GADGETS & SERVICES_2026-04-06

Aloha hosts 18th national abacus competition

Aloha Bangladesh held its 18th National Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Competition on 3-4 April 2026 at International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka, drawing over 3,400 students from 600 schools. Participants were tasked with solving 70 complex sums within five minutes, with many achieving 100 per cent accuracy.
The event was inaugurated by ALOHA founder Loh Mun Sung. On the second day, winners were awarded in the presence of international and local dignitaries, including Kiran Matwani and Algerian Ambassador Dr Abdelouahab Saidani.
Managing Director Md Ali Haider Chowdhury said the initiative aims to build future leaders through cognitive development. Winners will represent Bangladesh at the Aloha International Competition in Panama. Aloha Bangladesh has been operating since 2006 and organising the national contest since 2008.

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OPPO A6k launched with focus on performance

OPPO has launched the A6k smartphone in Bangladesh ahead of Pohela Boishakh, offering a blend of performance and practicality. The device features a 50MP camera with AI tools, including portrait retouching and night mode.
Powered by the Snapdragon 685 processor, the phone includes a 6,500mAh battery designed for long-term use, along with reverse charging. It also offers a 120Hz display for smoother visuals and AI-based enhancements such as AI GameBoost and LinkBoost.
Priced at Tk 19,999 for the 4GB+128GB variant, the device comes in Crystal Blue and Crystal Violet. Buyers will receive a 90-day replacement guarantee and a two-year warranty, alongside promotional offers including EMI facility and gift items during the festive campaign.

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Kaspersky leads global cybersecurity rankings

Kaspersky secured top-three positions in 90 per cent of independent cybersecurity tests in 2025, reinforcing its global leadership. Between 2013 and 2025, the company participated in over 1,100 tests, achieving 965 top-three finishes.
Its EDR Expert solution became the first to pass all AV-Comparatives certification stages, while Endpoint Security earned multiple protection awards. Small Office Security and consumer products such as Kaspersky Premium also received top ratings.
Company officials said the results reflect consistent performance and rigorous testing across diverse threat environments. In Asia-Pacific, where digitalisation is expanding rapidly, the recognition highlights the firm's commitment to delivering reliable protection for both enterprises and individual users.

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Galaxy S26 Ultra sees record pre-orders

Samsung Bangladesh has reported record demand for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with pre-orders reaching three times those of the previous S25 Ultra. The entire pre-order stock has sold out, with deliveries set to conclude by 20 April.
The S26 series, launched globally in February, includes the S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26 models. The Ultra variant has attracted the most interest due to its premium design and advanced AI features.
In Bangladesh, the S26 Ultra is priced at Tk 199,999 for the 12/256GB version and Tk 228,999 for 12/512GB. The company is offering 0 per cent interest EMI for 12 months to support purchases. Devices are now available at authorised outlets nationwide.

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Infinix Note 60 Series reflects changing smartphone priorities

Smartphone preferences in Bangladesh are shifting from specifications to overall user experience, with consumers prioritising usability, design and reliability. The newly launched Infinix Note 60 Series reflects this trend, combining performance with lifestyle integration.
The devices feature a refined metallic design, durable glass protection and IP65 resistance. Performance is driven by processors such as Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and MediaTek Dimensity 7400, focusing on stability rather than peak benchmarks.
With features like a 50MP AI camera and 6,500mAh battery, the series supports daily usage needs including communication and content creation. Industry observers note that mid-range smartphones are increasingly expected to deliver a balanced, all-round experience rather than isolated high-end features.