Apple's Logic Pro X now adds live loops, sampler tools, and step sequencer functionality

Apple's updated its US $199.00 Logic Pro X music production tool and added a ton of features that make it transcend into a music creation and live production solution for mobile musicians and producers. 

Macs and Logic Pro X are essential tools used by the world’s top musicians and producers to create the music that we all love,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Apps Product Marketing. “Logic Pro X 10.5 represents the biggest update to Logic since the launch of Logic Pro X, with powerful new tools that will inspire every artist — from those just getting started with Logic, to those already using it to produce Grammy Award-winning albums. We can’t wait to hear what these artists create next.”

Click to read more ...

Disney moves up the 'Hamilton' release a year early, as a Disney Plus-exclusive

Disney was all set to release its recording of hit stage musical Hamilton in theatres on October 15, 2021. But Disney has decided to bump up the release to this year, specifically July 3, 2020, and it'll be exclusively released on Disney+. It's a significant move for the company since it effectively cancels the theatrical run for the recording. Disney reportedly paid a record-breaking US$75 million for its worldwide rights. 

But as The Verge points out, this move also emphasizes how much Disney needs to have content on Disney+ right now to keep customers interested in the streaming service. Some of its most hyped original shows had to shut down production because of COVID-19, so aside from the October release of The Mandalorian's season 2, Disney needs new, popular titles to keep current and potential subscribers interested. One other film coming exclusively to the streaming service is Disney's adaptation of Artemis Fowl.

Google Maps redesigns real-time location sharing on Android

Screenshots courtesy of 9to5Google

A new server-side update for Google Maps introduces a simplified, cleaner look for its location sharing feature. Its redesign better aligns with the rest of the navigation apps' material design. It has a new floating action button for "New Share" and below that is a list of who you are sharing your location with. Before the redesign, this information was displayed at the top of the screen.

The share menu itself gets a new look for the header text and options panel. The default setting shares your location for an hour, but there's a button you can tap that has "+" and "-" options to adjust the time. There is also an "until you turn this off" option. If you want to learn what kind of data is being shared, there's a link to view this information. Since it's a server-side update, you don't need to do anything. Just make sure you have the latest version of Google Maps.

Source: 9to5Google

Toronto City has an official COVID-19 information chatbot

Embed from Getty Images 

The city of Toronto recently introduced a COVID-19 information chatbot to help answer common questions about the virus and its effects on the residents and businesses in the area. It's also designed to answer queries on city services affected by the pandemic. It draws most of its answers from content already available on the city's website. And since the chatbot is new, it's still learning. If you get an answer that doesn't seem right to you, you can ask it again using different words. The chatbot is only available in English. The city government reminds users that the chatbots are for informational purposes and shouldn't be taken as medical advice. 

City staff continues to train the chatbot and update the information it can access. The chatbot also improves with each interaction. But if you can't find the information you need, you can also call 311 to get answers to your queries. The 311 service supports over 180 languages.

Source: City of Toronto