Microsoft jumps ahead of Google in quantum race

微软 ’s breakthrough quantum processor gives it a clear path to achieve quantum computing’s long-term promise of solving some of the world’s toughest problems “not in decades, as some have predicted, but in years," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says. The advances could also give Microsoft an edge against 谷歌 and others. Read more.

• Related: Microsoft researchers debuted a new generative AI model designed for video games that has potential to help revive classic titles. Read more.

Airbnb is pushing back against a proposed 6% tax on short-term rental bookings in Washington state. The legislation is aimed at helping to fund affordable housing, especially in tourism-heavy communities where vacation rentals have proliferated. Read more.

“Chilling, dramatic, horrific.” Dr. Thomas Lynch , president and director of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, offered that assessment of how proposed cuts to overhead funding by the Trump administration would land at the institution as he led Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) on a tour and meet-and-greet with researchers. Read more.??

Lumotive , a Bill Gates -backed startup that manufactures semiconductor chips tailored for 3D sensors, raised $45 million.?

• AheadComputing , a Portland, Ore.-based CPU technology startup led by former 英特尔 execs, raised $21.5 million in a seed round.
• SingleFile , a legal tech startup based in Seattle that helps companies file compliance reports with government agencies, raised $9 million.
• See all our latest funding data here.

A Seattle-based team that worked on the popular online action video game “Marvel Rivals” was dismissed by its parent company, 网易游戏 . Read more.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has “grave concerns” about what the Trump administration might have in store for the city —?a different tone from his more diplomatic approach at a tech event in November. Read more.

Last call for GeekWire Awards nominations! Act now and get your picks in for the leading entrepreneurs, innovators, non-profit leaders and more across Pacific Northwest tech ahead of our annual event in Seattle. Submit nominations and join us April 30.

Hot Links:

• 亚马逊 is shutting down “Inspire,” a TikTok-style video and photo feed in its mobile app to help shoppers discover products from content created by influencers, brands, and other customers. (TechCrunch)
• Amazon is quietly discontinuing, effective Feb. 26, a longstanding feature that allows Kindle users to download ebooks to their computers. (ZDNET)
• Veeam Software , the Kirkland, Wash.-based data protection and ransomware recovery company, is among the companies raising funds to help cash out existing investors in lieu of going public in a volatile market. (New York Times)
• Amazon worked quietly behind the scenes to support efforts to secure the release by Hamas of an Amazon Web Services (AWS) employee, Sasha Troufanov, and his family. (About Amazon)
• The race is on between 苹果 and Amazon to upgrade their respective voice assistants, Siri and Alexa. But in the age of AI, it’s a race to not be embarrassed, and it keeps getting delayed. (Spyglass)
• Amazon’s eero wifi and networking business, acquired by the tech giant in 2019, announced a series of new products as it marked its 10th anniversary. (BusinessWire)

Sign up here to receive GeekWire's daily newsletter in your email inbox each day at 11 a.m. PT.

SPONSOR MESSAGE: Community nominations for the GeekWire Awards are open through Feb. 21: Submit nominations here!

SPONSOR MESSAGE: University of Washington drives state’s economy forward. A new independent study reveals that the UW’s economic impact has grown to $20.9 billion — making it responsible for $1 of every $32 in the statewide economy. By providing expert medical care, fostering cutting-edge research and educating tomorrow’s leaders, the UW offers one of the best public investments Washington can make for its economy, its people and its future. Read more.