Friday, June 28, 2013

USC finds that D-Wave's quantum computer is real, maybe

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/28/usc-finds-that-d-wave-quantum-computer-is-real-maybe/

D-Wave processor wafer

D-Wave has had little trouble lining up customers for its quantum computer, but questions have persisted as to whether or not the machine is performing quantum math in the first place. University of Southern California researchers have tested Lockheed Martin's unit to help settle that debate, and they believe that D-Wave's computer could be the real deal -- or rather, that it isn't obviously cheating. They've shown that the system isn't based on simulated annealing, which relies on traditional physics for number crunching. The device is at least "consistent" with true quantum annealing, although there's no proof that this is what's going on; it may be using other shortcuts. Whether or not D-Wave built a full-fledged quantum computer, the resulting output is credible enough that customers won't feel much in the way of buyer's remorse.

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Source: Wired

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This Awesome Spray Will Waterproof Anything [VIDEO]

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/neverwet-waterproofing-spray-video-2013-6

Rust-Oleum has a new spray product called NeverWet that will waterproof anything, leading the very impressed folks at Buzzfeed to declare that "science is the real witchcraft."

Neverwet works on soft porous surfaces as well as hard ones, and even on very soft porous ones like bread or cotton, they show. It will make red wine roll right off your Care Bear.

The product contains acetone (nail polish remover) and liquid petroleum gas, and a few additional "magic" ingredients like "silicone, and siloxanes, Dimethyl-" and silica. You spray it on in a two-step process, which creates a "hydrophobic" layer on the surface. This repells water, making liquids roll right off.

We have to agree with Buzzfeed, it is pretty magical:

But you shouldn't actually spray it on bread. If you eat it you will get serious brain damage. The waterproofing kit can be bought for about $60.

Here's another video from the people at Rust-Oleum:

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HOUSE OF THE DAY: Tommy Hilfiger Co-Founder Will Personally Finance The Buyer Of His $75 Million Lake Tahoe Estate

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/joel-horowitz-will-finance-buyer-of-lake-tahoe-estate-2013-6

tranquility tahoe joel horowitzFormer Tommy Hilfiger CEO and co-founder Joel Horowitz has a new plan to sell his gargantuan Lake Tahoe estate, which has been on and off the market for the past six years: He will personally finance the purchase for a qualified buyer.

The financing deals would be worked out once a qualified buyer is found, but it's a rare offer from a seller, a representative for the realtor said.

The home was initially listed for $100 million; it was relisted with Sierra Sotheby's International Realty in January with an asking price of $75 million.

The 210-acre estate, called Tranquility, is the largest on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. In addition to a 27,000-square-foot mansion, it has an indoor glass mosaic pool, private lake, two par-3 golf holes and an indoor golf simulator, horse stables, a wine cellar, a cinema, and separate guest and staff residences.

The decor is also impressive, from a replica of the staircase on the Titanic to four Rembrandt paintings. Nearly all of the furnishings are included in the sale price.

As 210 acres, Tranquility is the largest private estate on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.



It's incredibly private -- the perfect getaway for a billionaire.



In addition to a 27,000-square-foot main home, there are guest and staff quarters and a 16-car garage.



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A 15 Year-Old Girl From Canada Has Built A Flashlight Powered By The Heat Of A Hand

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/15-year-old-flashlight-powered-by-hand-2013-6

There's almost no real reason to own a flashlight now that all smartphones have bright flashes that work as flashlights.

However!

If, for some reason, you do want a dedicated flashlight in your life, a 15 year-old genius, Ann Makosinski from Victoria, B.C. has developed a new, innovative version of the flashlight

Instead of using batteries, the flashlight converts the heat from your palm into energy that powers LED lightbulbs.

Incredible!

The best part of this invention is not the flashlight, which, as we already noted is obsolete. The best part is knowing that a 15-year-old is already playing around with this energy technology. 

Hopefully in the next ten years she can do the same sort of thing for smartphones. Imagine just having to hold your smartphone for it to have enough energy to run? 

Makosinski is a finalist in Google's Science Fair. To see who she's going against, click here »

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There's Now A Way To Anonymously Search The Web On Your Phone

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/duckduckgo-mobile-app-2013-6

DuckDuckGo CEO gabriel weinberg

DuckDuckGo just released its first mobile app for browsing the Web anonymously. 

The app launch for iOS and Android comes in light of the NSA's PRISM program. 

DuckDuckGo doesn't track your clicks across the Web, unlike Google. So if the government were to come knocking on DuckDuckGo's doors, seeking information, they would have no way to tie that information to individual users.

Though, it's worth noting that Google's Chrome app for iOS and Android does support private browsing. Apple's Safari browser also has a private search feature. However, those features aren't switched on by default like they are with DuckDuckGo.

DuckDuckGo's app provides instant answers to help you find what you're looking for, without ever having to click on a search result. Since it doesn't track what you do, the search results aren't specific to your history and your interests. That's why the company positions its solution as a way to increase your exposure to information that you might not see otherwise.

DuckDuckGo launched back in 2008 as an alternative to traditional search engines that don't respect your privacy.

DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg has mostly bootstrapped the company, but he also received $3 million from Union Square Ventures, Scott Banister, Peter Hershberg, Joshua Stylman, Joshua Schachter, Kal Vepuri, and Jim Young.

You can download the free app for iOS and Android here. 

SEE ALSO: Google Search Competitor DuckDuckGo Got Record Traffic Following The PRISM Revelations

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