Tech
Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Threads down globally
Facebook, Instagram and Messenger and Threads users have reported suddenly getting logged out from their accounts.
This was first reported at 9:21pm BdST on Tuesday, according to Downdetector.
The problem is global, it said.
All four social media networks are owned by California-based Meta.
London-based internet monitoring firm Netblocks said on X that four Meta platforms -- Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads -- were “currently experiencing outages related to login sessions in multiple countries.” But the firm, which advocates for internet freedom, said there was no sign of “country-level internet disruptions or filtering,” which are typically imposed by governments, according to AP.
Andy Stone, Meta's head communications, acknowledged the issues on X, formerly known as Twitter, and said the company is “working on this now.”
Rampant NID data trade: Mobile banking institutions alert law enforcement
In a concerning development last year, personal information of individuals registered with the country's Smart National Identity Card (NID) system was reportedly available on several Telegram channels, with instances of buying and selling such data coming to light.
A quarter with vested interest has recently emerged, engaging in the illicit trade of customer data. To elevate the prominence of such data trading, there have been attempts to associate the names of reputable mobile banking institutions.
Sources indicate that what began with the exploitation of Telegram bots has evolved into a more organized operation, with perpetrators setting up a dedicated website alongside Telegram channels to facilitate this illicit trade. These individuals are also actively advertising on social media platforms, falsely claiming to hold customer information from reputable Mobile Financial Services (MFS), thus aiming to mislead and deceive customers through various tactics.
Former Twitter executives sue Elon Musk over firings, seek more than $128 million in severance
The modus operandi involves circulating specific links through Telegram channels that purportedly allow access to personal details of individuals by inputting their NID numbers and birthdates. Despite skepticism about the authenticity of such claims, due to the absence of verification mechanisms, the alleged data breaches have stirred concern among the public, already wary from previous incidents involving the national ID card database.
ICT experts emphasize the vulnerability of the populace to misinformation regarding new leaks, amidst conflicting statements and opportunities for fraudulent activities. They note that while opening an account in any financial institution requires national ID information and a photo, the allegedly leaked information on digital platforms is deemed non-exploitable for fraudulent purposes within Bangladesh.
The national ID database, a critical repository of personal information for approximately 120 million citizens, remains a target for cybercriminals. IT expert Tanvir Hassan Zoha warns, "Those selling information online and those purchasing it are both committing offenses and could face legal consequences under the vigilant oversight of law enforcement agencies. Interestingly, there's no real profitability in buying such information in Bangladesh."
A significant data breach in July last year exposed sensitive information of millions through the website of the Office of the Registrar General, Birth and Death Registration, searchable via Google. Subsequent leaks involving smart card data have seen such information circulated as belonging to customers of mobile banking institutions and banks. However, verification efforts have unveiled inconsistencies, with varying pieces of information available in different groups.
This proliferation of customer information on digital platforms has sown discomfort and fear among citizens, potentially eroding trust in financial institutions and fostering a climate of insecurity. Mobile banking entities, while yet to issue formal statements, have reportedly notified law enforcement agencies about these breaches.
Best and Worst Android OS Considering Bloatware in 2024
A senior official from a leading mobile banking institution highlighted the challenges of combating digital platform propaganda related to data breaches, emphasizing their prompt communication with law enforcement upon becoming aware of the recent incidents.
Md Hassan Shahriar Fahim, managing director of Octagram Limited that specializes in cybersecurity, underscores the risks to individuals enticed into purchasing such data. Collaborative analysis with law enforcement has revealed that information thieves also retain data on buyers, exposing them to potential hacking, blackmail, and other complications. Victims, in turn, find themselves in a predicament when seeking legal assistance, often unable to disclose the circumstances of their online harassment.
Former Twitter executives sue Elon Musk over firings, seek more than $128 million in severance
Former senior executives of Twitter are suing Elon Musk and X Corp., saying they are entitled to a total of more than $128 million in unpaid severance payments.
Twitter’s former CEO Parag Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal, Chief Legal Counsel Vijaya Gadde and General Counsel Sean Edgett claim in the lawsuit filed Monday that they were fired without a reason on the day in 2022 that Musk completed his acquisition of Twitter, which he later rebranded X.
Because he didn’t want to pay their severance, the executives say Musk “made up fake cause and appointed employees of his various companies to uphold his decision.”
The lawsuit says not paying severance and bills is part of a pattern for Musk, who's been sued by “droves" of former rank-and-file Twitter employees who didn't receive severance after Musk terminated them by the thousands.
“Under Musk’s control, Twitter has become a scofflaw, stiffing employees, landlords, vendors, and others,” says the lawsuit, filed in federal court in the Northern District of California. “Musk doesn’t pay his bills, believes the rules don’t apply to him, and uses his wealth and power to run roughshod over anyone who disagrees with him.”
Representatives for Musk and San Francisco-based X did not immediately respond to messages for comment Monday.
The former executives claim their severance plans entitled them to one year's salary plus unvested stock awards valued at the acquisition price of Twitter. Musk bought the company for $44 billion, or $54.20 per share, taking control in October 2022.
They say they were all fired without cause. Under the severance plans, “cause” was narrowly defined, such as being convicted of a felony, “gross negligence” or “willful misconduct.”
According to the lawsuit, the only cause Musk gave for the firings was “gross negligence and willful misconduct,” in part because Twitter paid fees to outside attorneys for their work closing the acquisition. The executives say they were required to pay the fees to comply with their fiduciary duties to the company.
“If Musk felt that the attorneys’ fees payments, or any other payments, were improper, his remedy was to seek to terminate the deal — not to withhold executives’ severance payments after the deal closed,” the lawsuit says.
X faces a “staggering” number of lawsuits over unpaid bills, the lawsuit says. “Consistent with the cavalier attitude he has demonstrated towards his financial obligations, Musk’s attitude in response to these mounting lawsuits has reportedly been to ‘let them sue.’”
Water Battery: What's Special About It
Lithium-ion batteries have been ruling the world for storing electricity since they were invented. From simple charger lights to giant electric cars, most modern devices use lithium-ion batteries as their powerhouse. However, they have gone a little off-fame for their explosive nature and safety concerns for large-scale grid energy. To overcome the risk, a multinational team of scientists, researchers, and industry collaborators have come up with the world’s first water batteries. These batteries are claimed to be less toxic, recyclable, and incombustible.
What is a Water Battery?
The concept of a water battery is not avant-garde. However, experts have been trying to make an ideal version of such a battery to use in the industrial field for a long time and finally succeeded. A traditional battery uses organic electrolytes as a conveyor of electricity between negative and positive edges. Interestingly, in a water battery, pure and plain water serves as the electrolyte.
It took a fair deal of effort to make a water-based battery an acceptable, stable, and modern technology that is usable all across the digital industry. In the manufacturer's terms, these batteries will be termed as aqueous metal-ion batteries.
Read more: Most Anticipated Smartphones Coming in March 2024
Invention of Water Batteries
A team led by RMIT University and headed by Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma developed recyclable 'water batteries.' These batteries are safer than lithium-ion ones, as they don't catch fire or explode. They utilize water instead of volatile materials. The team's breakthroughs in aqueous energy storage devices significantly enhance performance and lifespan. Their manufacturing simplicity allows mass production, utilizing abundant, inexpensive materials like magnesium and zinc.
Unlike traditional batteries, water batteries use water as an electrolyte, replacing hazardous substances. They work similarly to lithium-ion batteries but without the associated risks. Additionally, managing water levels in these batteries is crucial for longevity and requires periodic replenishment to maintain efficiency. This innovation offers a safer, more environmentally friendly energy storage solution for various applications.
How to Block Ads on Android Phones in 2024
Unwarranted pop-up ads have always been a bone in the throats of all Android Smartphone users. Interrupted streaming, opening unwanted sites, downloading harmful malware, and giving access to viruses – some of the most common issues – can be the epitome of bad user experience and also can be threatening to the privacy and security of a user. As annoying as these ads can be, android users can keep them at bay by taking a few simple steps.
Why Are Ads Popping Up on Your Android Phone?
At their core, ads on an Android phone are not very different from the ones shared on other media. All of them are meant to generate leads, offer discounts and trials, or get users to subscribe or download a product or service. But sometimes, things can take a wrong leap as some ads are made only to harass or rob a user via hidden viruses or malware. Relatable cases have risen to such an extent that people are starting to call such ads “Malvertisement.”
Malvertisements lead users to a fake registration page, provoking them to share their email and passwords. Sometimes, scammers can use these ads to alert users about their phones being attacked by malware only to spread threats or blackmail them.
Read more: Internet Safety Tips for Children, Teens, and Adults
The first step to being aware of unwanted ads on an Android phone is to know why they are showing up in the first place.
Here are a few common reasons:
Adware
Hackers often develop and share malicious ads that pop up without warning, redirect users to hostile websites, or, in extreme cases, can even take over a phone’s control. If you feel that the lock screen, home screen, and the browsers of your phone are swarmed with ads, secretly running adware can be a reason.
App permission
Apps get their permission to send you a request to perform a task and notifications and usually get your location after you allow them to do so. Some apps can track your behavior, everyday tasks, inclinations, and buying habits and sell the information to the black market.
Read more: How to Check Official Phone Using BTRC IMEI Number?
Notifications
Most apps pop up a request to show or send notifications to update you about their latest campaign or intent. You will find a large part of such notifications useless. Being aware of the shortcomings, you should think before allowing an app to send you notifications.
Ad-blocking app
If your ad-blocking apps don’t seem to work or are being turned off all by themselves, it can be a sign that your phone is infected with suspicious malware.
Most Anticipated Smartphones Coming in March 2024
February has been relatively slow in terms of smartphone releases. Several Chinese smartphones made their international debut in February. But it was mostly limited to budget and mid-range options. March however, promises some highly anticipated global flagship releases in addition to the usual budget and mid-rangers. Let’s check out the best upcoming smartphones in March 2024.
Most Hyped Smartphones Coming This March
Tecno Camon 30 Premier
Tecno is gearing up to launch their flagship of the year – the Camon 30 Premier sometime mid-March. The device was officially announced on 27th February with several surprising specs.
Camon 30 Premier boasts a stunning 1264 by 2780 pixels LTPO AMOLED panel with 120 Hz refresh rate. The near uniform front bezel accounts for about 89.9% screen-to-body ratio with a 451 ppi.
Camon 30 Premier will be powered by the latest MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate with a single 12/512 GB configuration.
However, the exciting change is in the camera department. Tecno has gone with an all 50 MP sensor setup (PolarAce Imaging System). Three of them on the back and one on the front. The back camera consists of a wide-angle main shooter, a periscope telephoto, and an ultrawide sensor.
In addition to the 5000 mAh battery, the device will support up to 70W wired fast charging.
Read more: Balmuda Phone Review: Is This Compact Smartphone Worth Buying?
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
Asus’s Zenfone 11 Ultra has been officially slated for launch on 14th March 2024. From what is known so far, the 11 Ultra is going to be a close rival to their highly successful ROG series.
The 11 Ultra features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with 1080 by 2400 pixels at 388 ppi and an 88.2% screen-to-body ratio. There’s also a 144 Hz refresh rate and HDR10 for seamless content consumption.
The device will be powered by the latest Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with storage options of 12/256 GB and 16/512 GB.
On the camera front, users will be getting a 50 MP main, 32 MP telephoto, and a 13 MP ultrawide sensor. The front will feature a 32 MP shooter.
As for the battery, the 5500 mAh capacity can be topped up with 65W wired, 15W wireless, and 10W reverse wired charging.
Read more: Infinix Hot 40 Pro Review: Budget-friendly Phone with Premium Features
Best and Worst Android OS Considering Bloatware in 2024
Ever wondered how many push notifications you get in a day? It’s alright when it's from essential apps like messages, emails, and others. But what about unnecessary first-party apps or “bloatware”? They take up your essential space and constantly buzz off with ads that are both distracting and disturbing. Unfortunately, most Android OS today uses some form of bloatware. We’ve ranked the best and worst in terms of bloatware experience in 2024. Check it out.
What is Bloatware?
Bloatware refers to pre-installed apps on your device that are typically unnecessary. It can include trial versions of software, manufacturer-specific applications, promotional apps, or redundant utilities.
Bloatware apps are almost always first-party apps developed by the manufacturer to provide a “customized” experience for the user. More often than not, this bloatware takes up storage space, consumes system resources (such as RAM and CPU cycles), and may even impact system performance or battery life.
It’s not like that brands aren’t aware of the issues. However, the persistent inclusion of bloatware is due to the ecosystem integration as well as third-party collaboration.
Read more: What Is Google Gemini AI? How to Use the New Chatbot Model
Defining Android OS Experiences Concerning Bloatware
We already mentioned that most OS out there have some form of bloatware included in the setup process. These bloatware apps can be removed after the first boot. The best metric to rate Android OS in this regard would be to consider the following:
- The number of bloatware apps on the OS
- Whether the OS asks for permission to install bloatware while setting up the phone
- Whether the bloatware can be uninstalled after setup or at any given time
Here’s what we think is the best and worst OS based on the above indicators.
Read more: Why Are We Asked to Put Our Phones on Airplane Mode During Flights?
Elon Musk sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming betrayal of its goal to benefit humanity
Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman over what he says is a betrayal of the ChatGPT maker's founding aims of benefiting humanity rather than pursuing profits.
In a lawsuit filed at San Francisco Superior Court, billionaire Musk said that when he bankrolled OpenAI's creation, he secured an agreement with Altman and Greg Brockman, the president, to keep the AI company as a non-profit that would develop technology for the benefit of the public.
OpenAI, Intel CEOs cite artificial intelligence’s voracious appetite for processing powe
Under its founding agreement, OpenAI would also make its code open to the public instead of walling it off for any private company's gains, the lawsuit says.
However, by embracing a close relationship with Microsoft, OpenAI and its top executives have set that pact “aflame” and are “perverting” the company's mission, Musk alleges in the lawsuit.
“OpenAI, Inc. has been transformed into a closed-source de facto subsidiary of the largest technology company in the world: Microsoft,” the lawsuit filed Thursday says. “Under its new Board, it is not just developing but is actually refining an AGI to maximize profits for Microsoft, rather than for the benefit of humanity."
Microsoft's new deal with France's Mistral AI is under scrutiny from the European Union
AGI refers to artificial general intelligence, which are general purpose AI systems that can perform just as well as — or even better than — humans in a wide variety of tasks.
Musk is suing over breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and unfair business practices. He also wants an injunction to prevent anyone, including Microsoft, from benefiting from OpenAI's technology.
Don’t use rice for your device. Here’s how to dry out your smartphone
You were walking next to a swimming pool when you slipped and dropped your phone into the water. Or it slipped out of your hand when you were next to a filled bathtub or toilet.
However your smartphone got wet, you now need to dry it. But what do you do? There’s lots of advice on the internet, some of it conflicting. Apple inserted itself into the debate recently when it put out an advisory that included a warning against using rice.
Here are some things to keep in mind next time your phone has an unintended encounter with a liquid.
What you should do
Dry off the exterior with a towel or clean cloth, even your shirtsleeve — anything that’s absorbent. Take out the SIM card and holder. If possible, remove the back housing and battery to wipe them dry. Also, if possible, turn the phone off.
Pros & Cons of Flagship Smartphones
iPhones can’t be disassembled so Apple recommends tapping it gently against your hand with the connector ports facing down so liquid can flow out.
Samsung, which is the biggest maker of Android phones, recommends using a cotton bud to get moisture out of the earphone jack and charging port. In contrast, Apple says cotton buds shouldn’t be inserted into iPhone openings.
If it’s not water but another liquid — a drink, seawater or chlorinated pool water — Samsung advises soaking the phone in clean water for a few minutes then rinsing it to get rid of any impurities or salinity that could speed up corrosion of the circuitry inside.
Both companies say it’s best to leave the phone out in a well ventilated area (perhaps with a fan) to dry it out. Google says leave the device to dry at room temperature.
What you shouldn’t doDon’t use a hair dryer or compressed air on your phone. Don’t put it in a freezer - this might stop your device from short-circuiting but the problem will be back once you try to thaw it. And while this might seem obvious, don’t put your device in a tumble dryer or on top of a radiator.
Don’t power it up or try to charge it with a cable — although wireless charging is OK if your phone has it and you really need to turn it on in an emergency.
Microsoft's new deal with France's Mistral AI is under scrutiny from the European Union
So what about using rice to dry your device? You may have heard that putting a phone in a bowl of rice will help draw out moisture. It’s been a tip that’s been out there for years.
Apple, however, says that’s a no-no. The company warned against it in an advisory published in early January. It drew little attention at the time, but then people noticed the line that said: “Don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice. Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.”
Is there anything I can use besides rice?The best option is silica gel, a drying agent that can absorb lots of moisture. Silica gel beads are typically found in packets that are included with products like beef jerky, seaweed sheets or sneakers to keep them dry. You can also buy them in bulk online. This works best if you put them in an airtight box with your phone.
When do I know it’s dry?It’s hard to tell but it’s best to wait as long as possible — at least a few days. Samsung advises bringing your device into a service center for inspection even after it’s been air-dried.
Aren’t phones waterproof nowadays?Most phones nowadays are designed to be water-resistant, which means they can resist water entering critical areas for a certain amount of time. But beware, this isn’t the same as being waterproof.
Apple says the iPhone 7 and and newer models are splash and water resistant. iPhone XS devices and up have the IP68 rating, which means they can be submerged for as long as 30 minutes and, depending on the model, as deep as 6 meters (20 feet). These models also pop up a warning if there’s liquid detected in key ports, and warn against charging. Samsung says most of its Galaxy Android phones feature the same rating, though the maximum depth is about 5 meters (16 feet).
Google’s newer Pixel phones carry the same water resistance ratings, but Google warns that they aren’t waterproof and the water resistance will diminish over time because of “normal wear and tear, device repair, disassembly or damage.”
Android TV Box: Buyer’s Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh
While there are hundreds of advanced television models in the market with built-in smart features, the price ranges of these devices are beyond affordability for many. In this situation, the most cost-effective solution can be a standalone Android TV box that works seamlessly with any TV model you might have.
Android TV boxes have been an absolute game-changer in terms of entertainment. It combined the best of connectivity and access to content with the cinematic experience of large screens. But what’s the best Android TV box out there? And how do you know what’s the best pick for you? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
What’s an Android TV Box?
There are mainly two types of television – a regular TV and a smart TV. You’ll find tons of options for both regular and smart TVs in the market. The difference is that smart TVs are much more expensive.
An Android TV box is essentially a workaround to turn your regular TV into a smart TV. It’s a device that runs the Android OS. The box turns a regular TV into a smart TV, allowing you to access a variety of online content, apps, and services on your television screen. These boxes are compact and typically come with HDMI ports to connect to your TV, USB ports for additional peripherals, and sometimes an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection.
Read more: Pros & Cons of Flagship Smartphones
What to Consider While Buying an Android TV Box?
There are several things to consider while buying an Android TV box. Features like processor, storage, and connectivity can make or break the overall experience. Here’s a checklist of things to consider.
Storage
It's important to consider the storage option as it will determine how many apps you can install or store local media. As a rule of thumb, go for TV box models that offer at least 16 GB ROM. Also, check whether they include micro SD support or not. An additional micro SD or USB driver is a great way to sideload content on your TV.
Processor
A good processor on your TV box would make the overall experience smooth. You don’t need a super high-end processor for a comfortable user experience. Having a quad-core processor is enough for multitasking and handling resource-intensive applications.
GPU plays a significant role in improving video playback and gaming performance. Make sure your TV box uses a dedicated GPU rather than a processor-integrated one.
Operating System
Android TV boxes get OS updates just like Android smartphones. So make sure you purchase a TV box with the latest OS as well as future OS support.
Connectivity
Another thing to consider is the number of HDMI ports on your TV box. The more the number, the more devices you can connect to your TV box. Furthermore, check for the number of USB ports to connect controllers or pen drives.
Many people often overlook network connectivity. Look for devices with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet options for internet connectivity. A wired connection can be more stable for streaming high-quality content.
Video Resolution and HDR Support
Video resolution is subjective to the TV you have. If your TV supports 4K content, make sure to get an Android TV box that supports 4K content. Some cheap TV boxes cannot decode 4K or HDR content directly from the streaming sites. For that, you might need to download the content first before watching.
Read more: Why Are We Asked to Put Our Phones on Airplane Mode During Flights?
Some Popular Android TV Boxes in Bangladesh
Android TV boxes are available in different price ranges. Let’s check them out.
Under 3000 BDT
TX3 Mini Smart Android TV Box
If you’re looking for an all-encompassing Android TV box within a budget, then look no further than the TX3 mini smart Android TV box. The box comes with all the standard features including ports for AV, SPDIF, HDMI, ethernet, two USB 2.0, and a standalone smart remote control.
The TX3 Mini is powered by Amlogic S905W based on a quad quad-core ARM Cortex A53 chipset. It has a dedicated Mali-450 GPU with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB eMMC ROM. The TX3 Mini uses KODI 17.3 as the native video player for a wide range of content support.
Read more: Mini DC UPS for Wi-Fi Router: Buyers' Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh
Key Features:
- RAM: 2 GB - ROM: 16 GB - OS: Android 7.1- Video Resolution: Supports up to 4K
The price of the TX3 Mini Smart Android TV box is around 2,199 BDT.