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Graduate Student Solves Quantum Verification Problem

Andrew Orr ·

Graduate student Urmila Mahadev has solved a quantum verification problem. Quantum verification answers the question: How do you know whether a quantum computer has done something quantum? Redditor u/Wolgoz has an ELI5 (Explain Like I’m 5) explanation:

There are different kinds of problems in computer science, closely related is the class of problems where you can easily verify if the answer is correct, but it’s hard to find the answer. This is however about the class of problems where you can’t easily check it with a normal computer, but can check it with a quantum computer.

She made a protocol that allows you to use a quantum device to check the answer, without the uncertainty of quantum mechanics. She does however make an important assumption, so it’s not certain if this will work.

Link

Developers Aren't Satisfied With Mac App Store Update

Andrew Orr ·

macOS Mojave brought a Mac App Store update, but developers aren’t fully satisfied by Apple’s changes.

Digging into survey answers, the biggest issues developers still have are ones that have been identified multiple times over the years: inability to offer trials or priced upgrades, as well as a lack of analytics. Lengthy app reviews and sandboxing rules have been issues for some developers, as well. Though the former has seen marked improvement in 2018, 33 percent of MAS developers still rate “faster approval” as a desired improvement, and 65 percent of non-MAS developers cite the approval process as a reason for staying out.

Apple can’t treat the MAS like the iOS App Store. If Apple wants the MAS to be the sole source of Mac apps, it has to give developers enough incentives to favor it over their own websites.

This Tool Lets You Install macOS Mojave on Unsupported Macs
Cool Stuff Found

This Tool Lets You Install macOS Mojave on Unsupported Macs

Jeff Gamet ·

Just because Apple’s installer won’t let you install macOS Mojave on your older Mac doesn’t mean you can’t. The dosdude1 website has a special tool that patches the installer so you can install Mojave on unsupported Macs, just in case that’s your thing. The site also has patcher tools install macOS Sierra and High Sierra on Macs that don’t support those operating system versions. It’s pretty cool, but remember that just because you can make the installer run you shouldn’t expect the best performance, or that every feature will work.

Check Out the Apple Watch Faces Steve Troughton-Smith Designed
Cool Stuff Found

Check Out the Apple Watch Faces Steve Troughton-Smith Designed

Jeff Gamet ·

Steve Troughton-Smith does more than post Apple product leaks. He’s also a professional coder, and his latest pet project shows why it would be cool to get third-party faces for Apple Watch. He’s come up with some pretty interesting watch faces, plus he posted the example code on Github so you can experiment with your own—assuming you’re a developer. I get Apple not wanting horribly garish watch faces, but maybe they could partner with some developers or make a watch face screening process. I know I’m ready for some options outside of Apple’s limited pool.

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Apple Buys Asaii, Adds its Team to Apple Music

Jeff Gamet ·

Apple purchased the music and artist discovery service Asaii—a deal that was confirmed by the company’s investment backer The House. Asaii makes tools for finding and managing artists, along with a tool for music services to make recommendations to listeners. The House founder Cameron Baradar told Music Ally,

As the first investors in Asaii, we are incredibly excited by their recent acquisition by Apple where they will have the opportunity to dramatically scale their impact and continue building out their vision for the future of the music industry.

Asaii’s founders are now part of the Apple Music team. Their tools can predict the next music hits weeks in advance. Couple that with the music discovery tools and Apple Music’s listening recommendations could get a lot better very soon.

Podcast

APFS Corruption, Wi-Fi Numbering, and Backups – Mac Geek Gab Podcast 731

John F. Braun & Dave Hamilton · · 6 Comments

APFS has been available on our Macs for a year now, and we’re beginning to see the issues with corruption that can’t be yet be solved by Apple or third party utilities. Wi-Fi is changing names… and getting faster! And folks, Backups are still important! All this and more in this week’s Mac Geek Gab. Press play and enjoy!