Category: TECH & STARTUP

A federal judge in California has ruled that Meta, Facebook’s parent company, must face lawsuits from over 30 U.S. states accusing it of encouraging social media addiction among teenagers. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rejected Meta’s attempt to dismiss the claims, allowing the case to proceed largely intact. The states are seeking injunctions against Meta’s allegedly illegal practices and unspecified monetary damages. This ruling is part of a broader legal challenge against social media companies for their impact on adolescent mental health.READ FULL

YouTube offers free data analysis education through channels like Mo Chen, Alex the Analyst, Codebasics, Agatha, and FreeCodeCamp. These channels cover tools such as Python, SQL, Excel, Tableau, and Power BI, providing practical lessons and hands-on projects. They cater to beginners and experienced learners, offering insights into real-world applications and career guidance for aspiring data analysts.READ FULL

Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the Cybercab, a fully autonomous robotaxi prototype, at the ‘We, Robot’ event in California. The vehicle, priced under $30,000, lacks traditional controls and uses AI and cameras for navigation. Production is expected to begin in 2026 or 2027. Musk also introduced the Robovan, a larger autonomous vehicle, and mentioned the Optimus humanoid robot. This launch aligns with Tesla’s shift towards AI and robotics, though investors expressed concerns about production timelines.READ FULL

Turkey has blocked access to Discord after the platform refused to comply with government requests for user data. The ban follows a court decision citing concerns over child abuse and obscene content, particularly after controversial posts appeared following two murders in Istanbul. Turkish officials stated the platform’s anonymity hindered monitoring of illegal activities. The block coincides with Russia’s similar action against Discord on Tuesday for not removing banned content.READ FULL

A US judge has ordered Google to open its Android operating system to competing app stores following Epic Games’ antitrust victory. The ruling, effective November 1, prohibits Google from exclusive app launches and revenue sharing with competitors for three years. This follows Google’s December court loss to Fortnite-maker Epic Games. Google plans to appeal the decision. The ruling affects Android’s dominant 70% global smartphone market share, though changes will only apply within the US.READ FULL

Meta has unveiled its new AI video generator “Movie Gen,” capable of creating high-definition videos with sound from text prompts. The tool can also edit existing footage and generate matching audio effects. While not yet publicly available, Movie Gen can output videos in various aspect ratios and transform still images into dynamic scenes. This announcement follows OpenAI’s earlier release of its video generator, Sora, marking another milestone in AI-powered video creation technology.READ FULL

Elon Musk’s X paid $5.2 million in fines to settle a dispute with Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who had banned the platform over disinformation concerns. However, X mistakenly transferred the money to the wrong account. The conflict began during Brazil’s 2022 presidential election and escalated after the January 2023 riots. X hopes this payment will resolve the issue and lift the ban in its largest Latin American market.READ FULL

Amazon plans to hire 250,000 seasonal workers for the 2024 holiday season, maintaining last year’s hiring levels despite projected record e-commerce spending of $240.8 billion in Q4. The workers will be distributed across Amazon’s warehouses and transportation facilities, excluding delivery partner personnel. While Amazon’s hiring matches previous years, overall retail seasonal hiring is declining, with industry projections showing 520,000 jobs compared to last year’s 564,200.READ FULL

OpenAI has secured $6.6 billion in new funding, potentially valuing the company at $157 billion. Major investors include Microsoft, Nvidia, and Thrive Capital. The funding comes as convertible notes, contingent on a possible restructuring to a for-profit model. Despite internal changes and significant losses, investor confidence remains high. CEO Sam Altman projects revenue of $11.6 billion next year.READ FULL

Google’s upcoming Pixel 9A may lose its signature camera bar, according to leaked renders. The new design features a flush, pill-shaped camera module, drawing comparisons to the iPhone 7 Plus. The phone is expected to run Android 15 and may be the last Pixel with a Samsung-made Tensor chip. Google plans to switch to TSMC processors from 2025. The Pixel 9A is likely to be unveiled at Google I/O.READ FULL

Infinix launches Note 40S in Bangladesh for BDT 26,999. Features include 5000mAh battery with 20W wireless charging, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, MediaTek Helio G99 processor, and Android 14. The phone boasts a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display, 108MP main camera, and 32MP selfie camera. It offers IP54 resistance and comes in Obsidian Black and Vintage Green.READ FULL

ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is ramping up AI development using Huawei’s chips amid US trade restrictions. The company is developing a new AI model with Huawei’s Ascend 910B chip, diversifying from US suppliers like Nvidia. However, chip supply constraints and performance limitations pose challenges. ByteDance remains a major buyer of both Huawei and Nvidia chips, balancing its AI ambitions with supply chain complexities.READ FULL

A fire broke out at a Tata Electronics plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, producing Apple iPhones, halting production on Saturday. The blaze, reportedly chemical-related, caused a building collapse but no casualties. Tata Electronics confirmed all employees are safe and is investigating the cause. Fire services are struggling to control the fire, which started in a chemical storage area. The incident has prompted an investigation by industrial safety authorities. Over 10 fire and rescue vehicles are on site.READ FULL

Google Maps is cracking down on fake reviews globally by imposing restrictions on businesses violating its Fake Engagement policy. Penalties include temporary removal of reviews, blocking new ratings, and displaying public warnings on profiles with fraudulent activity. The policy, first introduced in the UK, prohibits businesses from posting misleading content or incentivizing positive feedback. Google actively monitors attempts to manipulate ratings through multiple accounts or modified systems. While the detection method is unclear, public labeling may deter businesses from artificially boosting ratings.READ FULL

Optimizely Dhaka has been certified as a “Great Place to Work”, setting a new standard for positive work environments in Bangladesh. Unlike the prevalent toxic work culture in Dhaka, characterized by micromanagement and lack of growth opportunities, Optimizely fosters collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. Their Gulshan office exudes positive energy, allowing employees to be themselves while working efficiently. This approach has created a stark contrast to typical workplaces in Dhaka, making Optimizely a trailblazer in creating a progressive and employee-friendly work culture.READ FULL

Meta unveiled Orion, its most advanced AR glasses, at Connect 2024. Weighing under 100 grams, these see-through glasses allow users to interact with virtual objects in real-world environments. Features include video calls, messaging app access, and AI-powered environmental information retrieval. A custom chip and generative AI enable tasks like visual labeling. While not yet available for consumers, the glasses will be controlled by a ‘neural wristband’ responding to hand gestures.READ FULL

James Cameron, renowned filmmaker, has joined the board of Stability AI, creators of Stable Diffusion. He sees AI as a new frontier for storytelling in film. Stability AI, known for its text-to-image and text-to-video tools, aims to revolutionize visual media with AI. While Hollywood shows growing interest in AI’s potential, concerns about its unregulated use led to strikes in 2023. Cameron’s involvement, alongside other prominent figures, signals Stability AI’s ambition to lead in merging AI with visual storytelling.READ FULL

Ten Bangladeshi students, winners of Huawei’s ‘Seeds for the Future 2024’ program, are visiting China for a week-long regional round. They’ll attend a digital talent summit and receive training on advanced technologies in various Chinese cities. The program includes cultural exchanges. Selected from over 1,850 applicants, these students represent diverse universities and fields of study. The initiative, launched in Bangladesh in 2014, aims to nurture young tech talents through Huawei’s flagship CSR program.READ FULL

Meta has reportedly secured voice deals with celebrities like John Cena and Judi Dench for its AI-powered chatbot. The feature, to be announced at Meta’s Connect conference, will allow users to select from five celebrity voices across Meta’s apps. This move is part of Meta’s push into generative AI, competing with OpenAI and Google. The company is also expected to unveil its first augmented reality glasses and discuss updates to other hardware products at the event.READ FULL

SpaceX plans five unmanned Starship missions to Mars within two years, CEO Elon Musk announced on X. Crewed missions could follow in 4-6 years, depending on these flights’ success. This comes after recent test achievements, including a Starship rocket surviving a hypersonic return. Starship is key to Musk’s vision of reusable spacecraft for moon and Mars missions. NASA has partnered with SpaceX for its Artemis 3 lunar mission, now scheduled for September 2026.READ FULL

The Bangladesh robotics team has secured visas for the FIRST Global Challenge 2024 in Athens, Greece, after initial rejection. The breakthrough came through diplomatic efforts by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The team, consisting of seven students and four mentors from The Tech Academy, will compete from September 26-29. The visas were approved on September 20 after resubmission in New Delhi. The team expressed gratitude for the support and hopes to perform well in the competition, which involves teams from about 190 countries.READ FULL

AI researcher Sasha Luccioni warns that generative AI models like ChatGPT consume up to 30 times more energy than traditional search engines. AI and cryptocurrency used 2% of global electricity in 2022. Luccioni developed CodeCarbon to measure code’s carbon footprint and is working on an energy efficiency rating system for AI models. Despite pledges to become carbon-neutral, major tech companies’ emissions have increased due to AI use. Luccioni calls for transparency in AI training and energy consumption to enable government regulation.READ FULL

Tech giants like Meta and Spotify have criticized the European Union for inconsistent decision-making on data privacy and AI regulations. In an open letter, they claim Europe is becoming less competitive due to fragmented regulatory decisions, particularly regarding data use for AI training. The companies call for clearer, harmonized decisions from privacy regulators. Meta recently halted plans to use European user data for AI training due to regulatory pressure. The EU maintains that all companies must comply with data privacy rules.READ FULL

YouTube is expanding its focus on television viewing, introducing new tools for creators to optimize content for large screens. The platform now allows creators to organize content into episodes and seasons, catering to traditional TV-style viewing habits. YouTube has seen significant growth in TV viewership, with over a billion hours watched daily on home televisions. These changes aim to capitalize on the increasing popularity of streaming on smart TVs and compete with rivals like Netflix in the living room space.READ FULL

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair Inc., the developer of Palworld, in Tokyo District Court. The lawsuit seeks an injunction and compensation, alleging Palworld infringes on Pokémon’s patent rights. Palworld, launched in January 2024, gained 25 million players in a month. While Pocketpair insists Palworld is a survival crafting game, critics have called it a “Pokémon rip-off”. Nintendo emphasizes its commitment to protecting its intellectual property rights, including the Nintendo brand itself.READ FULL

Meta bans Russian state media outlets RT and Rossiya Segodnya from its platforms globally, citing deceptive tactics and foreign interference. The ban, to be enforced over coming days, follows U.S. money-laundering charges against RT employees for alleged election influence. Meta expects continued evasion attempts by Russian media. This move escalates Meta’s actions against Russian state media.READ FULL

Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted the freeze on Starlink’s bank accounts after the company transferred $3.3 million to settle fines imposed on Elon Musk’s social media platform X. The fines stemmed from X’s failure to block accounts spreading misinformation. While Starlink’s accounts are now unfrozen, the court’s order to block access to X in Brazil remains in place. Musk continues to criticize the court’s rulings as censorship, maintaining his stance against content removal.READ FULL

Huawei and Walton have announced a strategic partnership to produce lithium batteries for telecom base stations in Bangladesh. The collaboration aims to launch the batteries by 2025, with Walton managing production, sales, and after-sales services, while Huawei provides technical expertise and support. The partnership seeks to address issues with current low-quality batteries, improve network reliability, reduce costs, and promote greener energy solutions. The automated production line will have an annual capacity of 80,000 units. This initiative is expected to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the telecom industry’s operational efficiency in Bangladesh.READ FULL

SpaceX has postponed the first private spacewalk, originally scheduled for Thursday, by a few hours. Billionaire tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman and a SpaceX engineer were set to perform the spacewalk as part of a five-day orbital mission. The delay was announced shortly before the planned start, with SpaceX stating that “all systems are looking good” but offering no specific reason for the postponement. This mission aims to test new spacesuits in a groundbreaking commercial spacewalk endeavor.READ FULL

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov announced plans to improve content moderation on the messaging app, following his formal investigation in France over crimes committed through the platform. Durov stated that while 99.999% of users are law-abiding, the app will address concerns by removing features prone to abuse. He emphasized Telegram’s commitment to turning moderation into “an area of praise.” The changes come after Durov’s arrest and questioning in France, sparking debates about online free speech and platform responsibility for user actions.READ FULL

A new trailer for the tactical first-person multiplayer shooter Zero Hour has been released, previewing key updates for its version 1.0 launch on September 9. The trailer showcases improved door mechanics, including new breaching options like C2 explosives and tactical shooting. These changes aim to enhance realism and strategy while maintaining the game’s focus on team-based combat. The trailer also highlights adjustments to the stamina system and adrenaline kit, rebalanced to encourage more strategic, slower-paced gameplay.READ FULL

Data centres are expected to generate 2.5 billion metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions by 2030, according to Morgan Stanley research. This environmental impact is likely to drive investments in decarbonisation efforts. Major tech companies are rapidly expanding data centres for AI and cloud computing while pledging to reduce emissions. The report suggests this will create a large market for clean power development, energy-efficient equipment, green building materials, and carbon capture technologies as companies strive to meet their climate commitments.READ FULL

Retro gaming is booming in Japan, with stores like Super Potato in Tokyo attracting global collectors. Vintage consoles and games, some priced at thousands of dollars, are in high demand, especially among foreign tourists. Collectors like “Proudro” have amassed vast collections of rare items. The appeal lies in nostalgia and the unique designs of Japanese consoles. While prices have skyrocketed in recent years, some collectors worry about Japan’s slow recognition of these items’ cultural value as they’re increasingly sold abroad. READ FULL

Canva, the popular graphic design platform, plans to significantly increase prices for its Teams subscriptions in 2024. The price hike, reportedly up to 300% for some users, follows the introduction of new AI features. In the US, annual costs for up to five users may rise from $120 to $500, with a 40% first-year discount offered. Australian users face even steeper increases. Canva justifies the change as aligning with its expanded capabilities, including new AI tools. The price adjustment primarily affects Teams users, not Pro or Enterprise plans.READ FULL

The Daily Star has highlighted four notable job openings this week. United International University seeks a Psychological Counselor with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology. Singer Bangladesh is hiring a Trainee District Manager with a BBA in Marketing. Berger Paints Bangladesh requires an Officer of Quality Assurance with an MSc in Chemistry. Wipro is looking for a Datacenter Operations Specialist with relevant experience and certifications. Interested candidates should check the respective company websites or LinkedIn pages for full details and application procedures.READ FULL

China continues to dominate the global industrial robotics market, accounting for over half of worldwide installations in 2022. At the recent World Robot Conference in Beijing, numerous Chinese companies showcased advanced humanoid robots for industrial use. China’s success in this sector is attributed to government support, competitive pricing, and a robust supply chain. President Xi Jinping’s “new productive forces” policy backs the industry, with major cities like Beijing and Shanghai establishing billion-dollar funds for robotics development. The sector also benefits from China’s existing EV supply chain. Reuters