Musk can buy TikTok if he wants to, says Trump

US President Donald Trump has said he would support Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, if he decided to purchase the social media app TikTok. Trump’s remarks came as the platform, used by 170 million Americans, faces a potential ban unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its US operations due to national security concerns.

Fact-checking reports increased by 58% in 2024: dismislab

The volume of fact-checking reports addressing misinformation in Bangladesh surged by 58% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to a recent report by dismislab. The report identifies misinformation trends in 2024, highlighting people, countries, organisation and key narratives.

Malaysia allows crypto in zakat payments

Malaysia has become the first country in the world to permit the use of digital assets for zakat payments, according to a report by New Straits Times (NST), a Malaysian news outlet.

EU strengthens hate speech rules on Facebook, YouTube, X

The European Union (EU) has updated its code of conduct on online hate speech, requiring social media platforms like Meta’s Facebook, Elon Musk’s X, and Google’s YouTube to step up efforts to tackle harmful content. The European Commission announced the changes on Monday, integrating the code into the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).

Trump repeals Biden's AI safety order

US President Donald Trump has repealed a 2023 executive order issued by his predecessor Joe Biden, which aimed to mitigate the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Donald Trump wants to put astronauts on Mars

Donald Trump, the newly sworn-in 47th President of the United States, stated that he wants to put American astronauts on Mars, during his inauguration speech at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

How to watch the second inauguration of Donald Trump online

Donald Trump will be sworn in for his second term as the 47th President of the United States on 20 January around 11.00 PM Bangladesh time in front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. 

North Korean hackers stole $659 mln in Crypto in 2024: US, Japan, South Korea

Cyber actors from Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) stole $659 million in cryptocurrency in 2024, according to a recently released joint statement by the US, Japan, and South Korea.

Young Chinese turn to AI pets for emotional relief

Across China, a growing number of people are turning to AI to combat social isolation

Instagram announces Edits, video editing app to rival CapCut

Instagram has announced a new video editing app called Edits, aimed at creators who produce videos on their phones. The app, unveiled by Instagram head Adam Mosseri in a video on Instagram, is positioned as a competitor to CapCut, the video editor app owned by TikTok's parent company ByteDance.

TikTok restores service in US

Trump promised to issue an executive order delaying the ban to allow time to "make a deal."

LATEST

LATEST

Press Release / Young filmmaker launches podcast for tech

Nahian Khan, a young filmmaker, has recently launched a podcast series named ‘TechShow’ featuring the journeys and insights of the Bangladeshi tech content creators.

Docking, growing vegetables, and manufacturing in space

On January 16, India’s national space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), conducted a successful space docking (SpaDeX) operation by bridging two satellites in space, after overcoming hiccups twice.

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.

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.

STARTUPS

STARTUPS

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.

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.

APPS

APPS

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.

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.

GADGETS

GADGETS

Press Release / Redmi Note 14 launched in Bangladesh

The smartphone Redmi Note 14 has been launched in Bangladesh. 

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.

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.

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

9m 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

City Bank data breach: Client financial statements sold on underground forums

In a recent cybersecurity breach, City Bank in Bangladesh has had sensitive client financial statements exposed and sold on underground hacking forums, according to a recent blog post by the Bangladesh Cyber Security Intelligence (BCSI).

2w ago

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.

2w ago

Italy close to $1.5 billion deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX: report

Italy is nearing a €1.5 billion ($1.55 billion) deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide secure communications for its government, as per a recent report by Bloomberg News. The proposed five-year agreement, which still needs final approval, has already been endorsed by Italy’s Intelligence Services and Defence Ministry.

2w ago

We got our hands on the best budget drone yet. Meet the DJI Neo

We recently got ourselves one and after putting the Neo through its paces, here’s a detailed look at its design, features, and performance.

2w ago

This bulb has been burning for over 123 years

Known as the Centennial Light, this carbon-filament bulb has been glowing since 1901, earning it the title of the world’s longest-burning light bulb, recognised by Guinness World Records.

2w ago

Jobs of the week

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

2w ago

AI may be able to 'taste' colours: study finds

A recent study suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) models, like OpenAI's ChatGPT, might be capable of 'tasting' colours and shapes in ways similar to how humans do.

2w ago

Apple to settle Siri lawsuit for $95 million

Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve claims that its Siri voice assistant unlawfully recorded private conversations and shared them with third parties.

2w ago

China unveils high-speed train capable of 450 km/h

China has recently introduced the prototype of its next-generation high-speed train, the CR450, which is capable of reaching 450 kilometres per hour.

2w ago

GTA 6 and other game releases to look out for in 2025

The gaming industry is gearing up for an eventful 2025, with a slate of highly anticipated titles set to launch across various platforms. Here’s a look at some of the standout releases:

2w ago