Microsoft: Azure Quantum quantum cloud platform is now open for public preview

Microsoft's Azure Quantum cloud platform uses Honeywell's quantum computing hardware and software solutions from partners such as Honeywell Quantum Solutions, IonQ, and 1QBit. Last May, Azure Quantum was open to limited preview for certain customers and partners. But today, Microsoft finally announced the public preview of Azure Quantum. Starting today, anyone interested in quantum computing can try this service.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Although the entry threshold is low, and Microsoft provides a small amount of free allowances, you can try basic functions at a price of $10 per hour. But if you want to use it, the price of the Azure Quantum platform (portal) is still quite high.

Because quantum computing is still in its early stages, Microsoft and competitors such as IBM and Rigetti only offer a specific platform, and customers must use a specific toolset to experience it.

Take Microsoft as an example. The software giant provides an open source quantum development kit, the Q# programming language, and recently announced the LLVM-based "hardware-independent quantum intermediate representation language" (QIR for short).

“Transitioning to public preview of Azure Quantum is an important milestone for our quantum computing ecosystem,” wrote Krysta Svore, general manager of Microsoft Quantum. “It continues trends from last year, including selection for the National Quantum Initiative, a growing number of new partners, and advances in hardware-level processes such as qubit control circuits.”