Remember J.R. Redmond? He was the second player Bill Belichick ever drafted with the New England Patriots. He’s also an oft-forgotten part of the early Patriots dynasty, having played a key role in the team’s first Super Bowl win. Let’s check in and see what Redmond is doing these days.
Where are former Patriots now? J.R. Redmond | (2001-2003)
The 47-year-old Redmond lives out in Carson, California. He’s the owner of Urban Ink Printing, a screen-printing company he started his rookie season. After leaving the NFL, he also jumped into work as a trainer and coach, working with high school athletes and eventually NFL Draft prospects.
In a 2023 interview, Redmond said he suffered pre-frontal lobe brain damage from his years playing football. That led to him struggling with his mental health and brain function. At one point, Redmond said, he fumbled for 20 minutes trying to draw up a formation on the board in front of his team.
Redmond told the Boston Globe in 2018 that he was at “rock bottom” when he started visiting the Crosby Clinic in 2014 to seek treatment.
Redmond said he “had to be treated for quite some time,” spending six months living in the clinic before receiving outpatient treatment for another five years.
Redmond said those treatments and the tools they provided gave him a “new lease on life.” Now, he hopes to give back through philanthropy to help those who are going through similar ordeals.
Redmond started the Silverback Foundation, which provides “counseling for depression and cognitive treatment for traumatic brain injuries.” The foundation also runs an after-school program that provides classes, nutritional education and counseling for children.
A California native who was a star at Arizona State, Redmond played his first three NFL seasons in New England. His best season came during his rookie year in 2000, when he had 125 carries for 406 yards.
His most famous performance came in the closing minutes of Super Bowl XXXVI on the famous final drive led by Tom Brady.
Brady completed five passes on that drive to set up the game-winning field goal. The first three completions went to Redmond, who turned quick checkdown passes into positive gains to move New England from its own 17-yard line to its 41.
Redmond’s three receptions and 24 receiving yards were both the second-most of any Patriots player that day, behind only Troy Brown. Without Redmond as a safety valve, Brady may never have gotten that final drive rolling.
After three seasons with the Patriots, Redmond spent two years with the Oakland Raiders. He last appeared during the 2004 season, playing 16 games. That year, he caught a career-high 32 passes for 233 yards.
For some tense minutes on Wednesday, X users were surprised to see one of those crypto “airdrop” posts on Andreessen Horowitz’s blue check-marked account. A second tweet said that $5 million had already been given away.
That account has 851,000 followers. A member of a16z’s crypto team saw the tweet and immediately posted a warning not to engage. X quickly took down the post. Airdrops are usually used as ways for cryptocurrencies to promote themselves.
a16z tells TechCrunch, and posted on the account: “Earlier today, our X account was briefly compromised. During that time, the account promoted a token and other fake content — none of which originated from a16z. Apologies for any confusion caused by the clowns who temporarily took over our account.”
Andreessen Horowitz is well known for its crypto investments. Because this is a crypto-loving firm, jokes and warning tweets flew: The link would likely drain a crypto wallet, not add to it. So, if it sounds too good to be true — like a VC giving away valuable assets — it isn’t true.
Here’s what the scam tweets looked like:
crypto scam tweet posted to a16z X account.Image Credits:X
Photo modes are a pretty common feature for video games where players go bounding around an interesting open world. Today, Minecraft their ranks, making an in-game camera available in the Minecraft Marketplace as a free add-on called Vibrant Memories. The feature requires a copy of Minecraft’s Bedrock Edition on any platform; the Java version doesn’t appear to support the camera.
As well as capturing the moment as-is and saving particular camera angles to reuse later, Vibrant Memories will let a player decide whether or not to appear in the image. It will also let them set whether the weather is sunny or rainy and if the time is sunrise, sunset, day or night.
That’s a pared-back take on photo mode, but then in many ways, Minecraft is a pared-back game. Sure, it’s gotten loads of features and creatures over the past 15 years, but at heart, it’s just about mining and crafting.
Last week, a “Magic Cue” capability for the Pixel 10 leaked, and Gboard today revealed upcoming “Pixel Sense” integration.
About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.
Pixel Sense
The latest Gboard beta (version 15.5) features strings about how you can “Finish tasks faster with Pixel Sense.”
[Pixel Sense] brings your info to you, with no need to search
A previous Pixel 10 leak referred to the predictive suggestions capability as “Pixel Sense,” with Google seemingly renaming it to Magic Cue. Whatever the name, this feature can surface answers on your screen by looking at Gmail, Calendar, Keep, Tasks, Contacts, Messages, and Screenshots. The example Google offered was a friend asking for your flight number in a chat and Magic Cue finding it from Gmail for quick sharing.
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With last week’s leak, it was unclear what the interface for this will be. Today’s mentions in Gboard suggest that it will appear in the suggestions row for a quick paste. This is exactly like the Pixel Screenshots “recall” integration introduced in December.
If you take a screenshot that includes a movie, song/album, or product, Pixel Screenshots will remember that information when you open an app where that information will be useful.
If somebody messaged me a Now Playing screen (e.g. “check this out”) and I saved it to Pixel Screenshots, opening YouTube Music or Spotify gives me a Gboard autofill suggestion for the name of that song.
Smart Edit
Gboard is also working on a feature that lets you make voice edits: “SmartEdit helps you add, remove, or replace words easily with just your voice.”
“To apply your edits, your editing commands and text that\u2019s edited will be sent to Google and temporarily processed. No audio or voice data is sent.\n\nYour use of the SmartEdit feature in Gboard is subject to the “Generative AI Terms of Service”. To learn how your data is handled, visit the\n”Google Privacy Policy.
This looks to go further than what you can do with the current Assistant voice typing capability.
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The community of Canton was “deeply affected” by Karen Read’s trial, an official from the town said after a jury found her not guilty of murder.
“The town of Canton acknowledges today’s verdict in the commonwealth’s case against Karen Read,” said John McCourt, the Canton select board chairman.
“The town respects the legal process and the role of the jury in weighing the facts and rendering a verdict. We thank the members of the jury for their service and attention over the past several weeks,” McCourt’s statement continued.
“This case has been the subject of intense public interest, scrutiny and speculation for three years. Our community has been deeply affected,” it read.
“Today’s outcome may bring a sense of relief to some and continue to raise questions for others. We encourage members of the community to move forward together, treating one another with respect through civil, constructive dialogue.”
Read, 45, was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
The jury of seven women and five men acquitted Read of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of an accident on Wednesday after deliberating for four days.
Read was convicted of the least serious charge, operating under the influence.
The verdict came after 31 days of testimony in Read’s retrial. Read’s first trial ended in a hung jury and a mistrial on July 1, 2024.
The case led to “Free Karen Read” protests outside the Dedham courthouse, where the trial occurred nearly every day since April 22, rain or shine. Protests intensified as the retrial neared a conclusion.
After the verdicts were read, the crowd cheered so loudly it could be heard in the second-story courtroom.
Midjourney, one of the most popular AI image generation startups, announced on Wednesday the launch of its much-anticipated AI video generation model, V1.
V1 is an image-to-video model, in which users can upload an image — or take an image generated by one of Midjourney’s other models — and V1 will produce a set of four five-second videos based on it. Much like Midjourney’s image models, V1 is only available through Discord, and it’s only available on the web at launch.
Introducing our V1 Video Model. It’s fun, easy, and beautiful. Available at 10$/month, it’s the first video model for *everyone* and it’s available now. pic.twitter.com/iBm0KAN8uy
The launch of V1 puts Midjourney in competition with AI video generation models from other companies, such as OpenAI’s Sora, Runway’s Gen 4, Adobe’s Firefly, and Google’s Veo 3. While many companies are focused on developing controllable AI video models for use in commercial settings, Midjourney has always stood out for its distinctive AI image models that cater to creative types.
The company says it has larger goals for its AI video models than generating B-roll for Hollywood films or commercials for the ad industry. In a blog post, Midjourney CEO David Holz says its AI video model is the company’s next step towards its ultimate destination, creating AI models “capable of real-time open-world simulations.”
After AI video models, Midjourney says it plans to develop AI models for producing 3D renderings, as well as real-time AI models.
Hollywood studios have struggled to confront the rising popularity of AI image and video-generating models, such as the ones Midjourney develops. There’s a growing fear that these AI tools could replace or devalue the work of creatives in their respective fields, and several media companies have alleged that these products are trained on their copyrighted works.
While Midjourney has tried to pitch itself as different from other AI image and video startups — more focused on creativity than immediate commercial applications — the startup can not escape these accusations.
To start, Midjourney says it will charge 8x more for a video generation than a typical image generation, meaning subscribers will run out of their monthly allotted generations significantly faster when creating videos than images.
At launch, the cheapest way to try out V1 is by subscribing to Midjourney’s $10-per-month Basic plan. Subscribers to Midjourney’s $60-a-month Pro plan and $120-a-month Mega plan will have unlimited video generations in the company’s slower, “Relax” mode. Over the next month, Midjourney says it will reassess its pricing for video models.
V1 comes with a few custom settings that allow users to control the video model’s outputs.
Users can select an automatic animation setting to make an image move randomly, or they can select a manual setting that allows users to describe, in text, a specific animation they want to add to their video. Users can also toggle the amount of camera and subject movement by selecting “low motion” or “high motion” in settings.
While the videos generated with V1 are only five seconds long, users can choose to extend them by four seconds up to four times, meaning that V1 videos could get as long as 21 seconds.
Much like Midjourney’s AI image models, early demos of V1’s videos look somewhat otherworldly, rather than hyperrealistic. The initial response to V1 has been positive, though it’s still unclear how well it matches up against other leading AI video models, which have been on the market for months or even years.
Back in the 1970s, the prevailing thought was that it wasn’t safe for women to run. A leader in the fight for a woman’s right to run has died. Nina Kuscsik was 86.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
A leader in the fight for a woman’s right to run has died. Nina Kuscsik was 86 and the first official women’s champion of the Boston Marathon.
VALERIE ROGOSHESKE: She is wonderful. Just, with a capital T, trailblazer.
KELLY: That is Valerie Rogosheske, who ran alongside Kuscsik and six other women in the 1972 Boston Marathon – the first year they were permitted to compete in that storied race.
ROGOSHESKE: We were only welcomed into the race three weeks before the race, so there weren’t too many of us that were ready to go.
JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
Now in her 70s, Rogosheske says she remembers that day well.
ROGOSHESKE: I think we all sort of knew that it was a very – kind of a historical moment. But I know that none of the eight of us was going to drop out. And I also felt like none of the eight of us was even going to walk because we felt that there were eyes on us. I just felt proud that we actually had a female winner. I think that was my overriding feeling, that finally, women were being recognized.
KELLY: Back in the 1970s, many people thought it wasn’t safe for women to run that far.
ROGOSHESKE: Even doctors were saying that women could not or should not run 26 miles because they might not be able to bear children after that. Their uteruses might – I don’t know – fall out (laughter), something like that. And so it just felt like a real uphill battle.
KELLY: Nina Kuscsik battled for that right. Rogosheske says Kuscsik’s work meant more to her than anyone could know.
ROGOSHESKE: She was just a really fine person (crying). I remember I saw her just three years ago, when we went to Boston to celebrate 50 years. And she was struggling with dementia then, but through it all, she was just so friendly, so open, so warm. She was quite a woman.
SUMMERS: Quite a woman indeed. As Kuscsik told a reporter after her Boston victory in 1972, according to Runner’s World magazine, running is neither masculine or feminine. It’s just healthy.
Accuracy and availability of NPR transcripts may vary. Transcript text may be revised to correct errors or match updates to audio. Audio on npr.org may be edited after its original broadcast or publication. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
People in Iran have been having difficulties accessing internet services, mostly foreign websites and messaging apps like WhatsApp. According to The New York Times and NBC News, it was the government’s decision to restrict internet in the country to ward off cyberattacks by Israel as the conflict between the countries escalate. Fatemeh Mohajerani, Iran’s spokesperson, said the government was forced to throttle internet speeds in the country to maintain network stability “given the enemy’s cyber attacks.” Iran reportedly plans to reduce its internet bandwidth by 80 percent.
Kentinc and Netblocks, companies which track global internet connectivity, told NBC News that Iran’s connection plummeted at around 5:30PM Eastern time on June 17. Iranians have been having issues accessing online services for days, however, with their mobile data networks being completely down in parts of the country and the VPNs they were using to access foreign websites being blocked intermittently. In addition to blocking WhatsApp, the Iranian government urged citizens to delete it from their smartphones, accusing it of collecting information to send to Israel. WhatsApp told AP that it was “concerned these false reports will be an excuse for [its] services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most.”
While Iran’s spokesperson said that the government is blocking and slowing down the country’s internet connection as a way to prevent Israeli cyberattacks, it’s also making it harder for people to get warnings about incoming attacks and to contact loved ones in cases of emergency. And since maps like Google’s also aren’t working, people trying to evacuate are also reportedly getting lost. Iran is urging its citizens to use its national internet services or N.I.N., which remain available and allow messaging using government platforms, but people don’t think they’re secure.
It’s worth noting that Iran also seems to have launched its own cyber attacks on Israel. As The Verge notes, cybersecurity firm Radware reported a surge in cyberattacks on Israel since its strike on Iran. The firm believes they were carried out by Iranian state actors and pro-Iran hacker groups. Iran had been linked to several cyberattacks in the past, including an instance wherein hackers associated with the country stole US voter information and sent intimidating emails to Democrat voters.
You might be on the lookout for some decent or solid Pixel 9 accessories, luckily we’re way ahead of you and have tested lots of crud to find the gems. Here are a few more of our favorites that we think you might want to take a look at.
Accessories come in lots of shapes, sizes, and price points for the Pixel 9 this year. The Pixel lineup has gained lots of accessories over the past few years, but the catalog of options still isn’t quite as deep as the iPhone’s. That said, we get inundated with requests and have tested hundreds since the launch earlier this year.
Popsocket MagSafe adapter
Lots of cases for the Pixel 9 series now come with MagSafe connectivity as standard, but not all. With a ton of accessories out there that can connect to your Pixel 9 with the circle magnetic band, you might want to at least have the option to expand the capabilities of your phone. There are cheap metal rings that attach to your case, but Popsocket has the best colorways with a white or black adhesive ring that lets you pair more things to your phone.
These also look a little less “hacky” and aren’t out of place on the official Pixel 9 series case lineup. You can even just stick it directly on the back of your Pixel if you wanted to. It’s hard to argue with a $7 accessory that opens up a great array of accessories – which is always nice.
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Gamesir X8+
There is no way to sugarcoat it: most touchscreen controls for mobile games or emulators are trash. Gaming controller for Android come in lots of shapes and sizes. The Gamesir X8+ is on the larger side but it’s a Rolls Royce controller and the perfect companion for bigger, bulkier phones.
It’s very much in the mold of an Xbox gamepad but with the benefits of the split design, which turns your phone into a more capable Nintendo Switch. As a gamepad for emulation, there are few better. Hall Effect analog sticks ensure longevity, while the face buttons and triggers are super premium.
It’s a Bluetooth gamepad, so you can use it with many devices—including tablets. The vibration or haptics are a cut above anything I have ever used in terms of smartphone gaming accessories, with rich, deep rumbles and even light feedback when certain games offer different vibration strengths. Playing Balatro on the go has been a game-changer, and with specific emulators, I have yet to find anything better. Period.
The only downside is the pricing. At $80, this ain’t cheap so maybe the old faithful Gamesir X2s might be a better buy at under half that for most people unless you simply have to have the best grips on a gaming controller.
Gamesir X3 Pro
Balatro on mobile has taken over my life in recent months, which means I’m seriously hammering the battery on my Pixel 9 Pro XL. While this isn’t the most intense game, the fairly new Gamesir X3 Pro caught my eye and in my testing might be the perfect controller to look at if you play tons of mobile games or emulate older titles on your phone.
In simple terms, this is a rework of the classic Gamesir X3 but with a 90s throwback clear blue casing and a whopping cooling fan strapped to the back. I don’t know about you, but the back of my phone can get warm when playing PS2 emulators or after a long time with the screen at high brightness levels – something I do when playing Balatro extensively. The iMac colorscheme is just the icing atop the cake, and I’m a sucker for clear tech as a 90s kid.
Because it plugs in via a USB-C port, it pulls a little bit of battery from your phone to help cool things down. It works like a CPU cooler with a fan attached to a big radiator plate. The downside is the Gamesir X3 Pro doesn’t play nicely with all cases. Your phone might bulge a little, and the USB-C plug-in mechanism might not sit flush.
Even with this potential pain point, it’s hard to argue how fine this controller is for casual or extended gaming sessions. Plus, with the Gamesir app, you can make tons of adjustments and fine-tune things to suit your playstyle. The fundamentals are there, plus it’s very see-through Mac-like, too.
Anker USB-C to HDMI adapter
One of my favorite accessories for Pixel has been a Uni USB-C to HDMI adapter. It’s a high-quality cable that I’ve used in hotels and when traveling to turn my phone into a little streaming box. The downside is the cable is large, and the output is limited to 4K at 30Hz. That’s why I switched it out recently for an Anker USB-C to HDMI adapter.
It’s smaller, supports 4K 60Hz output, and if you don’t want to carry a two-meter HDMI cable around, it’s more manageable. Most of the time when you can repurpose an existing cable at the back of your TV or in a hotel room. This is a better option if you prefer a minimal EDC that’ll work with all of your other tech. It also means you can choose a different cable if you want.
Xiaomi Sound Pocket speaker
I usually take earbuds everywhere, but I recently picked up the Xiaomi Sound Pocket to throw in my bag while on vacation as a sort of “room speaker” when in a hotel room. Make no mistake, it’s not exactly the best speaker I’ve ever used, but it’s compact, has a handy lanyard to hang from a backpack strap or even a door handle, has a long-lasting battery, and even has an IP67 rating.
I actually paired it with my Pixel Tablet to get a basic in-room cinema experience while on vacation and it sounded pretty solid. It wasn’t bad at all! Sure, it won’t replace a Sonos system, but if you want to play some tune by the pool or, heck, in the shower, I think it’s a great little stocking stuffer to throw into your bag and just forget about until you want to blast some music while on the go. The best thing is that it’s one of those accessories that isn’t limited to the Pixel 9 series either.
Jsaux Foldable Phone Stand
If you have the Pixel 9 Pro Fold or even the Pixel 9 Pro XL, a decent kickstand might not be a bad idea. I have been using a super nice Jsauc folding phone stand with the Fold, and it’s become a mainstay at my desk. For just $9, it’s not going to break the bank. It folds flat,t and it should take a beating. It’s really hard to fault.
Pela Eco-friendly Pixel protection
Pela cases offer a unique blend of fun and eco-friendliness. Made from biodegradable “Flaxstic” material and shipped in sustainable packaging, these cases are a great choice for environmentally conscious Pixel 9 owners.
While the 2mm-thick design offers a good balance of protection and ergonomics, the lack of a power button insert or cover is a minor drawback compared to some other more expensive Pixel 9 accessories – although you could level greater criticism at Pitaka for huge cutouts. However, the variety of eye-catching designs and the use of unique materials make Pela cases a compelling option for those seeking a distinctive and sustainable case for their Pixel device.
Pitaka Premium paper-thin cases and covers
Pitaka’s minimalist carbon fiber cases are a great option for those who want to preserve the Pixel 9’s design and improve handling without adding heft or the “bulky bits” we often associate with Pixel accessories. While they are expensive, their simple build and strong MagSafe connectivity make them a worthwhile investment for those seeking a premium, minimalist case.
While not the most protective, Pitaka cases offer a sleek, thin design that allows for seamless MagSafe accessory compatibility. Paired with a glass screen protector, this setup provides a balance between protection and aesthetics, making it a great choice for those who prioritize minimalism and style.
If you want to support a US-based company making similar cases, we can also vouch for Thinborne’s super-thin aramid fiber case lineup. Some packages include a free screen protector, but we recommend investing in something a little higher quality that won’t scuff or discolor quickly, like the Spigen Glastr (2-pack).
Mous Limitless 5.0
The marketing is squarely focused on advanced Pixel protection and it’s hard to argue with Mous on this. One of the latest releases from the UK-based accessory maker is the Mous Limitless 5.0 case. It offers a robust level of protection, with a thick, rubbery design and raised edges to safeguard your Pixel 9 display from even the worse drops. The cases are also Made for Google Certified and boast impressive drop-test results – I even put this to the test way back during the Pixel 4 era and it passed with flying colors.
One of the standout features of Mous cases is their unique material options, including leather, fabric, carbon fiber, and wood. The bamboo variant, for example, offers a stylish and sustainable choice. While the cases are on the pricier side, they provide a premium look and feel, making them a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize both protection and aesthetics.
What are some of your favorite Pixel 9 accessories and cases? Let us know down in the comment section below.
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A retired Revere police officer has died after he was pulled from a house fire on Wednesday, according to multiple news reports.
The fire department initially learned of the fire after several 911 calls after 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, acting Revere fire Chief James Cullen told WCVB-TV. Firefighters arrived and saw large flames coming from the multi-family home on Washington Avenue.
Some firefighters were hurt but continued to douse the blaze, Cullen told the news station.
“We know it started in the rear of the house by the heavy damage,” Cullen said to reporters who were at the scene. “It’ll take a lot to get through; they have a lot to look at.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office confirmed with NBC 10 Boston that the man died after he was pulled from the fire and hospitalized.
MassLive has reached out to the Revere Fire Department and Hayden’s office for more information.
The cause of the fire continues to be under investigation.
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