Supermoon and 2 meteor showers scheduled to happen this October

On October 6, 2025 the Moon will appear significantly larger and brighter than usual which is also known as a supermoon, according to a recent blog by NASA, the space agency. This will be the first of three Supermoons to be observed in 2025. 

Elon Musk announces ‘Grokipedia’ as rival to Wikipedia

Elon Musk has recently said that his artificial intelligence (AI) company, xAI, is developing a digital encyclopedia called “Grokipedia” to compete with Wikipedia, which he has frequently criticised for what he describes as ‘political bias’.

Google warns of hackers sending extortion emails

Google has warned that a hacking group claiming affiliation with the notorious Cl0p ransomware gang is sending extortion emails to executives at various organisations. According to reports by Reuters and Bloomberg, the hackers claim to have stolen sensitive data from Oracle's E-Business Suite, a widely used business application platform.

OpenAI hits $500 billion valuation: report

OpenAI has reached a $500 billion valuation after current and former employees sold approximately $6.6 billion worth of shares, according to a recent Reuters report citing a source familiar with the matter. The deal represents a significant increase from the company’s previous $300 billion valuation.

We do not use the phone’s microphone to eavesdrop on you, says Instagram Head

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has recently addressed widespread speculation that social media platforms listen to private conversations to deliver targeted advertisements.

Saving society from disinformation: A shared responsibility

In Bangladesh, where many people still struggle to access quality education, where digital literacy is limited, and where institutions often fail to hold themselves accountable, the spread of misinformation is especially dangerous. 

OpenAI's new video tool can use copyrighted content by default: report

OpenAI's new AI video generator, Sora 2, will use copyrighted material from television and movie studios by default unless rights holders explicitly opt out, as per reports from Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.

Google to make its G more shiny

Google is giving its most recognisable symbol a new look, updating the four-colour “G” that has represented the company for the past decade.

Opera launches AI browser that can do tasks for user

Opera has introduced a new AI-powered browser called Neon, designed to perform tasks directly within web pages rather than simply displaying information. The browser can fill out forms, compare data across websites, and even draft code on a user's behalf.

The smart way to avoid burning out at work

Bangladesh’s corporate economy is moving at pace. Hours can be long, commutes punishing, and the smartphone rarely sleeps. Burnout is a predictable consequence, but it is not inevitable. Let’s take a look at what burnout is, why the risk is acute in Bangladesh, and the most effective, evidence-based steps individuals and employers can take to prevent it.

LATEST

LATEST

Saudi-backed consortium to acquire EA for $55 billion; all cash

Electronic Arts (EA) has entered into an agreement to be acquired by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners in a $55 billion all-cash transaction.

Oppo unveils A6 Pro in Bangladesh

Oppo Bangladesh has recently unveiled the A6 Pro smartphone in Bangladesh.

BTCL to launch virtual network SIMs

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) will begin offering mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) SIM cards and app-based IP calling, according to a recent Facebook post by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser at the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology.

Anthropic to triple global workforce amid overseas growth

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has announced plans to triple its international workforce this year, citing strong demand for its Claude AI models outside the United States, as per a recent report by Reuters. The company will also expand its applied AI team fivefold as part of the global expansion.

Too nostalgic? Snapchat says pay up

Snapchat is introducing paid storage plans for its ‘Memories’ feature, asking users with large digital archives to begin paying for space that was previously free.

Microsoft Photos will look more like Google Photos from now

Microsoft is rolling out a new update to its Photos app on Windows 11 that brings AI-driven auto-categorisation, a feature long associated with Google Photos, the app for storing photos.

STARTUPS

STARTUPS

A tech-based startup for student transport in Bangladesh

In Dhaka and Chattogram, school commutes remain a daily challenge for families, with concerns ranging from safety to long travel times. Pupil School Bus Ltd., a transport startup launched in 2023, aims to address these issues with a structured, tech-enabled solution.

Five new registration services added to Bida OSS

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) yesterday announced the integration of five new services from the Directorate of Registration into its online One-Stop Service (OSS) platform, raising the total to 142 services across 47 agencies.

US and Indian coalition of VCs pledges $1B+ to fund India’s deep tech startups: Report

A coalition of eight venture capital and private equity firms from the United States and India has pledged more than $1 billion to support deep tech startups in India, according to a recent report by Techcrunch.

Bangladeshi startups earn spot on Forbes Asia list

Bangladeshi startups Pathao and Shomvob have been named in the prestigious Forbes Asia “100 to Watch” list for 2025, marking a significant recognition for the country’s burgeoning technology ecosystem on the regional stage.

Musk launches new company called ‘Macrohard’

Elon Musk has announced plans for a new AI software company called Macrohard, describing it as a “purely AI software company” in a post on X dated August 22. He stated that while the name was “tongue-in-cheek,” the project is “very real.”

Robo Life becomes champion at Startup World Cup Bangladesh 2025

Robo Life Technology has won the Bangladesh regional final of the Startup World Cup 2025, receiving a BDT 50,000 in investment funding and securing a place to represent Bangladesh at the Global Startup World Cup competition to be held in San Francisco, USA to compete for a USD 1 million investment prize.

Perplexity wants to buy Google Chrome for $34.5 billion

AI search startup Perplexity has made an unexpected $34.5 billion all-cash bid to buy Google’s Chrome browser - a price much higher than its own estimated valuation of $18 billion.

APPS

APPS

YouTube experiments with AI music hosts in new feature

YouTube has launched YouTube Labs, a new platform for testing experimental AI features, with its first trial being AI-generated music hosts. The digital hosts are designed to provide commentary, artist stories, and fan trivia alongside music playback on the YouTube Music app, according to an official blog post.

Meta launches ‘Vibes’ for creating AI videos

Meta has recently unveiled an update to the Meta AI app called ‘Vibes’, offering users the ability to create and share short-form AI-generated videos. 

WhatsApp rolls out real-time translation feature

WhatsApp has recently announced that the app has begun introducing a real-time translation tool in select languages.

TikTok to keep operating in US under new deal

US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement between the United States and China that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the US, according to a recent report by Reuters.

Posts and photos vanish from Facebook’s search option

Facebook users across the world are currently unable to search for posts and photos in the platform, after what appears to be a widespread outage affecting the platform’s search function, which began earlier this week.

Nepal bans Facebook and major social media platforms

Nepal has banned Facebook and several other major social media platforms for failing to register with the government. The decision, enforced from Thursday midnight, blocks access to sites including Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Reddit within the country.

Instagram officially launches dedicated iPad app

Instagram has officially launched a dedicated app for the iPad, responding to years of user requests for a fully optimised tablet experience. The app became available globally on Wednesday for devices running iPadOS 15.1 or later.

GADGETS

GADGETS

Tecno launches POVA 5G series in Bangladesh

Tecno has officially introduced the POVA 5G Series in Bangladesh at a launch event held at the Tecno Flagship Outlet, Centrepoint, Uttara on September 30. The series includes three new models: the POVA 7 Pro 5G, the POVA Slim 5G, and the POVA Curve 5G.

Meta to unveil costly smart glasses with display at Connect

Meta is preparing to introduce its most ambitious wearable device yet at its annual Connect conference this week, with Mark Zuckerberg expected to unveil a new pair of smart glasses equipped with a built-in digital display.

Smartphone maker Nothing reaches $1.3 bln valuation

London-based smartphone manufacturer Nothing has recently secured $200 million in a funding round led by Tiger Global, valuing the company at $1.3 billion. The investment will reportedly support the company's efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its hardware products.

Is the iPhone 17 worth buying?

Every September, Apple asks us to upgrade. And every September, we wonder whether the shiny new iPhone is worth stretching our wallets again, or if last year’s model is still good enough. How much better is the iPhone 17 compared to last year’s iPhone 16? And if you are already thinking of spending big, how does it hold up against Android’s superpowers?

Everything announced in iPhone 17 event

Apple’s September 2025 event titled “Awe Dropping”, delivered a range of new devices and software, including the iPhone 17 series, updates to earbuds and watches, and a new version of its Final Cut Camera app.

Apple announces thinnest ever iPhone 17 Air

Apple has introduced the iPhone 17 Air, the thinnest iPhone it has ever made, describing it as a combination of lightweight design and professional-level performance. The device was unveiled on September 9 at the company’s headquarters in California.

GUIDES

GUIDES

How to spot AI-edited photos

The dispute over a single frame reflects a broader challenge now gripping platforms worldwide: how to know if an image is real. Here are a few things to keep in mind on this matter.

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.

Videos and Podcasts

Videos and Podcasts

Explainer / 5G in Bangladesh: What it really means for you

In today's Star Explains, let's explore what 5G actually is, how it works, and how much impact it can have on our daily lives as well as on industries, health, and future technologies

1m ago

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.

3m 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.

7m 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.

8m 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.

1y ago

Introducing iPhone 16

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

1y 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

2y ago

Strengthening remittance through safe money transfers

Behind scenic selfies and videos of people living abroad, there lie untold struggles of theirs. The tireless work of the migrants supports their families back home, and for countries like Bangladesh, their remittances are becoming vital to survival.

3d ago

How AI is making remote work smarter

From drafting emails faster to scheduling meetings more smoothly, AI has quietly become a co-worker in the background. However, beyond convenience, new research shows that AI is changing the way remote work operates - shaping team collaboration, work patterns, and even the perks companies offer to attract talent.

3d ago

YouTube to pay $22 million in settlement with Trump

The $22 million will go toward Trump's latest construction project at the White House

3d ago

Jobs of the week

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

5d ago

Club launched for Volkswagen enthusiasts in Bangladesh

A new social club for Volkswagen enthusiasts called “VW Club Bangladesh Ltd” has been launched in Bangladesh, bringing together owners and admirers of the German car brand in an effort to build community and promote road safety.

6d ago

Redington partners with Starlink for authorised distribution in Bangladesh

Redington Limited, a tech solution provider, has recently entered into an agreement with Starlink, the satellite internet service, to provide authorised distribution in Bangladesh.

6d ago

AI adoption and complex threats drive cybersecurity burnout in Asia Pacific, Japan: Sophos

A report titled “The Future of Cybersecurity in Asia Pacific and Japan” by Sophos, the cybersecurity company, has found that rising threat levels, expanding regulatory requirements and the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) tools are fuelling widespread burnout among security professionals in Asia Pacific and Japan.

1w ago

Microsoft blocks Israeli military’s use of spy tech for Gaza, West Bank surveillance

Microsoft has cut off the Israeli military’s access to cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) services it used to run a mass surveillance programme that intercepted millions of Palestinian phone calls daily in Gaza and the West Bank, according to a recent report by The Guardian.

1w ago

Taliban bans internet in 5 provinces to prevent ‘immoral activities’

The Taliban administration has recently cut internet access across five provinces in northern Afghanistan, citing the need to prevent what it described as “immoral activities”, according to a recent report by Reuters.

1w ago

Bangladeshi researcher Mahi Shafiullah in MIT’s ‘35 Innovators Under 35’

Nur Muhammad Mahi Shafiullah, a Bangladeshi researcher in artificial intelligence and robotics, has been named in MIT Technology Review’s ‘35 Innovators Under 35’ list for 2025. According to the list, he was recognised for his work on building robot intelligence that can operate in unstructured human environments.

1w ago