A Quantum Computing Leap – Microsoft’s Majorana 1

Microsoft’s Quantum Leap

Microsoft just made headlines with a quantum computing breakthrough so big it created a new state of matter- literally. After 17 years of research, the tech giant unveiled a quantum processor, Majorana 1, that could revolutionize everything from drug discovery to self-repairing materials—potentially solving problems in years instead of decades. But with big claims come big questions: Is this the future of computing, or just another experiment that won’t leave the lab? Let’s break down what’s happening in the world of quantum computing:

Apple vs. Microsoft: A Tale of Two Tech Giants

While Microsoft is chasing the future, Apple is… tweaking the present. On the same day as Microsoft’s big announcement, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e—a slightly cheaper version of its existing iPhone with a new in-house chip.

It’s a stark contrast:

• Microsoft is leading in AI and quantum computing and now inventing new forms of matter while
• Apple is riding the wave of a product that it invented 18 years ago.

Some tech leaders have recently criticized Apple for not innovating, and after the failed Apple Car and a struggling Vision Pro, we wonder if they are right.

On the other hand, Microsoft is acting like the overachieving lab nerd, pulling all-nighters to redefine the industry. The company says it needs to scale up to 100 qubits before its quantum chip is commercially viable, and it aims for Azure cloud customers to experiment with it by 2030. Once fully realized, they believe this quantum processor could be more powerful than all the world’s current computers combined.

How legitimate are these claims? Only time will tell, but we know this much –  if Microsoft’s breakthrough proves viable, quantum computing could shift from a futuristic concept to a world-changing reality—sooner than anyone expected.

Nike x Skims: The Billion-Dollar Collab That’s Shaking Up Sportswear

Nike just made its biggest brand move since Air Jordan, and it’s powered by Kim Kardashian. Meet NikeSKIMS. This game-changing collab sent Nike’s stock soaring 5% (adding $5 billion in value) and launched SKIMS into the massive athletic apparel market.

A Strategic Match Made in Fashion Heaven

Nike, despite its dominance, has been losing ground in women’s sportswear to brands like Lululemon and Alo. SKIMS, on the other hand, has mastered the art of collaborations—partnering with Fendi, Swarovski, and The North Face—turning its shapewear empire into a $4 billion powerhouse. Now, with Nike’s performance tech and global reach, SKIMS is making its biggest leap yet.

Why This Collab is a Win-Win

For Nike, this is a much-needed refresh—a direct line to female consumers who love SKIMS’ mix of comfort, inclusivity, and style. For SKIMS, this is a fast track to credibility in performance wear, skipping the long road of R&D by partnering with the biggest name in sportswear.
Set to launch in Spring 2025, NikeSKIMS will feature training apparel, footwear, and accessories designed for all body types. Expect sellouts, waitlists, and maybe even a resale market—because if history has taught us anything, Kim Kardashian knows how to turn hype into billions.

Zelle Was Built to Fight Venmo—Now It’s Twice as Big

While everyone’s busy Venmo-ing their brunch bill or cash-apping their friends, Zelle has been on a quiet rampage—becoming the first peer-to-peer payment app to move $1 trillion in a single year. That’s twice the volume of Venmo and Cash App combined, and yet… no one talks about Zelle. No rappers name-drop it, and no one casually says, “I’ll Zelle you”. And yet, this “boring” service is completely dominating the fintech space.

So what’s the deal? Zelle isn’t a startup—it’s the ultimate anti-startup, created by the seven biggest U.S. banks to fight back against Venmo and Cash App. Instead of running on a separate digital wallet (which is how its competitors make money), Zelle moves cash instantly and for free directly between bank accounts. And since 2,200 banks have joined the Zelle network, it’s now the financial equivalent of email: basic, unbranded, and universally used. This app’s super secret is that it gets the job done—and that’s exactly why it’s winning.

Harvard Business School calls this the Jobs to Be Done framework—people don’t buy products for what they are, but for what they do. Venmo makes payments fun and social. Zelle makes payments fast and seamless. And when you’re trying to send rent money right now, you’re hiring the tool that gets the job done with zero fuss. After all is said and done, Zelle didn’t just disrupt the disruptors—it erased the need for them entirely (just like Microsoft is likely to do with it’s new quantum computing advancement).