Microsoft and Quantum Computing- The Next Big Thing

Microsoft is ahead of the race in quantum computing which is based on qubits or quantum bits –quasiparticles of questionable existence. The universal quantum computing can solve problems the conventional computers cannot. Yes, Microsoft wants to be the pioneer ahead of IBM and Google in a quantum computer, the very next big thing.

Leaving aside speed, the utility like finding the line of least resistance or shortest route would be much easier with quantum computing moving existing tools obsolete. The financial portfolio design in increasing the ROI is much more comfortable with the new technology. Complex problems are no longer so with quantum computers.

Gates and interactions

Regarding algorithms, Microsoft could reduce the qubit interactions (gates) considerably. For example, it takes only hours to calculate the energy level of ferredoxin (which plant use in photosynthesis) compared to almost infinity earlier.

Binary format

The binary number format, which uses bits are enhanced to qubits in quantum computing offering better flexibility. With the new cryptography norms, this attains greater significance in fields like finance, engineering, etc.

D- Wave innovation

D-wave is a small Company in Canada who succeeded in producing first ever quantum computer may be 1000 quits. With the computational power increased many times, there are takers for the super priced, super speed and super capacity new generation machines- NASA, CIA, Amazon are a few. These quantum computers will help machines to think well than us.

Applications and scope

Arriving at the optimum set up is the aim, but the means are unclear or controversial. The debate is going on whether quantum annealing or traditional computing is better and

 efficient. Genomics, economics and medicine as other areas that is rich with these problems. Quantum computers offer energy efficiency. Quantum computers based on subatomic interactions to tackle problems are comparatively faster.

Reference URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/technology/microsoft-spends-big-to-build-quantum-computer.html?_r=0

 

Five Reasons it’s Time to Start Using a GPS Bike Computer

A Global Positioning System (GPS) is an ideal and useful companion to cyclists, especially for those take up long distance rides. The GPS can be complementary to your Smartphone with the GPS app installed. A GPS bike computer is not that expensive; it is in tune of one hundred Dollars. If you are just commuting or doing picnic may be a smartphone is more than adequate. But for professional planning to enter for competitions, a GPS would be an ideal accessory.

Do not consume much power

A GPS is not that power hungry, and the battery will last for many hours say 16 hours when switched on. But the smartphone need to be switched on all the time, and the GPS apps do consume a lot of power. The advantage of the water proof facility, the fear of water getting into the GPS is minimal. The GPS computer being a dedicated instrument, the visibility on a clutter free screen is a distinct advantage.

Upgrading options

Even upgrading your bike accessories like gyro meters, accelerometers, an idle time monitor, braking efficiency sensors, heart rate monitor, etc. using blue tooth connectivity can be integrated to the bike computer. However, only smartphones with advanced features (like ANT+) will have full integration capability with GPS bike computer.

Many models to choose from

There are many models like Garmin, TomTom, Magellan; Polar are available. The price range of Polar 450, which is water resistant and high battery life, is around $150. It is also advisable to have a good mounting for securely fastening the GPS bike computer to the bike. A good mount like Quad Lock and a water resistant cover would make sense as well.

If you are a highly professional biker, an advanced bike GPS system, preferably differential GPS, would be recommended to pin point your exact location.

Reference URL: https://www.cnet.com/news/five-reasons-its-time-to-start-using-a-gps-bike-computer/eference URL

Binge-Watching Videos Teaches Computers to Recognise Sounds

After a gap of two centuries, Victor Frankenstein came back with a vengeance and rejuvenated audio recognition capabilities. Not really, the present day computers had that all along, only we are a bit late in recognizing it. Machine reading is common, but what about machine hearing? Extensive research has come out with a theory that computers can distinguish between different sounds. To be more specific, your computer can identify a roar, a chirp, a waterfall or thunder. And of course, the computer can recognize the sound of a cracker and that of a gun.

Simply exciting

This is an exciting finding which can transform our lives around smartphones, virtual assistants, Internet of Things (IoT), Smart home, etc. And the forensic scientists and law enforcing authorities are keenly looking forward to the techniques in order to identify the difference between sounds.

Applications

But the machine listening has a plethora of applications like distinguishing the various voice. Even though there is software to identify the wavering, fatigue and determination in a person’s voice, the new understanding can hear the voice eliminating the interferences. A recent recording of the sound of aliens created ripples in the scientific community. The truth is not far from reality with the new, wisdom we and the computer acquired.

Sound, vision and images

The natural convergence of data and sound was difficult so far is nearing a break-even. The research was spanning for over a year and analysing over two million videos; the researchers were astonished that they could to correlate between the raw sounds and the objects/pictures. They could identify the vague blabbering of a baby from without the assistance of pictures and images. The computer’s ability to identify sounds, filter the same and even create a marked difference in profiling is something we never thought as possible. It looks like the computer can programme itself without human interference in the interpretation of sound. The computer scored a whopping 92.2 percent accuracy in distinguishing between the sounds of rain, sneezes, clock ticking and birds. That is just 3

 percent below human score in the same process. That gap is going to be bridged if not surpassed in the days to come. The model is aptly named as SoundNet.

Laughing birds, dancing insects

Of course, SoundNet failed in few tests like door knocks and footfalls, beetles and mixer, roars and waves, etc. The sound of hens was mistaken for laughter. Possibly the birds were laughing as well; only the machine knows.

Conference in Spain

The Neural Information Processing Systems conference in Barcelona in a few weeks from now would reveal more insights into this new finding. The Siri, Cortana and Echo would find more exciting avenues. Let us wait for the time when we can talk and interact with your computer. And vice versa the machine will speak to us.

The usage of microphone would emerge as a feasible alternative to the costly data. Also, the battery will last longer in the devices well as if we use voice rather than data.

Blog Address: stevenleeblog2.wordpress.com

Reference URL: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2111363-binge-watching-videos-teaches-computers-to-recognise-sounds/

Fight of the Titans- Apple MacBook Vs Microsoft Surface Studio

The Titans would have fought in an Arena; now two are in a cyber Arena.

Apple has an excellent track record in Computer hardware right from Mac computers. Microsoft was reluctant to leave their software supremacy. Except for a few unique products, Surface was their major hardware entry -the Surface, and Surface Pro going into Surface Pro5. Their Surface Studio is a major desktop Introduction to have a head on collision with Apple. Microsoft is in a mood for revenge, taking a cue from Chairman Nadella’s comment ‘Microsoft did not look beyond Windows’. And their first PC is out in their four decades of existence.

MacBook Pro and Surface Studio are becoming more and more of professional applications and are trying to prove the supremacy. With the advent of smartphones and IoT (Internet of Things), there is a change of roles. In other words, the two-in-one concept is catching up. The surface was into touch screen right from the inception. Now Mac has also got a touch screen, fingerprint scanning, etc. Lenovo and HP are on the same track of hybridization. In fact, the operating system Window 10 is compatible for desktop, tablet and smartphone.

Thanks to these giants- Microsoft and Apple- the dying PC market is looking up. The new MacBook Pro is provided with touch screen strips, offering app-centric functionality. The versatile Surface Studio can take tilt to almost any angle. The stylus and dial control make the operations much easier.

But the converging technology is not that pocket-friendly to most of the customers. The price enhancement is many times that of earlier avatars. In fact, average users do not need such advanced features of both these models. But there is not much of an option but to settle down for what the companies have offered.

The two rivals have set the standard for future Desk Top PCs.

Reference URL: http://time.com/4549289/apple-macbook-pro-surface-studio/