First Programmable Quantum Computer Created

First Programmable Quantum Computer... from Science News. "Using a few ultracold ions, intense lasers and some electrodes, researchers have built the first programmable quantum computer. The new system, described in a paper to be published in Nature Physics, flexed its versatility by performing 160 randomly chosen processing routines.

Earlier versions of quantum computers have been largely restricted to a narrow window of specific tasks. To be more generally useful, a quantum computer should be programmable, in the same way that a classical computer must be able to run many different programs on a single piece of machinery."

GR: with only 79% reliability, it doesn't sound terribly impressive, but given the pace of technological advancement, the first step is the most important.