In Tech Minecraft For Schools Amazon Dash Data Encryption

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



Published at 21:12 EDT on January 20, 2016



Microsoft is purchasing the educational version of Minecraft and has plans to create a bigger and more advanced version of the world-building video game that's made for classrooms.



The Redmond, Washington, software company will join forces with TeacherGaming LLC, creator of MinecraftEdu to transform the game into "Minecraft Education Edition." Financial terms were not disclosed.



Microsoft claims that the new version will feature enhancements that make Minecraft classroom-friendly, including more accurate maps and coordinates that will help students and teachers navigate a Minecraft world together. Minecraftservers Developers plan to improve the game's multi-player capabilities which means that up to 40 kids can play together.



The game lets players explore, fight monsters and build amazing structures - including electrical circuits - from blocks. Deirdre Quinstrom Microsoft's director of Minecraft education, suggested that it could be used to teach math. But kids could also explore ancient temples in the game for classes in history or even look at the inside of the eyeball as part of the science class.



Perks for educators include an online community that includes mentoring programs that connect teachers experienced with Minecraft to those who are just beginning to learn about it.



The new game will be available in the summer, with free trials for teachers and students. Microsoft will reveal pricing details prior to the end of this school year. However, it states that it will keep the price at $5 per year for all users.



Amazon is expanding its smart home ordering service to include a range of new appliances. Its Dash "replenishment" service lets customers reorder household items with a touch of a button. Its original form was a set of plastic buttons referred to as "Dash buttons" that were devoted to specific products. When you press one, you will be able to purchase a specific amount of diapers or detergent.



The new Dash devices will function similarly however they won't have dedicated buttons anymore. Instead, Brother connected printers will let you order refills for ink or toner on a regular basis. A GE washer will reorder detergent when it is running low. Also, a Gmate glucose meter, which tests blood sugar levels for diabetics automatically reorders testing strips and blood-drawing lancets as needed. To activate the service, users must sign up online.



Amazon first announced the expansion to the Dash line in October; The new products are now available for purchase. Other products in 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 catch extremists and criminals, but it turns out that many companies don't bother to safeguard their data by encryption in the first place.



Sophos announced on Tuesday a new study that surveyed 1,700 IT managers in mid-sized businesses in the U.S. and Canada. 44% of the respondents stated that they use encryption extensively, and 43% are using encryption at least on a small scale.



The level of encryption was lower for smaller companies surveyed with just 38 percent of companies with 100 to 500 employees saying they're encrypting extensively.



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



37% of respondents said that they weren't planning to encrypt extensively because of budgetary constraints while 31% mentioned performance concerns.



- Bree Fowler - AP Technology Writer



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Verizon is the latest cellphone company that provides customers access to the internet that doesn't count against data caps.



Under such caps, you can get hit with extra fees or slower speeds if you go over your plan's data limit. This isn't a big problem, especially if you're often watching videos and listening to music on the go.



Verizon has stated that it is interested in "sponsored data" as a source of revenue. Verizon can pay a business to allow users to browse their websites, download their apps, and view videos without having to consume data. Verizon claims that brands have signed up for AOL and Hearst Magazines.



AT&T also introduced a sponsored data program two years ago, however, only a handful of companies are taking part.



By contrast, T-Mobile exempts several dozen video and music providers from the cap, but says it doesn't charge for them. It claims it wants draw customers who view many more videos without straining its network. It decreases the quality of video across all video sources, even those that are not exempt from the caps. T-Mobile says that lets customers watch more.



Government regulators have requested AT&T and T-Mobile to provide more information on their strategies. Although net neutrality rules last year did not prohibit the practice, known technically as "zero rating" of selecting services that don't be considered to be in violation of data caps (technically called zero rating), some advocates claim it can hinder innovation and make certain companies more attractive over other ones. Net neutrality is a concept that Internet service providers should treat both apps and websites equally.