Apple has added a new iTunes page that lets you donate money to the Red Cross for "superstorm" Sandy assistance. You can donate at http://macte.ch/Ialem in increments of US$5, $10, $25, $50, $100 and $200. At least 56 people in the United States and one in Canada died during the storm, raising Sandy's overall death toll to 124 after earlier claiming 67 lives in the Caribbean. And, according to "CNN," almost 4.9 million customers across the eastern U.S. were still without power early Thursday.

MacAppware has introduced MacOptimizer, its new disk utility application for Mac OS X (10.6 and higher). It's available at the MacAppware website (www.macappware.com) for US$29.99. MacOptimizer is designed to help you clean, repair and organize your Mac. It can: clean your system caches; optimize your Mac; speed up Apple Mail; free up inactive memory; run regular maintenance; customize system settings; remove unnecessary language files; and more.

Paragon Software Group has launched the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary for Mac OS X. It offers explanations written using the 3000-word defining vocabulary. The dictionary includes: 3,000 keyword entries designed to help you learn the most important words in English; over 57,000 synonyms and opposites; over 83,000 collocations that show how words are used together; information about British and American culture; 1,000 new words and meanings explain today’s vocabulary and usage; 1,300 words illustrated in groups help to build vocabulary for talking about topics. Illustrations can be enlarged and explored; over 95,000 extra example sentences and more. You can listen to real British and American voices pronounce words and example sentences. You can access the high quality audio online, or download all 116,000 example sentences to listen offline.   The Oxford 3000™: This list of the 3,000 most important words to know in English was compiled by language experts and is corpus-based....

Kingston Digital (www.kingston.com) has announced a new 64GB Kingston microSDXC Class 10 memory card for US$59.99. Available in 64GB capacity, microSDXC cards offer additional storage for more music, videos, pictures and games. Fully compliant with the latest SD Association specification, Kingston’s micro Secure Digital eXtended Capacity (microSDXC) card operates on the exFAT file system, which is designed to handle extremely large volumes of data, such as files bigger than 4GB, says Andrew Ewing, Flash memory business manager, Kingston. For added reliability and durability, Kingston’s solid-state microSDXC memory cards are built of non-volatile memory components and have no moving parts that could wear out or break, he adds. Additionally, microSDXC cards offer a speed "class" rating known as Class 10 that delivers a 10MB/s minimum sustained transfer rate for optimum performance with microSDXC compatible devices, says Ewing. All cards are 100% tested and are backed by a lifetime...

Anna, a new horror-adventure game from Kalypso Media (www.kalypsomedia.com) has been announced for the Mac. It will be available on the Mac App Store and Steam on Nov. 9 for US$9.99. Here's how the game is described: "Anna is a first-person horror adventure that explores the darkest depths of the human psyche. Set in an abandoned sawmill nestled high in the mountains, Anna challenges you to uncover horrific clues and use them to solve puzzles related to your character's dark past. As you play, Anna will change locations and unveil new secrets. The way you play will not only determine the mental health of your main character, but will also lead to one of three possible endings."

Neccessory says its new HiLO Lens iPhone and iPad camera accessory has launched on Kickstarter. It's a right angle lens available for the iPhone and iPad. The HiLO Lens offers functionality like the swivel/rotating screen common on modern digital cameras. It redirects the camera 90 degrees so it becomes easy to get more creative angles in your photos, says Mark Hampton the creator of HiLO Lens. The Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign has been launched to bring HiLO Lens into production. Anyone can back the HiLO Lens project on Kickstarter, a crowd-funding site, and receive one of the first HiLO Lens to be produced. Backers on Kickstarter can pre-purchase HiLO Lens now. Only after backers pledge a total of US$27,500 on Kickstarter will the pledges be collected, then the initial production run will be made. If the funding goal is not reached then backer's pledges are not collected. Backers can pre-order the HiLO Lens for $60 on Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marknzed/...

Creaceed (www.creaceed.com) has released Prizmo 2 on the Mac App Store. It's an update of the company's scanning app. The upgrade offers: specific processing for text documents, business cards and images; support for multipage documents; support for screenshots through an automatic resolution increase; automatic page frame detection; text editing and correction; and more. OCR can now be performed on texts previewed on the screen (even if usually unselectable). Also, recognized texts can be read using text-to-speech technology. Prizmo 2 costs US$49.99, and Prizmo 2 including the Pro Pack costs $99.99 through the Creecead online store (http://www.creaceed.com/store). Registered users of Prizmo 1 can upgrade to Prizmo 2 at 50% off by using their Prizmo 1 serial as a coupon code. Prizmo 2 is also available on the Mac App Store at 50% off for two weeks ($24.99). The Pro Pack is also available at 50% off through in-app purchase for the same period ($24.99).

Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps: Apple has revved Configurator -- its Mac utility for the mass deployment of iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches -- to version 1.2.1. The upgrade -- available at the Mac App Store -- improves stability. Application Systems Group (/www.application-systems.co.uk) has announced Spookick 1.2.3 for Mac and PC. In the small, dark and eerie town of Spookville, the people are being terrorized by the dead residents of 17 Chester Street. Players must save them from the hell of haunting this Halloween by keeping the ghosts amused with the one thing they love the most - a good game of pumpkin passing. Players use a bat to flip pumpkins to the ghostly gang and click on the letter-stealing spirits that help spell out a spooky theme. Smile (www.smilesoftware.com) has released PDFpen 5.9, an update to its PDF editor for Mac OS X. The update significantly improves performance by reducing memory usage, in addition to other improvements and fixes. Dropbox (...

Following this week's shake-up of Apple execs (http://macte.ch/RLYEX), Apple's stock has slipped below US$600, the first time it's closed below that figure since July (though for a brief period last Friday, Apple's shares dropped to $591 before closing the day at $604). Over the last year, Apple's share price has swung from $363.32 to $705.07, notes "CNET." As of this writing, the company's market capitalization -- a measure of corporate value -- is about $557 billion. For more info go to http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57542903-92/apple-slips-below-$600-in-first-trading-day-after-exec-shakeup/? .

Apple has moved one step closer today to releasing the iPhone 5 in China. The country’s State Radio Management has given the go ahead for two versions of the iPhone 5 handset so that it can be used on some of the country’s most prolific wireless networks, according to "AllThingsD" (http://macte.ch/nYLup). The first -- the A1429 -- is believed to be compatible with China Unicom’s 3G network, while the second -- the A1442 -- is compatible with China Telecom’s CDMA network, the article adds. The country’s Quality Certification Center approved the device on Tuesday, granting Apple the required certification necessary to sell it. Now Apple needs only a network access license from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to have the iPhone 5 on sale in China, notes "AllThingsD."

Another day, another lawsuit. A British Columbia woman is suing Apple, claiming the company has violated the privacy and security of users of its iPhones, iPads and iPods that are using the iOS4 operating system, reports "CBCNews" (http://macte.ch/QXwvA). Amanda Ladas, of Surrey, has filed the lawsuit under the Class Proceedings Act in Supreme Court of B.C. Ladas’s claim alleges that in addition to the violation of security and privacy, Apple has "engaged in deceptive acts or practices" that entitle her and anyone who joins the suit "to aggravated, punitive and/or exemplary damages." According to "CBCNews," Ladas says she's concerned that, without her permission, anyone with moderate computer knowledge can find out where she’s been. According to a report by digital forensics technologist Francis Graf, whose report is filed with the lawsuit, Ladas’s iPhone 4 contains location data, going back approximately one year, which was easily accessible using free tools readily available on the...

Aereo -- a start-up funded by ex-Fox CEO Barry Diller's IAC that streams the local broadcast signals of TV stations via the Web to iPhones and iPads for an US$12 monthly fee -- has won the support of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), reports "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/5rbzF). The networks -- including ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, PBS and Univision -- are trying to torpedo the service, arguing that Aereo, which allows consumers to access local broadcast signals over their computers, infringes on broadcast copyright. However, CEA and other Diller allies are contending that Aereo, which has only been rolled out in New York City, is basically giving consumers a new way to access the signals that they already can access free with standard over-the-air antennas to their TV sets, notes "Reuters." "Our legal system can and must favor innovation over the status quo," says Gary Shapiro, CEA president and CEO, in a statement Monday. "Our American exceptionalism and economic growth rely on...

Shipments of components for iPhone 5 from the supply chain will be ramped up to 13-14 million units in November and to 16-18 million units in December, bringing total shipments of iPhone 5 in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 40 million, reports "DigiTimes" (http://macte.ch/HpkSJ), quoting unnamed "sources in Apple's supply chain." Shipments of Apple's latest smartphone were affected in August and September due to low yield rates at component suppliers, raising concerns that the supply chain may not be able to ship up to 40 million iPhones in the fourth quarter as expected. However, "DigiTimes" says that demand for ICs for iPhone 5 has been boosted to an amount equivalent to 13-14 million iPhone 5s recently thanks to improving yield rates at component suppliers -- and IC demand is expected grow another 20% in December.

Belkin (www.belkin.com) has announced the US$129.99 NetCam Wi-Fi Camera with Night Vision that allows you to monitor your home on your smartphone or tablet from anywhere. The NetCam features infrared night vision for clear viewing even in low or no light, plus wide-angle video to get a better view of more of your room, according to Mike Chen, senior director of product management for Belkin’s networking group. It allows you to save live video to your mobile device for easy sharing and also provides clear digital audio to listen in on your room as well as see it, he adds. The NetCam sets up using any iOS or Android device and connects directly to a Wi-Fi router without the need of a computer. You can download the free NetCam app for iOS at the Apple App Store to begin monitoring your home anytime, anywhere. The app also provides email alerts, notifying you when motion is detected and sending you a snapshot of the motion.

Monotype Imaging -- a provider of typefaces, technology and expertise for creative applications and consumer devices -- has acquired Design By Front, developers of the Typecast application, a browser-based tool for designing Web pages with Web fonts.   Monotype acquired all outstanding shares of the privately-held, 14-person firm based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for up to US$5.1 million in cash. Monotype paid $2.6 million in cash upon closing, with an additional $100,000 accrued pending final adjustments, with the remainder to be paid contingent on attainment of certain performance criteria through 2014.   The acquisition is expected to enhance Monotype's product offering, add complementary skill sets to the company's creative expertise, and strengthen Monotype's growth businesses, particularly in Web font services, says Doug Shaw, president and CEO of Monotype. Employees of the newly acquired company will continue to work from their current locations, with the Belfast office...

Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps: Jumsoft (www.jumsoft.com) has served up Money 4.3.1, an update of the software that allows users to track transactions to and from their wallets, bank accounts, and credit card accounts. It enables them to plan budgets and monitor actual spending, manage bills, track payees, generate income/expense reports, and sync their financial data with the iPhone and iPad. Money 4.3.1 includes a payee location functionality powered by Foursquare. MacXDVD Software (www.macxdvd.com) has revved MacX DVD Ripper Pro to version 3.9.12. The upgrade is compatible with the iPad mini and Surface tablet. Doxie (www.getdoxie.com) has updated the software that goes with its document scanners to version 2.22. Among a handful of bug fixes for all users, it's been further optimized for Mac OS X 10.7.5 and 10.8 with support for the Gatekeeper security feature. Bitrzr (www.bitzr.com) has updated Cube Pro to version 3.1. Available on the Mac App Store, it brings...

iTunes 11 -- initially set to launch this month -- has been pushed back to November. Of course, since today is Oct. 30, that's no big surprise. "The new iTunes is taking longer than expected and we wanted to take a little extra time to get it right," Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr told "Macworld" (www.macworld.com). "We look forward to releasing this new version of iTunes with its dramatically simpler and cleaner interface, and seamless integration with iCloud before the end of November." In September Apple announced the new iTunes for Mac and PC featuring a completely redesigned player, integration with iCloud, and a new look for the online music, apps, TV and movie stores. It will feature a dramatically simpler and cleaner interface that keeps your favorite iTunes content at the forefront, according to Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. With iCloud integration, your music, movie and TV purchases made on any of your iOS devices or computers is...

The launch of the iPad has created new opportunities for pharmaceutical companies. According to estimates by Research and Markets (www.researchandmarkets.com), almost 50 million tablets were in use in the U.S. by the end of 2011. In the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, tablets have been deployed across a range of applications, from sales representatives using them in their interaction with physicians, to research labs and even production processes, per the research group. The pharmaceutical industry has quickly adopted tablets as a sales tool and a new way to communicate with doctors and consumers. It's estimated that by July 2012, there will be more than 13,000 health related apps available for consumers at Apple's App Store alone. Every major biopharmaceutical company has developed iPad apps, says Research and Markets. Apps are available for an entire range of activities including helping incontinent patients find a public toilet, educating doctors on drugs, and for reading...

In an "Adweek" interview (http://macte.ch/Hqb4p), famed investor Mark Cuban said the idea that Apple would invest its bundles of cash in trying to "blow up cable companies" with its own deals with programmers is nonsense. "I think there is zero chance of that happening. Apple tries to do everything on commission," he says. "It’s not big on upfront deals, and I don’t see that changing. Apple has always been about leveraging content to sell hardware and software. In order to get a return on a pay-up-front-for-content deal, they would have to sell a lot of high-margin products that have yet to be introduced." Cuban tells "AdWeek" that he thinks the "smart approach" for Apple is "having a set-top box that uses a TV-ready version of iOS that changes the paradigm for user interfaces." He says this would create a platform from which Apple could sell content and integrate new options. "I don’t think there is any doubt that if Apple released a set-top box that supported authentication for...

Apple has announced executive management changes that the company is pitching as an effort to "encourage even more collaboration between the company’s world-class hardware, software and services teams." As part of these changes, Jony Ive (Apple's vice president of design), Bob Mansfield (Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering), Eddy Cue (senior vice president of Internet software) and Craig Federighi (senior vice president of Mac Software Engineering) will add more responsibilities to their roles. Apple also announced that Scott Forstall, Apple's senior vice president of iPhone software, will be leaving Apple next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim. "We are in one of the most prolific periods of innovation and new products in Apple’s history," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a press release. "The amazing products that we’ve introduced in September and October, iPhone 5, iOS 6, iPad mini, iPad, iMac, MacBook Pro, iPod touch, iPod nano and many...

Oakley has announced a new snow goggle called Airwave that will be available on Oct. 31. It combines the company’s goggle technologies with a heads-up display developed by Recon Instruments, integrating GPS, Bluetooth, and more with a host of onboard sensors. For the first time, Oakley’s performance optics will be available in select Apple stores and Apple.com . With the US$599 Airwave, alpine sports enthusiasts can access a full range of information transmitted directly to the eye, says Oakley CEO Colin Baden. Snowboarders and skiers can view jump analytics, pinpoint their location on a resort map alongside navigational information, and even locate and track others in their group. Additional sensor information includes distance traveled, altitude, speed and vertical descent data. Pairing with a smartphone allows immediate viewing of incoming calls and text messages, and music playlists on a Bluetooth-enabled device can be accessed and controlled by the glove-friendly wireless remote...

The family of the Foxconn worker who lost have his brain after a factory accident is taking the tech manufacturer to court over its attempts to move him from his hospital, according to "The Register" (http://macte.ch/kiYGm). Foxconn is a China-based manufacturer that builds products for Apple and other companie. Zhang Tingzhen is currently in hospital in Shenzhen, but Foxconn is trying to get him to travel to Huizhou to have his disability assessment because the company claims that's where he was hired, "The Register" adds. However, his father says Zhang was hired in Shenzhen, not in Huizhou where wages and therefore his compensation would be lower.

Intel (www.intel.com) is shipping its first solid-state drive (SSD) using industry leading 20-nanometer (nm) NAND flash memory process. The new Intel Solid-State Drive 335 Series (Intel SSD 335 Series) uses the smallest, most efficient multi-level cell NAND flash on the market, allowing Intel to advance its 300 Series client/consumer SSDs to the next-generation technology, according to Rob Crooke, Intel vice president and general manager for the Intel Non-Volative Memory Solutions Group. The Intel SSD 335 Series is a 6 gigabit-per-second (Gb/s) SATA drive that can replace a traditional, slower operating hard disk drive (HDD) for faster access to files and programs. The Intel SSD 335 comes in a 240GB capacity that performs 500 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) sequential reads and 450 MB/s sequential writes. The product is Intel’s first SSD to use the latest 20nm NAND flash memory jointly developed by IM Flash Technologies (IMFT).

The Keynote Store (www.keynotestore.com), maker of custom themes for Apple's Keynote presentation software, has a new name, a new site and new prices. Formerly know as Divine Fiat the new name brands the purpose of the site, inspired heavily by the look and feel of Apple's retail stores. What's more, the Complete Collection of all 14 custom designed themes is now available for 60% off.