In Tech: Minecraft for schools, Amazon Dash, data encryption By Associated Press
Refreshed at 21:12 EDT on January 20, 2016
Microsoft is purchasing the educational version of Minecraft and has plans to create a larger and more advanced version of the game of world-building that's specifically intended for classrooms.
The Redmond, Washington, software company will collaborate with TeacherGaming LLC, creator of MinecraftEdu, to transform that game into "Minecraft Education Edition." The financial conditions of the partnership were not disclosed.
Microsoft states that the new version will include and expand features designed to make the game classroom friendly, including better maps and coordinates to aid students and teachers to find their way around a Minecraft world together. MINECRAFT PROFILES Developers will also enhance the game's multi-player capabilities so that a class of up to 40 students can collaborate.
The game allows players to explore, fight monsters, and construct complex structures out of blocks. It is a great way to teach math, according to Deirdre Quaranstrom, Microsoft's director of Minecraft education. Children could visit ancient temples or see the inside of the eyeball when playing the game as part of a science lesson.
Teachers are rewarded with perks such as an online community and mentorship program that connects teachers familiar with Minecraft to newcomers to the game. out.
The game will be available this summer, with no-cost trial versions available to teachers and students. Microsoft will announce pricing details prior to the closing of the current school year, but it has stated that it currently plans to keep the cost at $5 per year per user.
Amazon is expanding its smart home ordering service to include a wide range of new appliances. Its Dash "replenishment" service lets users reorder common household items at the click of a button. Its original form was a collection of plastic buttons called "Dash buttons" that were devoted to specific products. By pressing one, you can make a purchase of a certain amount of detergent or diapers.
The new Dash devices operate in the same manner, however they won't have dedicated buttons. Brother connected printers will allow you to order toner or ink refills automatically. A GE washer can automatically reorder detergent when it is running out. And a Gmate glucose meter, which tests blood sugar levels for diabetics, automatically reorders strips for testing and blood-drawing swabs when required. To activate the service, users must sign up online.
Amazon first announced the expansion to the Dash line in October; now the new products are being sold. Other products in development include Purell hand-sanitizers, Samsung laser printers and "smart home locks" from Austin, among others.
- Mae Anderson, AP Technology Writer
While some police and government officials might be enraged that encryption makes it difficult to catch extremists or criminals, it turns out that a lot of companies don't bother to protect their data in the first place.
A new study published on Tuesday by the security firm Sophos interviewed 1,700 IT executives at mid-sized businesses in the U.S., Canada, India, Australia, Japan and Malaysia. Of those 44 percent, 44 percent are currently making use of encryption, whereas another 43 percent are using encryption in some way.
The encryption levels were lower in smaller businesses, with only 38 percent of organizations with 100 to 500 employees saying they're encrypting extensively.
The U.S. has higher encryption rates with 54% of respondents stating they use encryption frequently. Australia was in second place with the rate of 49 percent, and Malaysia had a rate of 26 percent.
The most common reason for not using encryption extensively - as stated by 37 percent of those who responded to the survey - was a lack of budget, while 31 percent cited performance issues.
- Bree Fowler - AP Technology Writer
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Verizon is the most recent cellphone company to provide Web surfing to customers that don't count against their data caps.
In the event of caps, you may be hit with extra fees or slower speeds if you exceed the data limit of your plan. That's not particularly difficult particularly if you're frequently watching video and listening to music while on the move.
Verizon has said it's interested in "sponsored data" as a source of revenue. A company can pay Verizon to allow users on their phones can browse their websites, play videos or download their apps without using up their data allotment. Verizon claims that brands have signed up for AOL and Hearst Magazines.
AT&T also introduced a sponsored data program two years ago, however, very few companies have signed up.
By contrast, T-Mobile exempts several dozen video and music providers from caps, but says it isn't charging the providers. It claims it wants to draw customers who stream many videos in the way that doesn't strain its network as much. It decreases the quality of video across all video sources, including those that aren't exempt from the caps. T-Mobile states that customers can watch more.
AT&T and T-Mobile have been scrutinized by regulators from the government for more details on their strategies. Although net neutrality rules last year did not prohibit the practice, known technically as "zero rating", of choosing services that don't be considered to be in violation of data caps (technically known as zero rating), some advocates claim it could hinder innovation and favor certain companies over others. Net neutrality is the notion that apps and websites must be treated equally by Internet service providers.
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