Many approaches are being tried in the race to develop a working quantum computer, but Google this week reported using a combination of techniques with particularly promising results. In a Quantum capabilities are widely anticipated for the giant gains they're expected to deliver in performance and efficiency. Much of that derives from what's known as superposition. While the bits used by traditional computers represent data as 0s or 1s, superposition allows qubits -- the quantum equivalent of a bits -- to be both 0 and 1 at once.
Lenovo will build more virtual and augmented reality devices after its new Phab2 Pro smartphone, and virtual reality headsets may be high on that list. The Phab2 Pro, which was introduced on Thursday at the company's Tech World conference, closes the gap between 3D virtual and real worlds. But the Phab2 Pro, which is based on Google's Project Tango visual computing platform, is just the start. The company is planning more devices with Project Tango, Jeff Meredith, vice president and general manager of Android and Chrome Computing at Lenovo, said in an interview. "It's important not to think of [Phab2 Pro] as a one-off product, but the first step in a longer-term plan," Meredith said. "We want to move it into different form factors in the future."
Lenovo's new Phab2 Pro, developed with Google, brings augmented reality to smartphone screens without the need for a headset. The device, which has a 6.4-inch screen, pushes smartphone functionality to new heights. The giant display presents a wealth of information that changes how people interact with the physical world around them. The smartphone, based on Google's The device can be used to measure distances, recognize items, map locations, and provide real-time indoor navigation.
This move eliminates the need to run a server or NAS box in addition to streaming client devices and will deliver superior real-time transcoding abilities for enthusiasts.
The company trying to be the Google of hacked user credentials says it just obtained another huge leak, this time affecting Twitter users. LeakedSource uses a freemium model where anyone can search for their own credentials for free; however, to see the majority of the leaked credentials users must subscribe to the service. Twenty-four passes are available for $2-$4 depending on whether you pay by Bitcoin or PayPal—annual subscriptions run upwards of $200.
This important Linux distribution has been advancing steadily with release after release since I last covered it with the release of
WASHINGTON – “Do not call” doesn’t work so well anymore. Telemarketers and scammers are finding ways around the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which sought to protect consumers from unwanted robocalls. At the same time, the act is blocking beneficial robocalls, such as those from health care providers. “TCPA is showing its age,” said Sen. John Thune, a South Dakota Republican and chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, at a recent hearing called to consider updating the 1991 act. The TCPA did, indeed, sharply reduce some types of abusive and disruptive telemarketing practices. Companies are now required to abide by “do-not-call” lists and to make solicitation calls only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
We love Gmail because of the many ways it allows us to optimize our email experience. One of our favorite ways is to visit Gmail Labs. As the name implies, it’s the playground where Google rolls out its experimental features. The successful ones, such as “Undo Send,” eventually become part of Gmail. But you don’t have to wait for Google to put its official stamp of approval on them; many are plenty useful in their beta state. We peek in on the Labs from
I’ve tested out a variety of fitness bands, from activity trackers disguised as analog timepieces to powerful cardio-focused watches and everything in between. There’s a different audience for every fitness tracker on the market, but I’ve found that most people are looking for a basic band that tracks daily stats and sleep. A solid app dashboard that presents information in an easy-to-digest way is also essential, otherwise there’s no point in tracking all that data. But if an activity tracker doesn’t fit into your life, you’re not gonna wear it no matter how many features it has. That’s why companies like Fitbit and Misfit, which was acquired by Fossil last year, have designed fitness bands that are fashionable and discreet enough to be worn all day and night, from the gym to the office to a night on the town and back to bed, without looking ridiculous. The Fitbit Alta and Misfit Ray have a few differences, namely the Alta has a display where the Ray does not, but both are designed with style in mind for daily wear, and both are in the same price range. The Ray is $100 MSRP (available for the same price on
Fitbit’s lineup of activity-tracking bands runs the gamut, from the totally basic $60 Zip to the powerful cardio companion, the $250 Surge. The new Fitbit Alta is a sleeker, more stylish fitness band than the company has attempted before, and with its launch, the wearables market leader has hit the sweet spot. The Alta is a slim, affordable, versatile fitness band that you can take from the gym to the office to after-work drinks without looking like an overzealous weirdo. If that’s important to you, read on. The $130 Alta is one of two new Fitbits released this spring. The
I could tell the Misfit Ray was gonna be trouble when I couldn’t figure out how to turn it on. Misfit is taking slim and sleek fitness trackers to the next level with the newest addition the lineup, the $100 Ray. The band resembles a futuristic androgynous bracelet and doesn’t have a screen, which is why I couldn’t figure out exactly how this activity tracker that doesn’t look like an activity tracker was going to track my activity. The smart part of this bracelet is an aluminum cylinder, which comes in black or rose gold. It's also detachable from its band, as I soon learned. After trying in vain to pair the Bluetooth Ray to my phone, I realized I was missing something: batteries. Three tiny button cell batteries were buried in the Ray’s packaging, when I stupidly thought they were already placed inside the device. Batteries in hand, I stared at the band. How do I get these little coins inside this little bracelet?
The onslaught of tech information is relentless. Stay on top of the latest with PCWorld’s Digital Edition. Available as single copies or as a yearlong subscription, it highlights the best content from PCWorld.com—the most important news, the key product reviews, and the most useful features and how-to stories—in a curated Enhanced Edition for Android and iOS, as well as in a Replica Edition. The Enhanced Edition includes videos and other interactive features—all designed for consuming on your tablet. The Replica Edition is a PDF-like version that’s enabled for your mobile device’s touchscreen. We pick the 13 best new features found in Windows 10 anniversary update and look into the future of memory and storage with Intel's Bill Leszinske. Plus, 10 things you need to know about NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 1080 & GTX 1070.