Tech
Find Bus Routes in Dhaka with 6 Android Apps
Navigating public transportation routes in this crowded city of Dhaka poses a challenge. The labyrinth of bus transit lines confounds both commuters from the city and from outside. Amidst this urban maze, the advent of cutting-edge mobile applications to find public transport makes life a bit easier. Let’s explore the useful mobile apps to find bus routes in Dhaka city.
6 Handy Mobile Apps to Locate Bus Routes in Dhaka
Bus Route: Dhaka City
It was launched on October 3, 2023. This app, developed by Puresoft Solutions, includes a comprehensive list of bus commute lines and integrates with Google Maps. The service was last updated on October 16.
This smart solution provides a user-friendly experience by allowing users to select their starting point and destination. Additionally, passengers can conveniently check stations near their current location. This feature enables catching a desired bus from any nearby location, even without knowing the station's names.
All station and bus movement information is directly accessible on Google Maps. The app offers language flexibility, allowing users to view content in both Bengali and English. Furthermore, users can change the interface's appearance to suit their preferences.
The digital service, identified as version 1.1.1, is compatible with Android 5 and above. Over the last two months, it has garnered more than 5,000 downloads and earned a commendable 4.4-star rating from 54 reviews. This 11 MB Android application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
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Dhaka City Bus Route
Launched on April 18, 2017, this mobile app, with a modest size of 4.2 MB, is a creation of 71 Lab. It stands out for its exceptional user-friendly search feature, allowing users the freedom to explore various routes without any limitations.
Beyond its primary function, the app enhances user experience by providing additional features such as directions to Dhaka's notable points of interest, crucial contact numbers for emergency services, and legal assistance.
The mobile software's journey continues with its latest version, designated as version 15, which received an update on November 28, 2023. Offering compatibility with Android 4.4 and higher operating systems, the app has garnered significant attention. With a remarkable 50,000-plus downloads, it has earned a commendable 3.7-star rating given by a diverse user base of 270 reviews so far.
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Dhaka Bus Route
Developed by Coderco, this Android app was launched on August 24, 2023. With a size of 5.8 MB, this app has quickly become a reliable database, encompassing not only local buses but also providing information on seating and counter buses. This app helps to locate of the public transport service in Dhaka
The app's journey through versions continues, with the current version standing at 2.2, a steadfast continuation since the last update on November 27, 2023. With a download count exceeding 1,000, the digital solution has garnered a favorable 4.3-star rating evaluated by a user community of 36 reviews.
To run this app, users need an Android 7.0 and above operating system on their phones.
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Dhaka City Bus Routes
This app by Ncosync has a download size of 14 MB. Launched on May 26, 2023, this app offers an expansive database, featuring over 156 buses and more than 287 route lists. This app's standout features include an effective search function and visuals of buses, providing users with a unique and comprehensive experience.
Updated on August 26, 2023, the app, currently at version 11.0.0, has seen its downloads surpass 1,000 since its launch. Compatible with Android 5 and above, it has earned a respectable 3.5-star rating from 15 reviews.
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BD Bus Route
With a download size of 6.1 MB, this app was released on November 14, 2021. Developed by the NewAgeDevs, this Android app allows users to view the routes of over 150 buses with ease. Its user-friendly interface has contributed to its impressive download count, exceeding 10,000. Featuring images of the vehicles, this app caters even to newcomers, providing a visual understanding of the various buses traversing the streets of Dhaka city.
Having achieved a 3.6-star rating from 27 reviewers, the Android app was last updated on November 6, 2023, reaching version 1.1.2. Compatibility requires at least Android 5 for uninterrupted functionality.
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Kon Bus Kothay Jay (Dhaka City)
Also known as Bus Route Info (Dhaka City), this 6.2 MB app by Global Digital Apps made its debut on the Google Play Store on November 25, 2021. The mobile software provides individual roadmaps for each bus company, offering users a comprehensive view of the diverse routes available.
One of its notable features is the ability to show fares based on rates set by the national transport authority. This is made possible through a direct link to another digital service, 'Vara Koto? Bus Vara Talika,' also offered by Global Digital Apps.
With a 3.6-star rating from 28 reviewers, the Android app has been downloaded more than 5,000 times. The current version, 2.2, was updated on August 14, 2023, requiring a minimum Android 5 operating system for smooth operation.
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Verdict
So far, we have discussed 6 Android apps to find bus routes in Dhaka city. All of these mobile apps focus on the feature of information on bus traffic across the city. However, 71 Lab's veteran solution has secured its position in the market due to maintaining a consistent update. NewAgeDevs and Global Digital Apps lead in terms of the highest number of downloads in the shortest period. Not having been updated very recently could pose a significant drawback for Global Digital Apps' app, as well as Ncosync's.
Finally, if user preferences are considered, the apps developed by Coderco and Puresoft Solutions have great potential.
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Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
On November 29th, 2023, Xiaomi unveiled three new devices, including the Redmi K70. This device appears as a worthy successor to the Redmi K60, boasting several enhancements over its predecessors. Xiaomi has managed to deliver notable improvements in K70 while keeping its price at a mid-range level. Let’s take a look at the key specs, pros, cons, and price of the Redmi K70.
Key Features of Xiaomi Redmi K70
Design
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 combines a sleek and lightweight design, weighing 209g and measuring 160.9 mm by 75 mm by 8.2 mm. The dual Nano-SIM capability enhances network flexibility, catering to diverse user needs. The subtle design changes include a modified photo module block, a distinct texture on the glass panel, and a reduced steel size relative to the display frame.
The plastic edging, while maintaining durability, reflects cost-saving measures. The device's thickness stands at 8.2mm, contributing to its ergonomic feel in hand. Although lacking weather-sealing for splash resistance, the Redmi K70 impresses with a manageable weight, compact dimensions, and a volumetric capacity of 98.95cm³, making it a practical and stylish choice for users seeking a balanced smartphone experience.
Read more: Most Hyped Smartphones Releasing in December 2023
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 impresses with a visually stunning 6.67-inch OLED screen, boasting a 1440 by 3200 pixels resolution that ensures intricate details in visuals. With a 120Hz refresh rate, the display delivers seamless and fluid motion across various media, enhancing the overall user experience.
Notably, the screen achieves an industry-leading peak brightness of 4000 nits, setting a new standard for comfortable viewing even under bright sunlight. The incorporation of an AI algorithm elevates the display further by upscaling select apps and video games, ensuring crisp and vibrant visuals. The technology behind the screen includes OLED/AMOLED, offering vibrant colors.
With a pixel density of 526 ppi, the Redmi K70 ensures clarity and sharpness in image rendering. The support for HDR10 and HDR10+ technologies, along with Dolby Vision, enhances color depth and contrast for a lifelike visual experience. The inclusion of features like an always-on display and a touch sampling rate of 480Hz adds to the device's appeal, making the Redmi K70 a standout choice for those seeking a top-tier display in a smartphone.
Cameras
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 boasts an impressive camera setup, featuring a 50MP primary sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and 1/1.55-inch size for exceptional image quality. The main sensor is equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), ensuring steady videos and sharp photos even in dynamic conditions.
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Complementing this, the 8MP ultrawide lens and 2MP macro sensor enhance versatility, enabling users to capture a wide range of scenes with detail and clarity.
The front camera sports a 16MP sensor, perfect for high-resolution selfies.
Noteworthy features include built-in optical image stabilization, continuous autofocus for video recording, and phase-detection autofocus for photos, ensuring sharp and clear shots.
With the main sensor, this device can shoot 8K footage at 24fps, 4K videos at 24/30/60fps, 1080p videos at 30/60/120/240/960fps, and 720p footage at 1920fps. It has a gyro-EIS feature.
The front camera is capable of capturing 1080p videos at 30/60fps with gyro-EIS.
The inclusion of slow-motion video recording, dual-tone LED flash, HDR mode, and manual exposure settings further elevate the camera capabilities, making the Redmi K70 a reliable choice for photography enthusiasts seeking diverse and high-quality imaging experiences.
Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023?
Performance and Software
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 4nm processor, offering robust performance for games and applications, despite being one generation behind the latest Qualcomm chip. Its graphic section is equipped with GPU Adreno 740.
Paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the device excels in handling resource-intensive tasks and ensures smooth multitasking.
With internal storage options reaching up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, the Redmi K70 provides ample space for fast data transfers and extensive file storage.
Running on Android 14, the device introduces advanced privacy features, including clipboard warnings, location privacy options, and camera/microphone privacy controls. Additionally, users can enjoy theme customization, personalizing their devices according to their preferences.
The Redmi K70's hardware specifications, coupled with the latest Android version, promise a seamless and feature-rich experience for users, making it a compelling choice in the smartphone market.
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Battery and Charger
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery, ensuring a reliable power source for extended usage. What sets it apart is its exceptional charging capability, supporting a blazing-fast 120W wired charging system.
With PD3.0 and QC3+ compatibility, the device boasts an advertised 100% charge in just 18 minutes. This impressive charging speed adds convenience to the user experience, addressing power needs swiftly and efficiently, making the Redmi K70 a compelling choice for those seeking a quick and reliable charging solution.
Pros and Cons of Xiaomi Redmi K70
Pros
- Sleek and lightweight design- Up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage- Android 14 with privacy features- 120W wired charging- 8K video footage.
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Cons
- Lack of weather-sealing- Plastic edging- Specific wide aperture details not provided
Price of Redmi K70
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 is priced at CNY 2499 in China, which translates to BDT 38786 in Bangladesh. The conversion rate between Chinese Yuan (CNY) and Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) is CNY 1 = BDT 15.52. So, if you're considering the cost in Bangladesh, it would be BDT 38786 based on the current exchange rate.
Summing Up
Redmi K70 with a well-balanced package with a sleek design, robust RAM, a powerful processor, and a smart display. The camera setup is also decent. One of the most remarkable features is 120W wired charging, promising a full charge in just 18 minutes. Its 8K video recording is also impressive. However, the device lacks weather-sealing and comes with plastic edging.
On the whole, Redmi K70 is a compelling choice for users seeking a feature-rich smartphone at a competitive price point. It won’t be overwhelming to say that Xiaomi Redmi K70 is a contender for the best mid-range smartphone of 2023.
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realme launches 'Year-End Sale-Bration' campaign
realme has launched its "Year-End Sale-Bration" campaign to enhance the celebration of the holiday month and end the year with a blast.”
The sale is only available in stores, and the campaign will end till the stock lasts, according to a press release.
Also read: vivo unveils Y27s smartphone
In the "Year-End Sale-Bration" realme C55 (6+128GB) is only available at Tk 19,999 for customers, it said.
The consumer electronics company is offering the realme C53 (6+128GB), for Tk 15,999.
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Customers can buy the C51 (4+64GB) with 50MP AI cameras for Tk 12,999, added the release.
Those seeking a device with a powerful processor but at a reasonable price can purchase either the C30s (2+32GB) for Tk 8,999 or the C30s (3+64GB) for Tk 10,999, it said.
Meta's initial decisions to remove 2 videos of Israel-Hamas war is reversed by Oversight Board
A quasi-independent review board is recommending that Facebook parent company Meta overturn two decisions it made this fall to remove posts “informing the world about human suffering on both sides” of the Israel-Hamas war.
In both cases, Meta ended up reinstating the posts — one showing Palestinian casualties and the other, an Israeli hostage — on its own, although it added warning screens to both due to violent content. This means the company isn't obligated to do anything about the board's decision.
That said, the board also said it disagrees with Meta's decision to bar the posts in question from being recommended by Facebook and Instagram, “even in cases where it had determined posts intended to raise awareness.” And it said Meta's use of automated tools to remove “potentially harmful” content increased the likelihood of taking down “valuable posts” that not only raise awareness about the conflict but may contain evidence of human rights violations. It urged the company to preserve such content.
The Oversight Board, established three years ago by Meta, issued its decisions Tuesday in what it said was its first expedited ruling — taking 12 days rather than the usual 90.
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In one case, the board said, Instagram removed a video showing what appears to be the aftermath of a strike on or near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The post shows Palestinians, including children, injured or killed. Meta's automated systems removed the post saying it violated its rules against violent and graphic content. While Meta eventually reversed its decision, the board said, it placed a warning screen on the post and demoted it, which means it was not recommended to users and fewer people saw it. The board said it disagrees with the decision to demote the video.
The other case concerns video posted to Facebook of an Israeli woman begging her kidnappers not to kill her as she is taken hostage during the Hamas raids on Israel on Oct. 7.
Users appealed Meta's decision to remove the posts and the cases went to the Oversight Board. The board said it saw an almost three-fold increase in the daily average of appeals marked by users as related to the Middle East and North Africa region in the weeks following Oct. 7.
Meta said it welcomes the board's decision.
Read: In Hamas captivity, an Israeli mother found the strength to survive in her 2 young daughters
“Both expression and safety are important to us and the people who use our services. The board overturned Meta’s original decision to take this content down but approved of the subsequent decision to restore the content with a warning screen. Meta previously reinstated this content so no further action will be taken on it,” the company said. “There will be no further updates to this case, as the board did not make any recommendations as part of their decision.”
In a briefing on the cases, the board said Meta confirmed it had temporarily lowered thresholds for automated tools to detect and remove potentially violating content.
“While reducing the risk of harmful content, it also increased the likelihood of mistakenly removing valuable, non-violating content from its platforms,” the Oversight Board said, adding that as of Dec. 11, Meta had not restored the thresholds to pre-Oct. 7 levels.
Meta, then called Facebook, launched the Oversight Board in 2020 in response to criticism that it wasn’t moving fast enough to remove misinformation, hate speech and influence campaigns from its platforms. The board has 22 members, a multinational group that includes legal scholars, human rights experts and journalists.
The board’s rulings, such as in these two cases, are binding but its broader policy findings are advisory and Meta is not obligated to follow them.
Microsoft empowers partners to drive digital transformations for businesses
In a bid to foster technological growth and drive conversations on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformations, Microsoft Bangladesh recently organised the 'Partner Leadership Conclave.'
The event aimed to empower its partners, who play a pivotal role in steering the country's progress in an era defined by technological innovations.
Amidst the rapidly evolving digital landscape, Microsoft's partners are recognised for their instrumental role in propelling growth and ensuring maximum impact in Bangladesh. The Partner Leadership Conclave was a platform to acknowledge and appreciate their significant contributions in building a robust digital ecosystem within the country.
The event saw the presence of key figures from Microsoft, including Md. Yousup Faruqu, Country Managing Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal; Samik Roy, Executive Director, Corporate, Medium and Small Business, Microsoft India & South Asia; and Mithun Sundar, Executive Director, Chief Partner Officer, Microsoft India & South Asia. Approximately 30 partner organizations actively participated in the conclave.
Over the past few years, Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable progress in building a strong digital economy. The event underscored the potential for further advancement by leveraging the capabilities of startups and industries to harness the latest technology. Participants and experts emphasized the pivotal role of AI in driving a transformational journey.
Md. Yousup Faruqu expressed optimism about Bangladesh's digital transformation journey, stating, "Bangladesh has gone a long way in implementing digital transformation in all spheres, and the country has endless potential. It's possible to expedite this transformational journey by harnessing the power of AI."
The speakers at the conclave shed light on Microsoft's AI-based solutions, with a focus on offerings like Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Fabric. Copilot has proven effective in improving productivity across various industries, with 70% of users reporting increased productivity and 68% noting an improvement in the quality of their work. Microsoft Fabric, an AI-powered platform, reshapes how teams work with data, fostering a data culture within organizations.
Microsoft's AI innovations, including Fabric and Copilot, are poised to revolutionize how people access, manage, and act on data. These unified and trusted platforms have the potential to support organizations in exploring, building, testing, and deploying AI-fueled actions all in one place.
The conclave highlighted the crucial role played by Microsoft Bangladesh's partners in driving customer success and empowering them on their AI journey. These partnerships ensure the seamless integration of innovative technologies to meet the evolving needs of customers, facilitating a continued partnership between Microsoft and its collaborators.
Epic Games wins antitrust lawsuit against Google over barriers to its Android app store
A federal court jury has decided that Google’s Android app store has been protected by anticompetitive barriers that have damaged smartphone consumers and software developers, dealing a blow to a major pillar of a technology empire.
The unanimous verdict reached Monday came after just three hours of deliberation following a four-week trial revolving around a lucrative payment system within Google’s Play Store. The store is the main place where hundreds of millions of people around the world download and install apps that work on smartphones powered by Google’s Android software.
Epic Games, the maker of the popular Fortnite video game, filed a lawsuit against Google three years ago, alleging that the internet search giant has been abusing its power to shield its Play Store from competition in order to protect a gold mine that makes billions of dollars annually. Just as Apple does for its iPhone app store, Google collects a commission ranging from 15% to 30% on digital transactions completed within apps.
Apple prevailed in a similar case that Epic brought against the iPhone app store. But that 2021 trial was decided by a federal judge in a ruling that is under appeal at the U.S. Supreme Court.
The nine-person jury in the Play Store case apparently saw things through a different lens, even though Google technically allows Android apps to be downloaded from different stores — an option that Apple prohibits on the iPhone.
Just before the Play Store trial started, Google sought to avoid having a jury determine the outcome, only to have its request rejected by U.S. District Judge James Donato. Now it will be up to Donato to determine what steps Google will have to take to unwind its illegal behavior in the Play Store. The judge indicated he will hold hearings on the issue during the second week of January.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney broke into a wide grin after the verdict was read and slapped his lawyers on the back and also shook the hand of a Google attorney, whom he thanked for his professional attitude during the proceedings.
“Victory over Google!” Sweeney wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. In a company post, Epic hailed the verdict as “a win for all app developers and consumers around the world.”
Google plans to appeal the verdict, according to a statement from Wilson White, the company’s vice president of government affairs and public policy.
“Android and Google Play provide more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform,” White said.
Depending on how the judge enforces the jury's verdict, Google could lose billions of dollars in annual profit generated from its Play Store commissions. The company's main source of revenue — digital advertising tied mostly to its search engine, Gmail and other services — won't be directly affected by the trial's outcome.
The jury reached its decision after listening to two hours of closing arguments from the lawyers on the opposing sides of the case.
Epic lawyer Gary Bornstein depicted Google as a ruthless bully that deploys a “bribe and block” strategy to discourage competition against its Play Store for Android apps. Google lawyer Jonathan Kravis attacked Epic as a self-interested game maker trying to use the courts to save itself money while undermining an ecosystem that has spawned billions of Android smartphones to compete against Apple and its iPhone.
Much of the lawyers’ dueling arguments touched upon the testimony from a litany of witnesses who came to court during the trial.
The key witnesses included Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who sometimes seemed like a professor explaining complex topics while standing behind a lectern because of a health issue, and Sweeney, who painted himself as a video game lover on a mission to take down a greedy tech titan.
In his closing argument for Epic, Bornstein railed against Google for exploiting its power over the Android software in a way that "has led to higher prices for developers and consumers, as well as less innovation and quality.”
Google has staunchly defended the commissions as a way to help recoup the more than $40 billion that it has poured into building into the Android software that it has been giving away since 2007 to manufacturers to compete against the iPhone.
“Android phones cannot compete against the iPhone without a great app store on them,” Kravis asserted in his closing argument. “The competition between the app stores is tied to the competition between the phones.”
But Bornstein ridiculed the notion of Google and Android competing against Apple and its incompatible iPhone software system. “Apple is not the ‘get out of jail for free’ card that Google wants it to be,” Bornstein told the jury.
Google also pointed to rival Android app stores such as the one that Samsung installs on its popular smartphones as evidence of a free market. Combined with the rival app stores pre-installed on devices made by other companies, more than 60% of Android phones offer alternative outlets for Android apps.
Epic, though, presented evidence asserting the notion that Google welcomes competition as a pretense, citing the hundreds of billions of dollars it has doled out to companies, such as game maker Activision Blizzard, to discourage them from opening rival app stores. Besides making these payments, Bornstein also urged the jury to consider the Google “scare screens” that pop up, warning consumers of potential security threats when they try to download Android apps from some of the alternatives to the Play Store.
“These are classic anticompetitive strategies used by dominant firms to protect their monopolies,” Bornstein said.
Google's empire could be further undermined by another major antitrust trial in Washington that will be decided by a federal judge after hearing final arguments in May. That trial has cast a spotlight on Google's cozy relationship with Apple in online search, the technology that turned Google into a household word a few years after two former Stanford University graduate students started the company in a Silicon Valley garage in 1998.
Sajeeb Wazed discusses Smart Bangladesh vision with Gen Z
Sajeeb Wazed, known for his role in revolutionizing Bangladesh's digital landscape, recently engaged with a diverse group of young people in an interactive session.
The event, part of the signature initiative 'Let's Talk', brought together about 200 youths from various parts of the country.
Also read: Sajeeb Wazed cites reports on involvement of BNP men in arson attacks, ‘exposing cover-up drama’
The participants, selected through a competitive process involving online registration, had the opportunity to ask questions on a broad range of topics, from politics to the concept of Smart Bangladesh.
Responding to a query, Wazed expressed his confidence in the youth, acknowledging their potential and achievements in various sectors as crucial for a brighter future for Bangladesh. He emphasized that the growing economy would create more employment opportunities for young people, aligning with the future vision of the country.
Also read: Sajeeb Wazed takes questions on Smart Bangladesh in ‘Let’s Talk’ to be aired on Friday
Sajeeb Wazed, chairperson of Center for Research and Information (CRI), clarified the difference between Smart and Digital Bangladesh. He explained that ongoing plans aim to integrate artificial intelligence and microprocessor development into the country's vision.
As the driving force behind the Digital Bangladesh campaign, a key initiative of the Awami League, Wazed reflected on the challenges faced in transforming the country's digital landscape. He recalled a time before their commitment when there was no internet access and a scarcity of smartphones in the country. Now, Bangladesh proudly hosts smartphone manufacturing plants and local companies are producing high-tech gadgets.
Also read: A targeted ‘disinformation campaign’ over Sajeeb Wazed’s recent Dhaka visit
The Digital Bangladesh vision, presented by the Awami League, has garnered enthusiastic support from the youth, bringing significant changes to the country. During the session, Sajeeb Wazed also considered the diverse views and concerns of the young participants, including those from rural and urban areas.
The event, marking the 51st episode of 'Let's Talk', saw the attendance of teachers and high achievers, providing a platform for youths to voice their thoughts and ideas.
vivo unveils Y27s smartphone
Smartphone manufacturer “vivo” has introduced its latest mid-range smartphone, the "Y27s,” in Bangladesh, specialising in gaming and video streaming.
Similar to the gaming experience of “Call of Duty” in the Y series, the Y27s enhances gaming and addresses battery life concerns through efficient charging, according to a press release.
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This new smartphone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery and a 44-watt, powerful flash charger. The price of the vivo Y27s is set at Tk 22,999, it said.
With a full charge, the vivo Y27s can support continuous music playback for 18 hours, uninterrupted YouTube video viewing for up to 20 hours, and hassle-free enjoyment of Instagram or YouTube reels for a solid 12 hours.
The vivo Y27s smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 680 processor and operates on the Funtouch OS 13 operating system.
Also read: vivo V29e 5G Review: Is this mid-range phone rightly priced?
The vivo Y27s features Extended RAM Technology 3.0, providing 8GB of RAM. Additionally, there is an option to expand the RAM by another 8GB. The smartphone comes with 128GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1 terabyte, said the release.
Available in Burgundy Black and Garden Green colours, vivo Y27s features a dual-camera ring design and a fantasy frame on the back side. With a 2.5D flat frame, the smartphone weighs just 192 grammes, and its thickness is only 8.17 mm, providing a comfortable grip, it sad.
It has a 6.64-inch multi-touch capacitive LCD display with a resolution of 2388 x 1080. This Full HD+ display offers a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a fantastic visual experience for watching video content. With a pixel density of 394 PPI and a 99% NTSC colour gamut, the display ensures vibrant and accurate colours, enhancing the enjoyment of video content.
On the camera front, the vivo Y27s features an 8-megapixel front camera and an impressive 50-megapixel rear camera, promising delightful photography experiences. The 2-megapixel bokeh lens adds a touch of artistry to selfies or portrait photography.
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Huawei awards top 3 ICT seeds in Bangladesh
Huawei awarded the top three participants of the Seeds for the Future 2023 Bangladesh on Saturday at Huawei Bangladesh Academy in the capital’s Gulshan.
The top three seeds from this year’s competition are Barisha Chowdhury (champion), department of CSE, RUET; Subeh Tarek (1st runner-up), department of BTM, IUT and Farsia Kawsar Chowdhury, department of ME, BUET (2nd runner-up), said a press reelase.
Shyam Sunder Sikder, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC); Lizongsheng, board member of Huawei South Asia Region, & Prof. Dr. Engr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Vice-Chancellor of RUET handed over the prizes and certificates to the winners.
The top ‘seeds’ (winners) have been selected on the basis of performance in exams, project and team work and interviews at ‘Tech4Good’, the global competition round of Seeds for The Future.
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The champion has received a Huawei Laptop, and the runner ups have received Huawei Tab and Huawei Smart watch as prizes for their outstanding performance. Apart from them, top 10 participants received a completion certificate from Huawei.
The award-giving ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Engr. MD. Jahangir Alam, Vice-Chancellor, RUET and other dignitaries also.
The event began with a speech by Lizongsheng, Board Member and it included a ‘Seeds for the Future 2023’ overview, experience stories from ex-seeds and speeches from special guests and chief guest.
Shyam Sunder Sikder said, "I believe one day, all the winner seeds from Seeds for the Future will become brilliant assets of different sectors our country. I want to thank Huawei for giving such a great opportunity to the young people of Bangladesh through their flagship initiative. Without Huawei, the telecom infrastructure of Bangladesh would not have grown significantly, side by side, I believe Huawei has enabled a great environment of learning through Seeds for the Future.”
Europe reaches a deal on the world’s first comprehensive AI rules
Union negotiators clinched a deal Friday on the world’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence rules, paving the way for legal oversight of AI technology that has promised to transform everyday life and spurred warnings of existential dangers to humanity.
Negotiators from the European Parliament and the bloc’s 27 member countries overcame big differences on controversial points including generative AI and police use of face recognition surveillance to sign a tentative political agreement for the Artificial Intelligence Act.
“Deal!” tweeted European Commissioner Thierry Breton just before midnight. “The EU becomes the very first continent to set clear rules for the use of AI.”
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The result came after marathon closed-door talks this week, with the initial session lasting 22 hours before a second round kicked off Friday morning.Officials were under the gun to secure a political victory for the flagship legislation. Civil society groups, however, gave it a cool reception as they wait for technical details that will need to be ironed out in the coming weeks. They said the deal didn’t go far enough in protecting people from harm caused by AI systems.
“Today’s political deal marks the beginning of important and necessary technical work on crucial details of the AI Act, which are still missing,” said Daniel Friedlaender, head of the European office of the Computer and Communications Industry Association, a tech industry lobby group.
The EU took an early lead in the global race to draw up AI guardrails when it unveiled the first draft of its rulebook in 2021. The recent boom in generative AI, however, sent European officials scrambling to update a proposal poised to serve as a blueprint for the world.
The European Parliament will still need to vote on the act early next year, but with the deal done that’s a formality, Brando Benifei, an Italian lawmaker co-leading the body’s negotiating efforts, told The Associated Press late Friday.
“It’s very very good,” he said by text message after being asked if it included everything he wanted. “Obviously we had to accept some compromises but overall very good.” The eventual law wouldn’t fully take effect until 2025 at the earliest, and threatens stiff financial penalties for violations of up to 35 million euros ($38 million) or 7% of a company’s global turnover.
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Generative AI systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT have exploded into the world’s consciousness, dazzling users with the ability to produce human-like text, photos and songs but raising fears about the risks the rapidly developing technology poses to jobs, privacy and copyright protection and even human life itself.
Now, the U.S., U.K., China and global coalitions like the Group of 7 major democracies have jumped in with their own proposals to regulate AI, though they’re still catching up to Europe.
Strong and comprehensive rules from the EU “can set a powerful example for many governments considering regulation,” said Anu Bradford, a Columbia Law School professor who’s an expert on EU law and digital regulation. Other countries “may not copy every provision but will likely emulate many aspects of it.”
AI companies subject to the EU’s rules will also likely extend some of those obligations outside the continent, she said. “After all, it is not efficient to re-train separate models for different markets,” she said.
The AI Act was originally designed to mitigate the dangers from specific AI functions based on their level of risk, from low to unacceptable. But lawmakers pushed to expand it to foundation models, the advanced systems that underpin general purpose AI services like ChatGPT and Google’s Bard chatbot.
Foundation models looked set to be one of the biggest sticking points for Europe. However, negotiators managed to reach a tentative compromise early in the talks, despite opposition led by France, which called instead for self-regulation to help homegrown European generative AI companies competing with big U.S rivals, including OpenAI’s backer Microsoft.
Also known as large language models, these systems are trained on vast troves of written works and images scraped off the internet. They give generative AI systems the ability to create something new, unlike traditional AI, which processes data and completes tasks using predetermined rules.
The companies building foundation models will have to draw up technical documentation, comply with EU copyright law and detail the content used for training. The most advanced foundation models that pose “systemic risks” will face extra scrutiny, including assessing and mitigating those risks, reporting serious incidents, putting cybersecurity measures in place and reporting their energy efficiency.
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Researchers have warned that powerful foundation models, built by a handful of big tech companies, could be used to supercharge online disinformation and manipulation, cyberattacks or creation of bioweapons.
Rights groups also caution that the lack of transparency about data used to train the models poses risks to daily life because they act as basic structures for software developers building AI-powered services.
What became the thorniest topic was AI-powered face recognition surveillance systems, and negotiators found a compromise after intensive bargaining.
European lawmakers wanted a full ban on public use of face scanning and other “remote biometric identification” systems because of privacy concerns. But governments of member countries succeeded in negotiating exemptions so law enforcement could use them to tackle serious crimes like child sexual exploitation or terrorist attacks.
Rights groups said they were concerned about the exemptions and other big loopholes in the AI Act, including lack of protection for AI systems used in migration and border control, and the option for developers to opt-out of having their systems classified as high risk.
“Whatever the victories may have been in these final negotiations, the fact remains that huge flaws will remain in this final text,” said Daniel Leufer, a senior policy analyst at the digital rights group Access Now.