Trump launches meme coin days before White House return

Donald Trump has recently unveiled a new cryptocurrency project, launching a meme coin named ‘$Trump’ just days before his inauguration as the 47th US President, according to recent announcements by his accounts on social media X, and Truth Social.

Now you can post 3-minute long reels on Instagram 

Instagram has recently extended the maximum length of its Reels feature to three minutes, doubling the previous limit of 90 seconds, according to a recent announcement by Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram.

FBI hacked thousands of computers. Here is why

The FBI has recently conducted a large-scale operation to hack approximately 4,200 computers across the United States, targeting the removal of PlugX, a malware linked to Chinese state-backed hacking groups, according to the US Department of Justice.

Perplexity AI proposes merger with TikTok US: report

Perplexity AI, a US-based search engine company, has submitted a bid to merge with TikTok US, as per a recent report by Reuters. The proposal, submitted to TikTok’s parent company ByteDance on Saturday, was first reported by CNBC and confirmed by a source familiar with the discussions.

Understanding 'game theory' through Squid Game

Game theory, the study of strategic decision-making, has long been a tool for economists, mathematicians, and political scientists to analyse human behaviour in competitive scenarios. Let's take a look at how each game featured in the hit show Squid Game represents the 'game theory' in action.

Jobs of the week

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

Startup Bangladesh invests BDT 11.10 cr in local startups

Startup Bangladesh Limited, the government-backed venture capital firm, has invested BDT 11.10 crore over the past six months, according to a recent press release. From September 2024 to January 2025, the organisation disbursed BDT 9.025 crore across nine startups.

TikTok officially banned in the USA from today

TikTok suspends app within United States

TikTok's journey from fun app to US security concern

As a law that could get TikTok banned in the United States is poised to go into effect, here is a look at the rise of the video-sharing social media platform

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.

LATEST

LATEST

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.

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.

Elon Musk comments on Tulip Siddiq's resignation on X

"Anti-corruption minister is corrupt", says Elon

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

GADGETS

GADGETS

Press Release / Redmi Note 14 launched in Bangladesh

The smartphone Redmi Note 14 has been launched in Bangladesh. 

Press Release / Realme launches Note 60x in Bangladesh

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

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.

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

Google Maps to get new AI-based features

Google has introduced a set of AI-powered updates to Google Maps, utilising its Gemini model to make location-based searches more responsive and contextually aware. 

2m ago

P-12, the electric ferry that glides over water

The P-12 Shuttle, developed by Swedish company Candela, recently debuted as an electric-powered passenger ferry, designed to glide above the water. According to Candela, the ferry has a speed of up to 30 mph, while running silently on electricity.

2m ago

After banning iPhone 16, Indonesia now bans Google Pixel too

Indonesia has halted the sale of Google Pixel smartphones, citing failure to meet domestic content regulations.

2m ago

ChatGPT gets new search feature

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT search, a new feature enabling users to access real-time web information directly within ChatGPT. This tool provides updates on topics such as news, weather, sports, and stock data through a natural language chat interface, according to an official blog by OpenAI.

2m ago

Apple launches M4 Pro and M4 Max

Apple today introduced two new additions to its M4 chip family — the M4 Pro and M4 Max — delivering advanced performance for Mac users engaged in professional and intensive computing tasks.

2m ago

Apple unveils new MacBook Pro with M4 chips and integrated ‘Apple Intelligence’

Apple has introduced its latest generation of MacBook Pro laptops, featuring the newly developed M4 chip family and the advanced personal assistant platform, Apple Intelligence.

2m ago

Chinese electric bike AIMA launched in Bangladesh

The electric motorbike AIMA F626 has been launched in Bangladesh.

2m ago

US invests $825 mln in new semiconductor research centre

The US government has recently announced an investment of approximately $825 million to establish a new semiconductor research and development (R&D) facility at the Albany NanoTech Complex in New York.

2m ago

Russia fines Google $20 decillion—that's more than the entire world's GDP

A Russian court has imposed an extraordinary $20 decillion fine on Google for restricting access to 17 YouTube channels owned by local Russian networks.

2m ago

AI features boosted time spent on Facebook by 8%: Zuckerberg

Improvements in AI-driven feeds and video recommendations have led to an 8% rise in time spent on Facebook and a 6% increase on Instagram this year, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in the company's latest quarterly earnings report.

2m ago