What is "quantum supremacy" and is it a big deal?

Quantum supremacy is the idea that a quantum computer, a computer using the principles of quantum mechanics, can solve a problem that a classical computer cannot solve. The reason we're talking about it this week is that Google says, after billions of dollars in investment and years of work, that they actually have built such a quantum computer and it has in fact, solved a problem in 200 seconds, that it would take ten thousand years for regular computers to solve. IBM fought back and said that's not true. But is quantum supremacy a big deal? Absolutely. Is what we saw this week quantum supremacy? That's a harder question.

The Apple TV+ has launched. Are you excited?

Yeah, I'm excited. What's wrong with new options, new TV shows, new stuff? In fact, in the current issue of Wired, we have a big article about Ron Moore's new show For All Mankind. So, is it going to be a success for Apple? I don't know. Are all the shows going to work? Almost certainly not. But it doesn't do you any harm to have more choices on what to watch and when you're done with this video.

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Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on June 18, 2026.
REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

On Monday, President Donald Trump announced the United States would reimpose its naval blockade of Iran, effective Tuesday afternoon. Iran responded by declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed to all traffic that does not route through its preferred corridor.