Group 1 - IonQ is acquiring Oxford Ionics for nearly $1.1 billion, with shares gaining about 4% following the announcement [1] - The merger aims to integrate IonQ's quantum computing hardware and software expertise with Oxford Ionics' semiconductor chip technologies to drive innovation and revenue growth [1] - The deal includes $1.065 billion in IonQ shares and approximately $10 million in cash, with the expectation to close this year [2] Group 2 - The combined company plans to develop systems with 256 qubits by 2026, over 10,000 by 2027, and 2 million by 2030 [2] - Interest in quantum computing has surged recently, particularly after advancements announced by technology giants like Microsoft and Alphabet [3] - Experts highlight quantum computing's potential to tackle complex computing tasks that are beyond the capabilities of traditional computers [3]