

GM ends support for Cruise robotaxis

GM is giving up on its Cruise robotaxi subsidiary. The company announced today that it will fold Cruise into its own in-house technical team. Under the new strategy, this single unit will focus for now on developing advanced driver assistance programs, and in the future on fully autonomous personal vehicles.

GM acquired Cruise in 2016. However, the robotaxi brand faced intense scrutiny last year after a pedestrian in San Francisco was struck and dragged by one of its driverless cars. The ensuing investigations saw Cruise stop all operations for driverless vehicles and for its manned robotaxi service, and several of the company’s leaders resigned or were let go in the aftermath. In recent months, Cruise had resumed some limited activity, but the hit to public trust and safety after the pedestrian incident seem to have created an insurmountable hurdle for GM.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/gm-ends-support-for-cruise-robotaxis-222300134.html?src=rss

Microsoft Copilot Vision: AI-Powered Browsing Redefined

Microsoft has introduced Copilot Vision, a cutting-edge AI-powered feature integrated into its Edge browser, currently in limited preview for Copilot Pro subscribers in the U.S. Designed to redefine internet browsing, it offers contextual assistance, visual analysis, and personalized recommendations to streamline tasks across gaming, shopping, travel, and productivity. This innovation aims to make online experiences more efficient and less overwhelming.

Enhanced Browsing Experience:
Copilot Vision delivers real-time insights tailored to the user’s activities. Whether conducting research or exploring websites, it provides actionable suggestions, such as highlighting product features, comparing alternatives, or summarizing key points—reducing the need for tab-switching and additional searches.

Visual Analysis for Gaming and Beyond:
The feature excels in real-time visual content analysis. For gamers, it offers hints by interpreting in-game visual cues. Beyond gaming, it aids in analyzing images for studies, research, or planning, such as identifying landmarks or decoding diagrams.

Personalized Planning and Recommendations:
Copilot Vision simplifies planning by tailoring suggestions based on user preferences. It helps organize outings, professional events, or travel itineraries by recommending venues, attractions, or transportation options—ensuring decisions align with individual needs.

Streamlined Shopping:
The tool enhances online shopping with detailed product comparisons, evaluating features, prices, and user reviews. It also advises on product maintenance and suitability, making it especially helpful for high-value purchases like electronics.

Boosting Productivity:
By providing relevant data and insights in real time, Copilot Vision supports professionals and students in managing complex projects and tight deadlines. It assists in content creation, resource organization, and decision-making, optimizing workflows.

As Microsoft refines Copilot Vision, it is set to redefine digital productivity, offering users a more intuitive, efficient, and personalized browsing experience.

Microsoft Copilot Vision: AI-Powered Browsing Redefined

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

No More Exclusivity?! Xiaomi Aims To Bridge Apple-Android Compatibility Gap

Have you ever encountered yourself in a situation where you wanted to buy a product like Apple’s HomePod or the Apple Watch, but you didn’t do it because you don’t have an iPhone? Well, we bet you’re not the only one! But maybe that is about to change, because Xiaomi is actively exploring ways to bridge the compatibility gap between Apple accessories and Android devices.

That is indeed a significant challenge given Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem, but according to reports from Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Xiaomi is testing support for Apple Watch, AirPods, and HomePod with its phones. While AirPods already function with Android, features like wear detection and multi-point connectivity are absent. The Apple Watch and HomePod currently require an iPhone for initial setup, presenting a greater technical hurdle.

Xiaomi’s efforts could face significant obstacles, including technical challenges and potential resistance from Apple—Past attempts to bridge this gap, such as Beeper Mini’s iMessage solution for Android, were blocked by Apple. Despite these barriers, achieving Apple Watch compatibility with Android would be groundbreaking, potentially encouraging other Android manufacturers to pursue similar initiatives.

However, it raises the question of why Android users would choose an Apple Watch over Wear OS smartwatches, which are designed specifically for Android.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is currently not compatible with Android, but if Xiaomi’s efforts pay off, that might change soon.

Xiaomi is not alone in pursuing interoperability. Brands like OnePlus and Oppo have introduced AirDrop-like features for file sharing with iPhones, albeit requiring additional apps. Xiaomi has gone further with its HyperOS 2, introduced with the Xiaomi 15 series. This system allows seamless file transfers between Xiaomi devices and Apple hardware, screen mirroring on MacBooks, and direct access to iWork files without conversion.

These advancements highlight Xiaomi’s commitment to enhancing cross-platform functionality; If successful, Xiaomi’s efforts could mark a turning point in reducing the ecosystem divide, potentially enabling Apple Watches to work with Android devices in the near future. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on both technical feasibility and Apple’s willingness to accommodate such changes.

No More Exclusivity?! Xiaomi Aims To Bridge Apple-Android Compatibility Gap

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Monument Valley 3 is out today for your puzzling pleasure

Monument Valley 3 is out today. As teased in the fall, the latest installment in the spatial puzzle series is available on Android and iOS today exclusively as part of Netflix Games, meaning you can play it for free with no advertisements or microtransactions as long as you have a subscription to the streaming service.

As with the previous two games, Monument Valley 3 is a lush, meditative experience about perspective. The levels have always taken their cues from mind-bending artists like M.C. Escher, where pathways don’t follow the laws of physics. There is a new layer with the addition of a sailboat for freely moving between the sections, but the puzzles are still the core of the game. So are the vibes. It’s got great ambient music and the art is as gorgeous as ever.

Monument Valley 3 will also be getting new content updates every season. In an interview, Ustwo Games lead designer Emily Brown called them “Monument Valley snacks,” bite-sized additions to the standalone game. It’s a very light nod toward being a live service game, although in practice this doesn’t seem too different from the studio’s past approach of releasing DLC for the Monument Valley titles.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/monument-valley-3-is-out-today-for-your-puzzling-pleasure-210407166.html?src=rss

Monument Valley 3 is out today for your puzzling pleasure

Monument Valley 3 is out today. As teased in the fall, the latest installment in the spatial puzzle series is available on Android and iOS today exclusively as part of Netflix Games, meaning you can play it for free with no advertisements or microtransactions as long as you have a subscription to the streaming service.

As with the previous two games, Monument Valley 3 is a lush, meditative experience about perspective. The levels have always taken their cues from mind-bending artists like M.C. Escher, where pathways don’t follow the laws of physics. There is a new layer with the addition of a sailboat for freely moving between the sections, but the puzzles are still the core of the game. So are the vibes. It’s got great ambient music and the art is as gorgeous as ever.

Monument Valley 3 will also be getting new content updates every season. In an interview, Ustwo Games lead designer Emily Brown called them “Monument Valley snacks,” bite-sized additions to the standalone game. It’s a very light nod toward being a live service game, although in practice this doesn’t seem too different from the studio’s past approach of releasing DLC for the Monument Valley titles.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/monument-valley-3-is-out-today-for-your-puzzling-pleasure-210407166.html?src=rss

No More Exclusivity?! Xiaomi Aims To Bridge Apple-Android Compatibility Gap

Have you ever encountered yourself in a situation where you wanted to buy a product like Apple’s HomePod or the Apple Watch, but you didn’t do it because you don’t have an iPhone? Well, we bet you’re not the only one! But maybe that is about to change, because Xiaomi is actively exploring ways to bridge the compatibility gap between Apple accessories and Android devices.

That is indeed a significant challenge given Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem, but according to reports from Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Xiaomi is testing support for Apple Watch, AirPods, and HomePod with its phones. While AirPods already function with Android, features like wear detection and multi-point connectivity are absent. The Apple Watch and HomePod currently require an iPhone for initial setup, presenting a greater technical hurdle.

Xiaomi’s efforts could face significant obstacles, including technical challenges and potential resistance from Apple—Past attempts to bridge this gap, such as Beeper Mini’s iMessage solution for Android, were blocked by Apple. Despite these barriers, achieving Apple Watch compatibility with Android would be groundbreaking, potentially encouraging other Android manufacturers to pursue similar initiatives.

However, it raises the question of why Android users would choose an Apple Watch over Wear OS smartwatches, which are designed specifically for Android.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is currently not compatible with Android, but if Xiaomi’s efforts pay off, that might change soon.

Xiaomi is not alone in pursuing interoperability. Brands like OnePlus and Oppo have introduced AirDrop-like features for file sharing with iPhones, albeit requiring additional apps. Xiaomi has gone further with its HyperOS 2, introduced with the Xiaomi 15 series. This system allows seamless file transfers between Xiaomi devices and Apple hardware, screen mirroring on MacBooks, and direct access to iWork files without conversion.

These advancements highlight Xiaomi’s commitment to enhancing cross-platform functionality; If successful, Xiaomi’s efforts could mark a turning point in reducing the ecosystem divide, potentially enabling Apple Watches to work with Android devices in the near future. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on both technical feasibility and Apple’s willingness to accommodate such changes.

No More Exclusivity?! Xiaomi Aims To Bridge Apple-Android Compatibility Gap

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.