Consumer News: Inflation is surging at the wholesale level

The new feature aims to help users find meals, groceries, and reservations faster

• DoorDash has introduced "Ask DoorDash," a conversational search tool that lets users describe what they want in plain language.

• The feature can help build grocery carts from recipes, cookbook photos, and grocery lists.

• DoorDash says the tool can also provide personalized restaurant recommendations and, soon, help users book restaurant reservations.

Finding exactly what you want on a delivery app can sometimes take longer than expected. Whether you're scrolling through restaurant options, building a grocery order, or trying to decide where to eat out, the process can involve a lot of searching and comparing.

DoorDash is hoping to simplify that experience with a new feature called Ask DoorDash. Announced on June 11, the tool allows users to search the app using natural language rather than relying on traditional keywords. Instead of browsing through menus or categories, users can simply describe what they're looking for and receive personalized results.

According to DoorDash, the feature is designed to help customers move from deciding what they want to placing an order more quickly by allowing the app to interpret requests and provide tailored suggestions.

"We've spent over a decade building an app that puts everything in your city at your fingertips, but more options shouldn't mean more work, Andy Fang, Co-founder of DoorDash, said in a news release.

Now you can search DoorDash in your own words to find exactly what you want. And we know if the vegetarian option you prefer is on the menu before recommending a restaurant, or that you recently ordered flour and sugar before stocking up on groceries. The app works harder so you dont have to.

How Ask DoorDash works

The new tool can be used for both restaurant discovery and grocery shopping.

Users can type requests such as "filling dinner for a family of 4" and then continue refining results with additional preferences, such as dietary restrictions or flavor preferences. DoorDash says the recommendations can incorporate factors such as previous orders, delivery speed, value, and menu options.

For grocery orders, the feature goes beyond simple search. Customers can upload a photo from a cookbook, paste a recipe link, or take a picture of a grocery list. Ask DoorDash then creates a shopping cart with suggested ingredients and quantities. Users can review the selections and make changes before checking out. The company also says customers can use the feature to reorder previous grocery purchases or shop based on their usual buying habits.

DoorDash is also preparing to bring the technology to its reservations platform. In that version, users will be able to describe the type of dining experience they're looking for, and the app will surface available restaurant options that match those preferences.

What this means for consumers

For consumers, Ask DoorDash represents a shift away from traditional search and toward a more conversational experience. Rather than entering specific restaurant names, product categories, or menu items, users can explain what they need in their own words and receive recommendations based on those requests.

The feature is currently available in select areas on iOS for restaurant search and grocery shopping. DoorDash says it plans to expand availability across the United States and add reservation functionality in the coming weeks.

If the rollout goes as planned, customers may soon spend less time scrolling through options and more time deciding among recommendations tailored to their preferences.

How to set healthy boundaries, keep kids safe online, and create a balanced digital routine during summer break

• Set screen-time expectations early: Hold a family discussion at the start of summer to establish clear rules, boundaries, and daily routines around device use.

• Monitor online activity based on your child's needs: Experts say parental oversight is important, but restrictions can be adjusted as children demonstrate responsible behavior.

• Keep communication open: Encourage kids to talk about their online experiences and reassure them they can come to you without fear of judgment if something goes wrong.

For many families, summer brings a welcome break from school schedules and homework. But with more free time comes a new challenge: managing screen time.

Whether kids are scrolling social media, watching videos, gaming with friends, or spending hours on their phones, parents often find themselves wondering how much screen use is too much.

The concern isn't just about keeping kids occupied. A growing body of research has linked excessive screen time to issues such as poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and developmental challenges. At the same time, many parents struggle to balance healthy limits with the reality that technology is a major part of children's social lives and daily routines.

To help families navigate the digital landscape this summer, ConsumerAffairs spoke with Jennifer Kelman, a licensed family therapist, parenting expert, and consultant with JustAnswer. She shared practical advice on setting screen-time boundaries, monitoring online activity, protecting children from digital risks, and encouraging a healthier relationship with technology.

Enforcing screen time boundaries

If youre worried about how much time your kids will spend on screens this summer, Kelman has some advice.

Parents can have a summer schedule meeting with the kids to address screen time boundaries, she said. Prior to the family meeting, the parents should have an idea of the boundaries they desire because inevitably there will be some push back, as limits for kids, especially around screen use, can be tough.

Monitoring privacy

Screen time itself poses a risk for kids and teens on devices. However, their privacy and safety are other priorities.

Screen use is like a drug, and parents wouldn't hand their child a drug, Kelman said. And yet many of us do without monitoring what they are doing. I am not one for free reign or the you are infringing on my privacy, declaration. Others may disagree. The internet and access to all things needs to be watched. As kids grow and show safe use, then monitoring could be less.

When it comes to loosening the reins on privacy restrictions, Kelman says there isnt a one-size-fits-all approach. Every child is different, and its up to parents to determine the right course of action.

For the child that can't put the device down, the boundaries might be tighter, she explained. For the child that doesn't give a hoot, restrictions could be more loose.

One thing should be clear: the devices are not in place of sunshine, outdoor play, and exercise. If kids are doing the wrong thing, then they need parental guidance, as they cannot monitor it themselves.

Encourage open communication

One of the best ways to make sure your childs digital device use is safe and age appropriate, Kelman encourages parents to maintain open communication.

The difficulty with these types of conversations is the sense of omnipotence that kids feel as teenagers, and they think they would never get sucked into things, but sadly that isn't the case, she said.

I counsel parents to let their kids know they are always there for them without judgment and can come to them about anything even if they make a mistake. All people make mistakes no matter the age.

Heres what to consider when socking away some cash

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Certificate of deposit (CD) rates have climbed to multi-year highs as banks compete for deposits in a higher interest-rate environment.

• Savers can now earn significantly more on CDs than they could just a few years ago, but rates vary widely among financial institutions.

• Before opening a CD, consumers should compare yields, evaluate term lengths, and understand early withdrawal penalties.

Its been a while since certificates of deposit (CDs) have been newsworthy. For nearly two decades, the interest paid on CDs has been practically nil.

But after years of historically low returns, CDs are once again attracting attention from savers. Higher interest rates on U.S. Treasury bonds have prompted banks and credit unions to boost CD yields, allowing consumers to earn substantially more on their savings while avoiding the volatility of the stock market.

While the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes over the past several years started to lift rates, the spike in Treasury yields in recent weeks has also contributed to the rise. As savers began to actively look at CDs again, banks have found themselves competing more aggressively for deposits, resulting in even higher yields on savings products, including CDs.

A search of the internet shows some six to 12-month CDs are paying an interest rate of between 4.23% and 4.5%.

Whats attractive about CDs

For consumers seeking a safe place to park cash, CDs can provide a guaranteed return for a fixed period. Unlike stocks and mutual funds, CD principal is generally protected by federal deposit insurance when held at insured banks and credit unions within applicable limits.

However, financial advisors say savers should look beyond the advertised annual percentage yield (APY) when selecting a CD.

Compare rates across institutions

One of the biggest mistakes consumers make is accepting the first CD offer from their primary bank. Online banks and credit unions frequently offer higher yields than traditional brick-and-mortar institutions. A difference of even half a percentage point can translate into meaningful additional earnings over time.

Choose the right term length

CDs are available in a variety of terms, ranging from a few months to five years or longer. Longer-term CDs often offer higher yields, but that isn't always the case. In some market environments, shorter-term CDs may provide comparable or even better returns.

Consumers should consider when they may need access to their money before committing to a specific term.

Understand withdrawal penalties

A key feature of CDs is that depositors agree to leave their money untouched for a predetermined period. Withdrawing funds early typically triggers a penalty that can reduce or even eliminate some of the interest earned.

Before opening a CD, consumers should review the institution's early withdrawal policy and ensure the funds won't be needed before maturity.

Consider laddering strategies

Some savers use a strategy known as CD laddering, which involves dividing money among multiple CDs with different maturity dates. This approach can provide periodic access to funds while allowing savers to take advantage of competitive rates across various terms.

A ladder can also reduce the risk of locking all savings into a single rate if interest rates continue to change.

Look beyond the headline yield

The highest advertised rate is not always the best choice. Savers should verify that the institution is federally insured, review minimum deposit requirements, and evaluate account features and customer service.

With CD rates remaining attractive compared with recent years, consumers willing to shop around and carefully evaluate their options may find an opportunity to earn more on their savings while maintaining a relatively low level of risk.

So far, its proving to be a valuable tool

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• New artificial intelligence tools are helping doctors identify serious diseases more quickly and accurately by analyzing medical images.

• Mayo Clinic researchers found AI can predict brain tumor recurrence risk without expensive genetic testing.

• A separate study found AI can improve detection of retinal diseases and may even reveal risks for heart, kidney, and vascular conditions through routine eye scans.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly showing up in the doctors office, helping physicians identify disease risks, improve diagnoses, and potentially personalize treatment plans without adding costly tests or procedures.

Two newly published studies highlight how AI is transforming patient care in specialties ranging from cancer treatment to ophthalmology, offering doctors new tools to uncover critical health information hidden in routine medical images.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic and collaborating institutions have developed an AI model that can analyze standard pathology slides to classify meningiomas the most common primary brain tumor in adults and predict the likelihood that a tumor will return after treatment.

A major shortcut

Currently, determining recurrence risk often requires advanced molecular or genetic testing that may not be available at every medical center. The new AI system extracts similar insights from routine pathology images, potentially making sophisticated tumor analysis more accessible and affordable.

The researchers trained the model using tissue samples, pathology images, and clinical data from 672 patients. The findings suggest that AI can identify molecular patterns associated with tumor behavior and recurrence risk that may not be readily visible to the human eye.

For physicians, that information could help guide decisions about follow-up care, imaging schedules, and whether additional treatments such as radiation therapy should be considered.

Helping eye doctors diagnose disease faster

In a separate study, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine developed an AI system called OCTCube-M that analyzes three-dimensional retinal scans commonly used in eye clinics. The technology is designed to help physicians process large volumes of imaging data more quickly and identify subtle signs of disease that might otherwise be overlooked.

The system was trained using more than 26,000 retinal scans containing approximately 1.62 million individual image slices. Compared with older AI approaches, OCTCube-M improved detection accuracy for six of eight retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness among older adults.

Researchers estimate the improvement could help identify dozens of additional disease cases for every 1,000 patients screened. The model also significantly improved predictions about how quickly geographic atrophy, a severe form of macular degeneration, is likely to progress.

Looking Beyond the Eye

One of the most intriguing findings from the retinal imaging study is AI's ability to identify signs of health conditions beyond vision problems.

Researchers found that retinal images contain clues associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, stroke, and heart attack risk. Because the retina's tiny blood vessels closely mirror those found elsewhere in the body, changes visible in eye scans can provide insights into overall vascular health.

The ability to extract that information from a routine eye exam could eventually help doctors identify high-risk patients earlier and intervene before serious health problems develop.

A tool for doctors, not a replacement

While both studies demonstrate the growing capabilities of AI in healthcare, researchers emphasize that the technology is designed to support physicians rather than replace them.

By rapidly analyzing large amounts of imaging data and highlighting patterns that may be difficult for humans to detect, AI can help doctors make more informed decisions, prioritize high-risk patients and deliver more personalized care.

As healthcare systems face growing patient demands and increasing volumes of medical data, these emerging AI tools could become valuable assistants in improving both the speed and quality of patient care.