United News of Bangladesh

Lenovo is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to design and innovation. It’s the same company that brought the world’s first foldable laptop with the ThinkPad X1 Fold. This year, Lenovo took things a step further by unveiling the world’s first transparent laptop at the MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2024. Here’s what we know so far.  The Story So Far  This year, the trend seems to be transparent. Earlier, at the CES 2024, both Samsung and LG showcased transparent televisions as the future of in-house entertainment systems. LG went a notch up with a retractable black screen for a more ‘normalized’ viewing experience.  Keeping up with that, Lenovo brought a proof-of-concept product Project Crystal in the CES 2024. It was a Concept Laptop with a transparent display.  Read more: Samsung Galaxy Ring: Specs, Features, and Probable Release Date The completely transparent laptop, called ThinkBook, was finally displayed by Lenovo at the MWS2024 event in Barcelona.   Making Transparent Laptop a Reality Tom Butler, the executive director of Lenovo’s Worldwide Product Management division talked in detail about the new transparent laptop. The 17.3-inch laptop uses micro-LED technology to achieve the transparent look of the ThinkBook. Lenovo incorporated a 55% transparency on the display to make it optimally visible for both indoor and outdoor use. The display can churn out up to 1000 nits with the screen resolution standing at 720P.  Lenovo talked about the limitations of OLED and why they had to opt for a micro-LED solution. With the currently available tech, the R&D team couldn't push beyond 480P with an OLED panel. There’s also the limitation of transparency as the laptop cannot incorporate a black screen for absolute contrast.  Read more: OPPO Air Glass 3: What's Special About It A Paradigm Shift For the Future  With its current set of limitations, it is clear that Lenovo isn’t planning to release the ThinkBook as a mainstream laptop. Instead, the proof-of-concept product would see its feature trickle down to the mainstream product lineup over the next 5 years. 

Don’t be surprised if your doctors start writing you overly friendly messages. They could be getting some help from artificial intelligence. New AI tools are helping doctors communicate with their patients, some by answering messages and others by taking notes during exams. It's been 15 months since OpenAI released ChatGPT. Already thousands of doctors are using similar products based on large language models. One company says its tool works in 14 languages. AI saves doctors time and prevents burnout, enthusiasts say. It also shakes up the doctor-patient relationship, raising questions of trust, transparency, privacy and the future of human connection. A look at how new AI tools affect patients: IS MY DOCTOR USING AI? In recent years, medical devices with machine learning have been doing things like reading mammograms, diagnosing eye disease and detecting heart problems. What's new is generative AI's ability to respond to complex instructions by predicting language. Your next check-up could be recorded by an AI-powered smartphone app that listens, documents and instantly organizes everything into a note you can read later. The tool also can mean more money for the doctor’s employer because it won’t forget details that legitimately could be billed to insurance. Your doctor should ask for your consent before using the tool. You might also see some new wording in the forms you sign at the doctor’s office. Other AI tools could be helping your doctor draft a message, but you might never know it. “Your physician might tell you that they’re using it, or they might not tell you,” said Cait DesRoches, director of OpenNotes, a Boston-based group working for transparent communication between doctors and patients. Some health systems encourage disclosure, and some don’t. Doctors or nurses must approve the AI-generated messages before sending them. In one Colorado health system, such messages contain a sentence disclosing they were automatically generated. But doctors can delete that line. “It sounded exactly like him. It was remarkable,” said patient Tom Detner, 70, of Denver, who recently received an AI-generated message that began: “Hello, Tom, I’m glad to hear that your neck pain is improving. It’s important to listen to your body.” The message ended with “Take care” and a disclosure that it had been automatically generated and edited by his doctor. Detner said he was glad for the transparency. “Full disclosure is very important,” he said. WILL AI MAKE MISTAKES? Large language models can misinterpret input or even fabricate inaccurate responses, an effect called hallucination. The new tools have internal guardrails to try to prevent inaccuracies from reaching patients — or landing in electronic health records. “You don’t want those fake things entering the clinical notes,” said Dr. Alistair Erskine, who leads digital innovations for Georgia-based Emory Healthcare, where hundreds of doctors are using a product from Abridge to document patient visits. The tool runs the doctor-patient conversation across several large language models and eliminates weird ideas, Erskine said. “It’s a way of engineering out hallucinations.” Ultimately, “the doctor is the most important guardrail,” said Abridge CEO Dr. Shiv Rao. As doctors review AI-generated notes, they can click on any word and listen to the specific segment of the patient’s visit to check accuracy. In Buffalo, New York, a different AI tool misheard Dr. Lauren Bruckner when she told a teenage cancer patient it was a good thing she didn't have an allergy to sulfa drugs. The AI-generated note said, “Allergies: Sulfa.” The tool “totally misunderstood the conversation,” Bruckner said. “That doesn’t happen often, but clearly that's a problem.” WHAT ABOUT THE HUMAN TOUCH? AI tools can be prompted to be friendly, empathetic and informative. But they can get carried away. In Colorado, a patient with a runny nose was alarmed to learn from an AI-generated message that the problem could be a brain fluid leak. (It wasn’t.) A nurse hadn’t proofread carefully and mistakenly sent the message. “At times, it’s an astounding help and at times it’s of no help at all,” said Dr. C.T. Lin, who leads technology innovations at Colorado-based UC Health, where about 250 doctors and staff use a Microsoft AI tool to write the first draft of messages to patients. The messages are delivered through Epic’s patient portal. The tool had to be taught about a new RSV vaccine because it was drafting messages saying there was no such thing. But with routine advice — like rest, ice, compression and elevation for an ankle sprain — “it’s beautiful for that,” Linn said. Also on the plus side, doctors using AI are no longer tied to their computers during medical appointments. They can make eye contact with their patients because the AI tool records the exam. The tool needs audible words, so doctors are learning to explain things aloud, said Dr. Robert Bart, chief medical information officer at Pittsburgh-based UPMC. A doctor might say: “I am currently examining the right elbow. It is quite swollen. It feels like there’s fluid in the right elbow.” Talking through the exam for the benefit of the AI tool can also help patients understand what's going on, Bart said. “I’ve been in an examination where you hear the hemming and hawing while the physician is doing it. And I’m always wondering, ‘Well, what does that mean?’” WHAT ABOUT PRIVACY? U.S. law requires health care systems to get assurances from business associates that they will safeguard protected health information, and the companies could face investigation and fines from the Department of Health and Human Services if they mess up. Doctors interviewed for this article said they feel confident in the data security of the new products and that the information will not be sold. Information shared with the new tools is used to improve them, so that could add to the risk of a health care data breach. Dr. Lance Owens is chief medical information officer at the University of Michigan Health-West, where 265 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners are using a Microsoft tool to document patient exams. He believes patient data is being protected. “When they tell us that our data is safe and secure and segregated, we believe that,” Owens said.

Samsung unexpectedly revealed a new product, called the Galaxy Ring, alongside its Galaxy S24 smartphone series. However, there was very little information available about this “smart ring”, except for the expected release later this year. Recently, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the company hosted a discussion to provide some additional details about this new product category. What is the Samsung Galaxy Ring? Samsung is marketing the Galaxy Ring as a device suited for those who desire the perks of a smartwatch without being overwhelmed by excessive data. Since the smart ring doesn't have a screen for interaction, it's believed that users will find it easier to adopt and wear one. They can still enjoy health tracking features without having to learn a new interface. However, it's important to note that the ring isn't intended to replace Samsung's Galaxy Watch series. According to Hon Pak, vice president of Samsung's Digital Health Team, individuals will have the option to wear both a Galaxy Watch6 and the Galaxy Ring simultaneously, allowing them to access more comprehensive health data. Read more: Best and Worst Android OS Considering Bloatware in 2024 Invention The Galaxy Ring from Samsung represents a significant innovation in wearable technology, particularly in the realm of digital health. Unlike traditional smartwatches, the Galaxy Ring focuses on essential health tracking without the need for screen interaction, offering a minimalist and user-friendly experience. With its lightweight design and customizable options, including various sizes and finishes, it sets a new standard for comfort and personalization.  Equipped with advanced sensors for heart rate monitoring and step counting, the Galaxy Smart Ring promises to deliver comprehensive health insights in a sleek and convenient form factor. As anticipation grows for its release, it's poised to revolutionise how we approach personal health monitoring. Read more: Android TV Box: Buyer’s Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh

Fasting for the entire month during the holy month of Ramadan is essentially a hallmark of the Muslim lifestyle. A systematic plan of action is necessary to maintain health while carrying out different religious activities like fasting, prayers, recitation of holy Quran etc effectively. Nowadays, various Ramadan apps can help to track religious activities. Let's delve into the top 10 free mobile apps for Ramadan available on both Android and iOS platforms. 10 Useful Ramadan Related Apps for Free Downloads on Smartphones  Al Quran (Tafsir and By Word) Developed by Greentech Apps Foundation on August 26, 2016, this app serves as a dedicated platform for studying and memorizing the Quran. It includes translations of every word in more than 35 languages, including Bengali, and offers access to over 70 tafsir. Users can listen to Quran recitations by more than 30 renowned reciters. This app provides statistics on previously completed verses during each recitation. Its self-contained library is made accessible through the verse bookmark feature. All these features are available without any cost and free from all sorts of in-app advertising. The current version is 1.26.1, last updated on February 22, 2024. It requires a smartphone OS (operating system) of at least Android 5 to run, and the Android app size is 21 MB. It has been downloaded over 5 million times and holds an average rating of 4.8 stars from 28,400 reviewers. The iOS version is 26.2 MB in size and has hit a pristine 4.9 stars after 348 reviews. It is compatible with iOS 14.2 or later versions. Read more: Best Quran Apps for Android: Read the Holy Book Online Tarteel: Quran Memorization When it comes to reciting the Quran directly from a mobile screen, Tarteel is the best. It utilizes AI to track the reciter's voice, displaying the corresponding verse on the screen with each recitation. It is free to use and does not contain any ads. However, there is a premium version, which offers various advanced features such as error correction in reciting. Released on January 31, 2016, Tarteel is crafted by Tarteel Inc. The mobile app requires 108 to 120 MB of storage, depending on different Android phones, and the OS must be Android 5 or higher. The latest version is 5.38.1, updated on March 6, 2024. With over 1 million downloads, it has been rated 4.7 stars with 38,000 reviews contributing. The iOS version’s size registers at 198.7 MB and requires at least iOS 13.4 to run. It has reached a 4.7-star rating from more than 2,500 reviewers. Read more: Free English-Speaking Mobile Apps for the Non-native Speakers Quran Majeed – Ramadan 2024 The most appealing aspect of this app, developed by Pakdata, is its user-friendly interface. Users can freely repeat verses, pause, and adjust speed while reading or memorizing the Quran. Additionally, the app features a Qibla direction compass, live streaming from Makkah and Madinah, a Hijri calendar, and a Quranic engagement meter. Created on August 18, 2014, and last updated on March 8, 2024, the app's current version is 7.3.2, requiring Android 5 or higher to run. With a storage capacity ranging from 54 MB to 120 MB, it has been downloaded over 10 million times and holds a score of 4.7 stars from 793,000 reviews. The iOS version holds a score of 4.8 stars from over 200,000 ratings. It consumes 137.5 MB of space and is compatible with iOS 12 or later versions. Read more: 10 Best Audiobook Apps for Android, iOS

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 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.’”

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.

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.

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 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.