How to track floods online

With water levels rising at an alarming rate, it is important to stay aware and cautious. Here are two ways users can track the flood.

Next Step / Jobs of the week

Here are our picks for jobs of the week. Check out the article for more details.

Microsoft unit in Russia to file for bankruptcy: Report

A subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation in Russia is set to file for bankruptcy, according to a recent report by Reuters.

Indian startup claims to invent stroke kit to slash paralysis risk

An Indian start-up claims to have come up with a high-end med-tech kit, a life-saving intervention, for patients suffering from for treatment of acute ischemic stroke (brain stroke) which reduces the risk of long-term paralysis and disability.

WhatsApp status is becoming similar to Facebook story

WhatsApp has announced a series of updates to its Status feature on May 29, bringing it closer in style and function to Facebook Stories.

More than 5,000 mobile towers shut down due to bad weather

Telecommunication services in Bangladesh are experiencing widespread disruption following significant power outages caused by severe weather conditions. 

From Dhaka to the world: Convay’s multilingual options shines on global stage

Convay, a video conferencing platform developed by Bangladeshi developers, was recently selected as the official video conferencing and streaming partner for the 2025 Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium for Africa (SID-SA).

iPhone 17 Air leak reveals ultra-slim 5.5 mm body

A new video regarding iPhone leaks posted online by a well-known leaker, known by the handle MajinBu, claims to show a dummy unit of the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, a device that, if the footage is authentic, could represent a significant design shift for Apple.

Student-led edtech joins four global startup hubs

Rectify Learn, an edtech startup founded by three students from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), has been accepted into four global entrepreneurship support programs: Microsoft for Startups, GitHub for Startups, Notion for Startups, and Miro for Startups, while still in its early development phase.

DeepSeek quietly updates its R1 reasoning model

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has released an update to its R1 reasoning model. The new version, named R1-0528, was published on developer platform Hugging Face on May 29, although the company has not yet issued an official announcement.

The startup cap table - get it right to avoid future pain

One of the most overlooked yet critical elements of a startup’s success is its shareholder capitalization table (cap table). Founders often rightly focus on product development, fundraising, and customer acquisition - but fail to recognize that a poorly structured cap table can limit future growth, deter investors, and even threaten long-term control of the business. Getting your cap table right from the start is not just a legal task — it’s a strategic imperative.

LATEST

LATEST

Press Release / Asus launches NVIDIA RTX 5090 gaming laptops in Bangladesh

Asus has officially launched the ROG Strix SCAR 18 series laptops equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 GPUs in Bangladesh. 

SpaceX Starship test faces mid-flight failure

SpaceX's Starship rocket demonstrated partial success in its latest test flight on May 27, before ultimately spinning out of control. The 400-foot-tall spacecraft, launching from Texas, surpassed previous milestones by reaching space with a reused booster for the first time - a key step toward reusability. However, the mission encountered multiple setbacks about 30 minutes into the flight, according to a report by Reuters on the matter.

Salesforce to acquire data management firm Informatica for $8 billion

Salesforce has announced plans to acquire data management firm Informatica for about $8 billion, marking its largest deal since purchasing Slack for $27.7 billion in 2021. According to a recent Reuters report on the matter, this all-cash offer of $25 per share represents a 30% premium over Informatica's recent stock price.  

Nationwide crackdown begins on online gambling and betting

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police has launched a nationwide campaign targeting online gambling and betting, in what marks one of the first major enforcement efforts under the newly enacted Cyber Security Ordinance 2025.

OpenAI to open office in Seoul, South Korea

OpenAI is establishing its first South Korean office in Seoul, the company announced recently. This move comes as South Korea now ranks second globally in paying ChatGPT users, trailing only the United States, according to company data.

Press Release / Huawei launches 4 network solutions in Bangladesh

Huawei has introduced four new networking solutions on May 26 in an event at Gulshan under its Xinghe Intelligent Network portfolio.

STARTUPS

STARTUPS

Press Release / Startup Bangladesh pushes 7-pillar strategy to fix ecosystem gaps

Startup Bangladesh Limited (SBL) has unveiled a strategic roadmap focused on strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem on May 24.

OpenAI acquires iPhone designer Jony Ive's startup for $6.5 bln

OpenAI has struck a deal to acquire io Products, the hardware startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, in a transaction valued at $6.5 billion, as per a recent report by Reuters. Additionally, OpenAI will bring Ive on board to lead design and creative development of new devices tailored for the AI era, according to OpenAI's official website.

Three Bangladeshis featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025

Three entrepreneurs from Bangladesh have been named in the latest Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2025: Arefin Zaman in the 'Healthcare & Science' category, Sakib Hossain in the 'Industry, Manufacturing & Energy' category, and Sayed Zubaer Hasan in the 'Social Impact' category. 

Instacart CEO Fidji Simo is joining OpenAI

Fidji Simo, the current CEO of Instacart, is set to join OpenAI as CEO of Applications, the company announced on May 7. 

SBL announces new investment in Shikho

Startup Bangladesh Limited (SBL), the government-backed venture capital arm of the ICT Division, has announced a strategic investment in Shikho, an EdTech startup, in a move aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI-driven learning tools across Bangladesh on May 7.

Move over SpaceX. Bangladesh has its own rockets now

Bangladeshi aerospace company DhumketuX has officially unveiled Bidrohi, a domestically built commercial sub-orbital space rocket made in Bangladesh, on 29 April.

River acquires Pathao co-founder Elius’ Wind app

River, a US-based technology company founded by Bangladeshi-American entrepreneurs, has acquired Wind, a blockchain-based payments application created by Hussain M Elius, the former CEO of Pathao. 

APPS

APPS

Vietnam plans Telegram block; app says it’s “surprised”

Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has instructed domestic telecommunication service providers to block access to the messaging platform Telegram, citing the app’s alleged failure to cooperate with authorities in addressing criminal activities, according to a recent report by Reuters. 

YouTube will use Gemini to place ads in ‘peak’ video moments

YouTube has announced on 14 May that it will begin using Google's Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) model to identify the most engaging segments of videos for advertising placements. 

TikTok to use AI-generated text to describe images

TikTok has announced that the company is testing a new feature that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate image descriptions, in an effort to make the platform more accessible for users with visual impairments. 

Meta admitted Facebook was "losing badly" to TikTok: court filings

Meta executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, openly acknowledged TikTok's dominance over Facebook and Instagram in key areas of social media engagement, during discussions dated February 2022, filed as part of the US Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) antitrust lawsuit against Meta, according to a recent report by TechCrunch.

A personal goodbye to Skype; the app that connected worlds

Today, Skype, the app that once connected me to so many important moments, is officially gone. It’s a strange feeling. Sure, I have switched to Messenger for chats and Zoom for meetings like everyone else. But I can’t help but feel a little sad. Few things else carry the same level of nostalgia as that familiar blue icon.

Skype died today because you keep using Zoom

Skype, once the undisputed pioneer of internet-based video calls, has officially been shut down by Microsoft as of 5 May 2025, marking the end of a two-decade era in digital communication.

Duolingo to replace contractor roles with AI; adopts "AI-first" strategy

Duolingo, the language learning app, will phase out contractor roles for tasks that artificial intelligence can handle, according to a recent internal email from cofounder and CEO Luis von Ahn announcing the company's shift to an "AI-first" approach. The message, posted on Duolingo's official LinkedIn account, outlines plans to restructure operations around AI capabilities.

GADGETS

GADGETS

Press Release / Samsung Galaxy A26 5G and A36 5G launched in Bangladesh

Samsung has recently launched its Galaxy A26 5G and A36 5G smartphones in Bangladesh. 

Honor 400 series launched in Bangladesh

Honor has officially launched the HONOR 400 series at a grand launch event held on 25 May 2025 at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in Dhaka.

Our picks for interactive displays

Interactive displays are no longer futuristic novelties as they have become essential tools in modern classrooms and meeting rooms across Bangladesh. However, these devices come at a very high cost with prices ranging from BDT 200,000 to over BDT 1,200,000. So, before you invest, consider these key factors:

Press Release / Realme launches C71 in Bangladesh

Realme has officially launched its latest smartphone, the Realme C71, in Bangladesh. 

Press Release / Samsung launches A56 in Bangladesh

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy A56 5G in Bangladesh.

Press Release / Itel launches CITY 100 smartphone in Bangladesh

Itel has officially launched the CITY 100 smartphone in Bangladesh.

GUIDES

GUIDES

How to use tap to pay with Google Wallet

Google Wallet, formerly known as Google Pay, includes a 'tap to pay' function, allowing users to complete transactions by unlocking their device and holding it near a compatible point-of-sale terminal. This system is designed to facilitate payments without the need for physical cards. Here's how to use it.

You can get up to $100,000 for hacking Starlink's network

Want to get paid big bucks for hacking satellites? Elon Musk's Starlink is offering security researchers and ethical hackers up to $100,000 if they can crack its global satellite internet network - legally. As of February 11, 2025, the company's bug bounty program on Bugcrowd has already paid out for 118 vulnerabilities, with an average reward of $1,466.66 per bug over the last three months.

10 prompt engineering tips to get better AI responses

Ever wondered why some people get brilliant results from AI tools like Gemini, while others receive gibberish? The secret lies in prompt engineering, the craft of designing clear, practical instructions for AI systems. Here are 10 essential prompt engineering tips to dramatically improve your AI interactions.  

A beginner’s guide to buying graphics cards

For those seeking higher frame rates and better visual quality, upgrading the graphics card is often the most effective way to improve performance.

Five essential gears to begin your astrophotography journey

From capturing stunning shots of the Milky Way to photographing rare cosmic events, Bangladesh’s astrophotography community is growing, fuelled by curiosity and creativity. Here are five essential pieces of gear to help you embark on your own astrophotography journey.

How to save your Facebook Live videos before they are deleted

Starting February 19, Facebook will automatically delete live broadcast videos from Pages and profiles after 30 days, according to a recent announcement by the popular social media platform. Users who want to keep their live videos must download or transfer them before they expire. Here's how you do so.

How to save space on your phone

Running out of space on your phone can be frustrating, especially when you want to take a photo or download something important. Whether you're using an Android or iPhone, here are seven practical tips to help you reclaim storage and keep your phone running smoothly.

Videos and Podcasts

Videos and Podcasts

Starlink: Yunus asks Musk to come over, launch it within 90 days

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has extended an invitation to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to visit Bangladesh and oversee the launch of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service in the country within the next 90 working days.

3m ago

Will DeepSeek become a major competitor to OpenAI?

The competition in the world of artificial intelligence, or AI, is getting more intense day by day. Along with powerful models like OpenAI's ChatGPT, China's DeepSeeK AI is also gaining popularity. How is this new AI startup surprising the whole world? Let's find out in today's Star Explains.

4m ago

Apple Intelligence on iPhone in 5 minutes

After months of speculation, Apple officially introduced its Apple Intelligence platform during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 in June.

8m ago

Introducing iPhone 16

Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16, the latest version of its flagship smartphone.

8m ago

Youngsters who showed the world what our robots can do

Competing against 451 teams from 77 countries, the Bangladeshi robotics team "Robonium Bangladesh" clinched the 5th position in the World Robot Olympiad 2023 in the "Future Innovators (Senior)" category, held in Panama

1y ago

Apple iphone Event in 12 Minutes

The essentials from tonight's Apple Event

1y ago

Developing Games in Bangladesh

Game development in Asia has largely been taking place in East Asia since the creation of video games. Is this about to change ? We talked to Mehnaz Irtika from The Daily Star, who told us about the challenges Bangladesh's game industry faces if it wants to compete with the big dogs.

1y ago

Augmenting Schools - AR Learning

We explore the use of Augmented Reality in education. With us to discuss how deployment of AR could affect Bangladesh's education and consumer sector is Md. Ridwan Sakib Anjum, an in-house contributor for the Tech and Startup section of The Daily Star.

1y ago

You can now ask ChatGPT for online shopping recommendations

OpenAI has updated ChatGPT's search function to display product suggestions when users make shopping-related queries. According to an official blog post by the company, this feature will provide item recommendations with specifications and purchase links in response to queries that implies shopping intent.

1m ago

Amazon enters space internet race; first Kuiper satellites launched

Amazon has launched its first batch of 27 satellites for Project Kuiper, marking the beginning of its $10 billion plan to build a global broadband internet network. The satellites were carried into space on April 28, 2025, by a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.  

1m ago

Bangladesh’s internet future hampered by fragmentation, says APNIC Chief Scientist

Geoff Huston, Chief Scientist at the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), believes Bangladesh has made important strides in internet development but faces critical hurdles, particularly in IPv6 adoption and network security. Speaking at the APRICOT 2025 and APNIC 59 conference in Kuala Lumpur, Huston outlined the country’s progress, challenges, and opportunities for growth. In an exclusive interview, he shared his insights into how Bangladesh can strengthen its internet infrastructure.

1m ago

Foodpanda to exit Thailand in May

Foodpanda, the Asia-based food delivery platform operated by German company Delivery Hero, will cease operations in Thailand on 23 May, according to a recent report by Reuters.

1m ago

Huawei receives bKash partner excellence award

Huawei has received the bKash Partner Excellence Award for the fifth time.

1m ago

India blocks 16 Pakistani YouTube channels: report

India has restricted access to 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual creators, following the recent incident in Pahalgam, according to reports by The Hindu and Times of India.

1m ago

Nike is being sued by its NFT buyers

Nike is facing a lawsuit from NFT (non-fungible tokens) buyers who claim the company left them with worthless digital assets after suddenly shutting down its RTFKT NFT division, the unit that made Nike-themed NFTs, last December.

1m ago

India to make most US iPhones instead of China: report

Apple is speeding up plans to shift iPhone production from China to India, aiming to make most iPhones sold in the US in Indian factories by late 2026, according to a recent report by Reuters. The move comes as Apple tries to avoid possible higher US tariffs on Chinese-made goods, a source told Reuters.

1m ago

Bangladeshi researcher invents drone-based disaster communication system

A. F. M. Shahen Shah, a Bangladeshi researcher based in Turkey, has developed drone-based technology that could significantly improve emergency communication during natural disasters. His work, which has gained notable coverage in Turkish media, addresses the critical problem of the collapse of communication networks following disasters such as earthquakes and floods.

1m ago

Jobs of the week

Here are our picks for jobs of the week. Check out the article for more details.

1m ago