40 billion and counting

Apple says people have downloaded more than 40 billion apps for the iPhone, iPad and the iPod Touch, nearly half of them in 2012.

Apple Inc. said Monday that December saw record downloads of more than 2 billion apps. There are 775,000 individual applications available in the app store.

State warns homeowners against scams

The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs began running television and radio advertisements Monday encouraging homeowners at risk of foreclosure to work with their lenders and no-cost counselors on resolutions while avoiding fraud schemes that charge upfront fees.

As part of the campaign to help more homeowners avoid foreclosure and foreclosure scams, the agency also established an online Hawaii Foreclosure Information Center at HFIC.hawaii.gov, and is running printed versions of ads at various places around town, including on TheBus.

In one video ad that recognizes people behind on their mortgage payments may want to ignore correspondence from their lenders, an announcer lets homeowners know that lenders may be sending information to help avoid foreclosure. "Open your mail," the ad advises. "It could be your best move."

Keali‘i Lopez, DCCA director, said in a statement announcing the campaign that many people have been paralyzed by the fear of losing their homes. "We want them to know there is hope," she said.

Hawaii homeowners with home loans from five national lenders may have special opportunities for loan modifications or payments on previously foreclosed homes as part of a settlement with the state last year. The DCCA campaign alerts mortgage customers of the five lenders — Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo — that there is a Jan. 18 deadline to file claims. The website has more information on filing a claim.

The website also has a link to file complaints against what the DCCA calls a growing problem of mortgage scams. Under Hawaii law it generally is forbidden for anyone to collect a fee in advance for foreclosure help. A list of approved service providers is listed on the website.

Employers sought for freedom award

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, is encouraging guardsmen and reservists to nominate their civilian employers for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award before the Jan. 21 deadline.

The Freedom Award is the nation’s highest recognition for employers of Guard and Reserve members, the agency said.

The national unemployment rate for Guard and Reserve members is 9.1 percent, the agency said. The award is meant to bring attention to "the critical relationship between members of the National Guard and Reserve and their civilian employers — a relationship that is especially important now, with such a high unemployment rate for these national heroes," the agency said.

Guard and Reserve members, or a family member acting on their behalf, may nominate their employers at www.FreedomAward.mil.

1013 Integrated buys Digital Edge Hawaii

Media production and branding company 1013 Integrated has acquired Digital Edge Hawaii, a post-production operation specializing in high- and standard-definition video work.

The acquisition, for undisclosed terms, has expanded the range of services 1013 offers, including the closed-captioning service Digital Edge previously provided to 1013, formerly known as Pacific Focus Inc.

Clinic to conduct free skin cancer tests

Kenner Dermatology Clinic will conduct free skin cancer screening Jan. 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Castle Medical Center in Kailua. People interested must schedule an appointment by calling the clinic at 263-3233. Screenings will take about 15 minutes.

Regular skin screenings are vital to early detection of skin cancer.

Skin cancer caught early can be nearly 100 percent curable; skin cancer caught late can be deadly. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends annual skin checks.

Government wants noisier hybrids

DETROIT » A government safety agency wants electric and hybrid vehicles to make more noise when traveling at low speeds so pedestrians can hear them coming.

The cars and trucks, which are far quieter than conventional gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles, don’t make enough noise at low speeds to warn walkers, bicyclists and the visually impaired, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday in a statement.

The proposed rule would require the cars to make additional noise at speeds under 18 miles per hour. NHTSA says the cars make enough noise to be heard at higher speeds.

Automakers would be able to pick the sounds that the cars make from a range of choices. Similar vehicles would have to make the same sounds. The government says pedestrians must be able to hear the sounds over background noises.

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed rule. The agency will use public input to craft a final rule.

On the Move

Easter Seals Hawaii has selected Christopher Blan­chard as its new president and chief executive officer. His responsibilities include providing leadership for ESH’s programs, services, finances, personnel and fundraising levels. Blanchard served in the Marine Corps in Hawaii for 26 years.

Prudential Advantage Realty has announced the addition of Guy Merola to the organization as a Realtor associate. Merola was previously a founder and chief operating officer of Commercial Data Systems.

Hawaiian Electric Co., through the Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation, has contributed more than $170,000 to the following organizations to benefit the community, education and environment in Hawaii: the Hawaii Society of Professional Engineers’ MathCounts Competition, Ka‘ala Farms’ Rebuild Ka‘ala Project, Keoneula Elementary School’s Aquaponics Project, Kumu Kahua Theatre, Le Jardin Academy’s Learning Gardens Project, McKinley High School’s robotics program, the Nature Conservancy’s Kaneohe Bay Reef Restoration Project, PBS Hawaii’s NEW HOME Campaign, University of Hawaii’s 2012 Kukui Cup Challenge and the Valley of Rainbows 2013 Youth Leadership Conferences.