United News of Bangladesh

Microsoft has relinquished its seat on the board of OpenAI, saying its participation is no longer needed because the ChatGPT maker has improved its governance since being roiled by boardroom chaos last year. In a Tuesday letter, Microsoft confirmed it was resigning, “effective immediately,” from its role as an observer on the artificial intelligence company's board. ChatGPT by Open AI: All you need to know “We appreciate the support shown by OpenAI leadership and the OpenAI board as we made this decision," the letter said. The surprise departure comes amid intensifying scrutiny from antitrust regulators of the powerful AI partnership. Microsoft has reportedly invested $13 billion in OpenAI. OpenAI founder Sutskever sets up new AI company devoted to “safe superintelligence” European Union regulators said last month that they would take a fresh look at the partnership under the 27-nation bloc's antitrust rules, while the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Britain's competition watchdog have also been examining the pact. Microsoft took the board seat following a power struggle in which OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was fired, then quickly reinstated, while the board members behind the ouster were pushed out. "Over the past eight months we have witnessed significant progress by the newly formed board and are confident in the company’s direction," Microsoft said in its letter. “Given all of this we no longer believe our limited role as an observer is necessary.” Elon Musk drops lawsuit against ChatGPT-maker OpenAI without explanation With Microsoft's departure, OpenAI will no longer have observer seats on its board. “We are grateful to Microsoft for voicing confidence in the Board and the direction of the company, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership," OpenAI said in a statement. It's not hard to conclude that Microsoft's decision to ditch the board seat was heavily influenced by rising scrutiny of big technology companies and their links with AI startups, said Alex Haffner, a competition partner at U.K. law firm Fladgate. “It is clear that regulators are very much focused on the complex web of inter-relationships that Big Tech has created with AI providers, hence the need for Microsoft and others to carefully consider how they structure these arrangements going forward,” he said. OpenAI said it would take a new approach to “informing and engaging key strategic partners" such as Microsoft and Apple and investors such as Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures, with regular meetings to update stakeholders on progress and ensure stronger collaboration on safety and security.

August 2024 promises to be a thrilling month for virtual gamers, with a lineup of highly anticipated video game releases across various genres. From mythological adventures to whimsical RPGs and strategic action, there’s something for gamers of every genre. Developers and publishers are bringing fresh titles that will offer immersive experiences, rich narratives, and innovative gameplay. Best Games Scheduled for Launch in August 2024 Kitsune Tales Kitsune Tails, developed by Kitsune Games and published in collaboration with MidBoss LLC, is an upcoming action-adventure indie game set to release on August 1, 2024. This precision platformer, inspired by Japanese mythology, invites players to take on the role of a young female kitsune, a messenger for the deity Inari. The game's rich narrative involves a romantic encounter with a sorceress and a complex relationship with a childhood friend turned antagonist. Featuring classic platforming mechanics, Kitsune Tails offers five elemental worlds, haunted houses, and powers manifested through cute outfits. The game supports full controller compatibility and is available in multiple languages, promising an engaging experience for retro game enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Read more: Top 10 July 2024 Video Game Releases: Exciting New Titles for Every Gamer Volgarr the Viking II Volgarr the Viking II, developed by Digital Eclipse in collaboration with Crazy Viking Studios and published by Digital Eclipse, is a hardcore 2D action-platformer slated for release on August 6, 2024. Building upon the challenging legacy of its predecessor, this sequel offers a relentless journey where precision is paramount, and every decision can lead to life or death for the barbarian king, Volgarr. Featuring new power-ups, magic abilities, enemy types, and an updated soundtrack, Volgarr the Viking II stays true to its arcade roots while introducing modern conveniences like checkpoints and save states. Set in expansive worlds inspired by Norse mythology, the game promises multiple endings and formidable bosses to conquer, ensuring a brutal yet rewarding Viking adventure for enthusiasts of tough-as-nails platformers. Cat Quest III Cat Quest III, developed by The Gentlebros and published by Kepler Interactive, sets sail on August 8, 2024, as the latest instalment in the beloved Cat Quest series. This action-packed 2.5D open-world RPG invites players to embody a swashbuckling purrivateer navigating the Purribean, a pirate-themed archipelago infested with Pi-rats. With a seamless blend of exploration on land and sea, players can command their ship, uncover treasures, and battle foes in refined combat featuring dynamic attack combos and weapon swapping. Whether playing solo or in local co-op, adventurers can craft their path through dungeons, biomes, and quests, encountering a versatile cast of characters and unravelling the mysteries of the elusive Northern Star. Cat Quest III promises a perfect blend of adventure and feline charm for fans of whimsical RPGs. Read more: Best T20 Cricket Games for Android, and iOS in 2024 SteamWorld Heist II SteamWorld Heist II, developed by Thunderful Development and published by Thunderful Publishing, sets sail into the gaming world on August 8, 2024, as a strategic action-adventure RPG. In this sequel to the acclaimed SteamWorld Heist, players assume the role of Captain Leeway and lead a diverse crew of Steambots on a quest to uncover a mysterious threat looming over the Great Sea. Combining turn-based gunfights with dynamic ricochet mechanics, the game challenges players to strategize each shot for maximum impact. Featuring real-time naval combat and expansive exploration, SteamWorld Heist II offers a rich job system allowing customization of crew members with over 150 weapons and utilities. With a vibrant world, handcrafted characters, and a captivating soundtrack, this steampunk adventure promises a blend of tactical depth and immersive storytelling that will engage fans old and new alike. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles immerses players into the vibrant world of the Jura Tempest Federation, inspired by the popular anime series. Developed by ZOC Co., Ltd. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., this action-packed RPG blends side-scrolling action with city-building elements. Players assume the role of Rimuru Tempest, engaging in exhilarating battles with flashy combo attacks and special moves, all depicted in retro 8-bit style. You can experience the anime's storyline alongside new adventures, including the Goblin's Revenge and Religious Nation arcs, each expanding on the lore of Tempest. As Rimuru, players will manage and expand their village into a thriving nation, utilising unique building types and enhancing community strength through Tempest Resonance. Read more: May 2024 Video Games: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch

Vivo recently announced their lower mid-range device Vivo Y28 4G for the Bangladeshi market. The device was on pre-booking from 4th to 9th July with official delivery starting on 10th July 2024. The Y28 brings an exciting new design among a host of other improvements. But is it enough to justify the price? Let’s find out.  Key Specs of Vivo Y28 4G   Design and Build Quality  The design of the Y28 is a complete overhaul of the traditional Y series. The device is made of plastic all around but the frosted composite plastic sheet on the back and the accented chromed frames give it a premium look. The rounded square camera housing and the ring light also add a premium feel to the device.  The dimension of the Y 28 comes in at 165.70 mm by 76.00 mm by 7.99 mm for the Agate Green variant and 165.70 mm by 76.00 mm by 8.09 mm for the Gleaming Orange option. The weight is clocked at 199 g.  Read more: Top Home Electronics in Bangladesh for 2024: Simplify Your Life with These Smart Devices Regarding ports and buttons, the Y28 includes all the essentials including the headphone jack and the micro SDXC slot. However, the lack of a secondary noise cancellation mic at this price point is disappointing.  The power button on the Y28 doubles as the fingerprint scanner. The device also has an IP64 water and dust rating for accidental splashes. The Display  The display on the Y28 is a 6.68-inch IPS LCD panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits of peak brightness. It’s a surprising choice to go with an LCD panel especially when most alternatives at this price come with an AMOLED panel.  The display has a 1608 by 720 pixels resolution with 264 ppi density. The display has an 83% NTSC color saturation for a vibrant and crisp contrast. It’s also TUV Rheinland certified for Low Blue Light technology. Stepless Dimming and Global DC Dimming features are also for ease of use in low light conditions.  Read more: Tecno Camon 30 Pro Review: Style Meets Substance In terms of performance, the display looks okay. It has good colors, great viewing angles, and a high refresh rate. However, the lower resolution might be a deal breaker for many especially considering the price.  The Camera  There’s a dual camera setup on the Y28. The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.8 shooter and the secondary one is a 2 MP f/2.4 sensor. The front camera is an 8 MP f/2.05 shooter.  The camera system on the Y28 is the same as the Y27 with some lateral developments. The performance of the camera can be best described as a mixed-bag experience.  Pictures taken in daylight had a neutral tone to them. It's different from the usual mid-range cameras where there is a pop of color and social-media-ready processing. Instead, the pictures are more suited for those who like to edit their pictures. Portrait pictures came out well on the Y28. However, the background blue may feel a bit artificial at times. The front and back cameras showed a hint of red tint in the images.  Read more: Motorola Edge 50 Pro Review: A Competent Mid-Range Smartphone Night-time photography performed similarly. There were some exposure issues here and there. Other than that, the cameras produced decent results.  The videography on the Y28 is rated at 1080P at 30 fps. However, without any external stabilization, the videos are barely usable at best.  Processor and Performance  The processor on the Y28 is Helio G85 based on a 12 Nm architecture. The chip design consists of 2 x 2 GHz & 6 x 1.8 GHz processors. The G85 at this point is several years old and is more suited for a sub-15 K budget smartphone.  The RAM capacity ranges from 6 to 8 GB. Starting from 128GB the memory reaches up to 256GB featuring eMMC5.1 technology. The maximum limit of its expandable storage is 1TB. Read more: Oukitel RT8 Review: Rugged Tablet with Long Battery Life In terms of performance, the processor can handle day-to-day tasks pretty well. But the gaming isn’t really on par here. In the test, games like PUBG and Free Fire stuttered in the highest settings. Even with reduced graphics, there were frame drops here and there.  What we liked is the 300% surround sound stereo speakers. It performed pretty well even in near-highest volume settings without any distortions.  Benchmark  Antutu V9: 217448 PCMark: 11655Geekbench 5: 353 (single core); 1311 (multi-core). Software  The software on Y28 is the Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14. Funtouch hasn’t changed any of its design language from last year with the same animations and bloatware. Some of the bloatware can be uninstalled after the initial setup which might be helpful for a more minimal look.  Read more: Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro Review: A Camera-focused Smartphone with Flagship-level Specs Battery and Charge Time  The battery on the Vivo Y28 is 6000 mAh. The large battery capacity easily makes for a day's usage on a full charge. Vivo has also included 44W of fast charging with the device.  Pros and Cons of Vivo Y28  Pros:  - Stylish design - Comes with a ring light - 90 Hz high refresh rate- LPDDR4X RAM - eMMC 5.1 internal storage option - 50 MP main sensor - Up to 1 TB of expandable storage - 300% volume - 6000 mAh large capacity battery- 44W fast charging. Read more: Top Home Skincare Devices in Bangladesh: Transform Your Beauty Routine Cons:  - No AMOLED display- No gorilla glass protection- HD+ resolution display - Pictures came out with a washed-out neutral tone - Sub-par processor - No wireless and reverse charging Support. Official Price of Vivo Y28 in Bangladesh  The official price of Vivo Y28 is 20,999 BDT for the 6/128 GB variant and 25,999 BDT for the 8/256 GB variant.  Verdict  The Vivo Y28 4G with its features doesn’t justify the price. It has a great design and a good battery life. But that’s about it when it comes to its strengths. The 720P display, entry-level processor, and camera don’t add much value. For instance, OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is offering an AMOLED screen at a similar price range.  As for the users, the Vivo Y28 4G is best suited for those looking for a daily device for regular use.  Read more: Top 10 Smartphones Coming in July 2024

Praising the idea of launching the Akash Go companion app, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad A. Arafat has said this will certainly contribute to the entertainment need of Bangladeshi people. "Thank you for partnering with this local initiative with Akash. This partnership can see the exchange of ideas and technologies," he said. The State Minister was speaking at a function where Akash Digital TV, Bangladesh’s DTH Pay TV operator, owned by Beximco Communications Limited, announced the launch of a new DTH HD platform together with a pioneering Akash Go Companion App along with My Akash Self Care App. The organisers of the event said this will shape the future for world-class media and entertainment and transform the TV viewing and user experiences and access to premium content in Bangladesh. Youth and Sports Minister Nazmul Hassan Papon, Chairman & Managing Director of Beximco Communications Ltd. Shayan F. Rahman and its Chief Executive Officer Dr. Tariq Alam attended the event. These groundbreaking next generation platform innovations and exclusive introduction of hotstar specials content to Bangladesh were ceremonially launched at a city hotel on Monday, said a media release on Tuesday. Akash Go companion provides the maximum in terms of flexibility and convenience, reflecting the rapidly changing landscape of consumer preferences. Akash Go is available only for DTH users and included within the existing Standard Pack subscription fee at no additional cost, thereby enriching and maximizing the value to the customers. Leading broadcasters and content providers from home and abroad, business leaders, officials from relevant autonomous bodies of the government, top corporate house CEOs, and investors attended the event. Chairman & Managing Director of Beximco Communications Ltd. Shayan F Rahman said that they are active citizens of the digital world – thanks to Smart Bangladesh Vision and Policy lead by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ICT Advisor Sajeeb Wazed.

In today's fast-paced world, editing videos and reels on your smartphone is more convenient than ever. You can post videos right away while staying outdoors or attending an event. As numerous apps are available on App Store, and Google Play Store, choosing the right free or paid mobile-friendly video editing tool can be challenging. Let’s explore the top video editing apps for 2024 that cater to both Android and iOS users. 10 Best Mobile Video Editing Apps in 2024 LumaFusion LumaFusion is a popular video editing app with a 4.8/5 rating. It is a paid app, costing $29.99 as a one-time purchase. With a download size of 183 MB, this app was developed by LumaTouch LLC.  LumaFusion offers a range of professional-grade features, including keyframing, multi-track timeline editing, and advanced audio editing tools. Users can apply various filters, effects, and transitions to their videos. The app is popular among amateur and professional video editors for its comprehensive set of tools and intuitive interface, making it a powerful choice for mobile video editing on Android and iOS platforms. Read more: How to Block Ads on Android Phones in 2024 CapCut CapCut, developed by Bytedance, boasts a 4.6/5 rating. This free app offers in-app purchases and has a download size of 75 MB. CapCut is known for its user-friendly interface and robust features, making it ideal for quick video edits and social media content creation.  Its key features include color correction, background removal, and TikTok integration, which allows seamless sharing to the popular social media platform. Additionally, CapCut offers speech-to-text auto-captioning and precise speed control, making it a versatile tool for novice and experienced video editors looking for a comprehensive yet accessible mobile editing solution. Adobe Premiere Rush Adobe Premiere Rush, rated 4.5/5, is a free app with additional features available via a $9.99 monthly subscription. With a download size of 253 MB, this app is developed by Adobe Inc. It offers a streamlined version of the desktop Adobe Premiere Pro.  Read more: Best and Worst Android OS Considering Bloatware in 2024 Premiere Rush includes motion graphics templates, color correction tools, and a stock media library. It supports cross-platform editing, allowing users to start a project on their mobile device and finish on a desktop. The app is designed for social media content creators, offering easy sharing options to platforms like YouTube and Instagram, making it a versatile tool for quick and professional video edits. Videoleap Videoleap, developed by Lightricks Ltd., has a rating of 4.4/5. It offers a free trial, with subscriptions costing monthly $5.99 or a one-time purchase of $59.99. The download size is 170 MB.  Videoleap stands out for its advanced AI tools, including recoloring, voice modification, and uncropping. The app provides a powerful timeline editing feature, touch gestures for precision, and a wide range of filters and effects. Videoleap caters to professional editors and casual users, offering intuitive tools that simplify complex editing processes. It's an excellent choice for developing standard-quality videos on smartphones. Read more: Find Bus Routes in Dhaka with 6 Android Apps CyberLink PowerDirector CyberLink PowerDirector is a free app with a subscription available for $4.99 per month to unlock additional features. The app's download size is 130 MB, and it was developed by CyberLink Corp company. Its current rating is 4.3 out of 5.  It offers a comprehensive set of editing tools, including multi-track editing, chroma key, and masking. Users can also access a vast library of stock media through connections to Pexels and Pixabay. The app supports developing high-quality videos and provides a user-friendly interface, making it suitable for beginners and advanced users looking to create polished videos on their mobile devices.

Bangladesh has scored 62 out of 100 in the 2024 edition of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) ICT Development Index (IDI). This score places Bangladesh below the average for both lower-middle-income countries, which is 64.8, and the Asia & Pacific region, which averages 77.3. In South Asia, Bangladesh’s performance is mixed compared to its neighbors. Pakistan scored 55.6, Sri Lanka 71.3, Bhutan 85.9, Maldives 81.5, and Afghanistan 33.1. Notably, India and Nepal were marked as having “insufficient data” in this year’s index. Read more: Malaysia keen on increasing investment in Bangladesh’s Telecom, ICT: Palak One of the key metrics where Bangladesh lags is universal connectivity, scoring 39.4. Internet usage among individuals stands at 38.9%, and 38.1% of households have internet access, according to ICT Development Index. Despite these challenges, Bangladesh excelled in mobile network coverage, achieving 98.5% population coverage for 3G and 4G networks. The 2024 ICT Development Index revealed an overall average score of 74.8 for the 170 economies surveyed, showing a 3.3% improvement from the previous year. Over half of the studied economies scored above 80 points, yet significant disparities remain: the lowest IDI score is 21.3, and 29 economies scored below 50 points. “Measurement is critical for achieving universal and meaningful connectivity. The journey toward a fully and meaningfully connected world is far from over, but with the right data, tools, and commitment, we can make significant strides in ensuring everyone benefits from digital connectivity, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future,” said Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau. “However, we have to recognize that each country has its own characteristics, faces its own challenges, and must follow its own development path.” Read more: Mobile phone calls drops: Govt to enforce stricter compensation, says Palak The ITU, a United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), continues to drive innovation in ICTs alongside its 193 Member States and over 900 member companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. 

OnePlus produces its budget-friendly lineup under the Nord Series. Nord CE4 Lite was released on June 24. It is an upgrade of the Nord CE3 Lite. Let’s explore the specifications, pros, cons, and price of the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G. Key Features of OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G Design The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite has a sleek design with dimensions of 162.9 mm by 75.6 mm by 8.1 mm. It features a glass front, a plastic frame, and a plastic back. The rear panel is made of plastic and has a reflective finish that resists fingerprints. The phone weighs 191 grams, which gives it a solid feel without causing discomfort during use. The Nord CE 4 Lite comes with a vertically aligned rear camera setup within a new pill-shaped section that also includes a dual LED flash. The bottom edge of the phone has a 3.5mm audio jack, a microphone, a USB Type-C port, and a speaker grille. There's another speaker on the top edge. The power and volume buttons are on the right side, while the SIM card tray is on the left. The phone has an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. Read more: Top Home Electronics in Bangladesh for 2024: Simplify Your Life with These Smart Devices Display The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite features a 6.67-inch full HD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 by 2400 pixels, giving it a pixel density of around 395 ppi. The screen has a 20:9 aspect ratio and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. It can reach a peak brightness of up to 2,100 nits, which helps in bright lighting conditions, but it may still be difficult to view under direct sunlight. The display includes the Aqua Touch feature, allowing it to register touch inputs even when fingers are wet. However, the screen does not support HDR content, limiting the quality of streaming on OTT apps. The phone also has an in-display fingerprint sensor, but it may have issues with accuracy, potentially needing a software update to improve performance. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 87.2%, making for a large viewing area suitable for multimedia content, but primarily indoors. Cameras The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite features a dual rear camera setup. The primary camera is a 50-megapixel shooter with a Sony LYT-600 sensor and an f/1.8 aperture. It also includes a 2-megapixel depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. Its front camera features 16 megapixels (f/2.4) censor, suitable for daytime selfies, but less effective in low light.  Read more: Tecno Camon 30 Pro Review: Style Meets Substance The primary camera supports both optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS), capturing clear images during the day, though details may be lacking when zoomed in. The camera app offers a 2x in-sensor zoom mode for close subjects, but detail is still limited when zooming in. The phone includes a Night mode for low-light conditions, which needs to be manually enabled. Night mode improves visibility and detail but adds noticeable smoothening and can make the sky appear brighter than it is. Video recording is available up to 1080p at 30fps with both rear and front cameras, with OIS and EIS support on the rear camera. Performance The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite uses the Snapdragon 695 6nm chipset, offering performance comparable to competitors with the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset. This phone handles everyday tasks well and can run popular games and apps that are not too demanding. Read more: Motorola Edge 50 Pro Review: A Competent Mid-Range Smartphone In gaming tests, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) ran well on default settings but experienced some lag when the phone warmed up. Asphalt 9 ran smoothly even after 30 minutes of gameplay. Benchmark tests show the Nord CE 4 Lite scored 904 in Geekbench 6 Single Core and 2015 in Geekbench 6 Multi Core. In AnTuTu v10, it scored 448,127, while in 3DMark Wild Life, it scored 1508. Running on OxygenOS 14, the phone is stable with smooth app switching, especially with navigation gestures. Pre-installed bloatware includes Agoda, Netflix, Facebook, and others, which can be uninstalled. The phone's overall performance is suitable for regular use and light gaming. Battery and Charging The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite features a 5,110mAh battery, offering solid battery backup. It supports 80W fast charging, with the charger and cable included in the box. Furthermore, it supports 5W reverse wired charging. In the PCMark battery test, the phone lasted 11.35 hours from 100% to 20% battery, which is decent but not as good as some competitors like the realme 12. Read more: Oukitel RT8 Review: Rugged Tablet with Long Battery Life For everyday use, the battery should last all day on high settings and even longer with adjustments. The Nord CE 4 Lite takes about 50 minutes to charge from 20% to 100%. Despite the quick charge, a dual-cell battery could have reduced this time further. Overall, the phone provides reliable battery performance suitable for most users. Pros and Cons of the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Pros - 5G and NFC-enabled- AMOLED screen- Huge battery with fast charging- Android 14 OS with OxygenOS 14 UI- Gyro-EIS support- Stereo speakers and an audio jack- An under-display fingerprint scanner- Comes with an IP54, dust, and splash resistant- Reverse wired charging. Read more: Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro Review: A Camera-focused Smartphone with Flagship-level Specs Cons - No optical zoom and ultrawide cameras- A shared microSDXC card slot- No Corning Gorilla Glass protection- Not suitable for heavy gaming and multitasking- No wireless charging- No 4K video recording support- Available in single RAM and storage variants. Price of OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G in Bangladesh The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G is officially available in Bangladesh. The 8/256GB variant of the phone is available at BDT 27,999. Conclusion The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is a well-rounded smartphone with a sleek design, solid build, and a large AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It features a capable 50 MP primary camera with OIS and EIS, though it lacks an ultra-wide lens. Powered by the Snapdragon 695 chipset, it performs well for daily tasks and light gaming. The large battery supports 80W fast charging, ensuring long usage and quick recharges.  Read more: Top 10 Smartphones Coming in July 2024 While it includes useful features like 5G, NFC, and an in-display fingerprint scanner, it misses out on wireless charging, Gorilla Glass protection, and 4K video recording.  On the whole, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G is a good phone for people who are looking for a lower mid-budget phone with decent performance under the 30000 Taka price range.

Technology can be a huge time saver, especially when it comes to household chores. These devices use advanced technologies to save time and effort, allowing people to focus on more important aspects of life. From robot floor cleaners to AI-controlled smart home gadgets, the Bangladeshi market offers a variety of electronics to simplify household tasks. Handy Home Electronics Devices Available in Bangladesh Market in 2024 SmartX WiFi Gas Sensor The SmartX WiFi Gas Sensor is a reliable gas leak detector designed for household safety. It detects natural gas (CH4) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), issuing a 75dB alarm and sending push notifications via the SmartLife or Tuya app. With real-time remote monitoring and self-test capabilities, it ensures a safe environment. Easy to install, it plugs directly into an AC outlet and operates without a hub. Suitable for kitchens, living rooms, and other spaces, it is priced at around BDT 2,500 in Bangladesh, providing affordable and essential home security. Read more: CCTV Camera Buying Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh in 2024 Wireless Smart Doorbell / Calling Bell The Wireless Smart Doorbell, priced at BDT 16,500 in Bangladesh, enhances home security by allowing users to see and communicate with visitors remotely via a WiFi connection and smartphone. It features a camera and call button, enabling real-time interaction and recording of videos and images. The device includes a sensitive touch panel with low power consumption, a 7-inch high-definition digital screen, and hands-free intercom functionality. It also offers adjustable image brightness, color, ring volume, and speaker volume. This smart doorbell is an essential tool for security-conscious individuals, providing peace of mind and convenience. Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaner The Pure Clean Automatic Vacuum Cleaner by Pyle features a low-profile design and obstacle detection, making it efficient at cleaning around household objects and under furniture. With five cleaning modes, users can select the desired level of cleaning. It operates on a built-in 7.2V rechargeable battery, offering wireless operation and a 1200mAh capacity. Read more: Top Smart TV Picks for 2024: Ultimate Buyer’s Guide in Bangladesh The bagless design includes a 0.3L dustbin and a detachable brush for easy maintenance. Suitable for hardwood and carpet floors, it is priced at BDT 32,000 in Bangladesh. This smart vacuum cleaner simplifies chores and enhances home cleaning.

In recent years, the advancement of AI technology has somewhat revolutionized how people work with the internet. In this wave, text-to-speech softwares are assisting professionals from diverse backgrounds. Developing an AI produced speech out of written text, these apps and software are saving time and effort. Here’s a list of some efficient text-to-speech software. Let’s explore their features, pros, cons, and prices.  7 Popular Text-to-Speech Software and Apps in 2024  Listening If you’re looking to convert natural-sounding, high-quality academic texts to speech, then Listening might be the perfect solution for you. The platform specializes in natural-sounding speeches that mimic human emotions.  Currently Listening can convert to speech from direct docs, journal articles, and even PDFs. There’s a large pool of AI voices to choose from as well as extensive language support. The pricing plan for Listening is $19.99/month or $125/year with three days of trial period.  Read more: Top Job Searching apps in Bangladesh Pros:  - Easy-to-navigate interface - Realistic voice - Extensive selection of languages - Customizable voices Cons:  - The free version offers limited features  Software link: https://www.listening.com/ Read more: Top 5 Mobile Apps for Farmers in Bangladesh Balabolka Balabolka is one of the best free text-to-speech software out there. It can be used in several ways. Firstly, users can directly input the text into the platform. Concurrently, any Word doc, PDF, or HTML file can also be uploaded to the platform.  On the output end, the platform supports SAPI 4 with eight different voices, SAPI 5 with two voices as well as Microsoft’s native speech platform. The outputs can be time-stamped for ease of navigation.  Pros:  - It's completely free - Wide range of voice options - Wide range of text options.  Read more: Top 7 Truck Rental Apps in Bangladesh Cons:  - Dated interface  Software Link: https://balabolka.en.softonic.com/ Natural Reader Natural Reader is another freemium text-to-speech software geared for those looking for a host of customization and editing options. The software has two versions, a desktop one and a cloud-based one.  The desktop version offers a host of customizability with a standard working mechanism. You upload a text file and convert it into a speech file. But things get interesting with their cloud platform.  Read more: 7 Food Delivery Apps for Dhaka Here users can make use of the floating bar. You can highlight any text on any platform and use the floating bar to customize the speech output. It's pretty neat in terms of easing the workload.  Pros: - OCR compatible - Interface choices - Can be added as a browser extension. Cons:   - Cloud-based - The free plan has limited voice options.  Software Link: https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/ Read more: Find Bus Routes in Dhaka with 6 Android Apps Cloud Google Text-to-Speech As one of the leading companies working with speech recognition AI, it's no surprise that Google has a text-to-speech feature under their Cloud service. And it's one of the best in business. The feature uses Google’s state-of-the-art AI integration to detect and use hyper-realistic speech voices to create output.  The feature is available as an API that can be integrated into any project. There is a monthly cap on the free version. However, the pay-as-you-go plan would work best for anyone looking for a human-like speech for their texts.  Pros:  - Wide range of language support - Options for pitch, speaking rate, and volume gain- Easy-to-use API.  Read more: Best Ridesharing Apps in Bangladesh Cons: - Not a standalone software - Requires Google Cloud account.  Software Link: https://cloud.google.com/text-to-speech Panopreter Basic Panopreter basic works best for those who are new to the world of text-to-speech conversion. The interface of the software is designed in a way that is easy to navigate and quick to learn. The text input supports a host of options including direct web pages.  The output however is limited to either MP3 or WAV formats. There’s a premium plan that brings additional customizability.  Read more: Best Online Book Selling Websites in Bangladesh Pros:  - Ability to integrate web pages - Supports speech dictionary - Easy to navigate.  Cons: Only available for the Windows platform.  Software Link: https://www.panopreter.com/en/products/pb/index.php Read more: Free Online AI Courses by Harvard University from Basic to Advanced Levels WordTalk WordTalk is designed for those who exclusively work in the Microsoft Word platform. The software is developed by the University of Edinburgh as an extension of Microsoft Word. The extension interface is fairly simple and basic. However, the converter does support SAPI 4 and 5 voices with limited customizations.  The use of narration and keyboard shortcuts are also nice additions to this simple converter.  Pros:  - Can be used as an extension - SAPI 4 and 5 supported - Speech dictionary.  Read more: Humane’s Ai Pin: Incredible Features of the ‘Smartphone Killer’ Cons:  Only works with Microsoft Word.  Software Link: https://www.wordtalk.org.uk/ ReadAloud ReadAloud is designed as a text-to-speech converter on the go. It can be primarily used as a browser extension for real-time text-to-speech conversions. ReadAloud has been tested to work perfectly with web pages, PDFs, and Google Docs among others.  For real-time conversions, ReadAloud highlights the part of the texts being read for ease of following along.  Read more: Does Everyone Need to Learn Programming? The Truth About Coding in The Age of AI The free version has limited features. Users can choose a lifetime licensing for a one-time payment of $99.99 or subscribe to their monthly plan for $4.99.  Pros:  - Easy to use - Supports up to 55 languages - Text highlighting feature - Integrates seamlessly with any browser. Cons:  - Downloads are available only with the premium plan - Currently, it only works with Chrome and Firefox browsers. Read more: Can AI Replace Artists? Software Link: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/read-aloud-a-text-to-spee/hdhinadidafjejdhmfkjgnolgimiaplp?hl=en&pli=1

TECNO, a leading innovative smartphone brand, has achieved another milestone by winning the Platinum award at the prestigious MUSE Design Awards. The award was given to TECNO’s CAMON 30 Series in the telecommunications category, specifically for its Tech Art Leather Edition, at the prestigious event held recently. This award is a testament to TECNO’s incessant pursuit to integrate the splendour of the natural world into design aesthetics, said a press release on Saturday. Tecno Camon 30 Pro Review: Style Meets Substance It said the tech leather edition features a pioneering industry-first, tech-art suede back design, making it an aesthetically beautiful and elegant smartphone for fashion-conscious users. “This special edition stood out over 8,500 entries from around the world and went on to bag this award mainly due to its innovative use of materials and luxurious texture.” The TECNO CAMON 30 Series Tech Art Leather Edition has been designed taking inspiration from the Alpine winds. The back panel is made of innovative tech-art leather with a unique texture that mirrors natural beauty and gives the users the feel of a pleasant soft touch. The phone also comes with a classic camera design that will instil the love of photography among the users. Complimented by design modernized in a sleek smartphone with a blend of classic flair, CAMON 30 series is evocative of a device that every fashion-forward professional looks for. CAMON 30 series has recently been launched in Bangladesh, garnering immense popularity among young users. Tecno Camon 30 Review: Know the Pros and Cons Widely hailed as the Night Portrait Master, the series comes with a triple camera setup, including a 50MP OIS camera for delivering a phenomenal photography experience. Facilitated with AI technologies and the AIGC portrait feature, users can generate AI portrait images with the help of the AI Image Processor PolarAce. It is mentionable that the MUSE Creative and Design Awards is a widely acclaimed competition all over the world that recognizes outstanding designs and promotes brilliance in design aesthetics. The recent award is a reflection of TECNO's continued commitment to design craftsmanship and innovation.