certifications
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Microsoft is offering low-cost certifications to job seekers
Microsoft believes that one of the best ways to help the economy rebound and reduce the staggering rate of unemployment is to help workers learn new digital skills. The initiative will blend new and existing resources from LinkedIn, GitHub and Microsoft, and it will provide low-cost Microsoft Certifications. LinkedIn Learning “paths” aligned with tech roles like software developer, project manager, IT administrator and data analyst will be free of charge through the end of March 2021.
Apple revamps AppleCare technician certifications program
Apple has revamped its AppleCare technician certification program. Officially called the Service Training and Certification program, it exists to train technicians in diagnosis and repair of Apple products. Until now technicians needed to renew their certification each year and take their exams at a certified examination center. As of June 23 however, technicians will no longer need to be recertified each year and all exams will be done online. The changes come as a result of feedback from technicians. From Apple's Service Training and Certification FAQ: Changes include the following: No more ACMT recertifications: All service technicians with existing ACMT certifications as of June 23 will be granted a new ACMT certification that eliminates yearly recertification exams. This new certification will allow the same ordering of service parts as the preceding ACMT certification and will not expire. New exam resources: The following Apple service exams will be available solely from a new online resource: 9L0-010 - Apple Macintosh Service Certification Exam 9L0-064 - OS X v10.8 Mountain Lion Troubleshooting Exam 9L0-E04 - iOS Qualification Exam Notes: All other AppleCare online exams are not affected by this change. You will still access other exams at ibt.prometric.com/apple. Details on the new exam resource will be provided in other communications. No more testing centers: All AppleCare Service exams will be available online. You will be able to take these exams without the need to travel to a testing center. No more proctored exams: Initial ACMT certification exams will no longer require exam proctors for exams taken at training centers.
Bluetooth SIG releases certifications for fitness devices aimed at runners and cyclists
Fitness gadgets are great, but you never quite know what you're going to get when it comes to calorie counts, or a reading of how many miles you've run. That could change, though, thanks to a set of standards the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is adopting with regard to fitness devices. These two certifications, which apply to running and cycling gadgets, respectively, affect the way data (e.g., cadence, speed, distance) is transmitted to paired devices like smartphones, sports watches and cycling computers. As far as SIG is concerned, too, more standardization means OEMs will have an easier time bringing new products to market -- not that there's any current shortage of options to choose from.
PlanetSide 2 may feature space-based gameplay
A few more PlanetSide 2 details have emerged thanks to a presentation given by Sony Online Entertainment's John Smedley and Matt Higby at a recent SyndCon gathering. The duo explained how PlanetSide 2's dynamic weather system will affect combat and that smoke resulting from prolonged firefights will also play a role. The catch here, according to FPSguru, is that these features "may not be in at launch, but [are] definitely in the long-term plan." Speaking of iteration, Smedley also drew comparisons to EVE Online's "outside-in" approach (specifically, the fact that CCP began with a space game and added planet-based gameplay at a later date). PlanetSide 2 will reverse this process, beginning with a single continent, "then add[ing] more continents and eventually, planets," Smedley said. Plans for space-based gameplay are also on the table. There's a bit more to the article including riffs on certifications (i.e., skills) and the inevitable cash shop. Head to FPSguru for more details.
