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FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016 - PAGE 7
RIGHT AT HOME
Microsoft plans to brings educational version of Minecraft to the classrooms.
Tech trends Minecraft for schools Microsoft is buying the educational version of Minecraft and has plans to create a bigger and better version of the popular world-building video game that's designed for classrooms. The Redmond, Washington, software company will partner with TeacherGaming LLC, creator of MinecraftEdu, to transform that game into "Minecraft: Education Edition." Financial terms were not disclosed. Microsoft says the new version will add and expand features intended to make the game classroom friendly, including better maps and coordinates that will help teachers and students find their way around a Minecraft world together. Developers will also beef up the game's multi-player capabilities so that a classroom of up to 40 kids can work together. The game lets players explore, fight monsters and build surprisingly complex structures — even electrical circuits — out of blocks. You could easily use it to teach math, said Deirdre Quaranstrom, Microsoft's director of Minecraft education. But kids could also explore ancient temples in the game for a history class or view the inside of an eyeball as part of a science lesson. Perks for educators include an online community with a mentorship program for connecting teachers experienced with Minecraft to those new to it. The new game will be available this summer, with free trials available for teachers and students. Microsoft will announce pricing details before the end of the current school year, but says it currently plans to keep the price at $5 per user per year. — Bree Fowler, AP Technology Writer
Amazon Dash Amazon is expanding its smart-home ordering service to a range of new appliances. Its Dash "replenishment" service lets users reorder common household items with a touch of a button. (Its first incarnation involved plastic "Dash buttons" dedicated to particular products; pressing one orders a set quantity of, say, diapers or dishwasher detergent.) The new Dash devices will work in a similar fashion, although they won't be dedicated buttons anymore. Instead, Brother connected printers will let you order replacement toner or ink automatically. A GE washer will reorder detergent when it runs low. And a Gmate glucose meter, which tests blood sugar for diabetics, automatically reorders testing strips and blood-drawing lancets when needed. Users can sign up online to activate the service. Amazon first announced the expansion to the Dash line in October; now the new products are hitting the market. Others in the works include Purell hand-sanitizer dispensers, Samsung laser printers, "smart" home locks from Austin and others. — Mae Anderson, AP Technology Writer
Data encryption Some government and police officials may be seething because encryption makes it harder for them to track criminals and extremists, but it turns out that many companies aren't bothering to protect their data by encoding it in the first place. A new study released Tuesday by the security firm Sophos surveyed 1,700 IT managers at mid-sized businesses in the U.S., Canada, India, Australia, Japan and Malaysia. Of those, 44 percent say they're currently making extensive use of encryption, while another 43 percent are using encryption to some degree. Encryption levels were lower among the smaller businesses surveyed, with just 38 percent of organizations with 100 to 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, while Malaysia posted the lowest rate of 26 percent. The top reason for not encrypting extensively — supplied by 37 percent of those who responded — was a lack of budget, while 31 percent cited performance concerns. — Bree Fowler, AP Technology Writer
Data Caps Verizon is the latest cellphone company to offer Web surfing for customers that doesn't count against their data caps. Under such caps, you can get hit with extra fees or slower speeds if you go over your plan's data limit. That's not particularly difficult, especially if you're often watching video and listening to music on the go. Verizon has said that it's interested in "sponsored data" as another source of revenue. A company can pay Verizon so that phone users can browse their websites, watch video clips or download their apps without using up their data allotment. Verizon says brands that have signed up include Hearst Magazines and AOL, which Verizon owns. AT&T also launched a sponsored data program two years ago, but relatively few companies are participating. By contrast, T-Mobile exempts several dozen music and video providers from caps, but says it isn't charging them. It says it wants to appeal to customers who watch a lot of video in a way that doesn't strain its network as much. To do that, it degrades video quality across the board, even for video that isn't exempted from caps. T-Mobile says that lets customers watch more. Government regulators have asked AT&T and T-Mobile for more information about their strategies. While net neutrality rules enacted last year 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 some companies over others. Net neutrality refers to the concept that websites and apps should be treated equally by Internet service providers. — Tali Arbel, AP Technology Writer
In this photo provided by Ikea, the Laxarby cabinet door has a distinctly traditional look, in a warm black-brown hue. Pairing black with metallic elements, like these big pendants, is on-trend. (Ikea via AP)
Bold, black kitchens serve up style By KIM COOK Associated Press The kitchen’s often a room to experiment — with decor, as well as food and drink. Over the years we’ve seen yellow, turquoise, avocado green, greige and white take their turn as favored hues. But right now, black is back. “It makes perfect sense, style-wise,” says New York City designer Elaine Griffin. “We began seeing the rise of black appliances as sleek and stylish non-white alternatives to pricier stainless options at the new millennium, and black as the ‘new neutral’ wall color has been gaining popularity over the past decade.” You can go ultramodern or traditional when bringing black into the kitchen. High-end, Euro-style lacquered cabinetry from companies like Boffi, Poliform and Bulthap is sleek and sexy. Marble countertops and geometric fixtures can create a glamorous, jewelbox kitchen, great for entertaining. Put the hue on Shaker-style cabinets, add rustic French tile, smooth quartz counters and hand-rubbed brass fittings, and you’ve got a sophisticated space. Or add a walnut or maple slab island and saddle leather stools for an industrial look. A few things to remember if you’re going to get a black kitchen right: Contrast is key. Going overboard with black will get you a kitchen that resembles a bad mall hair salon, says Griffin. Use black on the cabinets and a paler hue on counters and floors, or vice versa. Maria Killam, a color expert and designer in Vancouver, British Columbia, agrees. “Make sure your floors and countertops are very light to balance and contrast the super-dark cabinets. Working with black is a balancing act and requires some skill,” she advises. “Simple white tile with black grout is a great way to get some light in the space and give a nod to classic kitchens.” Killam suggests including wood elements like a butcherblock island countertop. “Wood lower cabinets would work with black countertops and upper shelving, for example. I would keep the wood finishes as natural as possible ... and relatively pale so the overall effect isn’t too heavy,” she says. Ikea offers the Sektion kitchen cabinets in black, and there is a range of coordinating black kitchen fittings there too, including drawer pulls, storage items and trash cans. (www.ikea.com ) You can repaint existing cabinetry if you’re budget-conscious. Consider Benjamin Moore’s Midsummer Night, SherwinWilliams’ Black Fox, Valspar’s Raven Black or Behr’s Black Suede. Many shades of black pick up other hues in an interesting way — midnight blues, chocolates and sooty grays, for example. Choose the right finish: Save the glossy paint for trim or you’ll be swabbing fingerprints forever. “Like a little black dress, accessories make a statement in a black kitchen, so choose your hardware and fixtures with care,” advises Griffin. “Polished or antiqued brass and black is a whitehot finish option right now, for both contemporary and traditional looks.” Add a cool stool; Houzz has a big selection. Recent offerings include stools with chic, slim hairpin legs, as well as comfylooking upholstered ones, and several stools in snazzy hues like red, orange and blue. (www.houzz.com ) Embossed or painted concrete, sculpted limestone, pressed tin, or wallpaper would be striking complements to black cabinetry and fittings. Add an Art Deco touch to a black kitchen with Giorbello’s Water Jet glass tiles. Daltile’s Bamboo Forest faux wood tile would be a durable, style-savvy backsplash or floor. Italian ceramic tile maker Fap has a matte-black subway tile in its new Boston collection. (www.wayfair.com ; www.italytile.com ) The right lighting is important in a black kitchen. Killam likes skylights and large windows to take advantage of natural light.
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In this photo provided by Houzz.com, a transitional kitchen island or cart in black would be a smart way to introduce the color without committing to more permanent elements like cabinetry. This one from Houzz combines on-trend distressed wood with black. (Houzz.com via AP) To avoid what Griffin calls “black hole syndrome”, install lights at multiple height levels: ceiling, pendant, under-cabinet and even countertop lamps. Lamps Plus has forged-iron and rubbed-bronze chandeliers and pendants. Hudson Valley Lighting’s Lydney polished black nickel pendant would work well in any style of kitchen. (www. lampsplus.com ; www.hudsonvalleylighting.com ) Those who like the idea of black but are tentative might consider introducing one or two black elements. Chicago design studio KitchenLab has used black accents like islands, lighting, kitchen ladders and window treatments. (www.kitchenlabdesign.com ) Artwork and textiles incorporating black with brights, whites, or subtle neutrals like sage, putty and cream add drama. Instead of paint, consider black appliances. GE’s got a slate, French-door refrigerator with a smudge-resistant finish. Ikea offers a black cooktop. Upscale brands like AGA and Le Cornue have black enameled stoves. Jenn-Air’s Obsidian fridge has a black interior, ostensibly making even the humblest leftovers look magazine-worthy. Wayfair stocks a broad range of black faucets by Moen, Delta and Kohler, in matte or satin finishes. (www.wayfair.com)
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