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.
Brain rot is Oxford’s 2024 word of the year. What does it even mean?
Oxford's 2024 word of the year, 'brain rot,' spotlights growing concerns over the mental toll of endless social media scrolling.
Robot dog successfully completes full-course marathon
A robot dog in South Korea has made history by becoming the first four-legged robot to complete a full-length marathon without needing to recharge its batteries. Named RAIBO2, the advanced quadrupedal robot, developed by researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), covered the 42-kilometer distance of the Sangju Dried Persimmon Marathon in a time of 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 52 seconds.
Ever wanted to take a space selfie? Now you can
Imagine a selfie with Earth as the backdrop—not a digitally generated image, but a photograph taken in orbit. This is the concept behind the Space Selfie project, launched by CrunchLabs, an initiative founded by Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer and YouTube content creator.
Talking with AI can help reduce stress: studies show
Two peer-reviewed studies, one published in November 2024 and one in October 2023, shed light on how interacting with AI chatbots can help people manage stress, express emotions, and even improve their overall emotional health.
Bluesky tightens safety rules as user numbers ramp up
Bluesky, the decentralised social media platform, has seen a recent surge in new users and is taking steps to improve security and combat impersonation. With more people joining the platform, the company is introducing stricter measures to ensure accounts are authentic and trustworthy, as per an official post by the platform.
Jobs of the week
Here are our picks for jobs of the week. Check out the article for more details.
Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks mixed reactions
Australia has passed a new law banning children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The law, approved on Thursday, forces companies to block kids under 16 from logging in, or they could face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US $32 million). The government says the ban will protect children from harmful content online, but it has sparked mixed reactions from young people, parents, and tech companies.
Internet services will be disrupted for 3 hours on December 2
Internet service will temporarily be disrupted for 3 hours on December 2 due to maintenance of SEA-ME-WE4, the country's first submarine cable system in Cox's Bazar.
Casio revives 1983 classic with the G-Shock DW-5000R
Marking 41 years since the launch of the first G-Shock, Casio has recently unveiled the G-Shock DW-5000R, a near-identical recreation of the original 1983 DW-5000C.
Avik Anwar shines at Renault Clio Cup Middle East
Avik Anwar, along with his all-Bangladeshi team, has delivered a stellar performance at the Renault Clio Cup Middle East.
EDITOR'S PICK
LATEST
Press Release / Samsung launches Galaxy S24 FE in Bangladesh
Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy S24 FE in Bangladesh.
xAI to launch its own app soon: Report
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, is preparing to launch its own app for the Grok chatbot as early as December, according to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal.
Meta plans to build $10 bln global subsea cable network
Meta is planning to construct a vast $10 billion fibre-optic subsea cable network, spanning over 40,000 kilometres and avoiding areas of geopolitical tension, according to a recent report by TechCrunch.
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.
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.
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.
STARTUPS
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.
Amazon invests additional $4 bln in AI startup Anthropic
Amazon has poured another $4 billion into Anthropic, the artificial intelligence startup behind the chatbot Claude. This new funding doubles Amazon’s total investment in the startup to $8 billion.
Tally recognises 25 individuals in MSME Honours 2024
Tally Solutions, a business management software provider, concluded the fourth edition of Tally MSME Honours 2024 in Bangladesh announcing 25 winners in 5 categories on 14 November at Capital’s Raddison Blu Water Garden Hotel.
Co-founder Greg Brockman returns to OpenAI
Greg Brockman, co-founder of ChatGPT parent OpenAI, has rejoined the artificial intelligence powerhouse three months after stepping down from his role as president.
Perplexity to near $9 bln valuation in new investment round: report
Perplexity AI, a California-based search startup, is close to raising $500 million in new funding, which would value the company at around $9 billion. The latest funding round will be led by venture capital firm Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), which also has a seat in the startup.
OpenAI to shift from non-profit to for-profit company: report
OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT, is reportedly in discussions with the California attorney general’s office to change its corporate structure to a for-profit model, according to Bloomberg News. This potential shift would mark a significant change for OpenAI, which was originally established as a non-profit research organisation in 2015.
Actor Olivia Wilde launches VC firm
Actor and director Olivia Wilde, known for her roles in Tron: Legacy and Don’t Worry Darling, has taken on a new role as a venture capitalist, reports Bloomberg.
APPS
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.
Spotify users can now search songs using Google’s Gemini AI
Spotify has integrated with Google’s Gemini Extensions, enabling users to search for and play music through natural language commands.
Bluesky surpasses 20 million users
Bluesky, a growing social media platform launched by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has surpassed 20 million users.
Microsoft Teams to introduce real-time language interpreter
Microsoft Teams is set to launch a real-time AI-powered language interpreter, allowing participants to speak or listen in their preferred language during meetings, according to a recent blog post by Microsoft.
Facebook users eligible for data breach compensation: German court
Germany's Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled that Facebook users whose data was illegally accessed in 2018 and 2019 are eligible for compensation.
Can Bluesky be the new (old) Twitter?
As thousands of X users flock to Bluesky to relive the old twitter days, the new social media platform faces an uphill battle in competing against X.
Apple introduces Final Cut Pro 11 with AI features
Apple has recently unveiled Final Cut Pro 11, with new AI features for video editing.
GADGETS
Our picks for air purifiers to buy this winter
Here is a list of our picks of air purifiers you can buy for the upcoming winter, with options for every budget. Please keep in mind that pricing and availability may vary across stores.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra designs reportedly leaked
As Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series is expected to debut in early 2025, new leaks have provided an early glimpse of the upcoming flagship's design.
Room heaters for this winter: our recommendations
As winter approaches and forecasts predict an especially cold season this year, room heaters have become essential in Bangladesh for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. To help you make an informed decision, here are our top picks for room heaters to keep your home cosy this upcoming winter. Please keep in mind that pricing and availability may vary across stores.
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.
Press Release / Realme globally launches GT 7 Pro
Realme has globally launched Realme GT 7 Pro, the brand's latest flagship smartphone. The phone comes with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 6500 mAh battery, and runs on realme UI 6.0.
Press Release / Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ launched in Bangladesh
Infinix has launched its latest smartphone HOT 50 Pro+ in Bangladesh.
GUIDES
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.
Why you might still want to use VPN
We live in a world where our digital privacy and online security are at a constant risk. A VPN app is a valuable tool to protect your data and maintain your anonymity, adding some much-needed layers to your online protection.
Uncovering internet addiction
Are you the sort of person whose hands immediately reach for the phone at the slightest hint of boredom? Do you feel bored when having to eat a meal without watching YouTube? Congratulations, you are gradually riding the slippery slope that is internet addiction.
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.
Introducing iPhone 16
Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16, the latest version of its flagship smartphone.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Zomato offers Chief of Staff job: No initial salary, application fee 2 mln
Deepinder Goyal, CEO of India-based food delivery company Zomato, has sparked a heated debate online by advertising a Chief of Staff position with unconventional terms: no salary in the first year and a 2 million rupee ($23,700) fee to be paid by the successful candidate.
Duct-taped banana artwork sold for $6.2m in the US
Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial artwork, Comedian, featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, has sold for $6.2m at Sotheby’s in New York.
Bangladeshi scientist Fairuz selected for US Antarctic Program
Fairuz Ishraque, a Bangladeshi scientist, has been selected for the US Antarctic Program, a US government initiative focused on research in Antarctica. As part of the program, he recently travelled to the icy continent to conduct research in the Allan Hills, a notable group of hills in the region.
Bitcoin is now worth over $95,000
Bitcoin's value has soared to a record high of above $95,040, as excitement builds around a potentially supportive approach to cryptocurrencies under President-elect Donald Trump.
Australia launches 'landmark' bill to ban social media for children under 16
Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics or government identification to enforce a social media age cut-off, some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.
Microsoft planning voice cloning tool for Teams meetings
Microsoft has announced plans to introduce voice cloning for Teams, allowing users to simulate their voices in multiple languages during meetings.
7-year-old coding prodigy gets job offer from Russian IT firm
A seven-year-old from St Petersburg has received a job offer from a leading Russian IT firm.
US government commission pushes Manhattan Project-style AI initiative
The Manhattan Project was a large-scale collaboration between the US government and the private sector during World War Two that produced the first atomic bombs.
GitHub launches $1.25 mln fund to boost open source security
GitHub has announced the launch of the "GitHub Secure Open Source Fund" with an initial investment of $1.25 million, a new initiative aimed at strengthening open source software security.
Apple vs Google: the next frontier of mobile computing
Two of the biggest players in the tech world, Apple and Google, are at the forefront with Apple Intelligence and Google Gemini AI to shape the future of mobile computing. Let’s dive into how these tech giants are redefining the boundaries of mobile computing.