In context: Discord has proven popular among both gamers and general users, but it's not without its flaws. The messaging and social platform has previously been accused of exposing children to abuse and graphic content by not adequately protecting underage users from predators. This has prompted the company to implement stricter terms of service regarding CSAM and other sensitive content. Discord is currently running a limited test involving age verification through facial scanning technologies. The company confirmed that the test aims to "age-gate access" to specific spaces or features, while also disclosing how personal data is shared with third-party vendors. Privacy preservation appears to be a priority, according to Discord, with the test primarily targeting younger users attempting to access sensitive or potentially unlawful content on the platform. The company stated that the data used to verify a user's age is only processed once and is not stored on Discord's servers. Age verification can be conducted either via biometric technology or through ID verification. The face-scanning solution used in the test operates locally on the device, meaning no biometric data should be collected or sent through the network. ID verification, on the other hand, involves scanning an official ID document using the phone's camera. According to Discord, the scanned ID is deleted after the user's age is confirmed. The test is currently underway in the United Kingdom and Australia, both of which have become increasingly active in the fields of age verification and biometric identification. In recent years, UK authorities have been working to integrate age verification technologies into online platforms and adult websites. Meanwhile, Australia has opted for a stricter approach, planning to ban users under 16 from accessing social media altogether – a measure expected to take effect by the end of 2025. According to the BBC, these types of restrictive age-verification laws are not isolated measures, but part of a broader shift in digital regulation. Social media expert Matt Navarra points out that regulatory bodies are actively seeking effective methods to identify underage users online, with facial recognition emerging as one of the fastest solutions. // Related Stories At the same time, Australia's approach appears to be favoring platforms based on their perceived value to younger audiences. Services like YouTube, which may offer educational benefits, are likely to be exempt from the forthcoming age restrictions. Critics – including competing platforms such as TikTok – argue that Australian authorities are arbitrarily deciding which services to exclude from the ban.

Narwal Freo Z10 review: the best for less MSRP $1,100.00 Score Details “The Narwal Freo Z10 takes all the best features of the Freo Z Ultra, then drops its price by $400 -- making it one of the best robot vacuums of 2025.” Pros Unique side brush design Excellent mopping performance 120-day base station emptying Anti-tangle vacuum system Cons Competitors have more suction Lacks self-cleaning of Freo Z Ultra Table of Contents Table of Contents An affordable Freo Z Ultra Daily cleanings, obstacle navigation, and automated maintenance Verdict Narwal is one of the most popular robot vacuum manufacturers, having sold around 2 million units since its inception in 2016. Products like the Narwal Freo Z Ultra and Freo X Ultra offer innovative features not found on much of the competition — but instead of reinventing the wheel with the new Freo Z10, Narwal is taking its predecessor’s best features and bundling them into an affordable new footprint. Recommended Videos To be clear, the Freo Z10 isn’t an entry-level model. And it’s not exactly cheap. But $1,100 is an excellent price for everything offered by the latest Narwal robot vacuum. Along with incredible mopping skills, you’re getting a powerful base station that handles most maintenance, 15,000Pa of suction, and cool design tweaks that prevent tangles. A few corners had to be cut to hit the new price — but if you’re seeking a premium robot vacuum that saves you hundreds of dollars and frees up your time, the Narwal Freo Z10 is hard to beat. Related Narwal Comparisons between the old Freo Z Ultra and the new Freo Z10 are difficult to avoid. The Freo Z Ultra is still the flagship of the Narwal lineup, as it features a unique baseboard cleaning system for a superior clean and an electrolyzed water system that aids in sterilizing its base station. But beyond that, there’s a lot of common ground between the two. Shared features include a 2.5L dustbin for up to 120 days of automated dust removal, a mop that can lift 12mm when traveling on carpet, tri-laser structure light obstacle detection, and support for Alexa, Google, and Siri voice assistants. Better yet, you’ll get an extra 3,000 Pa of suction on the Z10 compared to the Z Ultra — a big win despite its lower price. Jon Bitner / Digital Trends There are a few other differences between the two robots — including different dirt detection systems and mopping systems — but nothing that makes too big of an impact on daily performance. The Z10 picks up new MopExtend & Corner Reverse features for improved mopping, but mopping pressure drops from 12N on the Z Ultra to just 8N on the Z10. Still, testing showed the Freo Z10 to be a workhorse when tackling hard floors, removing dried stains and soaking up spills with ease. It’s even fun to watch the robot work, as it wiggles its way across your floors, twisting to better reach corners and clear up difficult messes. It’s a similar story for carpet cleanings. Low pile carpets are the best fit for the Freo Z10, as 12mm mop lifting isn’t quite enough for super plush floors. And while 15,000 Pa is great for a Narwal robot vacuum, it lags behind some of the competition that’s now pushing 20,000 Pa. Narwal At the end of the day, the point of a robot vacuum is to provide you with a clean house without much manual input. In that regard, the Narwal Freo Z10 is a success. Though its base station isn’t quite as sophisticated as the premium Freo Z Ultra, it still handles all the self-maintenance tasks you’d expect for a product over $1,000. For one, the dustbin is large enough to hold up to 120 days of debris. That’s a huge win over the competition, which usually only lasts a few months. The Z10 also benefits from adaptive hot water mop washing, hot air drying, auto-detergent dispensing, and a cleaning cycle that washes out the base station after the mops have been dealt with (ensuring no gunk is left lingering in the base). Dirty water is then transferred to a dirty water reservoir, while clean water is siphoned from a clean water reservoir. These will need to be filled and emptied on a regular basis, but the frequency depends on how often you run the device and how big your home is. If you only run it a few times a week and live in a small studio or cozy home, expect to go weeks without any manual input. Jon Bitner / Digital Trends The base station is a big selling point for the Freo Z10, but the robot itself might be even more enticing. An array of sensors can recognize objects as low as 1cm in height, can clean within 5mm of walls and furniture, and can generate a map of new spaces in less than 10 minutes. You can also optimize its performance using the Narwal mobile app. However, I’ve found its onboard AI to be highly accurate — so instead of tinkering with settings, I simply let it decide what power settings were required to tackle the current dirt level in my home. Compared to some other robot vacuums I’ve tested, the Narwal Freo Z10 works pretty fast. It’s often finished with cleanings around 10 minutes ahead of products like the Roborock Saros 10 — though the Saros 10 certainly offers a deeper clean (which is expected, given its hefty price tag). But for a product right around $1,000, the Narwal is near the top of its class. Its vacuum also excels at eliminating tangles. Along with a unique main brush design, its side brushes are collapsible — so if they get tangled, the two prongs will collapse together, pivot toward the main brush, and automatically remove the tangle. Like pretty much all robot vacuums, the Narwal Freo Z10 still has trouble navigating around cables, cords, and other small objects. I never had to rescue the robot from getting stuck on furniture — thanks to its accurate sensors — but I found myself detangling cables from its main brush more than a few times. So if you have an office with charging cables lurking under your desk, be sure to set a Restricted Zone or pick them up before starting your cleaning cycle. The Narwal Freo Z10 takes the best features of Narwal’s previous releases, cuts the fluff, and gives you a price tag that’s a bit easier on the wallet. It’s still not cheap, but for a fully automated clean that doesn’t skimp on premium features, this is the robot to get. There’s plenty of competition on the market nowadays, but the Freo Z10 holds its own with a sleek design, great mapping technology, intelligent onboard AI, and a mopping setup that rivals the flagship Freo Z Ultra. If you’re seeking a robot vacuum around $1,000, the Freo Z10 is an easy recommendation. Editors’ Recommendations

TSMC struck an upbeat note after posting strong earnings, but tariffs and the trade war loom large.

Bowen Yang, Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone, Han Gi-chan and Youn Yuh-jung star in a sentimental remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 comedy about tangled relationships and a green-card marriage.

European test drive Synology could bring “certified drive” requirements to more NAS devices German press release suggests expansion of the company's "integrated ecosystem." Kevin Purdy – Apr 17, 2025 2:19 pm | 11 Credit: Synology Credit: Synology Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Synology, maker of network-attached storage (NAS) devices, will seemingly remove advanced features from its Plus devices that are not using hard drives provided by, or certified by, Synology itself, starting with its 2025 lineup. A report on the German site HardwareLuxx (translated by Google) and a press release on Synology's German-language website appear to confirm Synology's strategy. The company, which sees "significant benefits" to its "proprietary hard drive solution" (also per Google's translation), will be "expanding [its] integrated ecosystem to the Plus series." For those Plus series models released in 2025, only Synology's own hard drives, and third-party drives certified by Synology, will offer "the full range of functions and support." Synology's release states that it can provide the "highest levels of security and performance, while also offering significantly more efficient support." Ars has contacted Synology's US offices for comment and will update this post with any response. There is some chance that this move could be restricted to Germany or just the EU. Maintaining region-specific firmware is possible, if not efficient. Synology has previously rolled out its certified drive requirements for higher-end machines globally. If you already have Plus-level or higher Synology hardware, this potential incoming change won't impact you, at least until your next upgrade. You can also take existing drives from a Synology setup and move them into a 2025 or newer Plus model and continue having full support. Synology had already implemented this requirement for its XS Plus and rack-mounted models, notionally obliging those owners to use Synology-approved drives. What you might lose from using non-Synology-approved hard drives could include pool creation and support for any issues. De-duplication, lifespan analysis, and automatic HDD firmware updates could also disappear on non-approved drives, Synology's press release suggests. Synology does not manufacture its own hard drives but instead certifies and rebrands drives from Toshiba and Seagate, leaving out only Western Digital among the world's largest manufacturers. Synology can update the firmware in its own rebranded drives when attached to NAS devices, whereas upgrading most other drives requires a connection to a PC running dedicated software. A work-around, for now While non-certified drives will still work for basic storage purposes under the potential Synology shift, it is fair to assume that most people who are serious enough about their data so as to load it into a redundancy-minded NAS will want to know about drive health. Synology's messaging suggests that using its drives will provide a better, more secure, and more easily supported storage experience. Whether customers believe that adds value, at the cost of a severely limited marketplace for storage, remains to be seen. Screenshot from a Synology DS3622xs+ running DSM 7.2.1, with an SSH window open showing the value in a config file changed from "yes" to "no" and thereby bypassing a check for "certified" Synology drives. Credit: Lee Hutchinson Screenshot from a Synology DS3622xs+ running DSM 7.2.1, with an SSH window open showing the value in a config file changed from "yes" to "no" and thereby bypassing a check for "certified" Synology drives. Credit: Lee Hutchinson Synology's firmware, as of this writing, allows for a configuration file edit that can disable checks for certified drives. Whether that work-around survives into the future is unknown. Synology's telegraphed moves toward a contained ecosystem and seemingly vertical integration are certain to rankle some of its biggest fans, who likely enjoy doing their own system building, shopping, and assembly for the perfect amount of storage. "Pro-sumers," homelab enthusiasts, and those with just a lot of stuff to store at home, or in a small business, previously had a good reason to buy one Synology device every so many years, then stick into them whatever drives they happened to have or acquired at their desired prices. Synology's stated needs for efficient support of drive arrays may be more defensible at the enterprise level, but as it gets closer to the home level, it suggests a different kind of optimization. Kevin Purdy Senior Technology Reporter Kevin Purdy Senior Technology Reporter Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering open-source software, PC gaming, home automation, repairability, e-bikes, and tech history. He has previously worked at Lifehacker, Wirecutter, iFixit, and Carbon Switch. 11 Comments

A quantum computer at IBMIBM The laws of quantum mechanics make it impossible to copy quantum information, but that doesn’t mean quantum computers are unhackable. Two independent teams of researchers have now devised methods for disrupting calculations on quantum computers. They both rely a method used to hack traditional computers called a row-hammer attack. Conventional row-hammer attacks target dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), a type of RAM that is essential for short-term information storage in conventional computers. They take advantage of unintended electrical interactions between parts of DRAM…

President Trump and his appointees have repeatedly stressed the need to establish “American energy dominance.”  But the White House’s profusion of executive orders and aggressive tariffs, along with its determined effort to roll back clean-energy policies, are moving the industry in the wrong direction, creating market chaos and economic uncertainty that are making it harder for both legacy players and emerging companies to invest, grow, and compete. Heat Exchange MIT Technology Review’s guest opinion series, offering expert commentary on legal, political and regulatory issues related to climate change and clean energy. You can read the rest of the pieces here. The current 90-day pause on rolling out most of the administration’s so-called “reciprocal” tariffs presents a critical opportunity. Rather than defaulting to broad, blunt tariffs, the administration should use this window to align trade policy with a focused industrial strategy—one aimed at winning the global race to become a manufacturing powerhouse in next-generation energy technologies.  By tightly aligning tariff design with US strengths in R&D and recent government investments in the energy innovation lifecycle, the administration can turn a regressive trade posture into a proactive plan for economic growth and geopolitical advantage. The president is right to point out that America is blessed with world-leading energy resources. Over the past decade, the country has grown from being a net importer to a net exporter of oil and the world’s largest producer of oil and gas. These resources are undeniably crucial to America’s ability to reindustrialize and rebuild a resilient domestic industrial base, while also providing strategic leverage abroad.  But the world is slowly but surely moving beyond the centuries-old model of extracting and burning fossil fuels, a change driven initially by climate risks but increasingly by economic opportunities. America will achieve true energy dominance only by evolving beyond being a mere exporter of raw, greenhouse-gas-emitting energy commodities—and becoming the world’s manufacturing and innovation hub for sophisticated, high-value energy technologies. Notably, the nation took a lead role in developing essential early components of the cleantech sector, including solar photovoltaics and electric vehicles. Yet too often, the fruits of that innovation—especially manufacturing jobs and export opportunities—have ended up overseas, particularly in China. China, which is subject to Trump’s steepest tariffs and wasn’t granted any reprieve in the 90-day pause, has become the world’s dominant producer of lithium-ion batteries, EVs, wind turbines, and other key components of the clean-energy transition. Today, the US is again making exciting strides in next-generation technologies, including fusion energy, clean steel, advanced batteries, industrial heat pumps, and thermal energy storage. These advances can transform industrial processes, cut emissions, improve air quality, and maximize the strategic value of our fossil-fuel resources. That means not simply burning them for their energy content, but instead using them as feedstocks for higher-value materials and chemicals that power the modern economy. The US’s leading role in energy innovation didn’t develop by accident. For several decades, legislators on both sides of the political divide supported increasing government investments into energy innovation—from basic research at national labs and universities to applied R&D through ARPA-E and, more recently, to the creation of the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, which funds first-of-a-kind technology deployments. These programs have laid the foundation for the technologies we need—not just to meet climate goals, but to achieve global competitiveness. Early-stage companies in competitive, global industries like energy do need extra support to help them get to the point where they can stand up on their own. This is especially true for cleantech companies whose overseas rivals have much lower labor, land, and environmental compliance costs. That’s why, for starters, the White House shouldn’t work to eliminate federal investments made in these sectors under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, as it’s reportedly striving to do as part of the federal budget negotiations. Instead, the administration and its Republican colleagues in Congress should preserve and refine these programs, which have already helped expand America’s ability to produce advanced energy products like batteries and EVs. Success should be measured not only in barrels produced or watts generated, but in dollars of goods exported, jobs created, and manufacturing capacity built. The Trump administration should back this industrial strategy with smarter trade policy as well. Steep, sweeping tariffs won’t  build long-term economic strength.  But there are certain instances where reasonable, modern, targeted tariffs can be a useful tool in supporting domestic industries or countering unfair trade practices elsewhere. That’s why we’ve seen leaders of both parties, including Presidents Biden and Obama, apply them in recent years. Such levies can be used to protect domestic industries where we’re competing directly with geopolitical rivals like China, and where American companies need breathing room to scale and thrive. These aims can be achieved by imposing tariffs on specific strategic technologies, such as EVs and next-generation batteries. But to be clear, targeted tariffs on a few strategic sectors are starkly different from Trump’s tariffs, which now include 145% levies on most Chinese goods, a 10% “universal” tariff on other nations and 25% fees on steel and aluminum.  Another option is implementing a broader border adjustment policy, like the Foreign Pollution Fee Act recently reintroduced by Senators Cassidy and Graham, which is designed to create a level playing field that would help clean manufacturers in the US compete with heavily polluting businesses overseas.   Just as important, the nation must avoid counterproductive tariffs on critical raw materials like steel, aluminum, and copper or retaliatory restrictions on critical minerals—all of which are essential inputs for US manufacturing. The nation does not currently produce enough of these materials to meet demand, and it would take years to build up that capacity. Raising input costs through tariffs only slows our ability to keep or bring key industries home. Finally, we must be strategic in how we deploy the country’s greatest asset: our workforce. Americans are among the most educated and capable workers in the world. Their time, talent, and ingenuity shouldn’t be spent assembling low-cost, low-margin consumer goods like toasters. Instead, we should focus on building cutting-edge industrial technologies that the world is demanding. These are the high-value products that support strong wages, resilient supply chains, and durable global leadership. The worldwide demand for clean, efficient energy technologies is rising rapidly, and the US cannot afford to be left behind. The energy transition presents not just an environmental imperative but a generational opportunity for American industrial renewal. The Trump administration has a chance to define energy dominance not just in terms of extraction, but in terms of production—of technology, of exports, of jobs, and of strategic influence. Let’s not let that opportunity slip away. Addison Killean Stark is the chief executive and cofounder of AtmosZero, an industrial steam heat pump startup based in Loveland, Colorado. He was previously a fellow at the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E division, which funds research and development of advanced energy technologies.

I tried 35 spring products from Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's, Abanti Chowdhury/BI Updated 2025-04-17T18:09:18Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? I tried the seasonal foods at Trader Joe's for the spring and reviewed them. The coffee creme Joe-Joe's and Meyer lemon cookies were both delicious and adorable.  The chain's cheese-filled fiocchetti and taco salad kit are both good entrée options. Trader Joe's stocks its shelves with a variety of seasonal products every spring.So, I've been trying the spring offerings from my local store as part of an ongoing series where I review the grocery chain's seasonal foods. Keep reading to see which items I'll be stocking up on and which I'll skip. Editor's Note: This post was originally published in April 2021. Although many seasonal spring foods return, item availability is subject to change.The cheese blintzes would make a perfect addition to any brunch table I was excited to try these blintzes. Savanna Swain-Wilson A blintz is a popular breakfast treat that's essentially a lightly sweetened pancake wrapped around a cheese or fruit filling. They're often associated with Shavuot, a springtime holiday celebrated in the Jewish faith, but are also popular throughout parts of Eastern Europe.I picked up a package of four pastries in the frozen section at Trader Joe's. Although the product doesn't come with toppings, its box features a picture with whipped cream and fruit, so I followed suit to get the full experience. This was my first time trying blintzes, and I mostly enjoyed them. They tasted like a traditional crepe, and I appreciated that their light sweetness became more noticeable with the berries.  I didn't love the cottage cheese filling. Savanna Swain-Wilson However, I don't love the texture of cottage cheese, so I was a little turned off by the filling. VERDICT: Overall, the blintzes were decent, but they weren't my favorite. The fruit and whipped cream certainly elevated them, but I had trouble getting over the texture. But if you're a cottage cheese fan or like a versatile breakfast, these will probably be right up your alley. The gluten-free coffee cake muffins were incredible I was surprised by how big each muffin was. Savanna Swain-Wilson The most noticeable thing about these muffins was their size — compared to a standard version, these were gigantic.Each treat sported that signature coffee cake look with a ribbon-like swirl of cinnamon on the bottom, which was dense and sturdy, yet also slightly crumbly. The tops were adorned with a dusting of sprinkles. These muffins were surprisingly moist and delicate. Savanna Swain-Wilson I'm usually wary of gluten-free pastries because of their tendency to be either super dry or way too dense and crumbly, but these muffins were surprisingly moist and delicate, with a lightly sweet flavor that made them suitable for an early morning bite. When paired with a cup of coffee, the cinnamon flavor really popped.VERDICT: Although I can't see myself buying these muffins all the time, I will absolutely be hitting up Trader Joe's for these when I'm craving a sweet breakfast or having guests over. The oven-baked cheese bites would be great in soup or on their own These cheese bites from Trader Joe's are gluten free. Savanna Swain-Wilson If you ever wanted to know what spaghetti would taste like in snack form, this is your answer. And as strange as that might sound, this item is absolutely worth buying.Basically, these gluten-free bites are dehydrated, aged cheese with a few added seasonings. Like any good snack, these morsels delivered in crunch, and I gave them bonus points for their airiness that gifted each bite with a crispy, melt-in-your-mouth quality. These bites had a good kick to them. Savanna Swain-Wilson What made these a real standout, however, was the zesty chili and tomato flavor that came through with each bite. VERDICT: 10/10. I'm obsessed. The vegan taco salad was delicious Each bag contains iceberg lettuce, blue tortilla strips, corn salsa, and chipotle seasoned seitan. Savanna Swain-Wilson Each vegan taco salad kit contains iceberg lettuce, blue tortilla strips, corn salsa, and chipotle-seasoned seitan.The Chipotle seitan made this mix a filling meal on its own and gave it a necessary layer of savory flavor, which is crucial in salads with a limited amount of dressing. This seitan wasn't dry or soggy, and though I couldn't really detect the chipotle flavor, it was still seasoned enough to have that taco meat taste. It was like a toned-down version of the chain's soy chorizo. This meal was so easy to throw together. Savanna Swain-Wilson Trader Joe's also nailed the salad dressing. It didn't have a weird artificial taste, and the only downside was that there wasn't more of it.VERDICT: With the mix of textures, super filling seitan, and tasty dressing, this salad is a must-buy for anyone looking to spice up their lunches.The lemon bars tasted homemade These lemon bars are in Trader Joe's frozen section. Savanna Swain-Wilson Chocolate is great and all, but nothing screams springtime like a yummy lemon bar.There was no mistaking the presence of real lemon in these — as soon as I opened the box, I noticed a sweet citrus aroma.I let these lemon bars defrost on my counter for an hour before tasting them, and I'm not sure I'll ever attempt baking this dessert on my own again — they were out of this world. I would never have known these bars were frozen and store bought. Savanna Swain-Wilson Had I not purchased this dessert myself, I never would have guessed it came from the freezer section. Each bar had a scrumptious, fresh taste, so it could easily pass as homemade.The combination of vanilla shortbread with the bright, citrusy lemon curd and a dusting of powdered sugar was absolutely divine. But these stood out for their texture — they had a perfect level of chewiness with an impressively buttery crust despite being frozen.VERDICT: I apologize in advance to anyone who lives near me and wants to try these lemon bars because I might be buying them all the next time I hit up Trader Joe's.These peanut-shaped chocolates were fun and creative These bites were so good, they could have passed as artisan candies. Savanna Swain-Wilson In my opinion, all chocolate tastes better when it comes in a cute shape, and these peanut-like candies were proof of that.Plus, they had just the right ratio of high-quality chocolate exterior to creamy peanut butter filling. Each bite was so melt-in-your-mouth delicious that the treats could have passed for something I'd buy at a specialty candy shop.  I will definitely be buying these again. Savanna Swain-Wilson The texture really won me over, as each piece had an added layer of rice cereal under the coating for extra crunch.VERDICT: To say I loved this candy would be an understatement.The dark chocolate plantain chips are a great springtime treat I was excited to try the dark chocolate plantain chips. Savanna Swain-Wilson Crunchy, salty, and slightly sweet, these plantain chips were everything I'd been craving.I appreciated how Trader Joe's didn't go overboard with the chocolate coating and opted for a light drizzle. Plantains already have a natural fruity sweetness, so they only need a touch of cocoa flavor to highlight their sugary notes. The dark chocolate was the perfect topping. Savanna Swain-Wilson Although I thought these plantain chips were tasty, I'm not sure I would rate them above the jerk-style variety, as I was over these after a few bites. VERDICT: Overall, I'd say these chips are a must-buy for anyone who loves the combination of dark chocolate with salty flavors. I can also see them making a superb sweet addition to any snack platter.I fell in love with the tasty filling in the lemon and ricotta ravioli This lemon and ricotta option is my new favorite Trader Joe's ravioli. Savanna Swain-Wilson My longtime favorite Trader Joe's ravioli is the Caprese one, but after trying this lemon version, I'm not so sure. The ravioli cooked in less than 10 minutes, making it an excellent quick dinner option.In the interest of tasting the ravioli in its purest form, I coated the dish in just olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan.When I took a bite, I noticed the filling was super smooth and had a pleasantly fresh flavor to it. The delicate hints of lemon provided a needed contrast to the ricotta's sweetness to make it less rich than the standard cheese-stuffed ravioli. The meal tasted amazing without a heavy sauce. Savanna Swain-Wilson I also loved that I didn't feel heavy after eating this meal, which almost never happens with cheesy pasta.VERDICT: It's safe to say this ravioli will be my new go-to weeknight dinner this spring.The almond-butter almonds make a perfect snack I was a little skeptical about the almond-on-almond combo. Savanna Swain-Wilson With a super smooth coating and lightly salted nutty interior, these almond-butter almonds tasted like candy.Super creamy and sweet, with subtle notes of cocoa and vanilla, the almond-butter coating was so yummy I could have eaten it by the spoonful.VERDICT: Almond on top of almond might sound like a bit much, but it proved to be an excellent choice. These bites were delicious. I hope Trader Joe's keeps them around, but I'll stock up just in case.These crispy mushrooms were a bit of an acquired taste I don't think I'll buy more of these. Savanna Swain-Wilson I love mushrooms, but when I saw these snacks at Trader Joe's, I raised an eyebrow.I wasn't sure what to expect from these, but at a glance, they didn't look super appetizing — more like overcooked mushrooms than anything else.Appearance aside, these were a decent savory snack. They tasted like nothing I'd ever eaten, so I gave Trader Joe's credit for creativity. According to the package description, the mushrooms are lightly salted, dried, and tossed in sunflower oil, so their natural umami taste stood out because it wasn't competing with too many seasonings.Their texture made them a memorable snack, as they had a light, crispy exterior like a chip and a slightly chewy inside like a cooked mushroom.VERDICT: The crispy mushrooms are worth trying at least once, but I don't think I'd buy them again.The cheese-filled fiocchetti with pink sauce was good, but not mind-blowing This meal can be made in one pan. Savanna Swain-Wilson Just as the package suggested, the fiocchetti cooked to an optimal tenderness in less than 10 minutes, but the sauce didn't really look quite right.Even though I measured the water and oil according to the instructions, the mix looked much thinner and less pink than advertised. Despite its light-orange hue, I still gave it a chance. The sauce came out a bit too runny. Savanna Swain-Wilson I generally enjoyed the pasta component of the dish, but the sauce left much to be desired. I thought it desperately needed more tomato and garlic flavors. It's possible I watered it down during the cooking process, but even so, the flavor wasn't as bold as I anticipated, and it came out so thin that it seemed more like a lightly seasoned broth than a sauce.I set aside some leftovers in the fridge and noticed the next day that the sauce had thickened slightly. VERDICT: Overall, I'd say this pasta is a great vegetarian entrée to add to your weeknight repertoire.Although the dish's flavors were quite mellow, the meal could easily be upgraded with a few extra ingredients, like red pepper flakes and more cheese, so I'm willing to buy this one again. The pink and white shortbread cookies would make a great addition to any picnic These cookies hit me with a wave of nostalgia. Savanna Swain-Wilson With their cute floral shape, colorful yogurt coating, and adorable rainbow sprinkles, these cookies were pretty much impossible for me to dislike.They tasted just like the frosted circus animal cookies I was obsessed with growing up. My fellow '90s babies will know what I'm talking about, as one bite of these Trader Joe's cookies instantly transported me to my childhood.  The yogurt coating was creamy and delicious. Savanna Swain-Wilson In terms of texture, they were of comparable thickness to graham crackers with a familiar, crumby feel.Most of all, I enjoyed that these cookies were sweet but not overwhelmingly sugary. The yogurt coating was super smooth and contained subtle notes of vanilla that didn't taste artificial.VERDICT: I can picture serving these cookies as a treat at brunch or an outdoor picnic with friends. They'd also make a great decorative addition to an ice cream sundae. Perfect for kids and adults who want a hit of nostalgia, these cookies are worth buying again. The Meyer lemon cookies would make a scrumptious springtime treat These cookies had the perfect amount of citrusy tang. Savanna Swain-Wilson The first thing that came to mind when I opened this box of cookies was afternoon tea. With their pale yellow color and paper-thin texture, they were practically designed to be consumed off a pretty pastel colored plate atop some doilies.These cookies had a delightfully airy quality and nice crisp that crumbled in my mouth with every bite. These cookies also didn't taste artificial. Savanna Swain-Wilson As a fan of all things citrus, I appreciated that the tangy flavor was detectable but not artificial tasting. They also had a slightly floral quality, which probably came from the use of Meyer lemons.Either way, they were absolutely delicious.VERDICT: If you're searching for a super light sweet treat to munch on, look no further than these Meyer lemon cookies.I couldn't get enough of the candy-coated almonds I loved the pastel colors. Savanna Swain-Wilson With their slightly crunchy, colorful shell, these candy-coated almonds look a lot like Cadbury's mini eggs. They were also delicious.The coating offered a yummy crunch that regular chocolate-covered almonds can't compete with. Plus, I loved the pastel colors.The chocolate layer was pleasantly smooth, and the almond center gave these treats dimension and a yummy, nutty flavor.VERDICT: As someone who frequently craves chocolate, these springtime almonds are a must-have.This blood orange cake mix made a delicious loaf, but I wasn't impressed by the icing Trader Joe's blood orange cake was easy to prepare. Savanna Swain-Wilson I've never thought to use blood oranges for anything beyond cocktails, so I was excited to try this mix. The moment I started mixing the ingredients, I caught a strong whiff of the bold, citrus aroma, and the batter was bright orange. Like most boxed cake mixes, this came together with just a few ingredients and under an hour of bake time. It also included a packet of icing, which saved me even more time. The cake itself was yummy. Savanna Swain-Wilson On its own, this cake was awesome. The blood orange flavor was pronounced, offering a unique profile that was noticeably more tart than sweet. Its texture was dense yet tender and moist, like a pound cake. However, I found the icing tasted too much like candy. It was sweet with a seemingly artificial flavor. Next time, I'll try topping it with my own cream cheese frosting and blood orange zest. VERDICT: Buy the cake mix, but ditch the icing — it doesn't need it.These lemon madeleines were sweet and delicious I thought Trader Joe's madeleines were a fair price. Savanna Swain-Wilson These fluffy tea cakes were sweet, buttery, and delicious. The lemon zest flavor was very subtle yet detectable.They're dainty, which made them suitable for early mornings when I wasn't quite ready for a full meal. The flavor was comparable to a classic vanilla pound cake, with just the slightest kiss of lemon. The firm yet spongy texture would be ideal for dipping in hot coffee or tea. VERDICT: As someone who often craves light sweets in the morning, these lemon zest madeleines hit the spot. I'll gladly be buying a couple more packages before the season ends.Fans of spinach would really enjoy this frozen Florentine lasagna I had never tried Florentine lasagna before. Savanna Swain-Wilson Based on the box, I assumed this lasagna would be loaded with Italian flavors, but I later learned that Florentine is actually a French cooking term that refers to a dish with cooked spinach and a cheesy, creamy sauce.I was excited about this dish since it's vegetarian, serves more than one person, and doesn't require any actual prep work — just patience. It took about an hour to bake in the oven. Savanna Swain-Wilson Per the instructions, you can heat this in the microwave in two six-minute intervals, but I opted to bake mine in the oven for just under an hour. The aroma of garlic, herbs, and cheese filled my entire apartment while this cooked, which was reason enough to give this a solid rating. The texture was quite soupy. Savanna Swain-Wilson However, spinach has a high water content, which was evident the moment I cut into this lasagna. It looked more like a cheesy soup with pasta. So, getting any kind of square slice was impossible. I used a spoon to scoop it onto my plate.If you really dig cooked spinach, you'll probably enjoy this. The bitter, metallic green tasted great with the creamy, sweet ricotta. I also appreciated that Trader Joe's included Parmesan in the cheese blend — which added a nice balance of salt — and a ton of flavorful dried herbs and garlic.VERDICT: Although the Florentine lasagna offered a lot of fragrant, cheesy flavor, its lengthy cook time and sloppy texture kept it from being as good as possible. Trader Joe's Springle Jangle was just OK

From 2017 to 2020, meat-free sausages and veggie burgers had a moment. Sales of plant-based meat doubled thanks to new startups — like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods — which collectively took billions of dollars in venture capital investment and invented much more meaty vegetarian products than their predecessors.The emerging sector was hailed as a potential silver bullet solution to the ills of factory farming: animal suffering, climate change, deforestation, and more.This story was first featured in the Processing Meat newsletterSign up here for Future Perfect’s biweekly newsletter from Marina Bolotnikova and Kenny Torrella, exploring how the meat and dairy industries shape our health, politics, culture, environment, and more.Have questions or comments on this newsletter? Email us at futureperfect@vox.com!But in the years that followed, the sector’s sales flatlined and then tumbled. What killed plant-based meat’s growth spurt? According to consumer surveys, often the biggest reason people give for souring on plant-based meat is that the products don’t taste good enough. But the results of a surprising recent experiment casts some doubt on that explanation — and suggests some of the distaste for plant-based meat might just be in our heads.In December and January, NECTAR — a nonprofit that conducts research on “alternative protein,” such as plant-based meat — brought together nearly 2,700 people in a first- and largest-of-its-kind blind taste test. Without knowing which version they were tasting, the participants tried 122 plant-based meat products across 14 categories, like burgers, hot dogs, and bacon, alongside one animal meat “benchmark” product per category. Each product was tested by at least 100 participants, who then rated them on texture, flavor, appearance, and overall enjoyment on a 7-point scale from “dislike very much” to “like very much.”NECTAR wanted to “truly know where things stand today and where we need to focus effort for improvement for the future,” said Caroline Cotto, the organization’s director. “We’re sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly.”First, the bad news for the plant-based meat industry: Animal meats got far higher scores on all metrics. On average, 68 percent of participants rated the animal meat products as “like very much” or “like,” while only 30 percent of plant-based meat, on average, received the same ratings. But among plant-based meat products, there’s a wide spectrum of quality. Some, as I’ve written about, are downright terrible, a fact reflected in the NECTAR results with some categories receiving especially low enjoyment ratings. But for 20 of the plant-based products, half or more of the participants rated them higher than the animal version or rated the two equally, meaning they had no preference. Of the 20 highest-rated plant-based products, six came from one company: Impossible Foods. Impossible Foods’ unbreaded chicken fillet performed best out of the 122 plant-based meat products, with 32 percent of participants rating it higher than a (real) unbreaded chicken fillet from Perdue Farms, while 28 percent rated them equally. Past blind plant-based meat taste tests have also found mixed results. A 2023 blind study with 175 participants found the Impossible burger performed better than a beef burger (though as some have pointed out, the plant-based burger had far more added salt than the beef version). In a 2021 blind study, meanwhile, participants rated real chicken considerably higher than five plant-based chicken products, though the study didn’t list which products were tested and the sector’s offerings have improved significantly since then.Given how many participants in NECTAR’s experiment rated some plant-based meats as equal to or better than animal meat, we might expect these meatless products to be much more popular than they actually are — especially in light of the many strong arguments in favor of reducing meat consumption, such as personal health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. Yet plant-based meat accounts for around just 1 percent of overall meat sales. To reach more consumers, plant-based meat companies will need to do something harder than improving the taste of their products or even lowering their prices. They’ll need to change how we think about meat.How our mind plays tricks on our stomach In the real world, “people don’t just taste food in an objective way,” Daniel Rosenfeld, a behavioral scientist at the University of California Los Angeles who researches consumer perceptions of animal-free foods, told me. They taste it, he said, with “a bias or a preconceived expectation.” For example, research has found that people who perceive healthy food to be less delicious will rate a food as less delicious if they’re told ahead of time that it’s healthy — even if it’s not. A blind taste test participant rates meatballs in a spaghetti dish. NECTAR/Palate InsightsIn 2023, Rosenfeld co-authored a study finding that people who more strongly believed in humans’ right to eat meat, milk, and eggs were more likely to expect vegan burgers and ice cream to taste bad.Not only do our beliefs shape how we perceive food, but what we eat can also shape our beliefs. In a seminal 2010 study, researchers assigned participants to two groups: one was given cashews and the other beef jerky, and both filled out surveys on what they thought of the snacks. Afterward, they were asked to fill out another survey about the moral status of 27 different animal species, with additional pointed questions about the cognitive capacity and moral status of what they thought was a randomly selected species from the list: cows. Those who had eaten the beef jerky rated cows as much less deserving of moral concern compared to those who ate the cashews.Some plant-based meat advocates argue the industry needs to focus on improving the price, taste, and convenience — commonly referred to as “PTC” — of meatless products to help them go mainstream. Rosenfeld doesn’t disagree that these are critical factors, but he also said psychological and social factors, such as societal norms and familiarity bias, also highly influence our food choices. That could explain some of the large gap between consumer preferences in blind taste tests and consumer purchasing behavior. “When social norms with a product get set in place, it’s pretty hard to change that default,” he said. “People like to just do whatever is a popular option. We’re very conformist by nature,” and animal meat is society’s current default protein source.One of the most powerful social norms that determine meat consumption turns out to be gender. “Compared to women, men report that they like meat more. They’re less likely to go vegetarian or vegan, and they also are less concerned about the effects of meat harming the environment or their health” or animal welfare, Rosenfeld said.The best plant-based meat productsThese are some of the 20 products that were rated higher or equal to their animal meat benchmarks:• Unbreaded chicken fillet: Impossible Foods, Meati, SWAP, The Vegetarian Butcher, Vivera• Chicken nugget: Impossible Foods, MorningStar Farms• Burger: Beyond Meat, Huera, Impossible Foods, MorningStar Farms, Redefine Meat• Breakfast sausage: Gardein, Impossible FoodsSee the full list here.In consumer surveys, people also cite price as an important factor in their decision to avoid buying plant-based meat, though it ranks slightly below taste. Surprisingly, however, NECTAR found that plant-based meat’s price tag — often much higher than animal meat — had a fairly small effect on whether or not participants said they’d later purchase the products. But that only tells us so much, as people behave differently at the grocery store than they do in a study. Humans are also evolutionarily hard-wired, Rosenfeld said, to opt for familiar foods and be wary of novel ones, like plant-based meats, even if they’re perfectly safe. This perhaps explains why a meat industry-funded group’s attacks against plant-based meat as unnatural and overly processed have seemed to stick with many consumers, even though today’s meat and dairy industries are highly industrialized, require significant processing, and are responsible for the vast majority of foodborne illness-related deaths.While most Americans eat a diet high in processed foods — including highly processed meats, like chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and bacon — many consumers say they’re concerned with the processed nature of plant-based meat, which Rosenfeld said could amount to motivated reasoning. “Maybe they already had other skepticisms, and they feel like this is a more rational-sounding explanation for their behavior,” he said.How to sell more plant-based meat in a biased worldThe NECTAR study results, to a degree, weaken the argument that plant-based products don’t taste good enough — at least the best ones. They also clarify the importance of investing in R&D to ensure that new products taste really good. Most of the companies with the highest-rated vegetarian meat products either invested a lot of time and money into R&D — like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat — or are more established, like Gardein, Tofurky, and MorningStar Farms, and therefore have had a long time and plenty of resources to develop good products and evaluate consumer response. Many plant-based meat companies need to have a higher bar for what they put out into the world, as rushing to market with a bad or mediocre product could turn consumers off the category for good. Conversely, companies that take the time to produce high-quality products will be financially rewarded: NECTAR found a correlation between products’ ratings in the study and real-world sales.The study found numerous other areas in need of improvement. For example, some plant-based meat categories are underdeveloped and received especially low ratings from participants, like plant-based bacon, bratwurst, steak fillets, and hot dogs. After consumers were shown the nutrition profiles of the plant-based products they tasted, their reported intent to purchase them at a later date generally slightly increased, though it was lower for products high in sodium or fat, or those that contained unrecognizable ingredients. That puts the plant-based meat industry in an especially difficult double bind: Consumers say they want plant-based meat to taste better but also want less of the ingredients that make it taste better.Though NECTAR’s study was designed to identify where plant-based meat needs to improve, it acknowledges the need to shift societal norms, too. Last year, its parent nonprofit, Food System Innovations, launched an organization focused on “addressing deep-seated cultural barriers” to wider adoption of plant-based foods. “We know these products still have some ways to go, and we want to provide support in getting there,” said Cotto. “But that starts with acknowledging that we’re not there yet.”You’ve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you — threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you — join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Mario Kart World is the biggest game launching on Switch, and we just got a hefty 15-minute showcase of what to expect – here's all we learned, including when you can play itTech14:50, 17 Apr 2025Updated 14:52, 17 Apr 2025Mario Kart World is Nintendo's big Switch 2 launch title(Image: Nintendo)Mario Kart World is likely to be the big system seller for Nintendo Switch 2, with the company making it the premier launch title – and for good reason, judging by our hands-on time with the game and console last week.The game got its own special Nintendo Direct presentation today, revealing a whole host of information about courses, racers, items, and much, much more.‌Here's everything we learned about Mario Kart World, including when you can buy it and that eye-watering price. Did it live up to expectations?We already knew that Mario Kart World would be a launch title for Nintendo Switch, meaning it'll launch on June 5.Article continues belowThe price is proving to be contentious, though. Mario Kart World will retail for £75 in the UK, although it is discounted if you buy it with the Switch 2.It's also worth noting that the game is a Switch 2 exclusive – so it won't run on the Switch 1.Each track certainly looks colourful(Image: Nintendo)‌As part of the Nintendo Direct on April 17, we got to see more of the tracks you can find in the open world racer.Mario Bros Circuit has a dusty, canyon-esque vibe, while Crown City offers an urban track. Salty Salty Speedway is full of water, while Starview Peak is icy.Boo Cinema is a "ghostly movie theater", while Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard were also mentioned.‌In fact, there are other reimagined classic tracks returning, so it'll be fun to find all of those during our adventures.Fans have gone wild for the arrival of the Cow as a playable racer(Image: Nintendo)So far, we've seen the following confirmed as returning characters:‌MarioLuigiToadDonkey KongPeachDaisyRosalinaYoshiBowserNew characters include Goomba, Spike, Cow, and Lakitu – with many, many more shown.There's some variety in the vehicles, too, suggesting the customisable karts and bikes from Mario Kart 8 will return.‌Characters can eat food while exploring to change outfits(Image: Nintendo)Mario Kart World's main modes are Grand Prix and Knockout Tour, with the former being familiar to longtime fans, albeit with the twist of driving to be the first at each track between the sanctioned races.Knockout Tour feels more akin to a battle royale, with players not placing highly enough being eliminated as they pass through checkpoints.‌Elsewhere, Battle Mode returns, while VS Race offers customisable race parameters and up to four teams, while there are Time Trials, too.Free Roam is packed with secrets, including secret Coins and Panels, and features an extensive photo mode.Expect plenty of vehicle options(Image: Nintendo)‌It's not Mario Kart without new Items to use to help you finish first, and there are some doozies here.The Coin Shell spits out currency you (and opponents can snag), while Kamek can transform rivals with seemingly random effects.Hammers land in an arc, and stick around on the track to block opponents off, the Ice Flower freezes your rivals, the Mega Mushroom allows you to run over other vehicles, and the feather lets you dodge items and find shortcuts.Article continues belowThere are new abilities, too. Wall Riding is a new tool to help you stay off the ground, while a new Charge Jump can help you jump to new pathways and over incoming attacks.Finally, you can rewind time during a race, but doing so will cost you your position.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.‌‌‌