Look out, solid, liquid, and gas… there’s a new state of matter in town.
Wednesday, Microsoft unveiled its new quantum computer chip, Majorana 1, and reported engineering a “new state of matter” while building it.
Tech giants have spent decades developing quantum computers—machines capable of quickly solving complex problems that take traditional supercomputers millions of years to decipher. Now, Microsoft says it’s harnessed the previously-only-theorized-about “topological state” of matter to create particles capable of crunching quantum data better than today’s most capable machines.
The breakthrough has scientists hopeful for advances in medicine, cybersecurity, AI, and the auto industry decades sooner than anticipated.
In the meantime, Apple revealed its newest—and lowest-priced—phone Wednesday. The iPhone 16e features Apple Intelligence and will be available for $599 ($200 less than the standard iPhone 16).
