Google and NASA’s Computer is 100 Million Times Faster than Normal PCs
Google and NASA have a "D-Wave 2X quantum annealer," and they say it's 100 million times faster than a PC with a single core.
Over the past couple of years, Google's Quantum AI team has been researching quantum annealers and how they can be used effectively.
"We found that for problem instances involving nearly 1000 binary variables, quantum annealing significantly outperforms its classical counterpart, simulated annealing," writes Hartmut Neven on the Google Research blog. "It is more than 108 times faster than simulated annealing running on a single core."
Twitter Granted Patent for Drone Technology
What could Twitter possibly want with a drone patent? According to CNBC, the company was granted a patent last week for an "unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV," which will be able to take photos and videos to be shared on Twitter accounts.
Twitter's users will be able to control the device with commands within messages and tweets sent to the account associated with the drone. In the patent, the company writes that the drone's control "may be determined through democratic means," likely through the use of likes, retweets, and replies.
Project Triforce Unveils Deathstroke Arsenal
The officially licensed Batman: Arkham Origins Deathstroke Arsenal is available for preorder now from Project TriForce. The piece is a full-scale replica, and part of a limited edition 500 piece run. Check out the photos below.
Slade Wilson—Deathstroke—was originally a solider in the U.S. Army, though things went wrong when he was part of a military experiment. With increased strength, speed, and healing abilities, Deathstroke is hired to take out Batman. Deathstroke is known for his fighting style and his weapons—his ninjato sword and ballistic staff, which are featured in TriForce's replica.
DC’s Injustice Comic Reaches Its Final Year
It's been the better part of three years since the release of Injustice: Gods Among Us, and DC's comic book prequel is still going strong. This week DC is kicking off the final leg of that prequel saga as Injustice: Year Five makes its digital debut on the DC Comics app and other digital stores. Year Five will chronicle the final conflict between Superman's regime and Batman's resistance leading up to the events of the game. Look for all sorts of classics DC villains to enter the fray in this volume, including Doomsday, Bane and Killer Frost.
We recently had a chance to chat with writer Brian Buccellato about the new series and what fans can expect from this final conflict between Batman and Superman. Buccellato also discussed how next week's Injustice: Year Four Annual fits into the bigger picture and whether there might be a future for the comic once Year Five is finished.
Captain Toad Is Coming to Super Mario Maker in Europe
Super Mario Maker is getting a trio of new costumes later this month in Europe, Nintendo has announced.
In a post on the official Nintendo of Europe Twitter account, the company announced that a Captain Toad costume will be available via a new Event Course on December 25.
From 25/12, get a Captain Toad costume by completing the new #SuperMarioMaker Event Course. No jumping, now. pic.twitter.com/fJBpZh3VYd
City Tracks Teased for Driveclub, Coming in 2016
Evolution has teased Driveclub players with several images of new tracks headed to the game in 2016. The images appear to hint that the new tracks will be set in more built-up and potentially urban environments, which would be a contrast to the game’s existing tracks (which are largely draped across sparsely-populated countryside).
Four images containing glimpses of the new tracks were posted on the Driveclub Twitter feed.
New Tracks are coming to #DRIVECLUB in 2016. Here is a tease of what you can expect! pic.twitter.com/hFI8grBG39
Neil deGrasse Tyson Fact-Checks The Force Awakens
American astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson found a few flaws in the scientific rationale behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and took to social media to share his fact-checking wisdom.
Note: Minor Star Wars: The Force Awakens spoilers below.
In a string of posts on Twitter, Tyson pointed out a handful of inaccuracies he spotted in J.J. Abrams' space drama, noting BB-8 wouldn't have been able to travel on sand given his spherical form.
In @StarWars #TheForceAwakens, BB-8, a smooth rolling metal spherical ball, would have skidded uncontrollably on sand.
Unboxing The Force Awakens Disney Infinity Figures
According to box office records, you've probably already seen Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens in cinemas this week, but the closest you'll get to seeing Rey, Finn, Poe and Kylo Ren in a video game is as part of Disney Infinity's 3.0 Edition Playset.
The four leads have been turned into classic Disney Infinity-style figures - check them out in the slideshow below:
Swipe right for more images.
The new addition to Disney's existing line of toys-to-life games fairly closely follows the story of the new film, so you might want to avoid playing it if you haven't seen The Force Awakens yet.
Best 3D Touch Apps and Games for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
The iPhone 6s introduced a unique new feature called 3D Touch when it was announced back in September. Unlike the Apple Watch’s Force Touch, 3D Touch is infinitely variable, allowing you to control apps with various touch pressures while Force Touch only detects two levels of force. In short, 3D Touch is more sensitive and quicker than Force Touch.
But finding apps that support the new feature is a bit difficult at the moment as many apps haven't been updated to support 3D Touch. Apple has a dedicated section in its App Store for 3D Touch apps but it’s nothing more than a list. So which apps are the best? Read on to find out which apps show the potential of 3D Touch.
Badland 2 ($4.99)
New Star Wars Stormtrooper Nendoroid Announced
The makers of the Kirby, Isabelle, and Link Nendoroids have announced an all-new Star Wars figure coming in 2016.
Modeled after the new stormtroopers of the First Order in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, this Nendoroid figure stands approximately 4in tall, is fully articulated, and includes a base to help keep it balanced on a flat surface.
This Stormtrooper is scheduled to release in July 2016 for ¥3,889/around $32.