Meta excludes paid ads from ‘Community Notes’ rollout, report suggests

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, and Instagram, plans to exclude paid advertisements from its upcoming “Community Notes” feature, according to a recent report by Reuters.

6 Chinese firms including TikTok and Xiaomi face EU privacy complaints

Noyb, an Austrian privacy advocacy group, filed a series of complaints against TikTok, Xiaomi, AliExpress, Temu, Shein, and WeChat, alleging violations of European Union data privacy regulations.

Vulnerability in ‘Sign in with Google’ risks millions of accounts: Report

A critical flaw in Google’s OAuth authentication system, a way for users to grant third-party applications access to their Google account information without sharing their password, has left millions of user accounts vulnerable to potential data theft, according to a recent report by Truffle security, an open-source security project.

Nintendo has revealed the Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo has officially unveiled its much-anticipated next-generation console and successor to the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2. The reveal came via a short teaser video, giving fans a glimpse of the upcoming console's functionality and design.

US users flock to Duolingo to learn Chinese fearing a TikTok ban

Duolingo, the language-learning platform, has reported a significant increase in users, with a 216% surge in Americans learning Mandarin compared to the same period last year.

Navigating the AI revolution: Opportunities and challenges in Bangladesh

What remains to be seen is whether or not we can make full use of its potential.

Apple dethroned as China's top smartphone brand in 2024

Apple has lost its position as China's leading smartphone seller in 2024, with Vivo and Huawei overtaking the iPhone maker, according to data from research firm Canalys, states a recent Reuters report.

Why are users shifting from TikTok to RedNote?

As the United States inches closer to a potential ban on TikTok, millions of American users are exploring alternatives, with RedNote emerging as a frontrunner. Known as Xiaohongshu, or 'Little Red Book', in its native China, RedNote has seen a sharp rise in popularity, driven by its resemblance to TikTok and its unique blend of short videos and e-commerce features.

78 mln job opportunities will be available by 2030: Report

A recent report titled “Future of Jobs Report 2025” by World Economic Forum (WEF), projects a net increase of 78 million jobs globally by 2030, as rapid technological advancements and demographic shifts reshape the global workforce. The report estimates that while 170 million new roles will be created, 92 million positions will be displaced, reflecting a net disruption of 22% of jobs over the next five years.

Battery recycling in Bangladesh: a discounted path to environmental risk

Beneath the surface of the seemingly harmless trade-in practice of old batteries lies a story of environmental risks and public health hazards that we need to uncover.

Which tech leaders are attending Trump's inauguration?

Several high-profile tech executives are expected to attend US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, according to media reports.

LATEST

LATEST

Elon Musk comments on Tulip Siddiq's resignation on X

"Anti-corruption minister is corrupt", says Elon

2014 Sonali bank hacking should have been a wake-up call: NCSA DG

The Director General of the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), Abu Sayed Md. Kamruzzaman, has expressed regret over the missed opportunity to strengthen cybersecurity in Bangladesh following the hacking of Sonali Bank in 2014. Speaking at the "Pre-Cyber Drill Conference 2025," held on 15 January at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka, Kamruzzaman highlighted the consequences of that incident.

Multi-year patent license agreement signed between Nokia and Samsung

Nokia has recently announced that it has signed a multi-year patent license agreement with Samsung, according to a report by Reuters.

Press Release / Realme launches Note 60x in Bangladesh

Realme has officially launched the realme Note 60x in Bangladesh.

Indonesia plans to follow Australia in setting social media age restrictions

Indonesia is preparing to introduce regulations that will establish a minimum age for social media users, a move aimed at safeguarding children online, according to recent announcements by the country’s communications minister Meutya Hafid.

Unused mobile data will carry forward: Here’s what it means

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) released a comprehensive update to its ‘Guidelines for Data and Data Packages of Mobile Phone Operators-2024’, on January 13, 2025. This update introduces several new measures, with the highlight being the ability for users to carry forward unused mobile data.

STARTUPS

STARTUPS

OpenAI to turn for-profit: Here’s what’s happening

OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, announced on Friday that it plans to restructure as a public benefit corporation (PBC) - shifting to a for-profit company from its previous non-profit structure. Here's what they have planned.

Databricks reaches $62 bln valuation following $10 bln funding round

Databricks, an artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics firm, has reached a $62 billion valuation after completing a $10 billion funding round, one of the largest in venture capital history, according to a recent report by Reuters.

Bangladeshi-Australian CEO gives $65K to employees as year-end bonus

AirTrunk, the data centre company founded by Bangladeshi-Australian entrepreneur Robin Khuda, is distributing $22 million in bonuses to over 300 employees, with each receiving up to $65,000.

Bangladeshi-born Australian named 'Business Person of the Year' by Australian Financial Review

Robin Khuda, a Bangladeshi-born entrepreneur and founder of the data centre company AirTrunk, has been named The Australian Financial Review’s (AFR) Business Person of the Year for 2024.

Elon Musk’s xAI secures $6 bln in equity financing: Report

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, has raised $6 billion in equity financing as it intensifies efforts to compete with industry leaders in the AI sector, according to a recent report by Reuters.

Straight out of Shark Tank: Vibe Gaming secures investment from Adcomm

Vibe Gaming, a Bangladesh-based video gaming and electronics retailer, has secured strategic investment from Adcomm Holdings on November 28 following their pitch on Shark Tank Bangladesh.

India’s Zomato raises $1 billion to strengthen quick-commerce leadership

Zomato, one of India's leading food delivery and quick-commerce companies, has raised $1 billion through institutional investors in its first major funding round since its 2021 IPO.

APPS

APPS

YouTube is working on a ‘Play something’ button: report

YouTube is experimenting with a new 'Play something' feature, a floating action button that lets users start a random video playback instantly, as per a recent report by tech news platform 9to5Google.

ChatGPT and Sora faced major outages this month

OpenAI experienced an outage affecting its popular services, including ChatGPT, Sora, and its developer-facing API, beginning at around 12.30 a.m Bangladesh time on 27 December.

YouTube is doubling down on clickbaits starting with India

YouTube has recently announced plans to intensify its efforts against egregious clickbait, starting with a phased rollout in India over the coming months.

Albania bans TikTok for a year

Albania announced a one-year nationwide ban on TikTok, the popular short-video app owned by China's ByteDance, on December 21, citing concerns over the app's influence on children following the fatal stabbing of a teenager last month.

Threads has more than 100 million daily active users: Mark Zukerberg

Meta’s microblogging social media platform, Threads, has exceeded 100 million daily active users, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on December 17.

Google to bring Android-like system for headsets and glasses

Google has recently announced the launch of Android XR, a new operating system designed for the next generation of extended reality (XR) devices, including headsets and glasses.

xAI's Grok-2 AI chatbot now free for X users

xAI, the AI company created by Elon Musk, has announced that its new Grok-2 AI chatbot is now free for all users on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

GADGETS

GADGETS

Honor X7c: a basic budget smartphone for clumsy users

Honor X7c impresses with durability and battery life, but falls short on display and camera performance in the competitive budget market.

Apple plans to launch thinnest iPhone yet, iPhone 17 Air: report

Apple is reportedly planning to launch its thinnest iPhone to date, the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be approximately 2 millimetres thinner than current models. A recent report by Apple analyst Mark Gurman from Bloomberg News suggests the device will debut at Apple’s upcoming September 2025 event.

Press Release / Honor X5b Plus launched in Bangladesh

Honor has recently launched the Honor X5b Plus in Bangladesh. The smartphone comes with a 5,200 mAh battery, a MediaTek Helio G36 processor, and an 8.7 mm chassis.

Samsung Galaxy S25 expected to be unveiled on January 22

Samsung has recently confirmed that its next Unpacked event will be held on January 22, 2025, where it is expected to launch the highly anticipated Galaxy S25 series.

Nvidia unveils Project DIGITS, desktop-sized AI supercomputer

Nvidia has announced Project DIGITS, a desktop-sized AI supercomputer featuring the new GB10 Grace Blackwell superchip. The device is designed to provide researchers, developers, and students with high-performance AI capabilities for prototyping, fine-tuning, and running large models, says Nvidia in an official press release.

Tablet or laptop: Which one should you buy?

For many, the decision between a tablet or a laptop depends on budget and daily usage needs. Both devices offer unique benefits, and understanding how each aligns with your lifestyle can help you make an informed choice.

GUIDES

GUIDES

How to stop ChatGPT from using your data for training

As AI tools like ChatGPT become an integral part of daily life, concerns about data privacy are growing. Here’s how you can update your settings to stop ChatGPT from using your data for training purposes.

Buying a new gaming headset? Here's what you need to know

A good gaming headset can make the difference between victory and defeat. But how do you pick the one that suits you best, with so many gaming headsets on the market, with so many factors to consider? This guide will present knowledge accumulated over the years along with recommendations to assist you in making an informed decision.

What you need to know about picking the right monitor

A right monitor is more than just a screen—it's a gateway to your work, entertainment, and creative expression. But with so many options, how do you pick the best one for you?

Why do processor sockets keep changing?

At the heart of your computer’s performance lies the processor socket, which acts as the critical bridge between the processor and the motherboard. Let’s explore why companies keep changing sockets and how it impacts you as a user.

How to repurpose your old computer

With a little creativity and the right tools, you can repurpose your old computer for a variety of useful tasks. Here’s how to give your old PC or laptop a second life.

How to find transparent background images and avoid fakes

Finding images with transparent backgrounds is an essential task for designers, marketers, and web developers, but it can sometimes lead to confusion, especially when dealing with misleading or fake images.

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.

Videos and Podcasts

Videos and Podcasts

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.

4m ago

Introducing iPhone 16

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

4m 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

8m 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

Data Thieves - Stolen Identity

Whether it's putting a photo of a drivers license #online, or going to a sketchy #website, we can all make mistake that compromise our #identity. It's even more unfair when even when we've done everything right, our #data are being #stolen. We talked with Zarif Faiaz from ANN's The Daily Star to tell us about how this is happening in Bangladesh, and how we may minimise the impact.

1y ago

iPhone 15 to be released officially on September 12

Apple has officially announced its annual event, scheduled for 12 September at Apple Park. The invitation, titled "Wonderlust," indicates that the company plans to unveil its iPhone 15 series, among other products.

1y ago

5 Canadian news media begin legal action against OpenAI

Five Canadian news media companies have initiated legal action against OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, accusing the company of copyright infringement and violating online terms of use on 29 November.

1m ago

Spotify limits API access for third-party developers

Spotify has announced changes to its Web API, limiting third-party developers' access to features such as related artists and recommendations, citing concerns about security, according to a recent blog post by Spotify for Developers.

1m ago

Australia bans social media for users under 16

Australia’s parliament has approved a law aimed at curbing social media use among children under 16.

1m ago

Xbox games on Android delayed due to legal disputes with Google

Microsoft's plan to allow Android users to play and purchase Xbox games directly through the Xbox App has hit an unexpected obstacle due to legal challenges in court.

1m ago

Hackers steal $17 million from Uganda's central bank

An offshore hacking group has stolen approximately $16.8 million from the Bank of Uganda.

1m ago

Amazon develops Olympus AI: Report

Amazon, the e-commerce platform, has reportedly developed a new generative artificial intelligence (AI) model, codenamed Olympus, capable of processing images and videos in addition to text.

1m ago

TikTok parent ByteDance sues former intern for $1.1 million

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is suing a former intern for 8 million yuan (about $1.1 million), accusing him of deliberately disrupting its artificial intelligence (AI) training operations. The lawsuit, filed in Beijing's Haidian District People's Court, has sparked widespread interest in China owing to its unique nature.

1m ago

Scared of Dhaka’s air? Time to try these air purifiers

Here is a list of our picks of air purifiers you can buy to combat the recent air quality, with options for every budget. Please keep in mind that pricing and availability may vary across stores.

1m ago

US FTC launches investigation into Microsoft

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened an antitrust investigation into Microsoft, focusing on its cloud computing, software licensing, and artificial intelligence (AI) business practices. The investigation is part of a broader effort to address concerns about large tech companies using their power to block competition.

1m ago

Google opens AI Campus in London

Google has launched its first AI Campus in London, aiming to train local students in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The campus, located in Somers Town, Camden, was inaugurated by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday.

1m ago