Literally no one is a fan of Seaking

Project Zomboid has become a zombie survival title that is beloved by many players. It can be difficult to stand out in the continuously growing landscape of the zombie genre, but Project Zomboid and its simple graphics and isometric gameplay give it a special charm. Despite the minimalist graphics, Project Zomboid has built a reputation as an incredibly realistic post-apocalyptic survival simulator, presenting players with a difficult, but fun, journey.

In the fall of 2021 the burnout, my friends, was real. That October, I determined that I needed to rapidly disassemble my day-to-day routine, yeet myself clear of everything that I considered normal, and not deal with anything for just a little while, at least. The tool I used to break the chains that bound me to a cable modem and my three LCD screens was backpacking. Four years on now and its sort of stuck, and its all YouTubes fault.I grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago, and I am a suburban soul through and through whose knowledge of the outdoors comes from a handful of park district programs and a 1965 Boy Scout handbook that I thumbed through on a long car ride this one time. I also have a comically bad sense of direction that has, on multiple occasions, put me in literal, actual danger. Now I hike and camp and wander around in the woods for days at a time unattended, and its something that I cant imagine my life without.Im healthier now than I was even just a year ago, and I have aspirations in mind that require me to be healthier still. But more than anything, I enjoy the solitude of a long, multi-day solo hike with an ugly, big backpack tied to my waist and hanging from my shoulders. When youre literally so far off the grid that you cant get cell service, the days get longer, and the food even if its parboiled and floating in a Mylar bag just tastes better. I am literally Calvins father now.Backpacking has helped me turn a corner on both my mental and my physical well-being, and I could not have done it without these three channels.Adventure ArchivesAndrew Lin, Bryan Lin, Robby Huang, and Thomas Sinard are the four quirky knuckleheads behind Adventure Archives, which today boasts close to 220,000 subscribers. Their channel does exactly what it says on the tin: It holds a video archive of their various outdoor adventures, which range from benign two-day walks through the Midwest to epic tours of our countrys most beautiful scenic landscapes. Their latest effort, a two-hour-and-36-minute romp through the canyons of the Tetons, is well worth your time and a celebration of their own 15-year journey into the outdoors.While there are scores of self-indulgent vanity projects that do more or less the same thing on YouTube, these fellas show an uncommon level of humility in their work. They are not afraid to show their failures on camera, and they never come off as condescending. Adventure Archives also goes easy on the affiliate advertising, which has become a bit of a plague among outdoor creators on YouTube of late.I have no idea what their backgrounds are in life, but I get a suburban vibe that tells me they didnt have too much dirt under their fingernails growing up either. Just by showing up on my TV, they made me believe that a guy like me who sits behind a computer rolling dice all day can go solo backpacking and come home at the end of it all in one piece.Homemade WanderlustJessica Dixie Hawkins is a triple-crown hiker, meaning shes completed the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail three of the most intimidating trails in the National Scenic Trails system. Shes also one of the most generous educators Ive found on the backpacking hobby. Much like the gang at Adventure Archives, shes also incredibly humble.While many other outdoor-focused channels on YouTube will sprinkle a little bit of wisdom into each of their dozens of videos, Hawkins is kind enough to put virtually everything she knows into one nearly four-hour master class online. She writes and then narrates her videos in a style that avoids jargon and makes no assumptions about the level of expertise of her viewers. Its the same sort of voice I try to foster here in the tabletop section at Polygon, and she does it expertly and naturally, sharing a mountain of information that feels light and logical. Before I went on my first solo trip, I went through the entire thing over the span of two weeks with a pencil and a notebook, and I was infinitely better off for the experience.Its safe to say no other creator on YouTube has taught me more, or in more detail, than Hawkins has including the fact that its important to know when and how to call for help in the backcountry when you need it.Miranda Goes OutsideThe longtime face of REIs own YouTube channel, Miranda Webster is an absolute powerhouse on YouTube. Her spirit of adventure is infectious, and Ive spent many a night watching her bubbly self bouncing down the trail, leaving nothing but joy and a sense of belonging in her wake.Her perpetual positivity both confounds and inspires me, but its her sense of playfulness that has helped motivate the rest of my family to join me on some of my recent backcountry adventures. Her three-part series searching for the best backcountry toilets in the Pacific Northwest is Im being 100% freal here absolutely stunning. This is a woman who really knows her shit, so to speak, with a small but dedicated cadre of experts/best friends/co-workers to support her.Despite occasionally crossing over into a very gear-focused run of episodes, her channel is a reliable source of good outdoor vibes and great information at the same time. Shes also not afraid to go outside her comfort zone and try new things. While I wont be trail running or making dried toothpaste chunks to cut down on weight in my pack anytime soon, Im absolutely behind her call to normalize mixing old-school camping gear with a more modern ultralight kit if only because none of this new stuff fits my freakishly tall body anyway.Good luck out there, Miranda, and heres hoping a wandering group of Hall family hikers bumps into you on a trail next summer.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the devs behind the Like a Dragon (formerly Yakuza) series, shared pre-alpha footage of its next game at The Game Awards on Dec. 12, but studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama says the short video reveals absolutely none of the projects contents.During a Dec. 26 broadcast, Yokoyama claimed every fan theory and bit of speculation hes seen online about Project Century is wrong. We didnt include any information that would enable people to guess, he said, confirming only that Project Century is an action-adventure game like previous Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio properties.Project Centurys first reveal indicates the game takes place in 1915, and that its as-of-yet unnamed protagonist will wield a variety of deadly weapons in combat in addition to the usual fisticuffs, and perhaps even court a woman or two. According to Automaton West, some Like a Dragon fans have speculated that the man in the teaser is a young Makoto Tojo, the founder of the Tojo Clan seen in the studios modern-day Yakuza games, and that rapper Snoop Dogg may be involved, but we can probably put those theories on ice thanks to Yokoyamas statements.Two days prior to Project Centurys debut, Sega filed two trademarks related to the property, one for the name of the company on the back of the protagonists robe Yashima Boueki Kaisha, or roughly Japan Trade Company and another for its logo. After Project Century was revealed, one Redditor noted that the rest of the text on the mans clothing No matter how far, we have no limits, we are as fast as lightning is written in modern Japanese, rather than the style one might expect of the time period in which the game is set.Project Century currently has no official release date or platforms.

Australian comedy group Aunty Donna has produced a ton of great videos and even a six-episode Netflix series since forming in 2011, but for my money, it doesnt get any better than their celebration of Christmas pudding, or as its colloquially known, Christmas pud. Always Room for Christmas Pud sees the trio goad one another through the ordeal with an over-the-top version of the sarcasm we tend to use with loved ones around the holidays. Its both entirely realistic and entirely surreal.My fellow Americans will probably notice that what theyre eating definitely isnt pudding, or at least as we know it. Pudding in Great Britain and former British colonies like Australia is more of a baked pastry with fruity bits akin to fruitcake, whereas the goopy stuff we call pudding is typically known as custard. Not only is Aunty Donna hilarious, but theyre also educational.I was first introduced to both Aunty Donna and Always Room for Christmas Pud years ago by Luke Plunkett, my former Kotaku coworker and noted Australian. Since then, I cant go a day between Thanksgiving and New Years without watching the video at least once. Its almost like Luke cursed me. Im afraid to see what happens if I dont watch Always Room for Christmas Pud for even one day. Maybe by writing about it here, Im spreading the memetic infection to everyone who reads this blog like in The Ring. Am I finally free?In any case, its funny enough to not get annoying with repeated viewings, and my family only kind of hates me for constantly working lines from the video into everyday conversation. Check it out, and maybe share it with a friend, too just to be safe.

From human-like interactions to voice customization and accessibility, learn how to create smarter, more user-centered chatbots.The rise of AI has transformed how we think about product design and development. Platforms like GPT and Gemini have made it possible to create chatbots with unprecedented sophistication, bringing cutting-edge technology closer to everyday applications. But this isnt just about tools or capabilitiesits about a shift in how we approach designitself.For designers, the introduction of AI marks the beginning of a new chapter that requires us to rethink traditional processes and embrace entirely new methods. Building AI-powered products is far from a plug-and-play process; it demands careful attention to user experience, deeper insights into user behavior, and a commitment to crafting solutions beyond functionality. With AI, we have an extraordinary opportunity to connect with users more personally, creating tailored experiences that address their unique needs, preferences, and limitations.Over the past year, Ive been deeply immersed in designing an AI-driven chatbot, gathering valuable insights and experience along the way. In this article, Ill share some thoughts on how to make chatbot experiences feel more real, natural, and user-friendlyqualities that people genuinely seek in conversational AI.Designing the look of yourchatbotThere are a few schools of thought when it comes to visualizing chatbots. Faceless chatbots, like those of GPT, Gemini, or Google Assistant, are often represented by simple illustrations or iconsespecially in text mode, where their small avatar size requires a clear, recognizable design. In voice mode, these chatbots sometimes adopt abstract compositions, such as the visual styles seen with GPT, Gemini, or the recently refreshed Siri. This approach is common for AI models designed to be integrated into a variety of specific products. (For the record, Im a fan of Siris newlook!)ChatGPT & Gemini in voice chatmodeAs we delve deeper into building more specialized products, the avatar strategy tends to shift. In these cases, its not uncommon to see chatbots represented by character avatars. While some might find this approach too literal, it can be highly effective, particularly in contexts like customer service. However, this strategy comes with a potential pitfall: if the avatar appears very human-like but doesnt fully reach the level of realism needed to feel truly human, it risks crossing into the uncanny valley. This is that strange moment when the avatar feels almost human but not quite enough, creating an awkward or unsettling experience for users. Ill delve further into this issue in futureposts.Praktika.ai: Automated 11 tutorship powered by gen-AIavatarsChoosing the rightdesignIf youre unsure which approach to take, consider allowing users to customize the look of the chatbot in the settings. Provide a few different options, including abstract and literal representations, and let users choose their preferences. This approach not only personalizes the experience but also provides valuable insightsby analyzing the resulting data, you can identify trends and make more informed design decisions.Tailoring the voice: tone andstyleWith the advancement of products like ElevenLabs, we now have powerful tools to fine-tune the tone and style of a chatbots voice responses. Designers can decide whether they want the chatbot to respond in a neutral, generic tone, adopt a softer, whispering style, or even adapt its tone and intonation dynamically based on specific contexts.ElevenLabs.io: AI agent; testmodeWhy is this level of customization so crucial? For two reasons. First, in real life, the way we speak is rarely linear. Humans are emotional beings, and context almost always shapes our communication. For example, the tone we use when apologizing is very different from the tone we use when celebrating. To make the experience feel more authentic (and potentially increase user engagementthough theres a caveat, which Ill elaborate on at the end of this entry), its vital to align the speaking style of the chatbot with the weight of the words and the context of the conversation.Good communication is about more than just the words themselves. According to the 55/38/7 formula, only 7% of communication is conveyed through words. A significant 38% comes from vocal tone, and 55% is from nonverbal cues. This makes it essential for chatbots to respond in a manner that feels human and emotional. This doesnt just mean matching the tone to the context; it also requires the chatbot to interpret the users input on a deeper, more emotional level to ensure a truly natural interaction.The role ofaccentsAnother important aspect of a chatbots speaking style is its accent. For users outside English-speaking countries, theres often a perception of a standard British accent, sometimesthough less and less oftenassociated with Received Pronunciation (RP). However, within the UK, there are nearly 40 distinct regional accents, each with its unique character and identity, showcasing the true diversity of Englishspeech.https://medium.com/media/5f134159c2d2a6e96e2f34c7b6682a0b/hrefOne of the most surprising and entertaining updates to ChatGPTs voice mode has been its ability to adopt accents. But it doesnt stop at simply choosing an accent for your assistant, which is already a common feature. You can now ask the assistant to speak in a mixed accent, such as that of a Polish person who has lived in Ireland for years. GPT handles this surprisingly well, combining strong Eastern European pronunciation with the unique rhythm and intonation typical of Irish English, resulting in an authentic and highly entertaining interaction.ChatGPT: voice chat; choose a voicesectionNow, imagine youre designing a customer service chatbot for different regions of the UK. Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all voice, your chatbot could adopt the local accent of each region, creating a more relatable and tailored experience for users. For example, a chatbot in Newcastle could use a Geordie accent, while one in Birmingham might adopt the Brummie style. This level of customization would not only enhance user engagement but also add cultural familiarity, making the interaction feel more personal andgenuine.https://medium.com/media/75d038594ab5223a9db188ab6fc1a740/hrefCurrently, none of the available models offer a wide range of regional accents (which is unfortunate), but GPT does include a limited selection of English accents. With ongoing experiments in this area, the future of regional accent customization looks promising.Text reveal: balancing message length and user experienceWhen it comes to chatbot message length, platforms like GPT and Gemini generally aim to balance conciseness and depth. By default, these models prioritize concise responses while ensuring they fully address the users query. For instance, simple questions typically result in answers averaging around 2050words.However, not all chatbots need to follow this formula. For example, a Storytelling Chatbot might require longer and more engaging narratives to entertain users, where the goal extends beyond providing information.ChatGPT: text chatmodeWhy does thismatter?Aligning the message style with the products purpose and the conversations context is essential. At the same time, overly lengthy paragraphs can feel overwhelming, especially if the UI isnt designed to handle them effectively. Thoughtful text-reveal strategies and interactions play a vital role in ensuring a smooth user experience that aligns both UI andUX.Looking at popular AI models like GPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok, we can observe notable differences in how information is revealed tousers:GPT and Claude present the text in a typewriter-like fashion, where the words appear as if theyre being typed out in real time. While this adds an element of dynamism, it can feel stressful for users who are more sensitive to visual stimulation or time pressure.Claude: text chatmodeGemini takes a different approach by displaying a shimmering preloader while the response is being generated, which can feel more anticipatory and lessjarring.Gemini: text chatmodeGrok and Pi.ai (built on Claude) stand out with a more subtle and polished reveal. Their text appears smoothly and pleasingly, making the experience particularly comfortable, especially when the generated content islengthy.Pi.ai: text chatmodeManaging cognitive loadAnother critical aspect of chatbot design is managing cognitive load by reducing visual clutter and maintaining focus. Platforms like Pi.ai, for instance, shift older responses out of view as new ones are generated. This approach keeps the interface clean and allows users to focus on the most relevant and recent information without being overwhelmed by chat historyclutter.Adjusting the pace of the responsesOne of the lesser-explored patterns in voice chatbots is providing settings to adjust the pace of the responses. While similar tools are commonly used by screen reader users, they remain a novelty in the context of voice chatbots.Now, imagine two simple sliders: one controlling the overall response rate (how fast the chatbot speaks), and another adjusting the pauses between sentences or paragraphs.This solution is both simple and incredibly powerful, yet its an area that hasnt been fully explored in AI chatbots. (Let me know in the comments if youve come across a chatbot that offers something similar!)VoiceOver settings: speaking ratesliderThis kind of customization could be particularly helpfulfor:Users with hearing difficulties need slower and clearer responses.Non-native speakers, often benefit from slower speech and longer pauses for comprehension.Users with cognitive challenges, for whom more deliberate pacing aids understanding.High-stress situations, where slower and calmer responses help reduce anxiety (e.g., mental health or crisis support chatbots).Integrating this feature would not only improve accessibility but also create a more personalized and user-friendly experience. Its a small addition with the potential for a bigimpact.Other conversation dynamics vs. UIpatternsWhen it comes to human-chatbot interaction, there are currently three primary UI patterns:Voice-to-Voice Mode: This is the most natural and hands-free option, where users dont need to interact with the device to communicate physically.Hold-to-Talk Mode: The user presses and holds a microphone button to speak to thechatbot.Record Mode: A familiar pattern found in most messaging apps, where the user records a message and sends it to the chatbot (or to a person) for processing.1: Voice-to-voice; 2: Hold-to-Talk; 3:RecordFrom a communication standpoint, hands-free voice-to-voice interaction feels the most natural. However, it presents significant UX challenges, even with advanced models like ChatGPT. One notable issue is that chatbots still struggle to accurately detect when a user has finished speaking.Enhancing voice interactionsIn the latest version of GPTs voice chatbot, there are still occasional scenarios where the assistant might step in prematurely if a user pauses mid-sentence to gather their thoughts. While this can interrupt the flow of the conversation, GPT offers some features that significantly improve the experience:Interruptibility: Users can interrupt the assistant mid-response. It immediately stops speaking and resumes listening, allowing the user to continue seamlessly.Adjustable Listening Time: Users can request the assistant to allow more time for their responses. This feature helps ensure that pauses for thinking dont lead to interruptions, resulting in a smoother conversational flow.These features make the latest GPT version one of the most advanced voice chat assistants available, demonstrating noticeable progress in addressing common challenges in voice-to-voice interactions.Reliable voice inputmethodsIf youre designing a chatbot interface, especially for voice interactions, its important to acknowledge these challenges. At the current stage of technology, the most reliable input methodsremain:Hold-to-Talk Buttons: A simple and familiar method that minimizes errors in detecting when the user is finished speaking.Record Mode: A practical and widely accepted solution for asynchronous voiceinput.While the hands-free voice-to-voice experience is improving rapidly, its not yet flawless. For now, designing with more controlled interaction patterns like hold-to-talk or record mode will provide a safer, more consistent user experience. Eventually, as technology advances, voice-to-voice interaction will likely become seamlessbut were not there quiteyet.SummaryAll the points mentioned above should not be taken as definitive advice for the design process. Since we are still in the early stages of the robotics eraand chatbots are, in essence, a form of roboticswe cannot fully predict how users will adapt to them. Some chatbots may excel with a more natural, human-like tone, while others might perform better with a rigid, robotic approach.As we navigate this new chapter in UX/UI design, its clear there is no universal formula or one-size-fits-all solution. The key to creating a high-performing chatbot lies in following an iterative process: designing, testing, learning, and repeating. Only through this cycle can we refine and adapt to meet the evolving needs and preferences ofusers.References I recommend to gothrough:AI: First New UI Paradigm in 60 Years by JakobNielsenWhat is chatbot design? byIBM.comThe Art of Building Customer-Facing AI Chatbots by Phaneendra KumarNamalaThe best links to get started with Conversational UI and chatbots by CaioBragaThe Power of Voice: How Sound Shapes Our Emotions and Interactions by MillianSpeaks | The Psychology ofSoundDesigning for AI: beyond the chatbot by RidhimaGuptaThe chatbot that mimics your accentand uses street slang by Mark Sellman for The SundayTimesCognitive Load and UI Design: Simplifying Interfaces for Enhanced User Experience by Jakub WojciechowskiDigital Accessibility: Understanding Screen Reader Interaction by Customer Experience PrudentialIterative Design: How to Optimize the Product Design Process by VladimirPavlovWeb Accessibility Tips: Give People Enough Time by Bureau of Internet AccessibilityBeyond the bot: redefining chatbot design in the age of AI was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

At the end of every December, I start thinking hard about what I want the next year to be like for me. You can chalk it up to all the Capricorn placements in my birth chart if you want (and I do!) or blame the cultural obsession with a "new year, new me" approach, but I take my New Year's resolutions seriously and generally try to come up with realistic, actionable plans to improve myself and my life. It's easy to identify the things I want to change and even easy to figure out how, exactly, I should do that, but that doesn't mean it's easy to stick to it. Real life gets in the way no matter what year it is. When it comes to habit-forming, sometimes you have to play hardball. Here's how I use penalties to succeed in my resolutions. What do I mean by New Year's resolution "penalties?"When you're trying to make a change, an intrinsic reward may not always cut it. Sure, you know that you'll boost your endorphins and strengthen your body if you go to the gym more often, but that takes time to play out and is easy to give up on if you're not seeing immediate results. I always recommend cleaning your home in bursts, bit by bit, too, so you won't get overwhelmedbut again, if you don't see fast progress, you can quickly lose motivation. The solution here is to stop looking for intrinsic motivation at all and start motivating yourself with external stakes. You need to assign penalties to your goals, especially your New Year's resolutions. A resolution can't be as simple as, "I resolve to call my mom more often." You need an implementation strategy, like setting up a defined time for when you'll do that, plus a little extra motivation. Consider, then, "I resolve to call my mom three times per week or else I will send her a bouquet." It's easier to make three phone calls than spend over $80 on some flowers, and your mom would probably appreciate both, so the money-saving here should motivate you to get the calls done. Ideas for resolution penaltiesI use penalties all the time in my daily life and have for years. Back in college, I was a devout calorie counter, but I noticed I would avoid entering in my calorie totals on my "cheat days," which would snowball into me getting lackadaisical about data entry over the next few days. I implemented a personal penalty system that involved getting a small treat, like a pudding cup, at the end of every day when I entered all my foods honestly. That worked fine for me, since I am pretty good at holding my own self accountable, but it may not be enough for you. Nothing is actually stopping you from just eating the pudding cup. Here are some other ideas:Tell a few people about your resolutions and schedule periodic check-ins with them. You don't want to get asked by a friend how your money-saving resolution is going and have to tell them you forgot to stash any away this week. Choose a friend who is responsible and, ideally, one who will give you a little bit of a hard time if you don't follow through. I deputized one of my friends to bother me about my financial habits three years ago and, thanks to her commitment to being as incessantly annoying as possible, paid off a bunch of my bills in record time. Bet on it. There are apps out there like Forfeit that require you to put money out upfront, then prove that you're sticking to your goals. You can submit relevant materials, like proof of a workout, to stop them from holding onto your money at the end of your pre-defined timeline. It sounds intense because it isbut if you're really struggling to stay on top of your goals, it can work. Set yourself up to win or fail. I'll explain: When I need to clean my apartment but just can't find the motivation, I invite a friend over for dinner a few days in advance. Then, knowing someone is going to enter my home at a set time that I can't change, I suddenly find the motivation to make sure it's clean. I do this in the gym, too, planning a sick outfit for, say, an event a month in advance, then working out every day with the outfit in mind. Even if no one knows what I'm up to, I'd feel bad if I canceled the dinner or switched the outfit just because I personally failed my own mission. I don't like being disappointed in myself. As you make your resolutions, try adding some kind of penalty clause, even if it's small, if you have typically have a hard time sticking with it. If the negativity associated with a penalty isn't motivating you, try flipping the script to suit your needs. Rewards can be helpful, too. Instead of taking something away from yourself if you don't succeed in changing your habits, try giving yourself something if you do. Hell, do both. One of my resolutions this year centers on a big goal I have for one of my personal projects. If I don't make steps toward meeting it every week, I'm denying myself my usual Friday night out; but if I do take a major step toward achieving it, I'm doubling the amount I allow myself to spend that Friday. And yes, I'm telling my friends to make sure they keep me in line.

Whether youre hosting a Gatsby-themed party or rockin your PJs, New Years Eve calls for a slightly elevated snack. Something that doesnt require cooking is ideal, but it can be tricky finding oven-less recipes that arent lackluster (sorry, crudit platter). Luckily, there is one party host that's been churning out reliable party recipes for decades. Its Martha, and I can tell you with confidence that her Roquefort cheese grapes are the weird and delicious snack you need for your New Years Eve party.Even I was a tad skeptical at firstblue-cheese-coated green grapes rolled in ground nuts is atypical at best (for me anyway)but I can hardly resist a five-ingredient recipe. Plus, its fitting for New Years Eve. For many cultures around the world, eating grapes at midnight is a tradition that invites good luck into your year. So why not offer grapes with a tasty twist? Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann This recipe is vintage 1982, coming from Stewarts Entertaining cookbook. The idea is pretty simple, and Ive made a few adjustments to make the execution even easier. She combines a smidge of Roquefort cheese (a soft, salty, funky blue cheese available in most big grocery stores) with cream cheese and a splash of heavy cream. The ratio of the three basically creates a cream cheese dip with a hint of blue cheese. Washed and dried green grapes get a light coating of the cheese spread and are then rolled in ground toasted nuts. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann The result of this fruit, cheese, and nut combo is an absolutely exquisite bite. Texturally, you get the pleasure of biting into a juicy grape paired with cool, creamy cheese, and a rough tumble of finely ground nuts. As far as flavor is concerned, the blend is mesmerizingthe grapes are syrupy-sweet, the nuts offer welcome bitterness, and the cheese is buttery and salty with a playfully funky finish from the Roquefort. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Starting with room temperature cheeses makes mixing easy, but you can always pop the bowl into the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds to warm any fridge-cold ingredients. If you really hate blue cheese or you forgot to buy some, you can omit it. Its a relatively small amount, so you can just substitute that measurement for more cream cheese and itll work just as well. Dont chuck the leftover Roquefort cheese spreadit makes a mean dip for crackers.Roquefort Grapes Recipe(adapted from Martha Stewarts Entertaining)Ingredients: pound seedless green grapes4 ounces cream cheese1 ounce Roquefort cheese1 tablespoon heavy cream cup (about 6 ounces) toasted slivered almonds (or toasted walnuts)1. Wash and dry your grapes. (If they're wet, the cheese won't stick.) Set them aside in a bowl.2. Grind the nuts into a semi-fine nut meal. Its okay if its uneven or some lentil-sized pieces are in there. Pour the ground nuts into a small bowl.3. In a different small bowl, mix the cream cheese and Roquefort cheese together until smooth. Pop it into the microwave for 10 seconds or so if needed. Stir in the heavy cream. The mixture should be thick but spreadable like soft butter.4. Put parchment paper on a sheet tray or plate. Roll the grapes in the cheese. Youll probably achieve a thin, uneven coating, and thats just fine. I put a vinyl glove on my left hand and just rubbed the cheese over the grapes with my hand. Drop the grapes into the bowl of nuts and roll them around until well coated. Gently place the coated grapes onto the parchment lined tray. Repeat with all the grapes.5. Chill the grapes in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to firm-up the cheese and nut coating. Serve in a wide bowl or on a platter with candied nuts, and have a happy New Year.

YouTube is testing a pop-up Play Something button that will play a random video for you. As spotted by 9to5Google, the new feature is exclusive to the popular video sites Android app for now, and isnt showing up for everyone.Its not the first time YouTube has tried a play something feature, and Netflix aficionados might remember seeing a similar button at some point in the past. But unlike the Play Something banners and buttons of past tests, this button displays over your feed (so be careful where you click) rather than as a tile embedded into it.Clicking it will take you to a random video chosen by the YouTube algorithm, shown in the same vertical player used by YouTube Shorts. Weirdly, these videos can include either Shorts or longer content, but both use the Shorts playerstandard YouTube videos will just have large black bars at the top and bottom.Unfortunately, it doesnt look like theres any way to use Play Something as a kind of shuffle feature, as the app reverts to the usual Shorts player controls once you click the new button, meaning you can only use it to play one video at a time. That said, once youre in the Shorts player, you can just swipe up to load a new random Short (although longer videos wont show up this way).Sadly, 9to5Google doesnt mention any way to dismiss the new button short of playing a video, so if you see it, youre just kind of stuck with it on your screen until you actually start watching something. Thats a bit annoying, since the sites screenshots show the button obscuring thumbnails and video titles.Its possible the button is an attempt to encourage users looking for TikTok alternatives to start trying out the Shorts interfacea smart move given the upcoming deadline for the potential TikTok ban.

A Volkswagen software subsidiary called Cariad experienced a massive data leak that left 800,000 EV owners exposed, according to reporting by the German publication Spiegel Netzwelt. The leak allowed personal information to be left online for months, including movement data and contact information.This included precise location data for 460,000 vehicles made by VW, Seat and Audi. According to reports, the information was accessible via the Amazon cloud storage platform. Theres a silver lining here. Cariad says that, despite being available, no bad actors accessed the exposed data. The good-faith hacking association Chaos Computer Club (CCC) spotted the leak on November 26 and brought it to the companys attention.VW said in a statement reviewed by the German press agency DPA that the error has since been rectified, so that the information is no longer accessible. Additionally, the company noted that the leak only pertained to location and contact info, as passwords and payment data werent impacted. It added that only select vehicles registered for online services were initially at risk, stating that "the data was accessed in a very complex, multi-stage process."According to Volkswagen, the CCC hackers group was only able to access pseudonymized vehicle data that didnt allow for any conclusions to be reached regarding specific customers. This was done only by bypassing several security mechanisms, which required a high level of expertise and a considerable investment of time.In other words, the impacted customers shouldnt be too worried about their location data being harvested by dark web ne'er-do-wells. The company has started an investigation into the matter and will make a decision regarding further steps when that is concluded.As modern vehicles get more and more online, it opens them up to a myriad of new risks. It was just last year when a viral TikTok challenge taught Hyundai users how to hack their vehicles, resulting in more than a dozen crashes and eight deaths.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/huge-volkswagen-data-leak-exposed-the-locations-of-460000-ev-drivers-194000006.html?src=rss