Spiderweb Software has updated Avadon: The Black Fortress (http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/avadon/index.html), an indie fantasy role-playing game for Mac OS X, to version 1.0.4. The upgrade fixes bugs and typos and improves performance with the Magic Trackpad. Avadon: The Black Fortress requires Mac OS X10.5 or later and costs US$19.99, though version 1.0.4 is a free upgrade for registered users. You can download the game from the Mac App Store or the Spiderweb Software website. Here's how the game is described: "Avadon is in epic adventure in a strange and dangerous world. You are a spy and warrior who must fight the enemies of your homeland. As a servant of the Black Fortress, your word is law. Gain power and influence, experience an exciting adventure, and battle a conspiracy to destroy your people. "You are an agent of Avadon. The Black Fortress. Outside your lands, there are limitless threats. Barbarians. Fading, jealous empires. Titans and unspeakable horrors. The warriors and...

Amuse has released My Living Desktop 5.0.2 (http://www.mylivingdesktop.com/) for Mac OS X, a new version of their video desktop and screen saver utility. More applications are now automatically added to the Auto Deactivation feature. My Living Desktop is a cross between a video desktop (moving wallpaper) and screen saver. With its built-in video importer, users can import their own movie scenes for use as video desktops. Anyone can have family movies, movies of friends and special events, vacation movies and more as their desktop -- or as a screen saver. My Living Desktop boasts a variety of high-definition movie videos shot from all around the globe, accompanied by nature sound effects. Upon purchase, download access to additional hi-def movie videos are available from within the software itself. The application also sports Automatic Serenity Breaks. This feature allows the user to have My Living Desktop automatically remind them to take a break. Simply specify the interval or time(s...

In a "town hall" meeting at Apple's Cupertino, California, campus last week, CEO Tim Cook talked about Apple's charitable contributions, notes "The Verge" (http://macte.ch/86W1x). Cook said that Apple has donated a total of US$50 million to Stanford's hospitals, split into $25 million for a new main building and $25 million for a new children's hospital. The CEO also spent "quite a bit of time" talking about Apple's status as the leading contributor to Project RED, to which Apple has given over $50 million. Project RED (http://www.joinred.com/red/) is a non-profit organization dedicated to wiping out AIDS. Apple, Nike, Dell, Converse and many other companies are "friends of RED."

Apple continues to lead Dell and HP in customer service quality for phone-based technical support, but Apple’s support satisfaction among surveyed customers dropped significantly over the past 18 months, according to the latest study conducted by Vocallabs (Vocalabs). In telephone interviews immediately following a support call, 54% of Apple customers were "Very Satisfied" with the experience during the last six months of 2011, compared to 44% of Dell customers and 49% of HP customers. Apple’s satisfaction score is down 19 points from the first half of 2010, while Dell and HP have generally held steady over the past two years. Looking at common complaints in 2011, less than 1% of Apple customers surveyed complained about the language skills of the support technician; much fewer than the 8% of Dell customers and 10% of HP customers with similar issues. Many customers also complained about the extra cost of out-of-warranty tech support, but Apple saw fewer complaints here, too. About 1...

The worldwide mobile phone market grew 6.1% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2011 (4Q11), as the feature phone market declined faster than anticipated, dragging market growth down to its lowest point in over two years. According to the IDC research group (http://www.idc.com), vendors shipped 427.4 million units in 4Q11 compared to 402.8 million units in the fourth quarter of 2010. The 6.1% year-over-year growth was higher than IDC's forecast of 4.4% for the quarter, but weaker than the 9.3% growth in 3Q11. IDC says Apple jumped into the third spot globally from the fifth spot last quarter thanks to a record-breaking quarter of shipments. That represents the Cupertino-based company's highest-ever ranking on IDC's top 5 global mobile phone leaderboard. The launch of Apple's iPhone 4S smartphone, which is now available in over 90 countries (as of mid-January), was the primary reason the company leapt over LG and ZTE in 4Q11. Device sales in the U.S. and Japan were particularly...

Prosoft Engineering has released Photo Transformer for Mac OS X 10.6.8 and higher. It's available for US$9.99 at the Mac App Store. Photo Transformer lets you categorize your photos by type, date or size. Its categories make it easy to find the images you are looking for and then process them in a variety of different ways, says Greg Brewer, CEO of Prosoft Engineering. Photo Transformer doesn't require your photos to be managed by a library or database. It will find images no matter where they are located on your system using its fast search and categorization engine, according to Brewer.

FourthFrame Technologies has introduced SG Project Pro 1.0 for the Mac, the latest addition to their series of Simple Genius project management apps for Mac OS X and iOS. The business app requires Mac OS X 10.7.x ("Lion") and is the flagship version of FourthFrame's project management suite. SG Project Pro offers features designed to enable management of concurrent projects and team members. SG Project Pro 1.0 costs US$99.99 and is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Business category. SG Project (similar to the Pro version, but limited to viewing one project at a time) is $49.99.

Future Media Concepts (FMC), a digital media training organization, has added four new courses to its roster of iPad training courses. FMC will offer the courses for iPad owners, app developers, and IT support personne. FMC has created two new iPad courses for IT personnel. "iPad Support Essentials" is for IT workers who provide support in a professional environment. The course will introduce students to apps that help them manage company networks and provide iPad support to employees. "iPad Deployment" is for IT managers who use the iPad on a daily basis in their professional environment. They will learn how to deploy and maintain iOS-based devices and provisions for apps developed in-house. The other two new courses are "Publishing on iPad," in which developers will learn to use Adobe InDesign to create, distribute, monetize, and optimize engaging content and publications for iPad and other devices; and "iPad Basics" designed for new iPad owners who want to learn how to use the...

Richard Carlton Consulting has announced additional localized versions of FileMaker Starting Point (http://macte.ch/PqVly). FMSP in Danish, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, and Swedish are now available. FM Starting Point is a FileMaker Template designed to jump start business database projects with commonly needed prebuilt modules. It supports Mac and Windows users, with included mobile support for iPhone and iPad users. Trial versions of localized copies of FMSP are available; registration is US$99. Users will still be required to purchase FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Go as their needs dictate. A demo version of FileMaker Pro is available.

Blackmagic Design has released Desktop Video 9.2 beta 1, a software update for its capture and playback products that adds broadcast monitoring support with the new Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3 update. Broadcast monitoring in Final Cut Pro 10.0.3 allows video output to external monitors and other equipment using the SDI, HDMI or analog video outputs from Blackmagic Design video hardware. Desktop Video 9.2 beta 1 includes a new control panel for selecting the video output format from Final Cut Pro X for output to devices such as broadcast quality monitors, HDTVs and projectors, so you can see exactly what your master will look like in television colorspace. Desktop Video 9.2 beta 1 also includes Media Express 3.1 beta. Media Express provides capture, logging and management of video files to Final Cut Pro X compatible formats including ProRes and uncompressed video. Media Express features timecode accurate video capture from professional VTRs with RS-422 control, the ability to log additional...

MonkeyBread Software has released MBS FileMaker Plugin 2.5 for Mac OS X or Windows. Among other features, it adds CURL upload/download and CUPS printer functions. MBS is a FileMaker Pro plug-in that supports a plugin architecture that enables additions to its built-in feature set. It includes 765 different functions. MBS FileMaker Plugin 2.5 for Mac OS X or Windows is available directly from the MonkeyBread website (http://www.monkeybreadsoftware.de/) with licenses starting at US$149. Not all functions are available in both versions, so check the specs. A free trial download is also available.

Yazsoft (http://www.yazsoft.com) has released Speed Download 5.3, the latest version of its Mac OS X download manager that combines four products: a download manager with auto-resuming downloads, a secure FTP client, a file sharing utility with full encryption, and .Mac/iDisk/WEBDAV connectivity. Version 5.3 introduces a Safari extension for even better Safari integration. Speed Download requires Mac OS X 10.6.8 or higher. It costs US$25 for a single-user license. You can also obtain it in the $35 Mega Bundle, which includes all of Yazsoft's apps. Speed Download is available in US English, French and Polish localizations.

Musician/singer/songwriter Neil Young says the late Steve Jobs was interested in seeing Apple offer hi-def music options, according to "CNN Tech." However, that seems to be on hold following Jobs' death. In an onstage interview at News Corp.'s D: Dive Into Media conference Tuesday. Young says Apple consulted with him and others in the music industry regarding a project to develop electronics and distribution channels for high-definition music. Last year "CNN" reported a year ago that Apple, along with other digital music retailers, were talking with executives in the record industry about selling high-fidelity tracks in iTunes and retooling iPods to be compatible with them. Most music downloads are currently sold in either the MP3 or AAC formats, both of which compress sound in order to produce smaller files. For more info go to http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/31/tech/web/neil-young-apple-high-def-music/i... .

China Telecom will star selling the iPhone 4S by the end of this month or early March, according to the "China Daily," as reported by "paidContent.org" (http://macte.ch/LtIDS). The move to add China Telecom as a carrier partner will also make a big difference to Apple’s exposure in the country, the article notes. Citing figures from the Gartner research group, "China Daily" says Apple is currently the fourth-largest smartphone vendor in the country, trailing Nokia, Samsung and Huawei.

In a note to investors -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) -- Piper Jaffary analyst Gene Munster says Apple has contacted at least one major Asian supplier about purchasing television display components. Quoting an unnamed "major TV component supplier," he says this is "continued evidence that Apple is exploring production of a television." Apple could be ready to release a television as early as late 2012, though Munster noted that "the timeline and stope of a revamped content solution is more uncertain." Those who believe that an "iTV" is in the works feel that Apple has hit major resistance from movie and TV studios about licensing their content to Apple. In addressing the issue, Munster says that Apple could: ° Simply enable the television to manage pre-existing live TV service from a unified interface; ° Make use of network programming and web-based video services such as Netflix and Hulu; ° Offer monthly subscriptions "on an a-la-carte basis" for live...

Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytics.com) says Apple’s early lead in the smartphone space, massive credit card base, addition of the iPad and strong support for virtual good sales, will help maintain developer interest in iOS. Creating compelling business models is essential for Apple, since the rapid growth in Android devices is forcing developers to choose one primary platform for building apps, notes the research group. Strategy Analytics says the iPhone is losing momentum due to the tsunami of compelling smartphones from Samsung, HTC and LG, which are stocked by operators looking for an alternative to Apple. Despite that, the iPad remains unique in its ability to entice app developers. Even though the iPad lost 17% of developers between last year and this, more than half of those defectors have stated that they would return to developing for the iPad in the coming year. No other platform commands such loyalty. The iPad surely benefits from both Apple’s ability to...

Yesterday Apple released Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3 restoring this multicam editing, as well as broadcast monitoring, advanced XML import/export support and a third-party plug-in allowing the transfer of projects between FCP 7 and X. The Training Farm has begun training in these new features as they're made available. As an Apple Gold Level Authorized Training Center, The Training Farm currently offers three courses in Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3, including an evening class for working professionals. For more information, go to http://www.thetrainingfarm.com .

Maintain has released Cocktail 5.1.1, the latest version of Cocktail (http://www.maintain.se/c) for Mac OS X 10.7.2 ("Lion"). The update adds Mac OS X 10.7.3 compatibility and addresses several issues identified in the previous version. Cocktail is a general purpose utility for Mac OS X that offers a variety of practical features designed to simplify the use of advanced UNIX function. Cocktail 5.0.2 (Lion Edition) requires Mac OS X/Mac OS X Server 10.7 or later and is tested for compatibility with Mac OS X/Mac OS X Server 10.7.2. Cocktail (Snow Leopard Edition) for Mac OS X 10.6 and Cocktail (Leopard Edition) for Mac OS X 10.5 are available for download from the Maintain website. Cocktail is US$19 for a single user license and available for purchase from the Maintain website. The license is valid for both Lion and Snow Leopard editions of Cocktail. Cocktail (Leopard Edition) is distributed as freeware and doesn't require a license.

Orbicule has released Witness 2 for Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. It's an update of the software turns a Mac into a home alarm system, using its iSight camera as a motion sensor. If motion is detected, Witness sends mugshots and video to your iPhone or iPad. Witness uses advanced motion detection, says Peter Schols, president of Orbicule.. The alarm system can be controlled and monitored remotely using either the witnessapp.com web app or a free iOS app. These apps allow the user to remotely arm or disarm the alarm and they instantly alert the owner when motion is detected, showing mugshots and video of the intruder. Witness 2 adds auto activation, face detection, motion detection sensitivity, support for multiple cameras and AppleScript support. There's also a new Sneak Peek feature via which you can watch live images from any Mac in your alarm system on your iPhone or iPad. Witness is available from http://orbicule.com/witness . An account costs US$39 (one-time fee), with a $29 student...

Foxconn, which manufacturers various products for Apple, plans to build five additional factories in Brazil to help meet demand for Apple products, which are expected to combine for an annual run rate of nearly 400 million units within five years, reports "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) São Paulo's Secretary of Planning and Development of the State, Julio Semeghini, said the five factories, which are in addition to the one already believed to be turning out iPads and iPhones, will each staff roughly 1000 workers. Meanwhile, thousands of people reportedly lined the streets outside a labor agency located in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou last night hoping to land a job at one of Foxconn's local factories, notes "AppleInsider."

Apple has released updates to its Wi-Fi base stations and to the Airport Utility program. AirPort Base Station and Time Capsule Firmware Update 7.6.1 is for all 802.11n AirPort Express, 802.11n AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule models. It fixes an issue with wireless performance and provides support for remote access to an AirPort disk or a Time Capsule hard drive with an iCloud account. AirPort Utility 6.0 for Mac OS X Lion gets a tweaked, streamlined interface with fewer windows. Both upgrades require Mac OS X 10.7.2 or higher. You can obtain them via the Software Updates Component of the Mac OS X Systems Preferences app.

The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court (an appeals court) has upheld a preliminary injunction against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and has confirmed that the smaller Galaxy Tab 8.9 falls within the scope of that injunction. "The ruling validates Apple's decision to bring claims against the Galaxy Tab 10.1," notes FOSS Patents (http://fosspatents.blogspot.com/). "Apple's actions may have been aggressive, but they weren't unreasonably overreaching. At the very least, there can be a genuine dispute over this issue. But the strength of Apple's Community design is increasingly questionable." In related news, the European Commission has opened a formal investigation to assess whether Samsung Electronics has abusively, and in contravention of a commitment it gave to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), used certain of its standard essential patent rights to distort competition in European mobile device markets, in breach of EU antitrust rules. The opening of proceedings...

Apple has released Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3, which the company is a "significant update" to its professional video editing application. The update introduces: multicam editing that automatically syncs up to 64 angles of video and photos; advanced chroma keying for handling complex adjustments right in the app; and enhanced XML for a richer interchange with third party apps and plug-ins that support the Final Cut Pro X ecosystem. Available today as a free update from the Mac App Store, Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3 also includes a beta of broadcast monitoring that supports Thunderbolt devices as well as PCIe cards. Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3 includes a collection of new tools for editing multicam projects. The software automatically syncs clips from your shoot using audio waveforms, time and date, or timecode to create a Multicam Clip with up to 64 angles of video, which can include mixed formats, frame sizes and frame rates. The Angle Editor allows you to dive into your Multicam Clip to make...

MediaDevil (http://www.MediaDevil.com) will soon launch two thin Typeguard keyboard protectors for the Macbook and Macbook Pro. The waterproof keyboard covers, available in clear and anti-bacterial versions, protect the laptops from dust, spills and other contaminants.

 At 0.2mm, both editions of the Typeguard are purportedly over 50% thinner than regular silicon protectors. The non-toxic keyboard guard is made from low friction Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU). Precise injection molding and slim style minimizes interference while typing and reduces keystroke noise, explains MediaDevil founder Callum Bush. Typeguard is also transparent to allow back-lit keys to shine through. 

While the clear edition is practically invisible when applied, the anti-bacterial Typeguard edition is the ideal choice for people sharing a computer or those concerned about the spread of germs, says Bush. The cover is embedded with silver nanoparticles that are scientifically proven to prevent the growth of...