AP Technology NewsBrief at 5:36 p.m. EST

(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Leap jumps to capture next step in motion controlAUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ In a bustling tent set up in a parking lot here at the South By Southwest Interactive Festival, people are pointing their hands and gesturing with chopsticks as they guide various actions on a dozen computer screens. Some of the sharpest minds in technology have gathered in Austin, Texas, to ponder the ever-connected nature of the modern world. A big theme this year focuses on how to create more seamless interactions between people and technology, finding ways to control devices that go beyond mice, trackpads and touchscreens.

FCC approves T-Mobile-MetroPCS dealNEW YORK (AP) _ The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday approved the merger of T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS Communications Inc., the No. 4 and No. 5 cellphone carriers in the country. The Justice Department cleared the merger last week, meaning that the last hurdle will be a vote by MetroPCS shareholders, who convene in a month. Regulatory approval of the deal was expected. The FCC applied no significant conditions to its approval.

Google pays $7M fine to settle Wi-Fi privacy caseSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Google will pay a $7 million fine to settle a multistate investigation into a snoopy software program that enabled the Internet search leader to intercept emails, passwords and other sensitive information sent several years ago over unprotected wireless networks in neighborhoods across the world. The agreement announced Tuesday covers 38 states and the District of Columbia, part of the area where households and local merchants unwittingly had some of their communications on Wi-Fi networks snatched by Google Inc. from early 2008 until the spring 0f 2010.

Disney bringing back Mickey Mouse in 2-D shortsLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Mickey Mouse cartoons are coming back to the small screen as Disney attempts to revive one of the world's most popular characters. The 19 2-D episodes will debut June 28 on the Disney Channel as well as online at Disney.com and the Watch Disney Channel app.

Viral videos stoke celebrities' imagesNEW YORK (AP) _ Mila Kunis' stardom went up a notch last week, and you would think it's because she stars in the biggest movie of the year so far. But "Oz the Great and Powerful," which debuted with $79.1 million at the box office, had little to do with the sudden rush of adulation that engulfed Kunis. Instead, it was a seven-minute viral video that's been watched more than 10 million times and blogged about the world over.

Pentagon forming cyber teams to prevent attacksWASHINGTON (AP) _ The Defense Department is establishing a series of cyber teams charged with carrying out offensive operations to combat the threat of an electronic assault on the United States that could cause major damage and disruption to the country's vital infrastructure, a senior military official said Tuesday. Gen. Keith Alexander, the top officer at U.S. Cyber Command, warned during testimony that the potential for an attack against the nation's electric grid and other essential systems is real and more aggressive steps need to be taken by the federal government and the private sector in order to improve digital defenses.

China willing to talk with US over cyberattacksBEIJING (AP) _ China says it is willing to cooperate with the United States in cybersecurity after the U.S. called on it to take "serious steps" to stop cyberattacks. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying repeated China's assertion that it is firmly opposed to cyberattacks and one of the countries that has suffered most from them. She says the country cracks down on such hackers according to the law.

Viral videos stoke celebrities' imagesNEW YORK (AP) _ Mila Kunis' stardom went up a notch last week, and you would think it's because she stars in the biggest movie of the year so far. But "Oz the Great and Powerful," which debuted with $79.1 million at the box office, had little to do with the sudden rush of adulation that engulfed Kunis. Instead, it was a seven-minute viral video that's been watched more than 10 million times and blogged about the world over.

New cyber medal production stopped, being reviewedWASHINGTON (AP) _ The military has stopped production of a new medal for remote warfare troops _ drone operators and cyber warfighters _ as it considers complaints from veterans and lawmakers over the award, which was ranked higher than traditional combat medals like the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the Distinguished Warfare Medal, which was to be awarded to troops who operate drones and use other technological skills to fight America's wars from afar.

Report: Iran blocks VPN access to Gmail, YahooTEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iranian authorities have blocked many foreign-based virtual private networks, or VPNs, severely restricting access to many websites. The VPNs are illegal in Iran but offered a path for Iranians to freely use the Internet, access banned opposition websites as well as popular sites such as Facebook.

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