Does keeping your AC at 27° with fan turned on really save money?
Dhaka's scorching summers inevitably lead to a surge in air conditioner (AC) usage. While escaping the heat is essential, the resulting spike in electricity bills can be a significant concern. Fortunately, a data-driven approach to AC settings, combined with the strategic use of fans, offers a solution that prioritizes both comfort and cost-effectiveness.
Mongol-Tori Phoenix: BRAC University’s next-generation Mars rover
Mongol-Tori’s Phoenix, a next-generation Mars rover from BRAC University (BRACU), has secured a spot in the finals of the University Rover Challenge (URC) 2024.
Vivo V30 Lite launched in Bangladesh
Vivo has introduced the V30 Lite smartphone in Bangladesh. The device was unveiled earlier today at a lunching ceremony in the capital.
RUET students develop bomb-disposal robot for Bangladesh Army
The robot, named Hades-X-ZeroThree, draws inspiration from Greek mythology.
Meet Victoria Shi, Ukraine foreign ministry's AI spokeswoman
Ukraine has recently unveiled Victoria Shi, an AI-generated spokeswoman, who has been appointed to deliver official statements on behalf of its foreign ministry. According to Ukraine, this is the first time they are using a digital representative to read the ministry's messages, although the statements themselves will continue to be written by human writers.
Goodbye Subscene: Popular subtitles platform shuts down
The popular subtitles platform Subscene is now closed.
Our picks for air coolers under BDT 20,000
Looking for an eco-friendly and budget-conscious way to beat the heat this summer? Consider air coolers, also known as evaporative coolers, which offer a natural cooling method without the high energy consumption of traditional air conditioners.
IEEE AUST Student Branch organises 7th IEEE PES Day 2024
The IEEE AUST Student Branch recently organised 7th IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Day 2024, featuring a seminar titled "Empowering Electric Mobility Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities Towards Sustainable Transportation," presented in collaboration with the IEEE Power and Energy Society AUST SB Chapter.
Jobs of the week
Here are our picks for jobs of the week. Check out the article for more details.
Do inverter ACs really save money?
With the rising concern for energy efficiency and costs, the debate between inverter and non-inverter air conditioners has recently gained momentum. Do inverter ACs truly save money in the long run? Let's find out.
Moon may contain more ice than past estimations: study
A recent study by space scientists from India and the US reveals evidence for a greater possibility of finding much more water-ice in the craters of the moon’s two polar regions than estimated in the past.
EDITOR'S PICK
LATEST
Pakistan to launch first-ever lunar mission
Pakistan is set to launch its first lunar mission, iCube Q, from China's Hainan Space Site on May 3. The mission is launched in conjunction with China’s Chang'e 6 lunar mission.
What is Elon Musk doing in China?
Elon Musk's recent visit to China has stirred significant interest and speculation, drawing attention to the purpose and implications of his journey. Musk's visit, the details of which were mostly kept secret, was primarily aimed at the rollout of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in China, as well as receiving necessary permissions for data transfer regulations.
Microsoft plans to invest USD 1.7 bln in Indonesia
Over the next four years, Microsoft plans to invest USD 1.7 billion in growing cloud services and artificial intelligence in Indonesia, according to Satya Nadella, the company's chairman and CEO. Data centre construction will also be a part of the investment.
Press release / Bangladeshi users made 3,580 cr. international calls on Imo in 2023
Imo, a messaging and calling app, has reported a significant surge in usage among Bangladeshi users in 2023, with 3,580 crore international calls made over the platform. Bangladesh saw a total of 247.9 billion interactions on Imo in 2023, with each Bangladeshi user communicating approximately 730 times on average, equivalent to about twice a day.
Bangladeshi all-female robotics team to participate in international competition
Code Black, an all-female robotics team from Bangladesh, is participating in the World Science, Environment, and Engineering Competition (WSEEC) 2024, an international robotics event in Jakarta, Indonesia, scheduled from May 12 to 18. The team comprises Jannatul Ferdous Fabin (team leader), Nusrat Zahan Sinha (team management), Nosrat Jahan Nowrin (hardware), Saniea Islam Sara (software), and Tahia Rahman (project manager).
Bangladesh drops in global mobile internet speed ranking
Bangladesh has dropped six places in its global ranking for mobile internet speed performance, as reported by Ookla's Speedtest Global Index for March, which gathers data from monthly tests conducted by users worldwide. Despite individual improvements by operators, the country now sits at the 112th position out of 148 countries, falling from its previous position at 106th in the February report.
STARTUPS
Unrealistic valuations to sweet deals: Shark Tank Bangladesh episode 1
The much anticipated first episode of 'Shark Tank Bangladesh' saw three startups secure over 1 crore taka in investments and introduced viewers to some innovative ideas. But it also had its share of eyebrow-raising moments.
Startup Bangladesh announces BDT 1 cr. investment in Pulse Tech
Startup Bangladesh Limited, the government-backed venture capital firm under the ICT Division, has announced a strategic investment of BDT 1 crore in Pulse Tech Ltd. to enhance retail pharma operation in Bangladesh. The official announcement took place during a signing ceremony in Dhaka.
Startup investment in Bangladesh sees 70% drop in Q1 2024
The startup funding landscape in Bangladesh experienced a significant downturn in the first quarter of 2024, mirroring broader global trends.
Shark Tank Bangladesh episode 1 airs on April 26
Shark Tank Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi version of the reality show Shark Tank, is set to premiere on April 26. The show will feature entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to a panel of investors, known as "Sharks". The investors can choose to invest in the businesses they find promising.
Byju's India CEO steps down; co-founder takes over
Byju's, the Indian ed-tech startup, has recently announced that its India CEO Arjun Mohan is officially stepping down from his position. After seven months in the CEO role, Mohan will be replaced by co-founder and CEO Byju Raveendran as the new "hands-on" leader in charge of the company's daily operations.
Bangladeshi startup wins 2nd place at BobCat Ventures 2024
Bangladeshi startup EdBridge Scholars has recently won second place at BobCat Ventures, a grant competition in the State of Maine, United States of America. The startup, founded by Tanvir Thamid, a student at Bates College, won USD 4,000 and professional mentor support for their second-place victory.
OpenAI opens its first Asia office in Tokyo
OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, has recently announced the opening of its first Asia office in Tokyo, Japan. The move is being seen as the AI company's ongoing effort to grow revenue sources globally.
APPS
How does TikTok's algorithm work?
The algorithm behind TikTok's content recommendations has once again drawn mainstream attention following the recent US ruling for ByteDance, its Chinese owner, to divest its US assets or risk a nationwide ban of the app. Here is a breakdown of how TikTok's algorithm operates and why it is generating so much discussion recently.
WhatsApp tests offline file sharing and in-app dialing features
Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is reportedly testing new features for its app, including offline file sharing and an in-app dialer.
Apple removes WhatsApp and Threads from China App Store
Apple announced the removal of Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from the Chinese App Store on Friday, following directives from the Chinese government citing national security concerns.
Messenger launches HD photo sharing feature
Meta’s Messenger has recently launched a high-definition (HD) photo sharing option on the platform. While Messenger is known for decreasing photo quality, with the recent update, clear high-definition (HD) photos can be sent in chats.
TikTok launches photo-sharing app to compete against instagram
TikTok, the short-form video platform, is venturing into new territory with the launch of TikTok Notes, a photo-sharing app, as a competitor to Meta’s Instagram. The new app is currently being introduced in Canada and Australia, and is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Google Photos to launch AI editing tools
Google Photos is set to launch a suite of AI-powered editing tools including Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Magic Editor, which will become available to all Google Photos users starting May 15. Users will be able to access these tools for free of cost on a wider range of devices, including Pixel tablets.
Instagram to add AI-powered search feature: report
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, is planning to add a new AI-powered search feature on Instagram, according to a report by the global tech news platform TechCrunch. With this feature, users can initiate conversations with an AI chatbot and enter unique search queries to find photos and reels.
GADGETS
Press Release / ASUS unveils new Zenbook DUO
ASUS has recently unveiled their latest laptop, the Zenbook DUO (2024) UX8406. The laptop comes with two 14-inch 3K 120 Hz OLED touchscreens, a detachable full-size Bluetooth ErgoSense keyboard and touchpad, an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32 GB RAM, and up to 2 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.
Next Step / 5 apps to make your everyday work easier
Do you struggle to manage a heavy workload? Are you finding it difficult to prioritise tasks amidst overflowing calendars and scattered notes? If you're looking to optimise your workflow and maintain focus throughout the workday, consider incorporating these five helpful productivity apps into your routine.
Vivo V30: Striking looks, capable cameras, mid-range muscle
Vivo's V30 arrives as a contender in the crowded mid-range arena, offering a feature set that aims to impress without breaking the bank. We spent two weeks with the V30, and here's what we discovered.
Air conditioner or air cooler: Which one should you buy this summer?
Summer in Bangladesh is a scorcher. With temperatures soaring and humidity reaching uncomfortable levels, staying cool becomes a priority. As such, when it comes to choosing a cooling solution, you are faced with two main options: air conditioners (AC) and air coolers. But, which one should you go for?
A beginner's guide to Cudy routers
As we have arrived at the age of AI, it has become quite evident that to remain seamlessly connected to the digital world, we need a high-speed broadband connection, and a superior router is non-negotiable.
Apple to launch AI-powered Macs later this year: report
Apple is nearly done with the production of AI-powered M4 computer processors and plans to update every Mac model with them, according to a recent report by Bloomberg News. These updated models are planned to be released later this year or early next year, the report states, citing people close to the matter.
GUIDES
How to choose the right power supply unit for your PC
You can think of the PSU as the heart of your computer, pumping electricity to different organs. Whether you're a seasoned PC enthusiast or a beginner looking to learn more, this guide will explain the basics of PSUs.
Choosing the right fire extinguisher, and how to use them
There are five main types of fire extinguishers, each designed for specific types of fires, marked by distinct colour codes and suitable for various materials like paper, wood, textiles, flammable liquids, and electrical equipment.
Choosing the right NVMe SSD: a user-guide for PC builders
If you are building a PC, you probably have already picked your motherboard, CPU and RAM. But what about the NVMe SSDs? These are storage devices that use flash memory to store data. NVMe stands for Nonvolatile Memory Express, and SSD stands for Solid State Drive. NVMe SSDs are faster, quieter, more reliable, and more energy efficient than other storage options. However, picking the right NVMe SSDs for your PC can be tricky because you need to consider myriad factors. You might also get confused by their technical terms or even by marketing labels like creator or gaming. This guide will explain the basics of NVMe SSD and what a new buyer should look out for.
How to check election results online on the EC app
Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat has released the 'Smart Election Management BD' app, which is intended to help voters to stay updated online. Voters can see their polling centres and their addresses, voter numbers, and voting serial numbers by providing NID information and birth date in the designated sections of the app.
Here’s the new price for heart rings
Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) of Bangladesh has set a new price list for coronary stents, popularly known as heart rings.
How to edit sent messages in Messenger
Meta has recently rolled out a highly-coveted feature for Messenger, the ability to edit sent messages. With this new update, users can now freely edit any messages they have sent within 15 minutes of sending that message.
How to stay safe from the 'job offer' scam message
One particular scam that has become common lately is the 'job offer' scam message, in which unknown phone numbers offer jobs or money to unsuspecting mobile phone users. If you have recently received such scam messages, then be careful. Follow these ways to stay safe from this ongoing scam.
Videos and Podcasts
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.
Why should you use eSIM?
eSIM is being introduced in Bangladesh. A private telecommunication company is set to bring eSIM to the market. But what is eSIM? What is the difference between a regular SIM card and an eSIM?
$5 billion export from ICT industry by 2025?
Bangladesh aims to achieve exports worth $5 billion from its ICT industry by 2025. The Daily Star's Tech section editor Shahriar Rahman speaks to former BASIS President Syed Almas Kabir on how it can be achieved in this episode of Star Connects.
Mongol Barota: MIST’s Mars rover team participating in the University Rover Challenge finals
Mongol Barota Mars Rover Team from MIST heads to finals with PHOENIX 4.0, aiming for victory.
Canada to push ahead with digital services tax on global tech firms starting 2024
Washington opposes the plan on the grounds that it unfairly singles out U.S. firms.
'Grand Theft Auto' publisher to fire 600 employees
Take-Two Interactive Software, publisher of the popular 'Grand Theft Auto' video game franchise, has recently announced that they are laying off about 5% of their entire workforce, which amounts to about 600 employees.
Infinix ranks sixth in Most Innovative Companies in Asia-Pacific
Infinix has been recognised as the sixth most innovative company in the Asia-Pacific region by Fast Company in their annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2024.
Meet Figure 01, the 'commercially viable' humanoid robot
With a recent funding of $675 million at a $2.6 billion valuation from key investors including Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, OpenAI, and Microsoft, a new player has emerged in the race for artificial intelligence (AI) dominance: the American tech startup Figure AI. Their core product, Figure 01, is advertised to be a general-purpose, autonomous, and commercially viable humanoid robot that can help with a variety of tasks from daily chores to industrial labour.
New X users might need to pay a fee before posting online
Elon Musk is considering implementing a small fee for new users on the social media network X (formerly known as Twitter), to enable posting and address the bot problem, according to recent announcements. In response to a post discussing changes on X's website, Musk proposed charging a small fee for new accounts as the "only way" to combat the "onslaught of bots."
Timeline not loading: Facebook hit with widespread outage
Facebook is reportedly experiencing technical difficulties, with several users unable to access their timelines. Complaints began surfacing around 10:30 AM Bangladesh time today, with users reporting a loading error that prevents anything from appearing on their timelines.
Ad blocker is an effective tool against government spyware: report
Documents obtained by Israeli news outlet Haaretz revealed that in 2022, Intellexa, a European firm behind the Predator spyware which is equipped to gain access to a target's phone contents in real time, showcased a proof-of-concept system called Aladdin, designed to disseminate phone spyware via online ads. Haaretz reported that the Aladdin system targeted graphic designers and activists under the guise of job offers, demonstrating how the spyware infiltrates devices. However, the status of Aladdin's development and whether it was sold to government entities remains unclear.
Apple loses top phonemaker spot to Samsung
Xiaomi, one of China's top smartphone makers, occupied the third position with a market share of 14.1% during the first quarter.
How Switzerland is preparing for the quantum computing revolution
Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator Foundation (GESDA), an independent research foundation based in Switzerland, is already looking beyond AI, with the belief that quantum computing is going to be the next big technological disrupter.
