Shareholders sue Apple for allegedly overhyping AI: Report

Apple is facing a proposed securities fraud class action lawsuit from shareholders who allege the company misled investors about the progress of its artificial intelligence (AI) integration, particularly within its Siri voice assistant, according to a recent report by Reuters.

Indian state-owned telecom soft launches of Quantum 5G FWA

India’s state-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) announced the soft launch of Quantum 5G FWA, the country’s first indigenous, SIM-less fixed-wireless-access solution that is claimed to deliver fibre-like speeds over 5G radio.

Enter the Gungeon and Exit the Gungeon are coming to mobile

Enter the Gungeon, a popular roguelike game, and its spin-off Exit the Gungeon are set to arrive on mobile platforms, publisher Devolver Digital confirmed on June 18. However, no specific release date was announced.

Hackers destroy $90 million in Iran crypto exchange: report

An anti-Iranian hacking group known as Gonjeshke Darande, or 'Predatory Sparrow', claims to have destroyed nearly $90 million worth of cryptocurrency in an attack on Iran’s largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, on Wednesday, according to a recent report by Reuters. This marks the second high-profile cyberattack in two days by the group, which has suspected links to Israel.

ChatGPT can now generate images in WhatsApp

OpenAI has recently launched a new feature that enables WhatsApp users to generate images directly through ChatGPT.

Bangladesh Bank simplifies payment process for ads on Facebook, Google

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has simplified the process of payments for advertisements on foreign media, including Google and Facebook. According to a circular dated June 17, 2025 by the Foreign Exchange Policy Department of the BB, local ad spenders can now pay for advertisements in foreign media through local advertising agencies without the need to take separate approval from the central bank.

Bangladeshi student’s rostering app replaces Excel at Victoria University Sydney

Ornob Barua, a Bangladeshi student currently studying at Victoria University Sydney, has developed an app that is officially replacing Microsoft Excel for staff rostering operations at the university.

'Droidcon Bangladesh 2025' to be held on June 20-21

One of the world’s most popular Android developer conferences, ‘droidcon’, is set to be hosted in Dhaka. The two-day event will take place on June 20 and 21, 2025, at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).

Meta offered OpenAI employees $100 million bonus: Sam Altman

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that Meta attempted to recruit his employees with staggering compensation packages, including signing bonuses reaching $100 million. The disclosure came during a discussion on the 'Uncapped' podcast hosted by his brother Jack Altman.

Tecno launches SPARK Go 2 in Bangladesh

Tecno has officially launched its new smartphone, the SPARK Go 2, in Bangladesh.

The Trumps are entering telco

Trump Mobile, a new wireless provider affiliated with the Trump Organisation, has recently launched a national mobile service and announced its own Android-based smartphone, marking the company’s entry into the telecommunications market.

LATEST

LATEST

Taiwan adds Huawei and SMIC to export control list alongside Taliban and al Qaeda

Taiwan has placed China’s Huawei Technologies and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) on its export control list, grouping them with proscribed entities such as the Taliban and al Qaeda, according to a recent report by Reuters.

OpenAI receives $200 million contract from US Defense

The US Department of Defense has awarded OpenAI a $200 million contract to develop artificial intelligence tools for national security applications, according to a Pentagon announcement on Monday. The agreement calls for the ChatGPT creator to build prototype AI systems addressing both military and government operational challenges.

Press Release / Phoenix Summit 2025 highlights Bangladesh’s cybersecurity ambitions

The Phoenix Summit 2025, a flagship cybersecurity conference hosted by NCC, concluded on 24 May after three days of extensive dialogue, technical insight and cross-sector collaboration. Held in the capital, the summit brought together more than 3,500 participants, including experts, policymakers, academics and private sector representatives, reinforcing Bangladesh’s commitment to building a robust digital security framework.

Washington Post hit by cyberattack targeting journalists' emails: Report

The Washington Post is investigating a cyberattack that targeted the email accounts of several of its journalists, according to a recent report by Reuters.

New York passes AI safety bill to prevent "catastrophic risks to humanity"

New York state lawmakers have recently approved a first-of-its-kind bill requiring major AI developers to implement safety measures preventing catastrophic misuse of their technology. 

Scientists build a fully 2D, non-silicon computer

A team of researchers at Penn State University have created a working computer using ultra-thin, two-dimensional materials instead of silicon, potentially paving the way for thinner, faster, and more energy-efficient electronics. 

STARTUPS

STARTUPS

This company introduced a hotline for calling its CEO’s AI clone

Klarna, a Swedish fintech company, has recently launched an artificial intelligence-powered hotline allowing users to provide feedback directly to a virtual version of its CEO and co-founder, Sebastian Siemiatkowski.

Meta invests $14.8 bln in Scale AI, hires its 28-year-old CEO

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has invested $14.8 billion in Scale AI, a data-labeling startup, in a deal that values the company at $29 billion. As part of the agreement, Scale AI’s 28-year-old CEO, Alexandr Wang, will step down to join Meta’s artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives.

Self-driving delivery vehicles company backed by OpenAI CEO raises $80 mln

Coco Robotics, a Los Angeles-based startup developing self-driving delivery vehicles, has raised $80 million in new funding, the company announced on June 11.

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.

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.  

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.

APPS

APPS

WhatsApp will now have ads

Meta has announced it will begin showing advertisements in WhatsApp's Status feature, marking a significant shift for the messaging platform that has remained largely ad-free since its acquisition by Facebook in 2014. 

X rolls out new encrypted messaging feature, XChat

X has begun rolling out a beta version of XChat, a redesigned messaging system for its paid subscribers, according to a recent post by X owner Elon Musk. The new feature includes end-to-end encryption, file sharing, and audio-video calling capabilities without requiring phone numbers, as per official statements.

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.

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.

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. 

GADGETS

GADGETS

Ditch the mug. Dad deserves a cool gadget this Father's Day

Finding the perfect gift for Dad isn’t always easy - especially when he’s not big on gadgets. But the right piece of tech can still make his life easier, more enjoyable, and even a little more fun. Here are our top picks for tech gifts to consider this Father’s Day.

Snap announces new AR glasses for 2026 release

Snap Inc., the company behind the social media app Snapchat, has revealed plans to launch its newest augmented reality (AR) glasses, called Specs, in 2026. The announcement was made at the Augmented World Expo 2025, marking the company's latest attempt to establish itself in the wearable AR market after mixed results with previous iterations of its 'Spectacles' line.

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

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.

How to backup everything on your Google account

Our Google accounts hold a significant amount of data, from cherished photos and important documents to critical emails and contacts. Here are some ways in which you can backup valuable information and files from various Google apps.

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.

9m ago

Introducing iPhone 16

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

9m 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

Snap announces new AR glasses for 2026 release

Snap Inc., the company behind the social media app Snapchat, has revealed plans to launch its newest augmented reality (AR) glasses, called Specs, in 2026. The announcement was made at the Augmented World Expo 2025, marking the company's latest attempt to establish itself in the wearable AR market after mixed results with previous iterations of its 'Spectacles' line.

1w ago

Nintendo Switch 2 sells over 3.5 million units in first 4 days

Nintendo’s recently launched Switch 2 console has sold over 3.5 million units worldwide in its first four days on the market, marking it the company’s fastest-selling hardware launch ever. The figure, officially released by Nintendo on June 11, surpasses the original Switch’s first-month sales of 2.74 million units in 2017.

1w ago

Liquid glass design, iOS 26 and major announcements at Apple’s WWDC 2025

At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, Apple lifted the veil on iOS 26, unveiling a refreshed design called ‘Liquid Glass’.

1w ago

Apple WWDC 2025: How to watch and what to expect

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is set to begin at its Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California, at 10 a.m. PT (11 p.m. Bangladesh time) on 9 June.

1w ago

This 30-metre 3D-printed tower aims to revive a dying community

In the quiet alpine village of Mulegns, Switzerland, a striking new landmark now pierces the sky, not just as an architectural marvel, but as a lifeline for a fading community. Standing at 30 metres tall, 'Tor Alva' ('The White Tower') is the world’s tallest 3D-printed building, a delicate yet daring structure designed to lure visitors, spark investment, and perhaps even reverse the village’s decades-long decline.

2w ago

The future of coding: AI startups challenge Big Tech’s grip

Two years after ChatGPT kickstarted the generative AI revolution, one area stands out for actually making money — writing code. A wave of AI startups is racing to reshape software development by automating the grunt work of programming, and investors are pouring in billions to back the early frontrunners.

2w ago

LOTUS: The first generation Mars Rover from Green University of Bangladesh

The GUB Mars rover is representing Bangladesh at the finals of the Anatolian Rover Challenge 2025.

2w ago

Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio launches AI safety lab

Yoshua Bengio, a leading figure in artificial intelligence and a 2018 Turing Award winner, has launched LawZero, a nonprofit lab focused on making AI safer for humanity. Speaking to the Financial Times earlier this week, Bengio revealed that LawZero aims to tackle the growing risks associated with powerful AI systems by prioritising safety and ethical development.

2w ago

A young James Bond in action of new 007 game

Sony has unveiled a treat for gaming and film fans alike by debuting a trailer for 007: First Light, the next video game entry in the James Bond franchise on May 5.

2w ago

Haier JCI Dhaka West Rise Up Run concludes

JCI Dhaka West hosted the ‘Haier JCI Dhaka West Rise Up Run 2025’ on May 31 at the Hatirjheel waterfront, in a community event commemorating 110 years of Junior Chamber International (JCI) and bringing together over 1,500 participants.

2w ago