If they are insinuating that because it’s cheap it’s not sophisticated think again.
You can get motion sensors based on quantum dynamics principles for just $1, they are in all phones today, and those are based on extremely sophisticated theory and production methods. But industry has managed to find ways to make them extremely cheap despite that.
So putting the sophisticated in quotes based on the low price is an oversimplification.
That said, there are probably more sophisticated miniaturized options for spying than the cheap gadget they used.
Sophisticated is commonly used as a comparison to other sinilar things. So a sophisticated computer in 1980 is different from one in 2026 because technology advanced significantly. A lot of common features on cell phones would have been called sophisticated 20 years ago, but not anymore.
In this case sophisticated is intended to mean relative to other similar devices. Since this is a commodity electronic device you can easily buy for under $13 it doesn’t fit the common usage of ‘sophisticated’ for 2026.
Ok, but you could also say a simple pc about a modern pc, that does not mean it’s actually simple. It’s because it is used in place of ordinary. And ordinary also doesn’t mean simple in the literal sense. Even a “simple” mobile phone is in fact not simple.
Quantum sensors have applications in a wide variety of fields including microscopy, positioning systems, communication technology, electric and magnetic field sensors.
One of these are the perfectly common motion sensor that detects if you move your phone, which is based on quantum phenomenon, like the phase shift between photons send in different directions.
If the device doesn’t use quantum effects directly, it isn’t a quantum sensor.
Otherwise words have no meaning and textbooks would call 1860’s steam engines electric quantum engines because materials are held together with electric effects and atoms have quantum properties.
Well everything uses quantum effects directly at least the highs field like you said. Your definition is therefore bad. But the examples do use gravitons because they measure gravity the same a camera uses photons to measure light, which are both quants and are measured in “easy” ways.
Just because you are posh about it and try to define it as only the large hardron collider
I am extremely ignorant on these things. If what you say is true, it stands to reason that all the claims that “only 3 companies can produce memory chips” are most likely bullshit.
The 3 major makers Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron dominate the market, but they are definitely not alone. especially not since China has entered the market in force.
If they are insinuating that because it’s cheap it’s not sophisticated think again.
You can get motion sensors based on quantum dynamics principles for just $1, they are in all phones today, and those are based on extremely sophisticated theory and production methods. But industry has managed to find ways to make them extremely cheap despite that.
So putting the sophisticated in quotes based on the low price is an oversimplification.
That said, there are probably more sophisticated miniaturized options for spying than the cheap gadget they used.
Sophisticated is commonly used as a comparison to other sinilar things. So a sophisticated computer in 1980 is different from one in 2026 because technology advanced significantly. A lot of common features on cell phones would have been called sophisticated 20 years ago, but not anymore.
In this case sophisticated is intended to mean relative to other similar devices. Since this is a commodity electronic device you can easily buy for under $13 it doesn’t fit the common usage of ‘sophisticated’ for 2026.
A computer from the 80’s is still a sophisticated device.
Not compared to modern top end hardware, which is how the word is used in this context.
Ok, but you could also say a simple pc about a modern pc, that does not mean it’s actually simple. It’s because it is used in place of ordinary. And ordinary also doesn’t mean simple in the literal sense. Even a “simple” mobile phone is in fact not simple.
Language is messy. I sometimes think of sophisticated as the opposite of simple.
It kind of is, isn’t it?
Edit:
Goddam people are contrarian here.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticated
Simple is the first antonym (opposite) stated, and simplistic is number 4.
This place is a cesspool sometimes 🤡
No, it isn’t.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohDB5gbtaEQ461260665047)
I stand corrected. 😋
Complex is the opposite of simple.
Complex is a synonym of sophisticated within this use case
One does not exclude the other:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticated
Simple is literally the first antonym to sophisticated!
Depends on what you mean by is.
Which sensor in phones uses quantum states? Do you mean things like SQUIDs? They are a completely different beast than classical sensors like MEMS.
Motionsensors
Do you mean the Soli radar? That ended up in what, 2-3 phone models altogether?
Most phones do not have motion sensors.
No literally a common motion sensor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_sensor
One of these are the perfectly common motion sensor that detects if you move your phone, which is based on quantum phenomenon, like the phase shift between photons send in different directions.
None of the current phone IMUs utilise quantum phenomena for measurement. They’re MEMS/FOG/RLG systems.
Quantum IMUs are the size that requires rack mounting.
OK but still the GPS using timing based on an atomic clock in space is absolutely sophisticated, and that is in even the cheapest smartphones today.
Your claim was quantum phenomena utilisation in phone sensors.
Let’s stop moving the goalposts please.
I’m just tiring of the negativity here, so this is my last response in this thread.
https://qt.eu/applications/how-your-smartphone-uses-quantum-mechanics
https://science.epochsandechoes.com/7-mind-blowing-ways-your-smartphone-secretly-uses-quantum-physics-to-power-everyday-features-beac4d922130
I mean everything electric is a quantum sensor not to defend anything
edit: further g sensors and accelerometers implemented by piezoelectricity are quantum sensors. They just use materials that make the sensing easy
If the device doesn’t use quantum effects directly, it isn’t a quantum sensor.
Otherwise words have no meaning and textbooks would call 1860’s steam engines electric quantum engines because materials are held together with electric effects and atoms have quantum properties.
Well everything uses quantum effects directly at least the highs field like you said. Your definition is therefore bad. But the examples do use gravitons because they measure gravity the same a camera uses photons to measure light, which are both quants and are measured in “easy” ways. Just because you are posh about it and try to define it as only the large hardron collider
I am extremely ignorant on these things. If what you say is true, it stands to reason that all the claims that “only 3 companies can produce memory chips” are most likely bullshit.
I hate the way the world is going right now.
The 3 major makers Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron dominate the market, but they are definitely not alone. especially not since China has entered the market in force.