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In Tech: Minecraft For Schools, Amazon Dash, Data Encryption

In Tech: Minecraft for schools, Amazon Dash, data encryption By Associated Press



Published at 21:12 EDT on January 20, 2016



Microsoft has bought Minecraft's educational version and plans to develop a larger and more powerful version for classrooms.



The Redmond, Washington, software company will partner with TeacherGaming LLC, creator of MinecraftEdu to turn that game into "Minecraft: Education Edition." Financial terms were not disclosed.



Microsoft says the new version will add and expand features designed to make the game more classroom accessible, including improved maps and coordinates that aid students and teachers to find their way around a Minecraft world together. Developers will also enhance the game's multi-player capabilities so that a classroom with up to 40 children can work together.



The game lets players explore, fight monsters and build surprisingly complex structures - even electrical circuits out of blocks. It's a great tool to teach math, said Deirdre Quaranstrom Microsoft's director for Minecraft education. Children can explore ancient temples, or even see the inside of an eyeball during the game as part of an education in science.



The benefits for educators include an online community that includes mentoring programs that connect teachers experienced with Minecraft to those new to it.



The game will be released this summer, with free trials for students and teachers. Microsoft will announce pricing details prior to the end of the current school year, however, it says it currently plans to keep the cost at $5 per year for each user.



Amazon is expanding its smart-home ordering service to include a range of new appliances. Amazon's Dash "replenishment” service lets customers replenish household products at the click of a button. Its initial form was a series of plastic buttons, referred to "Dash buttons" which were designed for specific products. When you press one, you will be able to make a purchase of a certain amount of detergent or diapers.



The new Dash devices will function similarly however they won't have dedicated buttons any longer. Brother-connected printers will let you to purchase toner replacement or ink. A GE washer can automatically order detergent when it runs out. A Gmate glucose device that monitors blood sugar levels for diabetics, and automatically orders test strips and blood-drawing lancets, will also reorder detergent when it runs low. Users can sign up online to activate the service.



Amazon announced the expansion of its Dash line in October. Now the new products are available on the market. Other products under development include Purell hand-sanitizers, Samsung laser printers and "smart home locks" from Austin among others.



- Mae Anderson, AP Technology Writer



Some government and police officials might be shivering because encryption makes it difficult for them to track extremists and criminals, but it turns out that a lot of companies don't bother to safeguard their data by encryption in the first place.



A new study published on Tuesday by the security firm Sophos conducted a survey of 1,700 IT managers of mid-sized companies in the U.S., Canada, India, Australia, Japan and Malaysia. 44% of those surveyed reported that they currently use encryption extensively, while 43% of them use encryption at some level.



The proportion of smaller companies that are encrypting was lower among the companies that were surveyed. Only 38 percent of businesses with 100-500 employees reported that they are encrypting extensively.



The U.S. has higher encryption rates, with 54% of respondents saying they use encryption frequently. Australia was second, with a the highest rate of 49 percent, and Malaysia had the lowest rate of 26 percent.



37% of respondents stated that they weren't planning to go through the process of encryption because of the lack of funds and 31% cited concerns about performance.



-- Bree Fowler, AP Technology Writer



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Verizon is the latest cellphone company that offers Web surfing to customers that doesn't count against data caps.



With these caps, you can get charged extra charges or slower speeds if you exceed the limit of data on your plan. It's not difficult especially if the device allows you to watch music and watch videos on the go.



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, watch videos or download apps without using up their data allowance. Verizon claims that brands have signed up for AOL and Hearst Magazines.



AT&T also announced a sponsored data program two years ago, but very few companies have signed up.



By contrast, T-Mobile exempts several dozen video and music streaming providers from cap charges, but states that it isn't charging them. YUROCK It claims it wants to attract customers who watch lots of videos without straining its network. It decreases the quality of video across all video sources, including those that are not exempt from caps. T-Mobile says it allows customers to watch more.



Government regulators have requested AT&T and T-Mobile for more details on their strategies. While net neutrality rules last year didn't prohibit the practice, technically known as "zero rating" of selecting services that don't count against data caps (technically called zero rating), some advocates claim it could hinder innovation and make certain companies more attractive over other companies. Net neutrality refers to the concept that apps and websites must be treated equally by Internet service providers.


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