Technology News for Thursday 20th February 2025

1. Microsoft-DARPA collaboration yields possible quantum chip breakthrough

Researchers at Microsoft, with support from DARPA, say they've designed a quantum computer chip that could lead to artificial-intelligence tools that use far fewer computer resources and energy. According to a Microsoft blog on the announcement and ...

2. Microsoft claims its experimental quantum computing chip uses a new state of matter

Rather than holding matter as a solid, a liquid or a gas, Microsoft says the chip enables what's known as a "topological superconductivity." The semiconductors of a traditional computer chip perform calculations by manipulating ...

3. New, cheaper iPhone 16e has 'best battery life ever,' Apple says

(NEXSTAR) – The iPhone 16e, unveiled by Apple on Wednesday, has AI features, a high-resolution camera, and the “best battery life” of any iPhone of its size, the company said. “iPhone 16e has the best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone, ...

4. Scientists uncover missing link in static electricity mystery

For centuries, static electricity has sparked curiosity and confusion. Now, a new study by researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) reveals that a material's contact history determines how it exchanges charge ...

5. Microsoft creates chip it says shows quantum computers are 'years, not decades' away

Microsoft has unveiled a new chip that it said showed quantum computing is "years, not decades" away, joining Google and IBM in predicting that a fundamental change in computing technology is much closer than recently believed.

6. Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Media Player, Word, PowerPoint and Exchange Vulnerabilities

Exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on a vulnerable system. Description. Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary ...

7. You Don't Need an iPhone 16E to Get These Visual Intelligence Features

A key new Apple Intelligence tool extends to Apple's latest iPhone, but the capabilities are available on any iPhone running iOS 18.3.

8. Google builds AI 'co-scientist' tool based on Gemini 2.0 for biomedical scientists. Here's what it can do

The new tool, tested by scientists at Stanford University in the US and Imperial College London, uses advanced reasoning to help scientists synthesize vast amounts of literature and generate novel hypotheses, the company said.

9. Library Hosting Feb. 26 Lecture Exploring AI and Human Creativity

University Libraries is hosting “Code, Collage, and Critique: Exploring Creativity and Control in the Age of A.I.” on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Carlson Library main event space. Scheduled as part of the Carlson Conversations Lecture Series, ...

10. Cracking Biology's Code With Evo 2, an AI Trained on 100K Species

Evo 2 was created by scientists from Nvidia and Arc Institute, a nonprofit biomedical research organization based in Palo Alto that works with collaborators across Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco. Details about Evo ...

11. Microsoft Claims Quantum-Computing Breakthrough—but Some Physicists Are Skeptical

With its 'topological' quantum computers, Microsoft aims to reach useful scales faster than competing technologies. By Davide Castelvecchi & Nature magazine. Close-up of Majorana 1, the first quantum chip powered by a Topological Core.

12. Quantum computing stocks rise as Microsoft's new chip heats up debate over technology

Feb 20 - Quantum computing stocks advanced on Thursday after Microsoft launched a new chip that indicated the technology is not "decades away" as stated by the top boss of AI chip bellwether Nvidia. Microsoft unveiled its Majorana 1 chip on Wednesday ...

13. Meet Your Ultimate AI Companion — 5 Things to Know about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series

Available now, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 aren't just smartphones—they're your ultimate AI companions. Powered by Galaxy AI, these devices set a new standard for intuitive, context-aware, and personalized mobile experiences.

14. Refresh & Re-energize with Spring Savings on Samsung AI Tech

From March 3 – 9, get ready to shop weeklong offers, deals of the day and big savings on bundles to power your passions. We know that cost savings and convenience are top of mind when ...

15. New iPhone, Android Warning—Millions Of Phones Now Under Attack

Your phone is at risk as cybercriminals shift to a “mobile-first attack strategy,” having discovered you are far more likely to fall victim on your phone than a larger device. And given the amount of time we spend on our phones, an “insidious new ...

16. AI cracks superbug problem in two days that took scientists years

A complex problem that took microbiologists a decade to get to the bottom of has been solved in just two days by a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool. Professor José R Penadés and his team at Imperial College London had spent years working out and ...

17. Apple gambles on new iPhone with AI features at lower cost

Apple has announced a new iPhone which brings artificial intelligence (AI) features at a lower cost than its flagship handsets. The iPhone 16e has the same processor as the larger iPhone 16, Apple said, with similar storage options, though a lower spec ...

18. ASE expands in Malaysia and Huawei rolls out a $3000 phone

Hi everyone! This is Lauly, waving hello from the gloomy weather in Taipei. It has been a month since I last hosted #techAsia. During that time, Taiwan had a nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, though for me it was not as chill and restful as it ...

19. Microsoft has unveiled a new quantum computer chip. How does it work and will it transform technology?

Microsoft has just announced a chip that it claims will "redefine" how quantum computing works. The company claims its "topological superconductor" could see a useful quantum computer in "years, not decades". Their innovation was published this week in ...

20. What time does the new Fortnite season start? What to know about Chapter 6, Season 2

Fortnite is about to get a facelift as Chapter 6, Season 1: Hunters comes to a close. If you're having trouble logging in, don't worry; servers are typically down for several hours but are expected to be back up and running Friday morning.

21. Topological quantum processor marks breakthrough in computing

In a leap forward for quantum computing, a Microsoft team led by UC Santa Barbara physicists on Wednesday unveiled an eight-qubit topological quantum processor, the first of its kind. The chip, built as a ...

22. Is Fortnite down? When are servers back up for the new Fortnite season? Game updates to Lawless

Fortnite's new season will be Lawless. The online game will be going dark tonight as the servers go down to update for the new season. Here's what you need to know about the downtime and Season 6 Chapter 2: Lawless. Epic Games will release Fortnite ...

23. Sask. company asks Supreme Court to rule on if thumbs-up emoji makes contract legally binding

A Saskatchewan agricultural company is asking Canada's highest court to rule on whether responding to a contract proposal with a thumbs-up emoji is a legally binding signature. Achter Land & Cattle Ltd, which grows and sells grain, ...

24. With the release of the iPhone 16e, here's a look back at Apple's iPhone through the years

iPhone 16e promises performance for Apple Intelligence at a cheaper price than the iPhone 16 · One rear camera vs. two: The iPhone 16e has one rear camera lens, 48-megapixel (wide) with 2x telephoto zoom and 12-megapixel front-facing camera. · No dynamic ...

25. Topological Quantum Processor Marks Breakthrough in Computing

This article was originally published in UCSB's 'The Current'. In a leap forward for quantum computing, a Microsoft team led by UC Santa Barbara physicists on Wednesday unveiled an eight-qubit topological quantum processor, the first of its kind.