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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



Updated 21:12 EDT on 20 January 2016



Microsoft is purchasing the educational version of Minecraft and is planning to create a bigger and better version of the game of world-building that's specifically intended for classrooms.



Redmond Washington-based software company Software Corporation, a Washington-based company, will partner with TeacherGaming LLC to transform MinecraftEdu into "Minecraft: Education Edition". Financial terms were not disclosed.



Microsoft claims that the new version will have enhanced features that make Minecraft classroom-friendly, including more accurate maps and coordinates that will aid teachers and students navigate the Minecraft world together. minecraft servers Developers will also improve the game's multi-player features so that a class of up to 40 students can work together.



The game allows players to explore, fight monsters, and create complex structures from blocks. It is a great way to teach math, according to Deirdre Quaranstrom Microsoft's director for Minecraft education. Kids can also explore ancient temples in the game for classes in history or even look at the inside of an eyeball in the science class.



Teachers can benefit from an online community and mentorship program that connects teachers who are familiar with Minecraft to those who are just starting out.



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



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 with a touch of one button. (Its initial form was based on plastic "Dash buttons" specifically designed for specific products; pressing one orders a set quantity of, say, diapers or dishwasher detergent.)



The new Dash devices will function in a similar fashion however they won't have dedicated buttons any longer. Brother-connected printers will let users to purchase ink or replacement toner automatically. A GE washer will reorder detergent when it's running low. A Gmate glucose meters that monitors blood sugar for diabetics and automatically orders testing strips and blood-drawing lancests, will also reorder detergent when it is low. To activate the service, customers can sign up online.



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



- Mae Anderson, AP Technology Writer



While some government and police officials might be furious that encryption makes it harder to identify 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 released Tuesday by the security firm Sophos surveyed 1,700 IT managers of mid-sized companies in the U.S., Canada, India, Australia, Japan and Malaysia. Of these 44 percent, 44 percent are currently making use of encryption, while another 43 percent are using encryption in some way.



The encryption levels were lower in smaller businesses, with just 38 percent of organizations with between 100 and 500 employees saying they're encrypting extensively.



In the U.S., encryption rates are higher, with 54 percent of those surveyed saying they make extensive use of the technology. Australia came in second with a rate of 49 percent. Malaysia posted the lowest rate of 26 percent.



37% of respondents said that they weren't planning to use encryption extensively due to the lack of funds, while 31% cited concerns about performance.



- Bree Fowler, AP Technology Writer



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Verizon is the most recent cellphone company to provide Internet access for customers that don't count against their data limits.



You could be subject to additional fees or slower speeds if the limit of your data is exceeded. This isn't a problem particularly if your device allows you to stream video and listen to music on the go.



Verizon has said it's interested in "sponsored data" as a source of revenue. Verizon could pay a company to let users browse their websites and download their apps and view videos without having to consume data. Verizon claims that brands have signed up with AOL and Hearst Magazines.



AT&T also launched a sponsored data program two years ago, however, relatively few companies are participating.



T-Mobile, however, exempts several dozen video and music providers from caps, but does not charge them. It says it wants attract customers who stream a lot of video in the way that doesn't strain its network as much. It lowers the quality of video across all video sources, even those that are not exempt from caps. T-Mobile claims that it lets customers watch more.



Government regulators have asked AT&T and T-Mobile for more details on their strategies. Although net neutrality rules that were enacted in 2013 don't ban the practice of picking and choosing services that won't count against data caps, technically known as "zero rating," some advocates say it could hinder innovation or favor certain companies over others. Net neutrality is the idea that Internet service providers should treat both apps and websites equally.


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