Google to invest $6 billion in Indian data centre: report

Google will invest $6 billion to build a 1-gigawatt data centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, marking its first such direct investment in India, according to a recent report by Reuters.

ChatGPT adds new 'study mode'

OpenAI has launched a new 'study mode' for ChatGPT, intended to guide students through learning rather than directly providing answers. The feature, now available to all users, including free accounts, will soon be extended to ChatGPT Edu, a specialised version of the AI tool for educational institutions.

Bangladeshi teams win gold and silver at WICO 2025

Two youth-led teams from Bangladesh placed among the top competitors at the 14th World Invention Creativity Olympic (WICO) 2025, an international invention competition. Among more than 1,250 participants from over 25 countries, Team Atlas emerged as a gold medalist while CodeBlack, an all-girls robotics team, earned the silver medal.

YouTube added to Australia’s under-16 social media ban

Australia will include YouTube in its upcoming ban on social media access for teenagers under 16, reversing an earlier exemption for the platform.

Meet your new coworker: AI

A few years ago, the idea of working alongside artificial intelligence (AI) may have sounded like something out of science fiction. Today, it’s a workplace reality. Welcome to the era of AI as your coworker.

Running on empty? How to recharge before burnout hits

Burnout doesn’t always announce itself dramatically. It creeps in slowly. Maybe it’s the Sunday morning dread, the constant fatigue, or the sense that even simple tasks feel heavy. If you’re feeling drained but aren’t ready to walk away, don’t panic. You can course-correct before you hit full burnout.

Three Bangladeshi teams win at intl. innovation competition

Three student teams from Bangladesh have won awards in different categories of the Xylem Global Student Innovation Challenge 2025. Competing against thousands of participants from across the world, their projects focused on solving water-related problems and disaster challenges, especially relevant to Bangladesh.

ESG bootcamp 2025 held in Dhaka

A two-day Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) bootcamp was held in Dhaka on 25–26 July, bringing together over 100 professionals to discuss sustainable business practices in Bangladesh. 

This $5,900 humanoid robot can do cartwheels

Chinese robotics company Unitree has recently unveiled its R1 humanoid robot - a $5,900 machine that moves with startling agility. Standing 4 feet tall and weighing 55 pounds, the robot can perform cartwheels, hand-walking, punching combinations, and even downhill sprints - capabilities normally seen in robots costing many times more.

ChatGPT chats lack legal protection, warns Sam Altman

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has recently raised concerns about privacy protections for sensitive ChatGPT conversations, comparing today's AI privacy standards to "having therapy sessions in public". Speaking on an interview on the 'This Past Weekend' podcast, Altman acknowledged growing user hesitation about sharing personal information with AI tools.

Jobs of the week

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

LATEST

LATEST

Oppo launches Reno 14 series 5G in Bangladesh

Oppo has officially launched the Reno 14 (stylised as Reno14) series 5G at a musical event in Dhaka on July 28.

Press Release / Tecno SPARK 40 Pro Plus launched in Bangladesh

Tecno has officially launched the SPARK 40 Pro Plus in Bangladesh.

Meta hires ChatGPT co-creator as Superintelligence Chief Scientist

Meta has appointed Shengjia Zhao, one of the creators of ChatGPT, as Chief Scientist of its new Superintelligence Lab. Zhao, previously a research scientist at OpenAI, played a key role in developing ChatGPT, GPT-4, and several other AI models.

Meta to ban political ads in EU from October: report

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will halt all political, electoral and social issue advertising across the European Union (EU) from early October, according to a recent report by Reuters.

Press Release / TikTok removes over 1 crore videos from Bangladesh in Q1 

TikTok, the popular social media platform, has removed 11,006,960 videos originating from Bangladesh between January and March this year, according to its Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report released on July 23.

Scientists develop robot that "eats" other robots to grow

Researchers at Columbia University have created a process in which machines can physically grow by consuming parts from other robots or their environment. This new technology, described as 'robot metabolism', allows robots to absorb materials to expand, repair, and improve themselves, much like living organisms, according to a study published in Science Advances, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

STARTUPS

STARTUPS

Google snatches AI coders after OpenAI tried to buy their startup

Google has pulled off a strategic talent acquisition by hiring key executives and engineers from AI coding startup Windsurf, following failed acquisition talks between Windsurf and Google rival OpenAI. Google will pay $2.4 billion in licensing fees to access some of Windsurf's technology while allowing the startup to remain independent, according to a report by Reuters. 

RU student-led startup secures government funding

Biko All In One, a student-led startup from Rajshahi University, has secured BDT 10 lakh pre-seed funding from the iDEA Project under the ICT Division of Bangladesh. The funding was handed over at the ICT Tower in Dhaka on June 29.

Press Release / BIDA launches redesigned investor-centric website

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) launched a redesigned version of its official website on June 28, aiming to enhance investor experience and strengthen the country’s investment narrative. 

Shikho partners with Meta to launch AI literacy course in Bangladesh

Shikho, the edtech platform, has recently announced a partnership with Meta to develop and deliver a new AI literacy course aimed at broadening public understanding of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Former OpenAI CTO's new startup now valued at $10 billion: report

OpenAI's former chief technology officer Mira Murati has secured $2 billion in seed funding for her new AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab, valuing the six-month-old company at $10 billion, according to a recent report by Financial Times.

AI cheating tool startup raises $15 million in funding

AI startup Cluely has secured $15 million in seed funding led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), about two months after closing a $5.3 million seed round. Founded by suspended Columbia University students Chungin "Roy" Lee and Neel Shanmugam, the startup has drawn attention for its AI cheating tools and unconventional marketing campaigns.

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.

APPS

APPS

Google Photos adds AI video creation feature

Google has announced new AI features in Google Photos that allow users to convert still images into short videos and apply artistic styles to photographs. The tools, currently rolling out to US users, utilise the company's Veo 2 AI model to generate content from existing photos in a user's library.

ChatGPT's new feature has "high biological and chemical capabilities"

OpenAI has announced a new upgrade to ChatGPT, introducing "agentic capabilities" that enable the AI model to perform complex tasks autonomously while possessing what the company describes as "high biological and chemical capabilities".

Press Release / TikTok rolls out flood misinformation filter in Bangladesh

TikTok has recently introduced a new in-app feature in Bangladesh aimed at limiting the spread of misinformation during the monsoon flood season. 

YouTube is getting rid of its Trending section

YouTube is getting rid of its Trending section, with the viral video showcase disappearing from the platform by July 21. The move marks the end of a popular feature, as the platform shifts toward personalised recommendations and specialised charts.

Microsoft Outlook faces global outage

Microsoft Outlook, the popular email app by Microsoft, is reportedly down, with users around the world experiencing issues accessing or sending emails since early today.

YouTube's new monetisation rule targets "mass-produced, inauthentic" content

YouTube has announced significant updates to its Partner Program (YPP) monetisation policies, set to take effect on July 15, 2025. The changes specifically target mass-produced and repetitive content - a move many believe aims to curb the growing problem of 'AI slop' flooding the platform.

Elon Musk's xAI launches Grok 4 AI model and $300/month premium plan

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI has recently introduced its newest AI model, Grok 4, alongside a premium $300-per-month 'SuperGrok Heavy' subscription plan.

GADGETS

GADGETS

Press Release / Infinix GT 30 Pro launched in Bangladesh

Infinix has officially launched the GT 30 Pro in Bangladesh.

Honor launches X6c smartphone in Bangladesh

Honor has officially launched the Honor X6c smartphone in Bangladesh at an event on July 15.

TikTok-owner ByteDance developing lightweight mixed-reality goggles: report

TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is working on lightweight mixed-reality goggles through its VR subsidiary Pico, according to a recent report from The Information. The device aims to compete with Meta’s upcoming AR glasses, offering a lightweight alternative to bulkier VR headsets, states the report.

OnePlus officially launches Nord 5 series and IoT lineup in Bangladesh

OnePlus has officially introduced the Nord 5 series in Bangladesh, unveiling the OnePlus Nord 5 and Nord CE5 smartphones. With this launch, the brand also expanded its ecosystem by introducing a range of IoT products, including the OnePlus Watch 3, OnePlus Buds 4, and the OnePlus Pad 3.

Nvidia announces GeForce RTX 5050 gaming GPU, starts from $249

Nvidia has unveiled its latest entry-level gaming GPU, the GeForce RTX 5050, bringing its new Blackwell architecture to a wider audience. The GPU will be available in desktop and laptop variants, priced from $249 and $999 respectively.

Meta and Oakley introduces AI-integrated smart glasses with camera

Meta has partnered with sports eyewear brand Oakley to unveil a new line of AI-integrated smart glasses called Oakley Meta HSTN glasses, designed to blend wearable technology with performance sportswear on June 20. 

GUIDES

GUIDES

How to use Google Pay

Google has streamlined its mobile payments service, merging Google Pay into the Google Wallet app. For users across regions, this rebrand simplifies how people store cards, pay contactlessly, and organise digital passes - all within one app.

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.

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.

Videos and Podcasts

Videos and Podcasts

Who, how, and under what rules gets a firearm license?

A gun magazine was found in Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan's bag during a recent search at the airport.

1m ago

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.

5m 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.

6m 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.

10m ago

Introducing iPhone 16

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

10m 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

Italy pauses Starlink deal over geopolitical tensions

Negotiations between Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, and the Italian government have come to a halt, with Italy’s defence minister citing geopolitical concerns as a key factor in the delay on March 22.

4m ago

Meta’s Llama AI generates revenue through cloud hosting deals, lawsuit reveals

A newly unredacted court filing on March 19 in the ongoing copyright lawsuit Kadrey v. Meta has disclosed that Meta benefits financially from revenue-sharing agreements with companies that host its Llama models.

4m ago

SereneQuran: AI web app recommends Quran verses based on your mood

SereneQuran is an AI-based web application designed to suggest users verses from the Quran tailored to their emotional state or mood.

4m ago

Tesla recalls more than 46,000 Cybertrucks over risk of panel detachment

The brand encounters consumer blowback in the wake of Musk's key advisory role in Trump's administration

4m ago

Xiaomi launches Redmi Note 14 Pro and Redmi A5 in Bangladesh

Xiaomi, the global tech brand, has officially unveiled the Redmi Note 14 Pro and Redmi A5 at an event in Dhaka on March 20 where the company also showcased some of their gadgets outside smartphones.

4m ago

Reform commission suggests modern tech core for police force

The Bangladesh Police Reform Commission, in its January 2025 report, has outlined a series of measures aimed at modernising the country's law enforcement framework. 

4m ago

BRACU, IUT, MIST, and UIU qualify for University Rover Challenge finals

These four teams will represent Bangladesh and their respective universities in the URC 2025 finals.

4m ago

Microwave ovens under BDT 30K

Whether it's quickly reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen foods, or even cooking complete meals, a good microwave oven can significantly cut down on kitchen time, making cooking very convenient. With the market flooded with options, here are some microwave ovens currently available in the local market that you can try out under the BDT 30,000 price tag.

4m ago

Google unveils brand new Pixel 9a

Google has unveiled the Pixel 9a, its latest budget-friendly smartphone, featuring a redesign, upgraded camera capabilities, and the new Tensor G4 chip, all starting at $499. Set for release in April, Google says this new smartphone aims to deliver premium AI features and durability at an accessible price point.

4m ago

Honor X9c launched in Bangladesh

Honor X9c has been officially launched in Bangladesh. The smartphone comes with an anti-drop display with fall resistance of up to 2 meters, a three-layer waterproof structure, and IP65M dust resistance.

4m ago