OpenAI fined 15 mln euros by Italy over privacy violations

Italy's data protection authority, also known as Garante, announced on December 20 that it has fined OpenAI 15 million euros (around $15.58 million) following an investigation which was launched back in 2023, into privacy violations associated with the company's generative AI platform, ChatGPT.

Ukraine has 2 mln hours of drone footage to train AI for warfare: Report

Since the Ukraine-Russia war which began in 2022, Ukrainian drone operators have collected over 2 million hours of video, equivalent to 228 years of footage, to support AI-driven decision-making in combat, according to a recent report by Reuters.

You can now call and message ChatGPT with this number

As part of the company’s "ship-mas" campaign, OpenAI has recently introduced a new feature allowing users to call or message ChatGPT directly over the phone or WhatsApp.

CFMOTO officially launches 6 bikes in Bangladesh

CFMOTO, a Chinese motorcycle brand, has officially launched six bikes including its flagship models the 300SR, 250NK, and 250SR, along with the 150SC, 250CL-C, and 230 DUAL on December 19 at Capital’s International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB).

Honda and Nissan discuss potential merger

Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have confirmed preliminary discussions about a possible merger, a move that could reshape the global automotive landscape.

Netflix fined $4.98 mln by Dutch authority over data privacy violations

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA), a regulatory body for the Netherlands, announced on December 18 that it has fined Netflix €4.75 million (around $4.98 million) for failing to adequately inform customers about its use of their personal data between 2018 and 2020.

Starlink beams turned off over India

Elon Musk has confirmed that Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by his company SpaceX, is not operational in India.

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.

TikTok can be a top marketing tool for small businesses in 2025

In 2025, TikTok can established itself as a key platform for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) aiming to enhance their marketing strategies.

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 Whisk uses images instead of text for AI photo generation

Google has recently announced Whisk, a new generative AI tool which allows users to create images by using other images as prompts rather than relying on detailed text descriptions.

LATEST

LATEST

This pilot celebrated victory day drawing a map of Bangladesh in the sky

Fahim Chowdhury, a pilot, has drawn the map of Bangladesh in the sky using a Cessna 172 aircraft on the occasion of the 53rd Victory Day of Bangladesh.

NASA Astronaut Joseph M. Acaba shares life insights at BRAC

BRAC University hosted an event on December 15 with NASA astronaut Joseph M. Acaba, whose life story of resilience and determination inspired students to dream big and overcome challenges.

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.

Press Release / Realme launched C75 in Bangladesh

Realme has officially launched the realme C75 in Bangladesh.

Suchir Balaji voiced serious concerns about OpenAI. He was found dead last month

Suchir Balaji, a former researcher at OpenAI known for his firm stance against the AI giant's policies, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, 2024. The 26-year-old’s death was ruled a suicide by the San Francisco Police Department, with no indications of foul play.

Watch the brand new trailer for the new Mafia game

The game is set in early 1900s Sicily and explores the origins of organised crime.

STARTUPS

STARTUPS

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.

AI firm Nebius secures $700 mln investment from Nvidia and others

Nebius Group, an artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure company, has recently announced that it has raised $700 million in a private funding round led by Nvidia, venture capital firm Accel, and accounts managed by Orbis Investments, according to a recent report by Reuters.

EV charging platform Ampeco secures $26 mln in Series B

Ampeco, an electric vehicle (EV) charging software solution provider, has recently raised $26 million in a Series B funding round led by Revaia, an investment company. 

APPS

APPS

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.

Video camera app Kino wins Apple’s 'iPhone App of the Year'

Kino, a video creation app by Lux Optics Inc., has been named 'iPhone App of the Year' in Apple’s 2024 App Store Awards. Apple’s annual awards celebrate standout apps and games for their design, functionality, and cultural impact. This year, 17 winners were selected from 45 finalists by App Store editors.

OpenAI officially launches Sora

OpenAI has officially launched Sora, its text-to-video AI model, in a recent livestream, marking the latest in its 12-day “Ship-mas” series of product announcements.

Microsoft 365 is facing outage again

Microsoft is grappling with another outage affecting its Microsoft 365 services, marking the second disruption in two weeks.

Google Photos introduces 2024 Recap feature

Google Photos has launched a new feature called 2024 Recap, which offers users a way to review highlights from their year through selected photos and insights. The feature creates a memory with chosen photos, accompanied by graphics and effects, and is being gradually rolled out.

US court upholds ruling: TikTok to sell by January or get banned

A US federal court has ruled that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, must sell its US operations by January 19, 2025, or the app will be banned nationwide. The decision is being seen as a major win for the Justice Department, which has raised concerns about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government, but it is a significant setback for ByteDance.

OpenAI unveils ChatGPT Pro: $200 plan for advanced research

OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Pro, a new subscription model priced at $200 per month, aimed at professionals in research and engineering. According to the company, this new plan provides users with access to OpenAI’s most advanced tools and features, designed to handle complex computational tasks and reasoning.

GADGETS

GADGETS

Water heaters for this winter: our recommendations

Winter is now here in Bangladesh, and with it, the rising necessity of accessible hot water. Here are our recommendations for five water heaters available in the local market. Please keep in mind that prices and availability may vary across stores. 

Our top picks for premium smartphones

Although all high-budget smartphones come with advanced features, selecting the best depends on understanding their features, pros, and cons, as well as balancing specs with personal preferences. To help you out, here are our picks for premium smartphones currently available in the local market. Please keep in mind that pricing and availability may vary across stores.

Mid-range smartphones under 50K: our picks

To help you in your search for a brand new smartphone under the affordable BDT 50,000 price tag, check out our list below. Please keep in mind that pricing and availability may vary across stores.

Our picks for budget smartphones within BDT 20,000

Here is a list of 5 smartphones within the BDT 20,000 price range available in Bangladesh. Please keep in mind that pricing and availability may vary between stores.

Laptops under BDT 50,000: our top picks

Here are our top picks for five laptop models available in the local market right now, under the BDT 50,000 price tag. Please keep in mind that pricing and availability may vary across stores.

Apple to replace Qualcomm modems with in-house chips

Apple is planning to debut its first in-house cellular modem chips, a device that connects phones to mobile data networks, next year in a step towards replacing Qualcomm as its supplier, according to a recent report by Bloomberg News.

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.

3m ago

Introducing iPhone 16

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

3m 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

7m 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

Bdcalling IT Limited partners with Blackboard Strategies

Bdcalling IT Limited, a locally based IT service provider, has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blackboard Strategies, a concern of Asiatic 3Sixty, as a strategic communication partner.

1w ago

General Motors to stop making Cruise robotaxis

General Motors (GM) has decided to stop developing robotaxis at its Cruise division, citing high costs, lengthy timelines, and increased competition in the autonomous vehicle market.

1w ago

Google’s top trending searches for 2024: “demure meaning” among top searched

As the year comes to an end, Google has unveiled its top trending searches for 2024 in a blog post on December 10, offering a snapshot of global interests ranging from major sporting events to viral cultural moments.

1w ago

Google announces quantum computing chip breakthrough

The new chip called "Willow" does in minutes what it would take leading supercomputers 10 septillion years to complete

1w ago

Google launches GenCast for accurate weather forecast

Google has recently unveiled GenCast, an AI powered weather forecasting model capable of delivering highly accurate forecasts, including predictions for extreme weather events, up to 15 days in advance, according to a recent blog by Google DeepMind.

1w ago

Trump's team to discuss online drug sales with tech giants

President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has reached out to major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap, and TikTok, for a meeting to address the issue of illegal drug sales online, according to a report by The Information.

1w ago

Photography competition commemorates student movement at BRAC University

BRAC University recently hosted the Frames of Freedom photography competition.

1w ago

Jobs of the week

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

1w ago

Ubisoft is considering a buyout: report

Shareholders of Ubisoft Entertainment SA, the company behind popular game series like 'Assassin’s Creed' and 'Just Dance', are exploring a potential buyout while ensuring the founding Guillemot family retains control.

1w ago

Deepfake videos exploit Bangladeshi figures in Facebook gambling ads

Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, are facing criticism for allowing sophisticated gambling advertisements targeting Bangladeshi users

2w ago