Microsoft and Atom Computing will launch a commercial quantum computer in 2025

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1. Microsoft and Atom Computing will launch a commercial quantum computer in 2025

Microsoft and Atom Computing have achieved a record 24 entangled logical qubits using neutral atoms held in place by lasers at the Microsoft Ignite 2024 conference. This is the highest number of entangled logical qubits on record. The system can detect when one of the neutral atoms in a physical qubit disappears and repeatedly corrects for that.

The companies plan to deliver quantum computers based on this technology to commercial customers next year, featuring over 1,000 physical qubits. The Azure Quantum Compute platform provides a qubit virtualization system for quantum error correction.

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2. Google Lens can now check prices and inventory when shopping in the real world

Google is updating its Google Lens product to assist in in-store shopping by providing product insights, price comparisons, and local inventory availability. The update is powered by Shopping Graph's 45 billion product listings and Gemini models.

The feature is available in Google and Chrome apps for Android and iOS for U.S. users who have opted into sharing their location. Google is also adding more buy now, pay later options to Google Pay, including Afterpay and support for Klarna. Additionally, the company is piloting a service to help merchants identify fraudulent transactions.

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3. HarperCollins is asking authors to license their books for AI training

HarperCollins has partnered with an AI tech company to use nonfiction titles for AI model training, despite some authors suing companies like OpenAI for copyright infringement. The agreement protects authors' underlying value of their works and shared revenue and royalty streams, according to HarperCollins.

Author Daniel Kibblesmith was offered $2,500 if he allowed one of his books to be licensed. HarperCollins respects authors' views and aims to present opportunities while protecting their underlying value and revenue streams.

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4. Gemini will now be able to remember important details about subscribers’ past conversations, including dates, preferences, formats, and tones

5. Figure’s humanoid robots just got 400% faster