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Apple updates Logic Pro for Mac and iPad with more features: What is new

Apple updated Logic Pro for Mac and iPad with enhanced Stem Splitter, Flashback Capture, new sound packs, and MIDI Learn support on iPad. The update, free for current users, adds powerful tools for music creators, remixers, and producers. Apple has shown a number of upcoming features for Logic Pro for Macs and iPads. The Stem Splitter tool in Logic Pro has been improved to better isolate distinct instrument tracks in versions 11.2 for Macs and 2.2 for iPads. Flashback Capture is a notable enhancement that enables users to retrieve audio and MIDI even if they forgot to hit record. Additionally, Apple has released new sound packs, such as Magnetic Imperfections and Dancefloor Rush. Logic Pro for Mac and iPad: What’s new Updated Stem Splitter: According to Apple, the Stem Splitter tool now functions better with older demos and recordings. Additionally, it supports the separation of piano and guitar sounds into distinct audio tracks, or stems. Users can more easily separate particular instruments or vocals as a result. Additionally, Apple has included quick presets to assist users in creating typical audio versions, such as instrumental or a cappella tracks. Users can now remove specific portions of a song using a new “submix” export option. For instance, they might remove the drums and bass for a remix or the vocals to create an instrumental version. Flashback Capture: Musicians may retrieve performances even if they forgot to press the record button, thanks to the new Flashback Capture feature. Both MIDI and audio can be restored by users with a straightforward key command or control bar button. Each take is automatically saved into a folder by Flashback Capture if the Cycle mode is enabled. New Sound Packs: Apple is also adding new sound packs for music creators: Dancefloor Rush (Mac and iPad): Over 400 loops and drum kits designed for electronic and drum-and-bass music. Magnetic Imperfections (Mac only): Adds the sound of old-school analogue tape with an unpolished, gritty texture. Tosin Abasi (Mac only): Features signature metal guitar tones, amps, effects, and riffs from the progressive metal guitarist. Learn MIDI on iPad: Previously available only on Mac, the Learn MIDI tool now comes to iPad. It allows users to link physical knobs, buttons, and sliders on MIDI devices to control instruments and plug-ins in Logic Pro, offering more hands-on control during music production. Logic Pro for Mac and iPad: Price and availability Logic Pro for Mac (v11.2): Free update for current users. New users can buy it for $199.99 via the Mac App Store. It’s also part of the Pro Apps Bundle for Education. Logic Pro for iPad (v2.2): Free update for existing users. New users can get it on the App Store for $4.99 per month or $49 per year, with a one-month free trial. Requirements: Logic Pro for Mac requires macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later Logic Pro for iPad needs iPadOS 18.4 or later

India’s national cybersecurity competition, Hack Sky, is launched by Kaspersky and MIT Bengaluru

Kaspersky and MIT Bengaluru have launched Hack Sky, a national 48-hour hackathon from July 29–30, 2025, to train young cybersecurity talent against real-world digital threats. The event includes AI, infrastructure, and social engineering challenges, with prizes and expert mentoring for winners. A new effort is bringing India’s most talented young people to the forefront of digital defence as cyberattacks increase in complexity and impact. Global cybersecurity pioneer Kaspersky and the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Bengaluru, are collaborating to develop Hack Sky, a 48-hour hackathon that will be held nationwide on the MIT Bengaluru campus from July 29 to 30, 2025. Students, young professionals, and cyber enthusiasts between the ages of 16 and 25 are invited to participate in this intense, real-world cybersecurity competition to put their talents to the test, create workable defences, and tackle new digital threats, such as deep fake misinformation, industrial infrastructure attacks, and scams powered by artificial intelligence. “Developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals is crucial as cyber threats become more sophisticated and widespread,” stated Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Cybersecurity Education at Kaspersky. “Hack Sky is a platform that allows researchers, coders, and aspiring white-hat hackers to address real-world threats and create meaningful solutions.” A Hackathon with Real-World Impact Hack Sky is a challenge based on the actual cybersecurity battlefield; it’s not only about code. Three challenging challenge tracks are part of the hackathon, which was created by Kaspersky’s worldwide team: Under Siege: Participants will identify weaknesses and create defence plans for Industrial Control Systems (ICS), which are the foundation of vital infrastructure. AI vs. AI: This track challenges participants to develop tools to identify and neutralise a new type of digital deceit, including deep fakes, false information, and scams created by artificial intelligence. Trapping the Honey Trapper: This task, which tests social engineering defence, focuses on spotting and stopping phoney identities and online traps intended to trick people and obtain private information. The winning team or individual will receive ₹1 lakh in cash, cybersecurity training from Kaspersky, and one-on-one mentoring from top international experts as part of the grand prize. MIT Bengaluru, MAHE, supports the prize, demonstrating the school’s dedication to providing tech education that is relevant to the industry. A Growing Cybersecurity Ecosystem In October 2024, Kaspersky and MIT Bengaluru signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which Hack Sky abides by. The collaboration seeks to create a long-term cybersecurity innovation pipeline by exchanging knowledge, developing curricula, and providing skills training. “Hack Sky is a Launchpad, not just a competition,” stated Dr. Iven Jose, Director of MIT Bengaluru. “We’re connecting academia and industry with this event, assisting students in solving high-impact problems and providing them with hands-on experience in the future of cybersecurity.” Beyond the Hackathon: Gamified Learning On July 31, one day after the hackathon ends, Kaspersky will organise its well-liked Kaspersky Interactive Protection Simulation (KIPS) to wrap up the event. In a high-stress setting, this gamified cybersecurity training experience helps participants develop their strategic thinking and incident response skills by simulating actual corporate intrusions.

WhatsApp Launches Official App for Apple iPad with Full Feature Support

WhatsApp is now available on the Apple iPad, offering full support for calls, messaging, and multitasking features. The app uses end-to-end encryption and syncs across devices. Following years of requests from tablet users seeking a smoother method of accessing the company’s end-to-end messaging service, Meta announced the debut of WhatsApp for Apple iPad users. Owners of Apple iPads may now share their screen, use the front and rear cameras, and make voice and video chats with up to 32 people using WhatsApp. Slide Over, Split View, and Stage Manager on compatible devices are a few iPadOS multitasking features. This enables users to send messages or view multiple apps simultaneously while online browsing. While on a call, users can also browse the web. Users of Apple iPads will also be able to use the conversation lock feature. Meta mentioned that the software was available for download through the software Store and encouraged users to submit comments. Users’ Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil devices can also be used with Meta’s WhatsApp for iPad. “Regardless of the platform or device you’re messaging on, WhatsApp for iPad uses our industry-leading multi-device technology to keep everything in sync across your iPhone, Mac, and other devices while protecting your messages, calls, and media with end-to-end encryption,” Meta wrote in a blog post announcing the update.

Joint Airtel-Jio-Vi initiative: Will the telecom behemoths unite to combat fraud and cybercrime

Joint Airtel-Jio-Vi initiative: Airtel has proposed a joint initiative with Jio and Vodafone Idea to combat rising telecom-related cybercrimes and frauds, citing over 1.7 million complaints in early 2024. The plan calls for real-time fraud intelligence sharing and cross-network coordination to strengthen user safety. Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (VI), India’s three main private telecom companies, may unite in an uncommon attempt to fight telecom fraud, scams, and cybercrime. The second-largest telecom provider in India by market share, Airtel, claims that it just sent a call to action to Jio and Vodafone, urging them to band together to combat these nefarious frauds and scams. The telecom giant claims that in the first three quarters of 2024, India received over 1.7 million complaints about cybercrime, which led to losses of ₹11,000 crore. India has recently witnessed a notable increase in cybercrime, ranging from identity theft to phishing links, “digital arrest” frauds, and fraudulent loan offers and payment forms. Customers received the following message from Airtel last week: “Airtel is now The Safe Network.” To keep you safe, our fraud detection tool prevents bogus URLs from opening. Additionally, for the past month, Airtel has begun adding “scam” cautions before suspected texts for a large number of consumers. However, the operator led by Sunil Mittal aims to do more. “…it became clear that more coordinated industry action was required, given the recent alarming rise in phishing attempts and malicious URL-based scams targeting unsuspecting individuals.” In letters to Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal and TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahotia, it stated that these sophisticated fraud schemes frequently take advantage of the lack of cooperation between service providers. “Through real-time fraud intelligence sharing and cross-network coordination, this initiative would bring all TSPs together to collaboratively detect, prevent, and mitigate telecom fraud and scams across our networks,” Airtel continued. The challenge for Jio, Vodafone, and the other two companies involved in this program is to prevent unsolicited commercial communications (UCC), which are the source of the majority of scams, without interfering with the enterprise services that are properly provided by the telecom networks. This might include establishing a centralised platform for data sharing, which raises additional privacy concerns. However, that is a matter for another time. Currently, it is up to Ambani-led Jio and Vodafone Idea to agree to Airtel’s proposal for a collaborative task force to combat cybercrime based on telecoms.

OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s AI Startup io for $6.4 Billion in Major Hardware Push

OpenAI is acquiring Jony Ive’s AI device startup, io, for $6.4 billion in an all-equity deal, marking its major push into hardware. I’ve will lead design efforts at both OpenAI and io, while io integrates with OpenAI’s San Francisco teams. On May 21, 2025, OpenAI announced that it would acquire Jony Ive’s AI device startup, io, for roughly $6.4 billion in an all-equity transaction, solidifying the AI company’s entry into the hardware market. The company said in a statement that Ive will be taking on “deep creative and design responsibilities across OpenAI and io.” Ive and LoveFrom, his “creative collective,” will continue to operate independently. According to OpenAI, while io will be coming in-house. Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote in a blog post on May 21 that Ive launched io a year ago with the help of Apple alums Scott Cannon, Tang Tan, and Evans Hankey, who temporarily filled Ive’s position at Apple after he left. In order to collaborate more closely with the research, engineering, and product teams in San Francisco, the io team—which is dedicated to creating products that inspire, empower, and enable—will now join with OpenAI, according to the post. OpenAI, which already controls 23% of the business, stated that it is paying $5 billion in the deal. Ive is “the greatest designer in the world,” according to Altman’s post on X. This is by far OpenAI’s biggest acquisition to date, and it comes weeks after the business agreed to pay $3 billion to acquire the AI-assisted coding tool Windsurf. Before that, in 2024, OpenAI paid an unknown amount to purchase the analytics database startup Rockset. To launch LoveFrom, Ive declared in 2019 that he was leaving Apple, where he had served as chief design officer for several years. In 2020, Airbnb announced that I had been advising the business on hiring and upcoming features. Last year, the New York Times revealed that LoveFrom’s designers were working on projects for Christie’s, Airbnb, and Ferrari at the time, and that the company’s clients pay it up to $200 million annually. Ive and designer Marc Newson formed LoveFrom, according to the company’s website, but it makes no mention of io or what the business does. Apple’s most recognisable products, such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Air, were all designed by Ive. Additionally, he contributed to the design of Apple Park, the company’s new Cupertino headquarters, which was started in 2004 and formally opened in 2019. As competitors like Google, Anthropic, and Elon Musk’s xAI are making significant investments and frequently releasing new products, OpenAI, which was recently valued at $300 billion in a funding round spearheaded by Soft Bank, is scrambling to remain ahead of the competition in the generative AI space. Strengthening its hardware operations is one way to keep ahead of the competition. To advance its hardware objectives, OpenAI in November named the former leader of Meta’s Orion augmented reality glasses project to lead its robotics and consumer hardware initiatives. The position would “initially focus on OpenAI’s robotics work and partnerships to help bring AI into the physical world and unlock its benefits for humanity,” according to a statement made at the time by Caitlin “CK” Kalinowski. Additionally, in November, OpenAI invested $400 million at a valuation of $2.4 billion in Physical Intelligence, a robot company based in San Francisco. Among the other investors was Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. By creating extensive AI models and algorithms to drive robots, the business aims to “bring general-purpose AI into the physical world,” according to its website.

Google Experiments with Gemini AI to Help Users Get Instant App Insights on the Play Store

Gemini AI: Google is testing a new AI feature on the Play Store called “Ask Play about this app,” allowing users to ask app-related questions and receive answers powered by Gemini. Currently, the feature is available to a limited number of users and only for select popular apps. In the Play Store, Google has started testing a new AI-powered feature that allows customers can ask questions about apps and get replies from Google’s Gemini. A new “Ask Play about this app” section has been showing up for some users on the information pages of specific apps, even though the functionality has not been publicised. This suggests that it is presently undergoing restricted testing. The “Ask Play about this app” option on Google: What’s new? The feature adds a new section called “Ask Play about this app” to app listing pages. A text input form and some pre-made sample queries pertinent to the particular app being examined are included. Questions like “How do I change my username?” along with “What do people like most about this app?” To get answers, users can either tap on one of the suggested questions or enter their own. Answers show up right beneath the text area, and as the sample queries change dynamically depending on past exchanges, you can ask follow-up questions. With the help of this conversational interface, consumers should find it simpler to obtain comprehensive information without having to read through app descriptions or reviews. The feature is probably driven by one of Google’s Gemini AI models, as seen by the section’s notable Gemini star emblem. Only a small number of users seem to have access to the feature thus far. Business Standard evaluated three Android smartphones, but only one of them had the “Ask Play about this app” feature. Additionally, it only appears for a select few popular apps, such as WhatsApp, Spotify, X (formerly Twitter), Uber, and a few others.

Microsoft wants AI ‘agents’ to work together and retain information

Microsoft envisions AI agents collaborating across companies and improving memory retention using structured retrieval augmentation. At its Build conference, it plans to promote open standards like the Model Context Protocol to foster an interconnected “agentic web.” Microsoft’s top technologist said Sunday, ahead of the company’s annual software development conference, that the company envisions a future when its AI agents may work together with agents from other companies and remember past contacts more clearly. At its Build conference in Seattle on May 19, analysts expect Microsoft to unveil its latest tools for developers building AI systems. Microsoft is dedicated to encouraging the adoption of industry-wide standards that will allow agents from different manufacturers to collaborate, Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott told reporters and analysts at the company’s Redmond, Washington, headquarters before to the conference. Agents are AI systems that are able to do specific activities, like fixing a software defect, on their own. Scott claims that Microsoft is backing the open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP) technology, which was first introduced by Google-backed Anthropic. According to Scott, MCP could lead to the development of an “agentic web” in a manner akin to how hypertext protocols facilitated the internet’s growth in the 1990s. “It means that your imagination gets to drive what the agentic web becomes, not just a handful of companies that happen to see some of these problems first,” Scott stated. According to Scott, Microsoft is working to improve AI agents’ recall of tasks that customers have requested of them, but as of right now, “most of what we’re building feels very transactional.” However, because it requires more computing power, enhancing an AI agent’s memory is costly. Microsoft is focusing on a new approach called structured retrieval augmentation, where an agent provides a roadmap of the subjects discussed by summarising each turn in a user discussion. “This is a core part of how you train a biological brain – you don’t brute force everything in your head every time you need to solve a particular problem,” Scott stated.

LinkedIn co-founder claims AI should be taught at colleges, and 30% of South Korean schools utilise AI-powered textbooks

LinkedIn co-founder claims AI should be taught at colleges, Nearly 30% of South Korean schools have adopted AI-powered textbooks, showcasing a national push toward digital education. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman urges colleges to integrate AI into curricula and assessments to stay relevant in evolving educational landscapes. According to reports, South Korea is implementing AI in regular classrooms as part of its aggressive efforts to transform traditional education. Nearly 30% of South Korean schools, ranging from elementary to high school, have already implemented AI-powered digital textbooks since March, according to Nikkei Asia, marking a significant shift in the way that pupils learn. This week’s APEC education ministers’ summit, which was held in South Korea for the first time in nine years, featured the proposal. Using the platform, the nation showcased its digital transformation in schools, especially the introduction of AI-based math and English textbooks for specific grade levels nationwide. Andeok Elementary School in Jeju, which was selected by the government last year as a model for digital-first learning, provided a preview of this change. In a fourth-grade arithmetic session, kids worked through problems on tablets while their scribbled solutions were shown in real time on a digital board. A clear image of how AI is being utilised to make lessons more interactive and responsive was provided by the class, which was attended by international dignitaries. Nevertheless, there have been challenges associated with South Korea’s quick adoption. Among the urgent issues the nation must confront are regional disparities in digital access and the requirement to upskill educators. A analogous debate is developing in higher education around the world as South Korea concentrates on integrating AI in early education. Reid Hoffman, a co-founder of LinkedIn, brought up an issue that many educators are now starting to address: AI is here to stay, and colleges must change. In an interview on his podcast “Possible,” Hoffman stated that as more students use generative AI tools to finish their projects, the conventional format of college exams—particularly essays—is no longer dependable. He thinks universities should reconsider how learning is evaluated and think about incorporating AI into the evaluation process itself rather than opposing it. Hoffman proposed that AI might be used as a co-examiner in future exams or that they might even shift more toward oral exams, which need a deeper level of comprehension. He pointed out that while AI-generated essays are frequently generic, teachers could use them as models for students to follow, encouraging them to set greater goals. Avoiding AI in the classroom, he added, just postpones the inevitable. You can’t “ignore the new tool,” Hoffman said, adding that giving kids the skills they need to collaborate with AI will be essential to their future employment. He cautioned that unless they aggressively embrace change, many colleges risk slipping behind as they continue to use antiquated teaching techniques.

Google modifies its “G” emblem for the first time in a decade

Google has updated its iconic “G” logo for the first time in nearly a decade, introducing a smooth gradient across its four signature colours. The redesign reflects Google’s shift toward a more modern, AI-focused brand identity. The first significant update of Google’s recognisable “G” logo in almost ten years was unveiled today. The new design substitutes a gradient effect that smoothly switches between the colours for the traditional four-colour blocks of red, yellow, green, and blue. This little change attempts to give the emblem a more modern, fresh look, reflecting Google’s continued emphasis on artificial intelligence. With the release of Google app beta version 16.18, the update has started to show up on Android smartphones and is presently being sent out to IOS users via the Google Search app, according to a 9to5Google report. Even though the change isn’t very noticeable, especially at smaller sizes, it represents a more general visual change in Google’s design approach that is consistent with its most recent AI-driven projects. No Changes to Google Wordmark Yet The primary Google wordmark has not yet been altered by the business. Additionally, it is not officially confirmed if other product logos, such as those of Maps or Chrome, would receive the same revisions. The gradient design might, however, eventually be extended to other services given Google’s concentration on AI across all of its products. With this upgrade, Google hasn’t changed its “G” logo since 2015. The new gradient design represents the company’s changing brand identity as it incorporates more AI functions, especially with the introduction of Google Gemini, its generative AI assistant. A blue-to-purple gradient is already present in Gemini’s logo, further indicating Google’s move toward dynamic, gradient-based design. The new “G” icon is now available on IOS and Pixel smartphones, but the original one is still used on other platforms, such as the web and Android devices that are not Pixels. In the upcoming weeks, it is anticipated that the new design will be more extensively available on various platforms and devices.

India Emerges as Key Growth Market for Google Cloud, Says Country MD

India is one of Google Cloud’s fastest-growing and most strategic markets, driven by its vast scale and builder economy. With certified regions in Mumbai and Delhi, Google Cloud serves key sectors and continues major investments to expand its presence. India is one of the fastest-growing and most strategically important countries for Google Cloud, according to a top executive, because of its enormous customer base and worldwide construction industry. Bikram Singh Bedi, VP and Country MD of Google Cloud, said the business is very focused on the Indian market. “India is seen by us as a two-faceted market. The first dimension is to the scale of our operations; not many nations operate on this scale. India’s economy has a second component: builders. India is one of our most important markets and one of Google Cloud’s fastest-growing nations, Bedi told PTI, adding that the company works closely with some businesses to develop for the global market. Mumbai and Delhi, two Google Cloud regions in India, have received certification from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity). These serve a wide spectrum of customers in industries like telecommunications, financial services, healthcare, and e-commerce. Furthermore, it has invested in subsea cable projects with landings in India, such as Raman, MIST, and IAX. Among Google Cloud’s customers in India are well-known businesses including HDFC Group, ICICI Bank, Apollo 24/7, Manipal Hospitals, Flipkart, Meesho, Adani Group, Jio, and Airtel. India has been and will continue to be an important and sought-after market. Since this is one of our fastest-growing markets worldwide, our investments here are constantly ahead of the curve to take advantage of the opportunity,” Bedi said.

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