No team has more to prove than these Celtics, who have stumbled on the biggest stage. But Boston has been enjoying a historic season that deserves appreciation.
April 2024
NBA Fact or Fiction: Are these Celtics worth rooting for?
No team has more to prove than these Celtics, who have stumbled on the biggest stage. But Boston has been enjoying a historic season that deserves appreciation.
The best things we saw this week: Naylor brothers power the Guardians on National Siblings Day
Josh and Bo Naylor became the fourth pair of siblings to homer for the same MLB team in the same inning.
How Warriors can leap Kings for No. 8 play-in seed in West
The Warriors have an opportunity to surpass the Sacramento Kings for the No. 8 playoff seed in the Western Conference.
Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal update, Jackson Holliday debut, Red Sox AI jams
Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the latest report filed by the IRS regarding the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal with his former interpreter, the debut of Jackson Holliday and give their good, bad and Uggla from this week.
Sixers to honor Allen Iverson with sculpture on team’s Legends Walk
The Sixers will unveil an Allen Iverson sculpture on April 12, the team announced Friday morning.
Bronny James reportedly will focus on NBA Draft over transfer portal
Both doors remain open to James, whose freshman season at USC was underwhelming.
Gemini Ultra Might Not Be Coming to OnePlus and Oppo Devices After All
Update (April 12, 2024): OnePlus has issued a correction for their original announcement: The company says their press release mistakenly announced that “Gemini Ultra Large Model” would make its debut on OnePlus 12, when the press release should have said “Gemini Models” instead. As Gemini comes in three models (Nano, Pro, and Ultra), it’s not clear which models will make their way to OnePlus 12. So, it’s still possible OnePlus plans to integrate Google’s most powerful AI model on their smartphones, but we won’t know until the company officially confirms what “models” means.
The original article is as follows:
The OnePlus 12 might have launched without support for AI earlier this year, but it seems OnePlus and Oppo (both owned by BBK) have big plans for how they want to support AI going forward: Both OnePlus and Oppo have announced that they will introduce features powered by Gemini 1.0 Ultra to their smartphones.
Gemini Ultra is the most powerful AI that Google has to offer, and so far, it hasn’t been included on any smartphones—not even Google’s own Pixel 8 Pro, which instead sports Gemini Nano. It was hard not to compare the OnePlus 12 to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra when I reviewed the two phones earlier this year, but the OnePlus could soon offer an even more powerful suite of AI features than Galaxy AI currently does, as Samsung opted for Gemini Pro, not Gemini Ultra.
Neither company announced a specific date for when we can expect to see Gemini Ultra on OnePlus and Oppo phones, or even any explicit information about which smartphones from the two companies will sport the Google-powered AI. However, we do know that they are aiming for “later this year.”
After the launch of its latest smartphones, OnePlus has already started to introduce features like AI Eraser, which works very similarly to Google’s own Magic Eraser on the Pixel phones and in Google Photos. That feature isn’t powered by Google’s AI, though, so it’s unclear if it will get an upgrade down the line or if it will continue to use the model it already relies on.
Either way, the OnePlus 12 is sure to become an even more appealing flagship device for Android users once Gemini becomes available on it and other OnePlus devices. The companies say they plan to bring a slew of generative AI features to the table, including generative photo editing, chat assistance, and tons of other features that are already found on the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 lineups.
Duke’s Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain declare for 2024 NBA draft
Both players should be first-round picks in June.
The Best Insulated Travel Mugs and Cups
The Stanley cup is certainly having its moment, but there are arguments to be made in favor of a number of travel mugs and cups. Whether you want to keep hot drinks hot, cold ones cold, or just have something eco-friendly and convenient (and big) to haul around your beverages, give these a shot.
Best travel mugs
First, let’s look at some travel mugs that keep hot drinks nice and hot.
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The Nextmug temperature-controlled mug ($99.94) is a techy twist on the standard travel mug because it’s self-heating. Unlike others on the list, it’s not necessarily designed to be to-go, as there’s no lid, but it’s a perfect companion for the office or, depending on your confidence in your driving ability, the car.
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If you’re more traditional, get the OG: A two pack of Thermos travel tumblers is just $20.98. If you regularly forget to wash out your mugs and cups, having a spare on hand is gold. Otherwise, designate one for the office and one for the house, the commute, or whatever else.
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Amazon ratings and reviews can be tricky to trust, but when something has over 12,000 positive ones, it’s a good sign. The Aloufea 12-ounce insulated coffee mug ($10.45) is a standard-sized mug with a tight-sealing lid and reviewers praise it for truly keeping the temp of their drinks up.
The best travel cups
These cups work for both hot and cold drinks, so you can’t go wrong by picking one up.
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First up, we have to honor the Stanley, the almost-too-viral brand of travel tumblers that you see everywhere. Why do you see them everywhere? Because they work. The classic Quencher comes with a lid and straw, keeps your beverages at their temperature, and comes in sizes ranging from 14 ounces to 64, so you can drink as much as you want. Plus, you’ll look trendy carrying it, if you’re into that sort of thing.
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Lifehacker managing editor Meghan Walbert recommends the Contigo West Loop stainless steel travel mug ($20.54), but she’s not alone: Reviewers rave about its auto-seal lid that closes when you’re not pressing a button to keep it open, its ergonomic design, and the fact that it “never” spills.
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I am a Yeti girl. I love the Rambler ($35) because it’s easy to hold, keeps my drinks the temp I want them, and comes in a bunch of colors and designs. It’s not big or flashy (and it doesn’t have a straw) but it gets the job done and is super easy to clean because the mouth is wide enough to stick your hand in and there are no tricky crevices inside.
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Stanley culture (and travel-cup culture more broadly) has major roots in Utah, where aesthetics-obsessed momfluencers rule and locals have a thing for constantly chugging flavored Diet Coke. Obviously, I asked a Utahan friend what travel cup they opt for when leaving the house. The answer is, of course, a Stanley, but the runner-up is an Owala. The FreeSip (27.99) gives you the option to use a built-in straw or swig directly from the spout opening, plus the double-wall insulation can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. (Thanks, Ammon!)