Do you remember the days when new iOS versions might introduce major redesigns? iOS 7, Im looking at you. Despite annual whispers predicting another big iOS revamp, I feel very confident in saying those days are over. And one recent app debacle shows why.Sonos redesign debacle is a cautionary taleSonos, in case you havent been paying attention, has had a very bad go of it lately.The company recently replaced its CEO following months of attempted fixes for its big 2024 mistake: launching a major app redesign.The new Sonos app debuted in April, setting off a massive wave of customer complaints and bad press for the company that lasted the entire year.Its a perfect case study for why Apples days of major iOS revamps are over.If the new Sonos app had launched in the early era of the company, I feel quite confident that it would have been fine.Meaning, even if it had the same issues, the small, enthusiast user base would have either adapted, or Sonos would have shipped the fixes and it wouldnt have been such a debacle.The story is similar with iOS.iPhones success has made big change especially riskyBack when the iPhone was still on the ascent, Apple was able to get away with major redesigns because its user base was much smaller and more tech-forward.These days, society depends so much on the iPhone. Hundreds of millions of userswith varying tech competenciesall depend on it.If Apple made sweeping changes to how iOS looks and works, theres a strong chance the backlash would be crippling. Even if the redesign were seen by many as a positive change, Apples user base is so vast, theres almost guaranteed to be loud opposition.The solution isnt to let iOS get stagnant, and Apple knows that. Instead, Apples practice has been to make any significant iPhone changes on an app-by-app basis.For example, iOS 18s Photos app changes caused plenty of controversy, prompting fixes in subsequent software updates. But it was just one app, so the impact was limited.Revamping the whole of iOS? That would be a huge risk for Apple.Regardless of the validity of your main point, Sonos's debacle is really a very poor comparison for it. There's redesigning something (like iOS 7), and there's rebuilding something (like the Sonos app). They are very different types of work, different goals, and totally different ways to execute it. iOS 7 didn't fundamentally change the underlying code and OS, it was just a different coat of paint, with some new features which any OS update would introduce anyways.Sonos was building a completely different codebase, and hence they had missing features, because they had to re-start from scratch. Their only fault was not keeping the old app available, while continuing to update the new one until feature parity. Amateur hour. If Apple were to introduce a "redesign" of iOS, it would still yet be another coat of paint, not a rebuild of the codebase. iOS itself wasn't even an original codebase, it was branched from OS X. So they'll very unlikely run into any of the same problems as Sonos (ripping features away with no fallback). View all commentsAs fun as the thought of an iOS 7-style major revamp sounds to me(and maybe you), most iPhone users who arent as eager for change might see it as a nightmare.The Sonos debacle is a great cautionary tale for Apple and any other major tech player with a large, established user base.It also means we might just need to accept smaller, iterative iOS design refreshes.Do you think Apple should fully redesign iOS? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

"Theres no system thats going to 100 percent capture everything a person has on them."Gun IntendedAn expensive AI gun detection system appears to have been a massive waste of money after it failed to detect the weapon used in a school shooting.AsNBC News reports, the $1 million contract that Nashville's Antioch High School paid to a gun detection software company called Omnilert has come into question after a student managed to sneak in a gun and open fire in his high school's cafeteria.The 17-year-old gunmanshot and killed one 16-year-old classmate and wounded another before turning the gun on himself, which he did not survive.Omnilert's technology used the school's security cameras and added AI that was supposed to detect hidden weapons. It didn't recognize the shooter's gun, NBC notes, in a news conference after the massacre, Metro Nashville Public Schools chief technology and communications officer Sean Braisted pointed out that the Omnilert system did activate when police entered with their own weapons."It is designed to activate immediately once it detects [a weapon]," the school system's CTO said, per Nashville's WBIR broadcaster. "It did not detect that weapon in this instance... because of the location and where the cameras were positioned."Fail NotIn a statement to NBC, Omnilert echoed Braisted's comments about the system's cameras failing to find the gun in question."The location of the shooter and the firearm meant that the weapon was not visible," said Omnilert CEO DaveFraser in an email. "This is not a case of the firearm not being recognized by the system."Braisted who was also quoted in Omnilert's press release announcing the $1 million deal back in 2023 said during the news conference that the system had worked well in the past, and had detected police weapons before.MNPS superintendent Adrienne Battle also seemed to defend the expensive and apparently not watertight weapon detection software."Theres no system thats going to 100percent capture everything a person has on them," Battle said during the same press conference.While these school and company officials work overtime to defend their wasteful investment in the sort of AI-powered technology that has for years now been known to fail, two teenagers are dead in the latest tragic school shooting.Slapping AI on top of shoddy weapon scanners doesn't make them work and in this case, the false sense of security they provide ended in tragedy.Share This Article

Readers of the satirical publication The Onion noticed something surprising today: it had used an AI-generated picture on a new article, despite the paper's CEO Ben Collins recently promisingthat "we don't use AI."The image of a lizard-like, humanoid face accompanied an article titled "Monster Devastated To See Film Depicting Things He Told Guillermo Del Toro In Confidence.""Come on man, not the AI art," one Bluesky user who spotted the image wrote in a post, highlighting a growing dissent against publications moving away from paying human artists and using lazily AI-generated illustrations instead.Creators have long argued that the tech not only marks the death of originality, but cheapens human creativity and undermines the livelihoods of artists. A number of copyright infringement lawsuits involving AI art are currently working their way through the courts.In the case of the Onion, though, it sounds like an innocent mistake and one the acclaimed publication quickly worked to rectify."Hi! Quick note," Collins wrote on Bluesky, minutes after news of the AI image started to spread. "The Onion accidentally posted a stock photo from a vendor with an AI-generated image in it."Indeed, the image is being sold by the stock image website Shutterstock, which lists it as being "generated by an Artificial Intelligence system." The face was superimposed onto a separate image of a living room and used to illustrate the article."We pulled the post down once we found that out," Collins added. "Our commitment to not using AI is very real. It's in the union contract to disclose it if we ever do.""World is a slop minefield and we're sorry," Collins concluded, referring to an internet-wide infestation of lazily AI-generated slop that's drowning out entire social media platforms.Collins' actions appear to have appeased the publication's readers."Thank you for handling that so promptly," one Bluesky user wrote in reply. "Would hate to see The Onion go down that route.""Glad to hear that you're working to unfuck this, it would be real disappointing if you didn't," another added.The incident highlights the ubiquitousness of AI-generated art flooding the stock image market. While the lizard face the Onion used for its article seems fairly harmless in the greater context, machine-generated images can have far more nefarious purposes like in late 2023, when software giant Adobe was caught selling AI-generated images of violence in Palestine.Just earlier this week, an in-house designer wrote in a post on Reddit that "AI is slowly ruining stock websites.""I usually find something on Adobe Stock, download it, modify it to look less generic, and then I'm on my way," the user wrote. "It's not my favorite stock website but it's included in my office's [Adobe Creative Cloud] account so I use it fairly frequently.""But these AI-generated keep slipping through even when I hit 'exclude Generative AI,' they added. "What's frustrating is that I'll download the asset and when I'm editing it in Illustrator it has the unfinished uncanny edges of an AI image. Yuck. Unusable."Even Google's search website has been infiltrated by a massive amount of dubious AI-generated art,to the degree that top results for famous human artists now sometimes include fake, AI-generated versions of their work.In short, it's unlikely the last time we'll see a publication accidentally use AI-generated art a sad sign of what's still to come as the tech becomes even more ubiquitous.Share This Article

Our Experts Written by Hedy Phillips Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 16171819202122232425+ Years of Experience 14151617181920212223 Hands-on Product Reviewers 6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000 Sq. Feet of Lab Space How we test CNETs expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.Table of Contents Our Picks Best overall workout channel PS Fit (formerly Popsugar Fitness) View details See at YouTube View details Best for high-intensity interval training Heather Robertson View details See at YouTube View details Best for weight training Juice and Toya View details See at YouTube View details Best dumbbell workouts Sydney Cummings Houdyshell View details See at YouTube View details Best full body workouts The Fitness Marshall View details See at YouTube View details Best pilates workouts Move with Nicole View details See at YouTube View details Best yoga classes Yoga with Adrienne View details See at YouTube View details Best aerobic workouts Pamela Reif View details See at YouTube View details Best for cycling Global Cycling Network View details See at YouTube View details Best low-impact exercises Body Project View details See at YouTube View details Best at-home workouts Thenx View details See at YouTube View details Best dance workouts The Studio by Jamie Kinkeade View details See at YouTube View details Table of Contents There are many benefits to joining a gym when you start your fitness journey. Most gyms have personal trainers, who can provide the guidance and motivation you need to stick to your workout routines. However, the gym isnt the solution for everyone. A gym membership can be expensive and it can be tough to find enough time to commute to and from the gym for regular workouts. But thanks to technology, online fitness classes allow you to work out at home. With online fitness training and some investment in home exercise equipment, you can have a killer workout setup at home.It's difficult to buy your way out of this. Just having the equipment is no good without a trainer or a guided program. Thankfully, YouTube is a great and nearly endless resource for workout videos. So once you have the equipment, you can get started right away. But how do you identify the best YouTube workout channels? To save you the trouble, we did all the work. We've compiled some of the best YouTube workout channels with the best free workout videos you can find on the internet.Whether you're a beginner or a fitness enthusiast, working out at home offers a variety of benefits, and along with those come the challenges. These YouTube channels will help you get the most out of your home workouts without feeling like you're being tested or judged in front of other people. We've also labeled these best YouTube workout videos by workout type to make it even easier for you to jump-start your fitness routine. Scroll through to check out all of them.Best YouTube channels for free workouts See at YouTube PS Fit (formerly Popsugar Fitness) has a little bit of everything. On this YouTube channel, run by Popsugar (or PS now, with the rebrand), you'll find cardio, weight training, dance, barre, HIIT and everything in between. The classes come in different lengths, so you can pick what works best for the amount of time you have for your at-home workout. There are also plenty of difficulty levels to choose from, so if you want to try yoga and have never done it before, you can pick a beginner's yoga class and work your way up until you're a pro. There are hundreds of workouts to choose from, and you can sort by the workout you want or the instructor you want. You can even take on a curated challenge, like the 5-Day Full-Body Blast. See at YouTube Personal trainer Heather Robertson offers a wide variety of HIIT workouts on her channel to get you moving. She specializes in workouts that require no equipment and can be done in any length of time you have. Ranging from 10 minutes up, the workouts are designed for a variety of skill levels and muscle groups. She's also designed several series and calendars to help you stick to a schedule of working out your muscle groups equally and efficiently. See at YouTube Juice and Toya have everything you need to do your own weight training at home. On this channel, you'll find playlists by muscle group and equipment, so you can specifically pick a workout series using the weights you have on hand. Largely ranging from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, these workout videos are easy to follow for a variety of skill levels. They also show modifications if you need to go easier in any section of the workout.

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