Commercial Quantum Computers for Sale, Only $10M

The first D-Wave One, a commercially available 128-qubit quantum computer, has been sold to Lockheed Martin. The agreement between Lockheed Martin and D-Wave Systems was announced this week.

If you have a spare ten million bucks in your sofa cushions, you too can own the D-Wave One. Rather than relying on transistors and classical mechanics, a quantum computer uses principles of quantum mechanics to operate. So, rather than storing bits that read zero or one, quantum computing utilizes qubits, which record both the state of particle entanglement and memory. In the barest of layman’s terms, quantum computing is better, stronger, faster. And now we have the technology.

Predicted functions of quantum computers include code decryption, solving number theory and optimization problems, and modeling complex biological systems. But can it run Crysis?

[Venture Beat][image]



Boba Fett Graduation Cake [Pic]

[GAS] Reader Sarah L. just sent in pics of the awesome Boba Fett cake her sister made for her in honor of her graduation day. Sarah, tell your sister that she’s officially awesome and let her know that we’re giving her cake our sexy geek seal of approval. Om nom nom nom.



WTF: Zelda/Back to the Future Mashup [VIDEO]

The video’s a little boring at first, but things start to get more interesting about 90 seconds in, so be sure to keep on watching!

[Via Geekologie]

Hobbit Casting News Brings Geek Rage, Fangirl Joy

"What's that? Oh, yes. It does seem I've upset some Middle-earth enthusiasts this day."

Last week’s announcement of Stephen Fry being cast as the Master of Laketown in Peter Jackson’s upcoming “The Hobbit” was great, and there was much joy in the Shire. But today’s announcement that Orlando Bloom will reprise his role as Legolas in “The Hobbit” is inspiring both joy and rage.

Comments on the news range from elated to furious on just about every site that’s posted about this. Why? ask the uninitiated. Well, Legolas isn’t actually in The Hobbit as written by Tolkien, and since the movie isn’t made yet and no one is exactly certain how Bloom’s character will be integrated into the film, already a rift has begun to spring up between the purists and fans of Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Sure, Bloom is beautiful. Yes, Legolas is a great character. Does that mean he needs to be in the prequel even though he technically isn’t? I’m not sure yet.

Personally, I trust Jackson to do justice to the source material. He’s maybe the ultimate Tolkien fanboy and I’m sure he has a legitimate (and faithful) interpretation of Bilbo Baggins’s story, which he is obviously trying to connect to the LotR movies for those who haven’t read the books. If that means including events from between The Hobbit and LotR, then I’m okay with that. But if this is a unforgivable ploy to get Bloom-swooning preteens to the box office, then I can’t say I approve. Do not want, Peter Jackson.

I’m on the fence. What do you think, Geeks?

[source][image]

WANT: Mobile Zombie Apocalypse Shelter [VIDEO]

Holy crap I need one of those in my backyard, like, right now, just in case of, you know, a zombie apocalypse descends upon us in the near future.

[Via [H]]

Leonard Nimoy Doesn’t Feel Like Doing Anything [Video]

Say whatever you like about Bruno Mars, but Leonard Nimoy is great in this video.

This is the official Alternate Version of “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars, but I wish it were the only version. Bonus points for showing off his old man legs in those pajamas.

[ElektraRecords]