Microsoft might be on to something. The tech giant has reportedly made a breakthrough in its longest-standing quantum computing research project — the development of a topological qubit, The New York Times writes. This new technology relies on the curious behavior of subatomic particles and particular metals when cooled to extremely low temperatures to create a more stable quantum computing technology — offering the possibility that quantum computers could become a reality not in a matter of decades, but in a matter of years.

First off, what is a quantum computer? Regular computers make computations using a binary number system, which translates any kind of information — whether it is text, a song, or a video game — into a unique sequence of only two digits: 1s and 0s, or what we call bits. Each bit can hold only one of two values: 0 or 1. Unlike simple binary computing, quantum computers exploit unusual properties of physics that allow a special bit — termed qubit — to hold multiple values at once. This property of qubits allows quantum computers to make significantly faster calculations than traditional computers. How much faster, you ask? When Google was experimenting with a quantum computer, they found that it was able to complete a calculation that would take a supercomputer 10 septillion years — longer than the age of the universe — in five minutes.

So what’s the problem? Despite their potential for executing complex tasks incredibly quickly, qubits continue to be unstable and prone to error, making their practical application — up until this point — limited.

That’s where Microsoft’s new breakthrough comes in. The tech giant has created a special chip — the topological qubit — that combines the semiconductors used in traditional computers with super conductors, or materials that allow electricity to flow at extremely cold temperatures. They’ve found that when cooled down to -240°C, topological qubits become more stable and reliable.

Despite the breakthrough, a lot of questions remain unanswered: “If everything works out, Microsoft’s research could be revolutionary,” Philip Kim, a physics professor at Harvard, told the NYT. Yet other researchers point out that the tech remains largely untested, with Jason Alicea, a professor of theoretical physics at the California Institute of Technology, noting that “you have to verify … that a device behaves in all the magical ways that theory predicts it should.” Still, he added, Microsoft — with eight topological qubits already built — now has the ability to test whether the reality lives up to theoretical expectations.

Apple is rolling up its sleeves with the launch of their new iPhone 16e: Apple announced on Wednesday the release of their new iPhone 16e — a wallet friendlier version priced at USD 599 — which comes with Apple’s latest A18 chip, a 48-megapixel camera, and the company’s first in-house C1 modem for faster 5G and better battery efficiency. Pre-orders kick off tomorrow, with full availability set to go live February 28.

Apple wants to give users the best of both worlds: Premium features without the premium price. "The iPhone 16e packs in the features our users love, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance, and an innovative camera system — all at an incredible value," Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing mentioned. Their sales pitch? You’re getting your money's worth.

Apple Intelligence is the star of the show here, bringing AI tools while keeping privacy features in place. Tools like Image Cleanup for editing, Natural Language Search in Photos, and Genmoji for custom emojis add a fun and practical touch. Siri also gets a glow up with ChatGPT integration — but you get to decide if you want to enable it. Most AI tasks happen on-device or via Apple’s Private Cloud Compute — a service that allows Apple to process data for your phone without retaining any record of the data itself — ensuring that your data stays yours.

For a small phone, the camera and display pack a big punch. The iPhone 16e flaunts a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, plus IP68 water resistance and Ceramic Shield protection for durability. The 48-megapixel Fusion Camera System, complete with a 2x Telephoto lens, Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and 4K Dolby Vision video, promises stellar shots in any setting. Bonus: Spatial Audio Recording and Wind Noise Reduction mean your videos will sound as good as they look.

It also reportedly has a battery life that won’t quit: In their press release, Apple goes on to mention that the iPhone 16e has the longest battery life of any 6.1 inch iPhone yet, with up to 90 hours of audio playback and 26 hours of video playback. Plus, with the new C1 modem, Apple is cutting ties with Qualcomm and boosting both 5G speed and power efficiency.

Bringing premium features to a more affordable model, the iPhone 16e introduces the Action Button once exclusive to Pro models letting users set up quick shortcuts for their favorite tasks. Satellite-based features like Messages via Satellite, Emergency SOS, and Roadside Assistance also make the cut, proving that Apple isn’t skimping on safety.

It’s looking like a greener future, one iPhone at a time. In true Apple fashion, the iPhone 16e is built with recycled materials — including 100 percent recycled cobalt and 95 percent recycled lithium in the battery and 85 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure — marking a significant step forward in the company’s sustainability push.

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