After a controversial red food dye was banned in the US, more questions regarding its use have continued to arise. On Jan. 15, theFood and Drug Administration announcedthat it's revoking its authorization of Red No. 3 in food, drinks and ingested drugs across the country after two studies showed that when the dye was ingested in high amounts by laboratory rats, it caused cancer.The ban also comes after the state of California banned the same dye and three other food additives in 2023, which gave manufacturers until 2027 to change their recipes. Then in 2024, California made history again by banning six more artificial dyes -- Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 -- from being served in public schools.Now the FDA has followed suit by banning Red No. 3. Here's everything to know about the synthetic dye. What is Red No. 3? Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. Red No. 3 -- also known as FD&C Red No. 3, erythrosine or Red 3 -- is a synthetic dye that is made from petroleum and adds a "bright, cherry-red color" to the products it is added to. In 1990, the FDA banned Red No. 3 in cosmetics, but no law barred the synthetic dye from being added to numerous types of foods and drinks for decades to come.The FDA cited the Delaney Clause as its reasoning behind the ban, which "prohibits FDA authorization of a food additive or color additive if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals."Although studies did show a link to cancer in laboratory rats, a link between the dye and cancer in humans has not been found."While there are studies noting carcinogenicity in male rats, the FDA noted in their announcement that the hormonal mechanism through which the dye caused cancer in rats is specific to the animal and does not occur in humans," Bryan Hitchcock, chief science and technology officer of the Institute of Food Technologists, told CNET.Hitchcock added that the studies used large amounts of the dye, which is more than what the average human would consume when eating the foods that contain it."Studies testing Red No. 3 for human safety have done so at amounts well above the average amount of consumption, as noted by various global regulatory bodies," he says. "The studies referenced by the FDA note that the rats were given roughly 200 times the likely maximum daily consumption of .25 mg/kg of body weight per day."What foods contain Red No. 3?CandyCakesCupcakesCookiesFrozen dessertsFrostingsIcingsCertain Maraschino cherriesCertain processed meats and meat substitutes Red No. 3 has previously been banned in other countries, including Japan and Australia. Ali Majdfar/Getty ImagesSome specific items that currently have Red No. 3 on its ingredient list are:Numerous types of Brach's candy, including Classic Jelly Beans, Spiced Jelly Beans and Conversation HeartsMorningStar Farms Plant-Based Bacon StripsGood Humor Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Dessert BarsPez candyAccording to a list compiled by Drugs.com, some of the drugs that have Red No. 3 in them include:AcetaminophenDoxycycline MonohydrateGabapentinVyvanseWhen will companies officially remove Red No. 3 from products?Despite the ban, don't expect to see the Red No. 3 ingredient disappear from ingredient lists too quickly. According to the FDA, companies will have until 2027 or 2028 to remove it from their products."Manufacturers who use FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs will have until January 15, 2027, or January 18, 2028, respectively, to reformulate their products," the FDA's statement reads.Alternatives to Red No. 3Givaudan Sense Colour, a manufacturing company that creates natural food and drink colorings, highlighted three possible alternatives to Red No. 3. They include carmine, which is actually made from bugs; betacyanins, found in beetroots; and anthocyanins, derived from fruits and vegetables.California assemblymember Jesse Gabriel told NBC News that although synthetic dyes can be cheaper than other alternatives, he does not believe that the Red No. 3 ban will cause prices of the affected products to change."We don't expect the price of any food to increase," he told the outlet. As for alternative synthetic dyes,Red 40, which is not banned by the FDA, can also help achieve a bright red color, so it is also a possible alternative that manufacturers will choose.Are other color additives safe?After the Red No. 3 ban, there are now eight color additives approved by the FDA. They are FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, FD&C Green No. 3, Orange B, Citrus Red No. 2, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Yellow No. 6.Hitchcock says that so far, studies show that there is not a notable risk to consuming these dyes."While science tells us that there is little to no risk in consuming other synthetic dyes, it is important that we continue to monitor and evaluate food ingredient safety," he says. "It is paramount that we continue to invest in more scientific research around the health of our foods to ensure safety and provide peace of mind for consumers."According to the FDA, the above dyes do not pose the same possible risks as Red No. 3, which is why they are still available for use in the US. But, some studies show possible links between certain dyes and potential health conditions. For example, some studies have linked Red 40 to hyperactivity, according to the Cleveland Clinic, but further studies are still needed to determine a direct link between the dye and the condition.When asked about the safety of other food dyes, Hitchcock highlighted the need for transparency from the FDA, which he says the agency has been addressing."We believe there needs to be a clear framework for post-market review for food additive safety," Hitchcock says. "The FDA is actively working to address this issue as seen in their 'Development of an Enhanced Systematic Process for the FDA's Post-Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food.' IFT believes that the FDA needs to bring forward a post-market assessment of chemical food safety that is transparent, scientifically grounded, constituent informed and timely." If a drink looks too red to be natural, it probably is. vlad.plus/Getty ImagesThe bottom lineRed No. 3 has been fully banned in the US, but it will continue to be used in food for the next two years as manufacturers work to change their recipes. However, some manufacturers are making changes much more quickly than that.In an email to CBS News, Keurig Dr Pepper said that a "new formula" for Yoo-hoo Strawberry Flavored Drink, which is currently made with Red No. 3 to help achieve its color, "will be on shelves before the end of the year."

Stardew Valley creator says he doesn't want to 'definitively close the book' on its development, even 12 years on"I will always have a desire to come back and maybe add a thing or two."Image credit: Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 24, 2025 There was a brief moment back in 2021 when it seemed like Stardew Valley creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone might finally be done with his mega-popular farm-life sim - until, that is, update 1.6 was suddenly announced and rapidly took on a life of its own. And now Barone has admitted it's unlikely he'll ever 'definitively close the book' on its development, saying (probably not entirely seriously) he might still be adding things "50 years from now".Stardew Valley was an immediate hit when it released back in 2016, selling over 400K copies in just two weeks. Nearly nine years later, that number has reached the 41m mark, and Barone, somewhat remarkably, has continued to expand the game - most recently in last year's 1.6 update, which was originally supposed to be relatively modest in scope when it was announced in 2022, but grew increasingly ambitious as time went on.That's despite Barone having seemingly drawn a line under Stardew Valley's development a year earlier, when he confirmed he'd be focusing his attention on a new game - later revealed to be Haunted Chocolatier. But while Barone has now resumed development of his second title following a pause for Stardew Valley's 1.6 update, he's admitted he doesn't think he'll ever necessarily be done with his farming game.Speaking to NPR, Barone revealed that even though he's now been working on Stardew Valley for more than 12 years, "I don't want to definitively say that the book is ever closed, because I think I will always have a desire to come back and maybe add a thing or two. You know, maybe even 50 years from now, I might add something." That doesn't mean Barone doesn't see a natural end point for the title, however. "I think a game can have too much content," he explained. "And I ultimately want Stardew Valley to be the best game it can be. So if I feel like it's starting to become kind of overwhelmed with content to the point where it's detrimental to the game's entertainment factor, I would stop."And for the time being, at least, it does appear Barone has taken a step back from Stardew Valley following the rather lengthy two-year development of its 1.6 update. As he revealed in December last year, work has now resumed on Haunted Chocolatier."Even though Haunted Chocolatier has only been revealed publicly to a tiny degree," he said at the time, "in my own private world it's a special place, and I'm very attached to the characters, themes, and ideas." It does, however, sounds like its release is still some way off, with Baron explaining, "It's going to be a lot of work still, but it's okay, I'm addicted to the grind."

Valentines Day is a notoriously difficult holiday to shop for, with so much pressure focused on nailing the right gesture. Traditionally, the best Valentines gifts for her would include dark chocolate or bouquets and bubbly, but we like to be a little less on-the-nose when it comes to our V-Day gifts.To ease some of the anxiety of prepping for your big gift reveal, we curated a selection of our most stood-behind ideas, including cozy bestsellers, heartwarming decor, splurge-worthy items, and personalized gifts that will surprise and delight (no gift cards here). Scroll on for our editor-approved list of the best Valentines Day gifts that will prove your devotion. After all, your love is everlastingjust like a Le Creuset Dutch oven or a special piece of jewelry.Our Top Picks for the Best Valentines Gifts for Her:Best Gift for Chefs: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Figural Heart Cocotte, $220 from AmazonBest Jewelry Gift: Mejuri Pav Diamond X Oversized Studs, $578 from MejuriBest Perfume Gift: Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum, $225 at NordstromBest Gift Under $50: Quince Mongolian Cashmere V-Neck Sweater, $50 from QuinceBest Splurge Gifts: Saint Laurent Calyspo Shoulder Bag, $2,900 from Net-a-PorterMejuri Pav Diamond Slim SignetYou cant go wrong with some statement jewelry from Mejuri this February 14th. Gift her this sparkling signet in her regular size or size down for a sparkling pinky ring moment. (Pictured with the Edie Eternity Ring).Lizzie SouflerisLe Creuset L'Amour Signature Heart CocotteThe perfect Dutch oven does exist, and its this heart-shaped cocotte from Le Creuset. Eat your heart out (literally).Quince Mongolian Cashmere V-Neck SweaterNothing generates the warm and fuzzies quite like a cashmere sweater. Thankfully, Quince has no shortage of them at budget-friendly prices if you wanted to get one for all your sweethearts (kidding, kidding).Malin+Goetz Aromatic CandleWe think Malin + Goetzs tomato-scented candle makes a particularly nice Valentines gift for your favorite chef or gourmand. It diffuses the soothing aroma of freshly picked herbsfragrant basil, calming lavender, and cool mint.Bearaby Velvet NapperSleeping under this velvety weighted blanket from Bearaby will feel just like a hug from her favorite person in the world (you).Monica Vinader Deia Locket Fine Chain NecklaceKeep it old school with a locket for storing treasured mementos close to her heart. Whether shes more of a gold vermeil or sterling silver person, we think this gift will go down well with an engraving of her star sign, a meaningful phrase, or a hand-drawn doodle.J.Crew Featherweight Cashmere-Blend Polo ShirtJ.Crews cashmere is a classic for a reason, but an even bigger no-brainer? An equally classic polo silhouette for layering up in winter or elevating a spring office look.Mark & Graham Dual Travel OrganizerMark and Grahams handy travel organizer has a designated space for toiletries as well as a hidden compartment for jewelry that not even the TSA can find. Slap on a personalized monogram and youve got yourself a winner of a gift.Saint Laurent Calypso Shoulder BagThis coveted Saint Laurent bag will be the cherry on top of her collection of small purses. Its named after a goddess, which is an anecdote you should definitely pocket for later.A few years ago, I started seeing Byredo products in the homes of my most chic friends and later received a lovely hand soap that fully converted me to the brand, says commerce director Rachel Fletcher. Mojave Ghost is a sophisticated, high quality (but not overpowering) scent, and the packaging looks lovely on any dresser.Lizzie SouflerisTumi Belden Jewelry CaseIf shes constantly on the move, we recommend this jewelry travel case with a handsome monogram option thats perfect for housing future heirlooms.Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de ParfumA sweetly seductive scent layered with notes of ambrette, sandalwood, magnolia, and chantilly musk, Byredos Mojave Ghost is the perfect gift for established or budding fragrance fanatics.California White Sturgeon Caviar by FishwifeFor your very own (Fish)wife, elevate date night with the brands caviar. Its buttery, creamy flavor pairs well with chips or blinis and even comes with a fish-engraved mother of pearl spoon in this luxe set.Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton RobeOne of our favorite bedding brands, Parachute, makes an especially refined Turkish cotton robe for your cozy Valentine. Its ideal for throwing on first thing in the morning or lounging around (and has the right specs to become the one thing she lives in this winter).Vivienne Westwood Rose Gold & Pink Petra EarringsA favorite of commerce editor Audrey Lee, who calls these earrings classic but not stodgy, Vivienne Westwood jewelry sets the standard for not so run-of-the-mill pearl designs and statement baubles.Lululemon Long Puffer JacketIf the plan is to hit the slopes together this winter, get your snow bunny a lightweight puffer in a pulse-spiking shade which can fold up in a carry-on.Eberjey Gisele Long PJ SetThis buttery soft pajama set is the thoughtful gift to trump all gifts this Valentines Day. Its available in virtually every shade (like this seasonally-appropriate heart motif), and it can be monogrammed, so you can tell her you custom-designed it and youd be half-right.The American Rose BouquetIf youre taking the road often traveled (the bouquet route), go bold with one filled with red roses, ranunculus, and anemone. And if youre looking for more fresh florals, check out our favorite online flower delivery services stacked with options to shop year-round.Ana Luisa Constellation NecklaceIf shes been trying to grow her jewelry collection piece by piece, a sparkling gold necklace is a bright idea. She'll even be able to remove or add charms for a bespoke look.Spring & Mulberry Essence Variety PackNo Valentines Day gift guide would be complete without a little chocolate. You could opt for something expected like a gift box filled with truffles, but why not spring for a few packs of Spring and Mulberrys bars instead, which include unusual flavors like coffee, bergamot, and blood orange?Mandy's Artificial Silk TulipsIf you want to gift a bouquet that will truly never die, these artificial silk tulips look and feel just like the real thing.Mejuri Edie Lab Grown Sapphire Eternity RingThis gem-studded eternity band is one to creatively say forever and always.If shes all about home fragrance, beeline for Aesops room spray, which commerce producer Lauren calls a great candle-free option if you get anxiety about accidentally setting something ablaze. She describes the charming scent as floralbut not like your grandmas housemore woodsy and warm.Lizzie SouflerisAesop Aromatique Room SprayQuince 14K Gold Diamond Bezel Station BraceletThis dainty bracelet pairs well with equally delicate chains, sturdier bangles, or even her everyday watch.Mienca Heart Shape Aluminum Cake PanGalentines who love to bake will get a kick out of this romantic bundt pan.Flower Market Valentines Folded CardSometimes its easier to write all those big feelings down, so consider coming through with a heart-felt message in a card (<3).Diptyque Red Tubereuse CandleIf youre planning on wining and dining her with a romantic candlelit meal, weve got you set on the best candles for the occasion. Specifically, Diptyques sultry Red Tubereuse Candle wont disappoint, whether enjoyed together or inhaled completely solo.

Tired of pulling out damp clothes from the dryer? You may need to learn how to clean a dryer vent. Much like washing machine upkeep, this laundry room maintenance chore should be part of your regular cleaning checklist.Over time, lint and small debris builds up in exhaust pipes and needs to be removed, says David Steckel, home expert for Thumbtack, a home care directory app. This buildup can reduce the efficiency of the unit and eventually become a fire hazard.In fact, dirty dryer vents are the leading cause of domestic dryer fires, according to the US Fire Administration. So youll want to clean your machines dryer vent at least once a year. After all, the last thing you want is a burning smell wafting from your laundry room.The good news for homeowners is that dryer vent cleaning can be a DIY job that doesnt entail an elaborate processyou can even use a clean toilet brush to pull out the debris. Once the vent duct is in tip-top shape, youll notice that your dryer is working better, you have completely dry clothes at the end of each cycle, cleaner lint screens, and most importantly, the peace of mind that your laundry room is not going to cause a house fire.Find what you needCan you clean a dryer vent yourself?Often, yes. But there are some considerations to think over before committing to doing it yourself. Some experts dissuade DIY dryer vent cleanings if you have a gas dryer.The location of the dryer and laundry room design constraints can dictate its accessibility as well. Vertical ductwork, common in basements, creates extra challenges and makes rigid ductwork essential for the entire run from dryer to wall, says Jamie Addie, owner of WiseChoice Home Services in Littleton, Colorado, and Thumbtack pro advisor. In my experience, basement dryers often have longer, more complex vent paths compared to standard setups. Its worth considering a pro since some counties have specific regulations for these setups.However, if you consider yourself handy and the dryer duct setup is straightforward, you may be able to do this laundry maintenance service yourself. If you do decide to do the dryer vent cleaning yourself, consider buying a drill-powered duct cleaning brush, which can extend anywhere from 20 to 40 feet.How do you know its time to clean your dryer vent?There are signs that you may have a clogged dryer vent and duct cleaning is in order. Look out for the following indicators.Damp clothes and moldy odorIf you feel like it is taking longer for your clothes to get dry, you probably need to clean out the vents, Steckel notes. Your clothes drying cycle shouldnt take longer than the designated time allotted. Clothes that smell of mold could also signal a blocked vent.Hot dryer or burning smellThe dryer unit is hot to the touch or theres a burning smell when you run the dryer. Your clothes should not feel extremely hot (more so than usual) when the dry cycle ends. Remember: A clog in the vent can lead to dryer fires.Dont forget to clean out your lint trap regularly.Photo: Viktoria Enger-Tsizikova/Getty ImagesRise in humidityThe laundry room gets humid or has restricted air flow when you run the dryer. (The hot air may be seeping into the room instead of escaping through the outside vent if there is an obstruction in the vent hose.)Excess lintThe lint filter is filled with more lint than usual, even if you toss in wool dryer balls. Keep in mind that things like towels, sweatshirts, and fuzzy blankets will garner more lint than other items, so cleaning your dryer duct post-winter is not a bad idea.Some types of dryer ducts (foil, plastic, or vinyl) are more prone to clogging and consequently can lead to a house fire. Ideally, these dryer vents could be replaced with a rigid metal duct. If thats not possible, take extra care to ensure these dryer vents are always clean and debris-free.How do you clean a dryer vent duct?A DIY dryer vent cleaning process shouldnt take you more than an hour as long as you have the right info and tools. Here are seven simple steps that will get all that lint and gunk out of the duct.Step 1: Gather your suppliesGetting dust and lint out of your dryer duct goes beyond basic cleaning products and microfiber cloths. Thats because youre not just wiping the debris awayyou physically need to remove clogs from the ducts. Oftentimes the dirt gets stuck to the interior sides of the vent, so you need something that will catch it and pull it out.

In BriefPosted:3:24 PM PST January 24, 2025Image Credits:Eugene Gologursky/The New York Times / Getty ImagesRetro Biosciences, backed by Sam Altman, is raising $1 billion to extend human lifespanOpenAI CEO Sam Altman is doubling down on Retro Biosciences, a biotech startup based in San Francisco that wants humans to live 10 years longer than what it calls a healthy human lifespan.Altman previously provided Retro Biosciences entire seed round of $180 million. Now, the startup is raising a $1 billion Series A that Altman is joining, the Financial Times reports.Retro Biosciences, which says it plans to launch trials for drugs targeting diseases like Alzheimers, recently trained a model with OpenAI to turn regular cells into stem cells.CEO Joe Betts-LaCroix told the FT he wants to move fast by discovering and developing a drug in the 2020s. The startup joins other major billionaire-backed longevity efforts, including Altos Labs, which launched with $3 billion in 2022 backed by Jeff Bezos, and Unity Biotechnology, supported by both Bezos and Peter Thiel.Topics

UnitedHealth has confirmed the ransomware attack on its Change Healthcare unit last February affected around 190 million people in America nearly double previous estimates.The U.S. health insurance giant confirmed the latest number to TechCrunch on Friday after the markets closed.Change Healthcare has determined the estimated total number of individuals impacted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack is approximately 190 million, said Tyler Mason, a spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group in an email to TechCrunch. The vast majority of those people have already been provided individual or substitute notice. The final number will be confirmed and filed with the Office for Civil Rights at a later date.UnitedHealths spokesperson said the company was not aware of any misuse of individuals information as a result of this incident and has not seen electronic medical record databases appear in the data during the analysis.The February 2024 cyberattack is the largest breach of medical data in U.S. history and caused months of outages across the U.S. healthcare system. Change Healthcare, a health tech giant and UnitedHealth subsidiary, is one of the largest handlers of health, medical data, and patient records; its also one of the biggest processors of healthcare claims in the United States.The data breach resulted in the theft of massive quantities of health and insurance-related information, some of which was published online by the hackers who claimed responsibility for the breach. Change Healthcare subsequently paid at least two ransoms to prevent further publication of the stolen files.UnitedHealth previously put the number of affected individuals at around 100 million people when the company filed its preliminary analysis with the Office for Civil Rights, the unit under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that investigates data breaches.In its data breach notice, Change Healthcare said that the cybercriminals stole names and addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, and government identity documents, which included Social Security numbers, drivers license numbers, and passport numbers. The stolen health data also includes diagnoses, medications, test results, imaging, and care and treatment plans, as well as health insurance information. Change said the data also includes financial and banking information found in patient claims.The breach was attributed to the ALPHV ransomware gang, a prolific Russian language cybercrime group. According to testimony by UnitedHealth Groups CEO Andrew Witty to lawmakers last year, the hackers broke into Changes systems using a stolen account credential, which was not protected with multi-factor authentication.How the ransomware attack at Change Healthcare went down: A timeline

One of the larger mercantile buildings in the Leather District of Boston is this turn-of-the-century block,historically known as the South Street Building. Bounded by three streets, this eight-story building was constructed in 1899from plansbyWinslow, Wetherill & Bigelowand is a great example of a Classical Revival style commercial block with Beaux Arts motifs to further decorate the facades. In 1901, as expected, the city directories list many leather and soft goods-related occupants in the building, including: The American Calfskin Leather Company, John F. Moore Co., leather dealer, and Charles D. French, leather remnants dealer. The building was renovated in 1990 and rebranded as Lincoln Plaza, becoming a major space for non-profit offices.

Kayla Solino/ZDNETZDNET's key takeawaysThe Strapsicle silicone straps upgrade the grip options on your Kindle and provide a secure hold to prevent drops.At $21, Strapsicle is an easy and affordable Kindle accessory to make your reading experience even more comfortable.If you prefer more ergonomic grips or don't like the look of straps across the back of your Kindle, an alternative security option may be best.If you're an avid e-reader like me (or even if you're new to the Kindle world), you probably quickly figured out how uncomfortable it can be to use the e-reader. That's not because my Kindle Paperwhite is bad, but because it's sometimes hard to find the perfect position for optimal reading enjoyment.Kindles do not have built-in support, making reading in bed, at the pool, at the beach, or anywhere a lot more challenging, especially if you like to read lying down or at odd angles.And just like it's popular to outfit our smartphones with grips, rings, and other accessories for stability, it's quite en vogue to do the same for our other tech, including Kindles. After one too many times dropping my Kindle Paperwhite onto my face (that thing does, in fact, leave a mark), I finally caved and was seriously in the market for a grip system.During my journey, I encountered some of the usual accessory contenders: traditional grips like PopSockets, cases that convert to stands, and large, clunky holders. But something else caught my eye --Strapsicle. details View at Amazon I stumbled upon them online. Strapsicle is a stability option created for e-readers like the Kindle and Kobo to ensure a comfortable grip when you read, and a secure hold for your Kindle when you're not (you know, like when you fall asleep with the device in your hand). Strapsicles are simple silicone pieces that pop over the corners of your device and create a strap to handle your Kindle securely.So, where had this accessory been all my life? The answer is that Strapsicle has a large cult following of users, many derived from BookTok, but the accessory hasn't quite made it mainstream. But that situation may be about to change. Just this month, the Australian-based brand sealed a $250,000 deal on Shark Tank Australia. And as a new adopter of Strapsicle, here's why I'm a fan for the foreseeable future.The Strapsicle fits most e-readers, creates a secure grip, and adds a layer of protection, too. The accessory comes in several fun colors, including blush pink (pictured in this article), lilac, sage green, and more. The staps come in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Kindle Oasis, and a handy size chart makes it easy to match the Strapsicle with your respective e-reader model. Holding my Kindle Paperwhite upside down using both Strapsicles as support. Kayla Solino/ZDNETSince I have the Kindle Paperwhite 6.8-inch 11th Gen 2024 model, I purchased the large size. In the box, I received two silicone straps labeled "top left" and "top right", which made it easy to set up my Kindle (seriously, it took less than 60 seconds to set them up).You can use both straps simultaneously or choose to only use one strap on your device, depending on your preference. I tested both approaches, and I prefer having both straps on, especially since the silicone corners add some protection, too.Having a Strapsicle allows me to place my hand wherever I want on my Kindle without worrying about security. This feature is why I chose to try this strap model instead of more conventional methods, like a PopSocket, which can only be fastened in one spot. I can flip my Kindle upside down and all around, and it doesn't budge.PopSocket vs. StrapsicleBefore I start, let me say that I am not anti-PopSocket. I enjoyed using a PopSocket on my iPhone throughout my teens, but once I began working at ZDNET, it became increasingly impractical to continue using one on my phone.I spent a lot of time testingMagSafe accessories, and it became annoying to change cases every time I tested products. I also didn't love using a PopSocket enough to purchase a newer MagSafe version. All that said, a PopSocket was still my first thought when considering a grip for my Kindle.According to Reddit, PopSockets are widely used by avid readers on their devices. They're an affordable and personable option for adding a grip to your Kindle. I do see the appeal. Kayla Solino/ZDNETMy biggest concern with adding a PopSocket to my Kindle was its placement. Should I put it in the center? Off to one side? It turns out that some Redditors had thesame issues.While some said they preferred a PopSocket for its more ergonomic grip, others agreed that it was pretty annoying to only be able to grip your Kindle from one spot. One Redditor even admitted using two PopSockets on her Kindle to combat this issue.The placement concerns, and other adherence issues (would it stick to my case?), ultimately pushed me away from the PopSocket option and towards trying Strapsicle. Plus, while basic PopSockets are under $12 on Amazon, some more intricate and fun designs cost up to $35, which I think is quite expensive.Other Redditors said that they liked the Strapsicle for its added security, thanks to its silicone corners, customizable placement (which allows you to grip from anywhere on your Kindle), and the fact that it didn't pinch their pinky like PopSockets do for some people.I agree with these individuals. I experience no pinching or cramping in my hands using Strapsicle, even for long reading stints, and I love that I can read securely from anywhere and at any angle without worry. Plus, the Strapsicle is easy to clean and wipe down, and I can remove the accessory without hassle. The Strapsicle, in short, is phenomenal, and I can't believe it cost me just a smidge more than $20 because I would've paid way more for something that brings this kind of functionality. Only one Strapsicle placed on my Kindle Paperwhite. Kayla Solino/ZDNETIf I'm being picky (which I am; it's my job), the criss-cross Strapsicle look may not be for everyone. I don't care too much about the back of my Kindle. But if you are into aesthetically pleasing tech, you may want to consider the PopSocket route.The straps could also fit around my case a little better. I have a simple, flexible, clear case on my Kindle Paperwhite, and while the straps fit fine around the corners, they do have a sort of puckering that prevents them from laying flush. However, I don't mind because the straps add padding to my Kindle's corners and work so well.Just keep in mind that there's a chance that the Strapsicle may not fit with your existing case, so you'd need to buy a new one or go without. Strapsicle does sell its own clear case to accompany the straps.ZDNET's buying adviceMy bottom line here: Strapsicle has created lightning in a bottle in a near-monopolized Kindle accessory market. These simple silicone straps are functional, easy to use, and affordable. At $21, a pair of Strapsicles feels like a much better buy than a singular PopSocket, but to each their own.I do not doubt that Strapsicle will probably be on store shelves in the future and become synonymous with the e-reader experience. I have nothing bad to say about this accessory because my face is now protected from my Kindle, which was exactly the problem I needed to solve. Props to Strapsicle, and I hope I can get these straps for my iPad someday.Featured reviews

Anker's MagGo 3-1 wireless charger is an ultraportable device that's dethroned even my favorite travel charger -- and it's 24% off.

Large-scale datasets of millions or billions of ready-to-go AI personas are now available.gettyIn todays column, I showcase a novel twist on the prompting of personas when using generative AI and large language models (LLMs). The trick is this. You conventionally enter a prompt describing the persona you want AI to pretend to be (its all just a computational simulation, not somehow sentience). Well, good news, you no longer need to concoct a persona depiction out of thin air. Instead, you can easily dip into massive-sized datasets with ready-made persona descriptions and then paste those depictions directly into your persona-stirring prompts. Easy-peasy.Lets talk about it.This analysis of an innovative AI breakthrough is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here).Prompt Engineering And PersonasReaders might recall that I previously posted an in-depth elicitation of over fifty prompt engineering techniques and methods, see the link here. Among those myriad approaches was the use of personas, including individual personas and multiple personas, as depicted at the link here, and the much larger scale mega-personas at the link here. Personas are a powerful feature available in LLMs, yet few users seem to be familiar with the circumstances under which they should consider invoking the capability.A persona consists of telling generative AI to pretend to be someone and simulate what that person might know or say. No special setup or elaborate instructions are needed to get this undertaken. I will be providing you in a moment with prompts that show how this is readily performed.A quick example of the value of personas might be helpful here.One of the most popularly invoked personas entails generative AI pretending to be Abraham Lincoln. A teacher might tell a generative AI app such as ChatGPT to simulate the nature of Honest Abe. Students then access the pretense or persona. In an amazing flair, the AI seemingly responds as we assume Lincoln might have responded.Of course, this is based simply on the numerous speeches, written materials, and other collected writings that suggest what he was like. The AI has pattern-matched computationally on those works and mimics what Lincolns tone and remarks might be. Anyone using a generative AI persona needs to keep their wits about them and realize that the conversation or engagement is nothing more than a mimicry or imitation. Though the AI appears to often convincingly fake the nature of the person, it is all still a computational simulation.AI Personas Of Unnamed CompositionsYou dont need to only use names of well-known celebrities or historical figures when seeking to instigate an AI persona.Another equally fine approach consists of describing the overall nature of a persona that you want to have invoked. For example, I might enter a prompt stating that I want a persona consisting of a teenager who is a football player at their high school and has been lately having second thoughts about whether to pursue a sports career right away or continue into college.Why would I craft such an AI persona?Maybe Im training to be a career counselor and want to practice honing my counseling techniques by using generative AI. I could readily come up with lots of scenarios that involve complex situations facing teens. The AI would go back and forth with me as I try to give career advice. It is handy since I can practice as much as I like and not worry about miscuing an actual teenager. Furthermore, the vast number of scenarios that I can conjure up would almost certainly be more than the actual count of teens that I will be potentially advising.Devising From Scratch Or From DatasetThe most common way to indicate an unnamed AI persona is simply to describe the characteristics of the pretense involved. You usually do this out of your own head, in the sense that you think about what factors are crucial and then compose those into your desired prompt. It takes a bit of thinking but can be readily undertaken.Things become slightly more complicated when you want to do a slew of AI personas. Now, you are forced to come up with a myriad of AI personas that fit what you want to do. You might also find yourself staring blankly at an empty prompt and trying to decide what is the best way to word the AI persona that you want to instantiate.No worries.AI researchers have realized that users and other AI analysts might find immensely useful a dataset of AI persona descriptions. The beauty is this. All you need to do is search the dataset to find what you are interested in as an AI persona. Voila, you then copy the description and paste the depiction into a prompt in generative AI.You can do this repeatedly.It goes like this. You find another AI persona description and use that one. You can even grab a bunch of them all at once and feed them as a group into a prompt. Rinse and repeat. Proceed as befits your needs.An added advanced approach would be to use an online tool to dig into the dataset, pull out the AI persona descriptions, and feed them directly into generative AI. This could be a third-party tool, or you can have generative AI potentially do so for you if the AI app has suitable capabilities to allow this functionality.Examples Via Some Existing DatasetsThere are various AI persona datasets available online.I am going to look at one called FinePersonas and another dataset known as PersonaHub. The datasets that provide AI personas are pretty much all relatively similar. The typical format is a spreadsheet-like structure that houses the AI persona descriptions. You can search by hand or use a tool if they provide one. Conventional spreadsheet skills are usually all that you need to know.I went into FinePersonas which is on HuggingFace and opted to semi-randomly pull an AI persona description that caught my interest:A high school physics teacher who enjoys applying physics concepts to various sports, curious about the effects of water resistance and body positioning in swimming.I then used that text in a prompt and got AI to pretend to be that persona.Here we go.My entered prompt: You are to undertake a persona that is based on this description: A high school physics teacher who enjoys applying physics concepts to various sports, curious about the effects of water resistance and body positioning in swimming. I want you to have this persona think aloud and explain what they are mulling over while watching a swim meet.Generative AI response: "Alright, so watching these swimmers, I cant help but think about the physics at play. Look at their body positioning streamlining is key to reducing drag. The more they minimize surface area against the water, the less resistance they face. And their strokeseach pull has to maximize propulsion while keeping turbulence low. I wonder how much energy is being lost to eddies forming behind their hands. Fascinating stuff!"You can see that the AI pretended to simulate the aspects of that chosen AI persona.Nice.Playing Around With AI PersonasYou dont have to be dogmatic about using the AI personas strictly as specified in the datasets.After seeing the response by AI to the above persona of a physics teacher, I decided to change or adjust the persona to explore an alternative aspect.This is what I did.My entered prompt: Adjust the persona so that the physics teacher is an art teacher. What might be going through their mind while watching a swim meet?Generative AI response: "Watching these swimmers, Im struck by the rhythm and flow of their movements it's almost like a living brushstroke on a canvas of water. The way their bodies cut through the pool creates ripples that shimmer under the lights, almost like abstract patterns. And those diving starts? Such a perfect arc of motion, like a sculpture in flight, frozen for just a moment.Multiple AI Personas At Your FingertipsIn those two examples, I used first a physics teacher and then an art teacher. I might want to run through a wider range of teachers that cover a variety of academic specialties.You can invoke multiple AI personas and use just the one from the dataset as the core baseline.Take a look.My entered prompt: Based on the persona that Ive given you, vary the personas for fifteen different types of teachers in terms of the academic disciplines they are in. For each of the fifteen new personas that youve created, once again show me what each is thinking when watching a swim meet.Generative AI response: Here are the fifteen personas that I devised based on the persona you provided, and their respective thinking-aloud mindset while watching a swim meetI recently covered the use of multiple AI personas that represent expert-level specialists in just about any domain you might be examining, see the link here if thats something you are interested in doing.Things To Know About AI Persona DatasetsDuring my classes on prompt engineering, I walk through the use of AI personas and when we get to the matter of persona datasets, I mention that these are some notable ways to make use of pre-cooked or canned personas:(1) Persona as is. Select a particular persona and use it in generative AI.(2) Persona adjusted. Select a particular persona, adjust it to your suitability, and use it in generative AI.(3) Persona as baseline. Select a persona as a baseline, have the AI replicate it in variations, and use it in generative AI.(4) Set of personas. Select a set of personas, specify how they are to be used, and proceed to use them in generative AI.Etc.I also urge the attendees to consider these ten vital elements when deciding which AI persona dataset will best fit their needs:(1) Size of the personas dataset.(2) Stipulation of what each persona consists of.(3) Level of granularity associated with the personas.(4) Various mixes and types which are available.(5) Applicability to your interests.(6) Potential biases embedded in the personas.(7) Ease of utilizing the personas.(8) Any costs associated with the usage of the dataset.(9) Potential copyright considerations if any.(10) Availability of the personas dataset.The surprise for many is that the number of AI personas in these datasets is usually in millions or billions of instances.Say what?Yes, it isnt just a few hundred instances or several thousand, these datasets often are rather vast.This isnt overly shocking when you realize that most of these datasets are crafted by using AI or some related online tool. The person devising the dataset tells the AI or tool to generate tons and tons of personas and store them in a dataset.That being said, I dont want to seemingly diminish the heroic and thankful effort of those who put together these datasets. There is admittedly more elbow grease and hard work that goes into establishing a useful and usable personas dataset. No magic wand makes it appear magically.Some Background On Specific DatasetsI mentioned that I had plucked the physics teacher AI persona out of the FinePersonas dataset that is on HuggingFace. The posted site indicates that its dataset has these core properties (excerpts):Open dataset of 21 million detailed personas for diverse and controllable synthetic text generation.FinePersonas contains detailed personas for creating customized, realistic synthetic data.With this dataset, AI researchers and engineers can easily integrate unique persona traits into text generation systems, enhancing the richness, diversity, and specificity of synthetic outputs without the complexity of crafting detailed attributes from scratch.Shifting gears, consider another persona dataset, called PersonaHub.The PersonaHub dataset touts that it contains a billion personas and has an accompanying research paper describing the collection the paper is entitled Scaling Synthetic Data Creation with 1,000,000,000 Personas by Tao Ge, Xin Chan, Xiaoyang Wang, Dian Yu, Haitao Mi, and Dong Yu, arXiv, September 24, 2024. Here are some salient excerpts explaining the creation and use of the dataset:We propose a novel persona-driven data synthesis methodology that leverages various perspectives within a large language model (LLM) to create diverse synthetic data.To fully exploit this methodology at scale, we introduce Persona Hub a collection of 1 billion diverse personas automatically curated from web data.These 1 billion personas (13% of the worlds total population), acting as distributed carriers of world knowledge, can tap into almost every perspective encapsulated within the LLM, thereby facilitating the creation of diverse synthetic data at scale for various scenarios.By showcasing Persona Hubs use cases in synthesizing high-quality mathematical and logical reasoning problems, instructions (i.e., user prompts), knowledge-rich texts, game NPCs and tools (functions) at scale, we demonstrate persona-driven data synthesis is versatile, scalable, flexible, and easy to use, potentially driving a paradigm shift in synthetic data creation and applications in practice, which may have a profound impact on LLM research and development.As the first version of Persona Hub, although it already contains 1 billion personas, the descriptions of these personas are focused only on major aspects and lack fine-grained details (e.g., preferences for colors and numbers; specific family backgrounds, historical contexts, and life experiences). We plan to refine the personas in subsequent versions of Persona Hub, aiming for their descriptions to be as detailed as those found in Wikipedia articles about individuals.As you might observe, the AI personas in these datasets can be a one-sentence affair or can be lengthier text depictions. The sky is the limit in the sense that these depictions could be devised as extraordinarily detailed. An entire extensive faked background could be contrived and placed into the dataset for use.Use AI Persona Datasets When NeededI would venture that the average use of AI personas in generative AI is usually based on something a particular person has in their mind as to what the persona is supposed to be. They probably wouldnt see much need in using an AI persona dataset. They have a one-and-done mindset.Good for them.For others, if you are conducting a subject-based study and want to have a swath of AI personas, or if you are unsure of what AI persona you want to invoke, these datasets can be quite valuable. Indeed, any kind of large-scale testing of AI or using AI to generate lots of outputs of synthetic data can be streamlined by leveraging an AI persona dataset.No need to derive AI personas from scratch when you can leisurely and conveniently lean into an AI persona dataset.John Rockefeller famously said this: The key to success is not just hard work, but smart work. Keep in the back of your mind that there are AI persona datasets sitting out there and waiting for you to use them. This could reduce the hard work you are doing and aid you in working smarter.Thats a worthwhile human persona to aspire toward.