The quantum computing industry is concluding the year with renewed hope, despite the absence of fully operational quantum systems. At December’s Q2B Silicon Valley Conference, industry leaders and scientists expressed optimism regarding the future of quantum computing.
“We believe that it’s highly likely that someone, or perhaps several entities, will develop a genuinely industrially viable quantum computer, but we didn’t anticipate this outcome until the end of 2025,” stated Joe Altepeter, program manager for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI). The QBI aims to evaluate which of the competing quantum computing approaches can yield practical devices capable of self-correction or fault tolerance.
This initiative will extend over several years, involving hundreds of professional evaluators. Reflecting on the program’s initial six months, Altepeter noted that while “major roadblocks” were identified in each approach, none disqualified any team from the pursuit of practical quantum devices.
“By late 2025, I sense we will have all major hardware components in place with adequate fidelity; the remaining challenges will be primarily engineering-focused,” asserted Scott Aaronson, a key figure in the field, during his presentation at the University of Texas at Austin. He acknowledged the ongoing challenge of discovering algorithms for practical quantum applications, but highlighted significant progress in hardware developments.
Though quantum computing hardware advancements are encouraging, application development is lagging, according to Ryan Babush from Google. During the conference, Google Quantum AI alongside partners unveiled the finalists for the XPRIZE competition, aiming to accelerate application development.
The research by the seven finalists spans simulations of biomolecules crucial for human health, algorithms enhancing classical simulations for clean energy materials, and calculations that could impact the diagnosis and treatment of complex health issues.
“A few years back, I was skeptical about running applications on quantum computers, but now my interest has significantly increased,” remarked John Preskill, a pivotal voice in quantum computing at Caltech, advocating for the near-term application of quantum systems in scientific discovery.
Over the past year, numerous quantum computers have been employed for calculations, including the physics of materials and high-energy particles, potentially rivaling or surpassing traditional computational methods.
While certain applications are deemed particularly suitable for quantum systems, challenges remain. For instance, Pranav Gokhale at Inflection, a company manufacturing quantum devices from cryogenic atoms, is implementing Scholl’s algorithm—a classic method capable of breaking many encryption systems used by banks today. However, this initial implementation still lacks the computational power necessary to effectively decrypt real-world encrypted information, illustrating that significant enhancements in both hardware and software are essential.
Dutch startup Quantware has proposed a solution to the industry’s major hardware challenge, asserting that increasing quantum computer size can enhance computational capacity while maintaining reliability. Their quantum processor unit design aims to utilize 10,000 qubits, roughly 100 times the capacity of most current superconducting quantum computers. According to Matt Reilersdam, QuantWare anticipates having its first device operational within two and a half years. Other firms, such as IBM and Quantinuum, are working toward similar large-scale quantum systems, while QuEra aims to fabricate 10,000 qubits from ultra-cold atoms within a year, intensifying the competitive landscape.
Moreover, the quantum computing industry is projected to expand significantly, with global investments expected to rise from $1.07 billion in 2024 to approximately $2.2 billion by 2027, as noted in a Quantum Computing Industry Survey by Hyperion Research.
“More individuals than ever can now access quantum computers, and I believe they will accomplish things we can scarcely imagine,” said Jamie Garcia from IBM.
Amidst the excitement surrounding quantum computing, the technology may appear as a catch-all solution for various challenges. While the science is impressive, real-world applications are still developing. However, the quest for viable uses is starting to yield fruitful results. Particularly, the search for exotic quantum materials is gaining traction, which could revolutionize electronics and enhance computational power.
The discovery and exploration of new phases—especially more exotic forms analogous to ice or liquid water—remain foundational to condensed matter physics. Insights gained here can enhance our understanding of semiconductor functionality and lead to practical superconductors.
Yet, traditional experimental methods are increasingly inadequate for studying certain complex phases that theory suggests exist. For instance, the Kitaev honeycomb model predicts materials with a unique type of magnetism, but it took “decades of exploration to actually design this with real materials,” according to Simon Everred of Harvard University.
Everred and colleagues simulated this phenomenon using a quantum computer with 104 qubits made from ultra-cold atoms. They’re not alone in this endeavor; Frank Pollmann from the Technical University of Munich and his team utilized Google’s Sycamore and Willow Quantum Computers, which house 72 and 105 superconducting qubits respectively, to model conditions based on iterations of the Kitaev honeycomb framework. Both teams have documented their findings.
“These two projects harness quantum computers to investigate new phases of problems that had been theoretically predicted but not observed experimentally,” notes Petr Zapletal from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, who was not involved in the studies. “The advancement of quantum simulations for complex condensed matter systems is particularly thrilling.”
Both research teams confirmed the presence of anyons in their simulations, a significant progress that illustrates the growth and potential utility of quantum computers. Anyons differ fundamentally from qubits and represent exotic particles that are challenging to emulate.
Existing particles typically categorize into fermions and bosons. While chemists and materials scientists often focus on fermions, qubits generally function as bosons. The distinctions—like spin and collective behaviors—complicate the simulation of fermions using bosons. However, cold atom quantum experiments utilized Kitaev models to bridge these gaps. Masin Karinowski of Harvard, who participated in the research, described the Kitaev model as a “canvas” for exploring new physics. Through this model, the team could tune quasiparticles in their simulations by adjusting interactions among the qubits. According to Karinowski, some of these new particles might be employed to replicate novel materials.
Another critical aspect of the research was the use of Google’s quantum computer to examine materials outside equilibrium. Despite the significant exploration of equilibrium states in laboratories, the non-equilibrium realm remains largely uncharted. Pollmann notes that this aligns with laboratory trials where materials are repeatedly subjected to laser pulses. His team’s work reflects how condensed matter physicists study materials by exposing them to extreme temperatures or magnetic fields and then diagnosing changes in their phases. Such diagnostics are crucial for determining the conditions under which materials can be effectively utilized.
It’s important to clarify that these experiments don’t yield immediate real-world applications. To translate these findings into usable technologies, researchers will need to conduct further analysis on larger, less error-prone quantum computers. However, these preliminary studies carve out a niche for quantum computers in exploring physical phenomena, akin to the way traditional experimental tools have been employed for decades.
That material science might be the first field to showcase the value of quantum computing is not surprising. This aligns with how pioneers like Richard Feynman discussed quantum technology in the 1980s, envisioning its potential beyond mere devices. Moreover, this perspective diverges from the usual portrayal of quantum computing as technology primarily focused on outperforming classical computers in non-practical tasks.
“Viewing the advancement of quantum computing as a scientific approach, rather than simply through the lens of individual device performance, is undeniably supported by these experimental findings,” concludes Kalinowski.
yYou’re likely aware of how the right accessories can elevate your outfit: a well-chosen belt can smarten up your pants, stylish sunglasses can enhance a basic T-shirt, and bold jewelry can make a simple look pop. Enter the latest trend in accessories: phone straps.
For many, this accessory is indispensable. Practically, it means no more digging through bags just to check Google Maps, and it helps deter phone theft by keeping your device close.
You can opt for a striking strap that will draw attention or a more understated design. From high-end fashion straps to upcycled options and trendy finds on Jingiku, here are 15 picks to consider.
Top Phone Strap Cases, Straps, and Wristlets for 2025
Chain Reaction
AccessoriesBraided Chain Phone Strap
12 lbs at Accessorize
This robust gold and white braided strap allows you to wear your phone around your neck. Its elegance adds a touch of sophistication to everyday wear.
Nautical but Nice
Native Union City Sling Strap
£24.99 at John Lewis Starting at £17.99 on Amazon
Featuring a minimalist design, this strap employs a nautical knot and adjustable length, converting easily from a necklace to a crossbody style. Perfect for purists.
Atelge’s pearl straps gained popularity after being spotted in Mindy’s hands during Season 1 of *Emily in Paris* and reappearing in season 3. Designed with a long strap, it can be worn crossbody and comes with a recycled plastic case, made from recycled materials.
Crafted from paracord and hand-decorated using macrame techniques in a Bristol studio, this design also features hand-blown glass beads. The standard length is 120 cm, but custom length requests can be accommodated.
Utility Style
Bandrea Billy Strap
£135 at Bandalia
This utility strap eliminates the need for an extra handbag, featuring three compartments for items like glasses, cards, and makeup. It attaches easily to the right phone case, and add-ons like an AirPods pouch are available for £39.
Charlotte Hanson, the founder and textile artist at Charknots, creates handmade macrame straps in Sheffield using recycled cotton in a variety of colors like sage green and dusty pink. A wristlet version is also available.
Star Stock
Bandrier Milly Strap
£56 at Bandalia
With intricate chains and tiny stars, this crossbody strap is perfect for layering with gold jewelry. Available in black or dark brown to complement the gold accents.
Blooming Marvelous
SkinnyDip London Sage Flower Bead Strap
£12 at SkinnyDip London
This nostalgic strap from SkinnyDip embodies the spirit of flower children, appealing to those who embrace their inner bohemian.
This phone necklace from Xouxou features a built-in eyelet for decoration along with a matching iPhone case. Available in four colors: Burgundy, Black, Moss, and Taupe, the strap is detachable and the case is MagSafe compatible.
Lucky Star
It’s Not a Different Invoice Charm Phone Strap
£22 from Another Invoice
A celestial-inspired phone strap that adds a unique touch with a star motif.
Each colorful design is handcrafted in London by stylist Bertie Bowen, using vintage glass and resin beads. Custom smiley face beads are made by local artisans.
Neutral Number
Cased Pebble Crossbody Strap
Starting at £33 on Casetify
Ideal for those with a neutral wardrobe, this synthetic leather strap features Casetify’s metal hardware and comes in three shades: latte, oat milk, and beige, working seamlessly with most phone cases.
Rise and Shine
Stringing Breakfast Street
String Ting £44
Handcrafted in London, this wristlet is designed to bring joy, featuring whimsical motifs that are sure to elicit compliments like “I love your phone strap, where did you get it?”
Rooted in rock climbing, the topology strap mimics climbing gear with an adjustable bungee style that suits various body types. Available in 12 colors, it adds a unique flair to any outfit.
Designer Icon
Vivienne Westwood Phone Bag
£600 at Vivienne Westwood
We know it’s a splurge at £600, but if you’re in the market for something special, this phone bag is a work of art, featuring a Joan Lee check pattern and leather accents inspired by heirloom quilts. It snugly fits your phone, favorite lip gloss, and bank cards.
Smartphones are essential in today’s modern life, containing everything from photos and messages to credit cards and bank accounts. Losing or having one stolen can be a nightmare beyond the monetary value of the device.
If this unfortunate event happens to you, taking the following steps can help safeguard your data, prevent fraud, and possibly even lead to the recovery of your phone.
Losing or having your smartphone stolen can be a major inconvenience. Photo: Chris Root/Aramie
Steps to Take as Soon as You Realize Your Phone is Missing
Locate and track your phone using Apple’s Find My iPhone or Google’s Find My Device feature if it’s turned on. You can do this from a computer, tablet, or another smartphone.
Use the tracking feature to remotely lock and mark your phone as lost, protecting your data and preventing unauthorized transactions. You can also remotely erase the device if necessary.
Contact your network provider to block the SIM card and suspend any billing activities. Make sure to disable any payment features linked to your phone.
Notify your credit card company to disable any cards stored on your phone for Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Report the theft to the police and provide them with your phone’s IMEI number, which can be found in your Apple or Google account settings.
Contact your insurance provider if you have coverage for lost or stolen phones.
Change the passwords for your important accounts, starting with your email to prevent unauthorized access.
Remove your phone from all accounts and services to prevent unauthorized access to your personal information.
Actions to Take When You Acquire a New Phone
Setting up security features on your new phone can prevent future incidents of loss or theft. Photo: VladySlav Yushynov/Alamy
When you get a new phone, take the following precautions to ensure the safety of your data and device:
Set strong PINs, short screen lock timeouts, and enable biometric authentication to secure your phone from unauthorized access.
Familiarize yourself with the phone’s settings to enable remote tracking, locking, and erasing in case of loss or theft.
Activate theft protection features such as Stolen Device Protection for iPhone or Theft Protection for Android to safeguard your sensitive data.
Secure your SIM card with a PIN to prevent unauthorized use or transfer to another device.
Make note of your phone’s IMEI number for identification purposes.
Utilize biometric authentication for banking and sensitive apps to enhance security.
Disable certain settings and features to prevent unauthorized access to your phone and data.
Backup your device’s data and settings using cloud services to protect your information.
I I’ve spent many years of my life online. I almost crashed my car because I was composing a message. Losing my data connection caused me to have a panic attack. I scrolled for hours and couldn’t remember anything I saw during that time. I chose screens over conversations, scenery, books, a good night’s sleep, and moments of quiet reflection.
I mean, I owned a smartphone.
In my early 20s, I worked as an online art influencer. That was my job. I documented every aspect of my life on Instagram for an audience of about 200,000 people. Nothing was off-limits: creative endeavors, mood swings, love affairs, hospitalization.
My life was a one-woman tabloid generating traffic for my art business. As much as I needed money, I also needed attention. I had very few friends. I had a lot of followers. That balance was not sustainable.
I became isolated and addicted to social media, two conditions that lasted forever. One day I broke down and deactivated my account. Everything changed when I ordered my old Nokia.
The impact of giving up my smartphone was immeasurable and truly life-changing. It takes sober judgment to know how distracted you are, how anxious you are, how easily you get bored, and how much you resist silence, presence, pain, and other natural human states did.
The benefits of the downgrade accumulated gradually over many months of withdrawals and adjustments. Years after my downgrade, I am still noticing new advantages in myself that have finally emerged from beneath the shadow of my technology addiction.
Now you will never be bored. All of them are interesting. I read long books. I go for long walks without headphones. When I have to wait, like when the bus is late or a friend goes to the bathroom, I just sit there. When I’m at my computer, I check my email etc. I’ve found that I don’t really care about the Internet when it’s out of reach.
Illustration: August Lamb
The most easily quantifiable benefit of downgrading is time. When you stop scrolling, your daily time returns. You can use that time to be healthy, social, or productive, or you can use it to do nothing. Laziness is a lost art, and in my opinion, laziness is essential to mental health and creativity. I spend a good portion of my day flipping through periodicals, drinking tea, and awkwardly pecking away at the piano. I believe that if you give your all, you won’t be able to waste your time.
If you’re interested in switching to a dumbphone, you may have questions about how practical or even possible it is. How do we live without Google Maps, calls over Wi-Fi, and two-factor authentication? These questions can make downgrading difficult to understand.
But remember that people have lived without smartphones for thousands of years. With time, patience, and smart workarounds, we can all find our way back to normal.
Here are my answers to some of the most common questions I receive.
How do I use two-factor authentication?
For security reasons, certain online platforms may require you to confirm your login through a smartphone app. There are several ways to deal with this depending on the platform you are using.
Purchase a physical security device Connect to your computer during authentication. One popular option is Ubikey.
Ask if you can receive SMS verification, If you work or study somewhere with an IT department. This means that you can get an authorization code sent to your dumb phone, and in some cases you can even enable this manually, but be aware that this is a less secure method.
some stupidMobile phones have a browser function One that supports two-factor authentication.
Use a spare phone (This may seem to defeat the purpose of downgrading at first; more on this later).
If you find yourself stuck on this particular problem, you are not alone. This is one of the most difficult and most important smartphone features to recreate. You can also check online forums such as: danphon subreddit) See more ideas.
How can I stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues?
After downgrading, you can still send text messages and make calls on your new phone. The only potential complication is that many of us use online messaging to keep in touch, especially internationally.
Luckily, you can access almost all of them from your desktop computer, including iMessage, Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram. And while laptops are internet-connected devices, they don’t prey on your attention like smaller handheld devices.
In my experience, the only people you really need to contact while you’re out are the people you’re coordinating with. What time are you there? or I’m going to be late – That’s emergency information.
Less urgent are group chats, messages to friends and family overseas, and DMs to social media acquaintances. These things may be feel But once you step away from them, you may realize that that sense of urgency was a product of software engineering, your own insecurities, or a combination of both.
How do you get around without a map app?
You may not realize it, but most Danphones come with a map app. In fact, unlike the bricks of the early 2000s, some modern Danphones come with Bluetooth, MP3 players, and even tiny, hard-to-use search engines.
If you feel you need these amenities, be sure to find a Danphone that offers them. (I used to have a flip phone with Google Maps, but I recently downgraded to an even less capable phone because I use the map feature obsessively and my estimated walking time is I was checking the arrival time every few blocks to see if it was going to happen.
But it’s also possible to live without digital navigation tools. I personally look up directions before leaving home, check posted traffic maps, ask for help from strangers, and get to know the area well enough to navigate intuitively. I like to move things in combination.
Interestingly, I found that I almost never needed to refer to the hand-drawn map. The process of writing down directions helps embed them in your brain. Over time, knowledge of local geography and transportation has accumulated, allowing you to travel without a map in most cases.
A hand-drawn map that August used on her trip to London and Berlin. She wrote them down before going out for the day.
What about listening to music or podcasts?
Even before the advent of smartphones, people were listening to audio on the go. Older MP3 players are available cheaply online, and certain dumbphones come equipped with audio players.
However, you’ll need to find a way to download what you want to listen to. The library is a great resource for CDs and audiobooks. Podcasts are free to download and listen to offline through Apple. If you’re looking for more recent releases, I highly recommend buying them on Bandcamp and using the money you save on your phone plan (not to mention the phone itself) to support musicians.
That being said, downgrading will certainly reduce your need for audio stimulation. You will soon find that you can happily move through the world with only recreational thoughts.
What about taking photos?
I carry a film camera with me wherever I go. Receiving film scans is the highlight of my month. The photos are of high quality and feel much more special than the 60,000 photos I took on my phone before I downgraded.
The film is not the only important difference. You may prefer a digital camera, and I know many dumbphone users who prefer digital cameras. Either way, using a real camera is a completely different experience for two reasons. One, the friction of ejecting another device makes taking a photo a more intentional act, and the single-purpose nature of the camera makes it distracting and intrusive while in use. That never happens. that.
Are there any things you can’t use without a smartphone?
Although I am a strong advocate of the feasibility of living without a smartphone, it is my opinion that there are some things that are simply not possible without a smartphone, namely when you are on the go, away from your computer and internet connection. I have to admit that. .
These include WhatsApp, Spotify, tickets to certain concerts and sports matches, electric car charging, location sharing, and more. It’s easy to obsess over these losses, but instead, I encourage you to think about all the things you gain in the process: time, presence, and peace of mind. Is there anything wrong with such things?
…Do you need a backup phone?
A spare phone is a smartphone that should ideally be turned off and put away except in special circumstances. Many dumbphone users keep their smartphones in a drawer or at a friend’s house in case they need them for authentication. There are certain services and applications that rely on everyone having access to a smartphone, and the complexity involved in getting around these obstacles may not be worth it.
So if you feel like you need a spare phone, there’s no shame in keeping it for the moment you need it (for example, if you own an electric car and need to charge it. ).
However, for other mundane tasks, the less accessible they are, the less urgent they will feel. Do you really need to check your email on the train? Do you really need to buy concert tickets at the hospital? Or can these things wait until you’re in front of your computer?
It’s easy to tally up the inconveniences associated with downgrading. Instead, I recommend thinking about what you can gain, although it is difficult to quantify. Isn’t your newfound presence, attention, and free time worth missing an email or being late to an event every once in a while?
There are certainly downsides, and you might be tempted to see that as a good reason to go back. In such a case, think back to your original motivation for downgrading. Who did you want to be? Isn’t it worth it?
It’s been years since I downgraded, but I was so completely adapted to Danphone that I forgot all about it until someone reminded me of it. “Do you miss your smartphone?” they ask, and I remember the height of my addiction. How could I miss that moment? I was hardly there.
The bartender said, “We don't serve time travelers here.” A time traveler enters the bar.
OK, yes, you'll almost certainly regret starting this article with such a lame old joke. Most of us, at some point, have wanted to go back in time to fix a mistake or failure. But that's impossible, right?
Well, not necessarily. Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity suggests that time travel may actually be possible. We know that matter can bend space-time, and if we bend it enough we may be able to create time loops. Of course, there are many caveats, and researchers have yet to present a working time machine. But that didn't stop them from exploring the possibilities.
Here are five ways time travel could be possible, from sci-fi classics to surprising new ideas. It also introduces some thorny practical obstacles that need to be overcome.
1. Prepare the galaxy laser ring
The main problem with time travel is that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, which is 299,792,458 meters per second. This speed limit maintains causation, the idea that the cause must always come before the effect. Thanks to a quirk of Einstein's special theory of relativity and the fact that space and time are intimately connected, traveling faster than the speed of light messes it up. If we could travel faster than light, we would travel back in time. But you can't do that.
The next best thing is to manipulate the fabric of space-time. in…
Google and XPRIZE are launching a $5 million competition to create a quantum computer that could actually benefit society. It’s already known that quantum computers can perform certain tasks faster than classical computers, ever since Google first claimed the quantum benefits of its Sycamore processor in 2019. However, these demonstration tasks are simple benchmarks and have no real-world applications.
“There are a lot of fairly abstract mathematical problems for which quantum computers can prove to provide very significant speedups,” he says. Ryan Babush Google. “However, much of the research community is less focused on adapting more abstract quantum acceleration to concrete real-world applications, or on trying to figure out how quantum computers can be used. I didn’t.”
To this end, Google and the XPRIZE Foundation are inviting researchers to come up with new quantum algorithms as part of a three-year competition. The winning algorithm could potentially solve an existing problem, such as finding a new battery electrolyte that significantly increases storage capacity, but it doesn’t have to actually solve the problem, Babush said. Instead, researchers only need to demonstrate how the algorithm is applied and detail the exact specifications of the quantum computing required. Alternatively, competitors could demonstrate how existing quantum algorithms can be applied to real-world problems that have not been considered before.
The award examines how big an impact an entrant’s algorithm can have, whether it tackles problems similar to those outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and how well it can be done on available machines. They will be judged on a variety of criteria, including feasibility. Now or in the near future.
The $5 million prize pool consists of a $3 million grand prize to be split between up to three winners, $1 million to five runners-up, and $50,000 each to the 20 semi-finalists. .
The award could help shift the focus of quantum computing researchers from technical definitions of quantum benefits, such as those demonstrated by Google and IBM, to real-world applications, it said. Nicholas Quesada At the Polytechnic University of Montreal, Canada. “[The prize is] “We realized clearly that this is a very important issue,” Quesada said. “We need to think about what we’re going to do with quantum computers.”
But finding socially beneficial quantum algorithms requires a deeper understanding of how quantum computers work, including how they deal with noise and errors, he said. bill fefferman at the University of Chicago. The award does not address this fundamental aspect of building quantum computers, he says.
“I’m generally very optimistic that we’ll find an algorithm that’s really useful,” Pfefferman says. “I’m not very optimistic that within the next three years we’ll be able to discover those algorithms and implement them on the current hardware that’s going to exist.”
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