The Biggest Discoveries in Computer Science in 2022
As computer scientists tackle a greater range of problems, their work has grown increasingly interdisciplinary. This year, many of the most significant computer science results also involved other scientists and mathematicians. Perhaps the most practical involved the cryptographic questions underlying the security of the internet, which tend to be complicated mathematical problems. One such problem […]
Quantum-as-a-service startups are bringing sci-fi computing to the masses
Businesses are turning to quantum-as-a-service startups to gain first-mover advantage and try this high-powered tech for themselves Investment into European quantum computing startups is booming. According to data from Dealroom, they raised over $290m in 2022, almost double their total from the previous year. And this year could be a whole lot bigger. While companies […]
New quantum computing feat is a modern twist on a 150-year-old thought experiment
A team of quantum engineers at UNSW Sydney has developed a method to reset a quantum computer—that is, to prepare a quantum bit in the ‘0’ state—with very high confidence, as needed for reliable quantum computations. The method is surprisingly simple: it is related to the old concept of ‘Maxwell’s demon’, an omniscient being that […]
Chats in Google Messages are about to get even more secure
End-to-end encryption en route Google has announced that it’s bringing end-to-end encryption to group chats in the Google Messages app. The security upgrade is heading to beta users first before being rolled out more widely. End-to-end encryption means no one, not even Google, can read the content of messages. It’s already supported in the Google […]
Most of us are still reusing passwords, despite all the warnings
Cybersecurity education appears to be having little success Despite the vast majority of people – 89% – knowing the risks of reusing the same password, 62% of consumers are still choosing to use repeat passwords, according to new research from LastPass. In addition, the report found that only 12% of respondents use different passwords for different […]
These malicious Android apps have been downloaded over a million times
Utility Android apps spreading trojans through the Play Store once again Researchers have uncovered a collection of malicious apps on the Google Play Store that have been downloaded more than a million times. Researchers from Malwarebytes detailed in a how they found a total of four apps, all from the same account – Mobile apps Group. […]
Software glitches hit Inverness driverless bus trial
A self-driving bus in a Scottish trial of autonomous vehicle passenger services had to be driven manually at its launch due to software issues. The driverless bus – nicknamed Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Driverless Machiney – is being tested on a two-mile (3km) route in Inverness. Organisers said the vehicle had been operating fine in […]
Asia chipmaker shares slide after US curbs on China
Shares in major Asian computer chipmakers have slumped after the US announced tough new measures to restrict sales of technology to China. The US said it will ban American firms from selling certain chips used for supercomputers and artificial intelligence to Chinese firms. The rules, which were announced on Friday, also target sales from non-US companies […]