I’m standing outside The Bellagio watching more than 1,000 fountains gracefully dance in choreographed unison, waving along with the sounds of classical music as they shoot up 460 feet against the Las Vegas skyline. Suddenly, I get it. Sure, Vegas has seen its fair share of criticisms – it’s crowded, it’s crass, it plays to our lowest common denominator. But even the most jaded of visitors to the tourist-packed Sin City street would find it hard to deny the presence of sheer magic in the air.

As the self-described “Entertainment Capital of the World,” one of Earth’s most-visited tourism destinations attracts crowds for an infinite number of reasons, from buttoned-up business conventions to booze-fueled bachelor parties. But no matter what brings you here or which Cirque du Soleil show you are waiting on to start, everyone at some point sits down to place a bet. When gambling is a top priority on your trip, here are eight of the best casino resorts to book in Las Vegas.

Join the Daily Poker Tournaments at The Mirage

One of the first mega hotels on the Vegas street isn’t here to blow you away with over-the-top gimmicks or superfluous glamour. The 3,044-room AAA Four Diamond resort has been one of the top hotels on Vegas since it was built by Steve Wynn in 1989, with a classy old-school Vegas vibe that remains lively without being overly annoying.

Famous for long hosting one of the top poker rooms in Vegas, The Mirage‘s 100,000 square feet of gaming space includes a massive sports book, equipped with 85-foot HD projection screens, and themed slots such as Iron Man and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. After wandering the casino floor to get a lay of the land, saddle up to the 25-table poker room and try your hand at seven-card stud or join in on the daily No Limit Texas Hold’Em tournaments.

Lodgings range from tastefully decorated standard rooms to absurd three-bedroom villas with 24-hour personal chefs and butler service. Check out the nightly volcano eruption shows outside the casino, before heading over to Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak for dinner and capping the night with a performance of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil. If you’re feeling adventurous, wander over to the adults-only Bare Pool Lounge for some “European-style sunbathing” and live DJs.

Highlights

Screen Time

The hotel’s sports book features 85-foot HD projection screens.

Find Love

The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil performs regularly.

The Mirage Hotel & Casino

Rated 4 stars out of 5

Top rated

Las Vegas

8.5 Excellent (54483 reviews)

Sip Scotch at the High Roller Table at The Bellagio

Inspired by the gorgeous Italian lakefront town of Bellagio and memorialized in the 2001 heist film Oceans Eleven, The Bellagio has long been synonymous with luxury in Las Vegas. However, it’s not just the world-famous fountains, the on-site art gallery or the hotel’s lush botanical gardens that make this hotel one of the top choices in Las Vegas.

The Bellagio’s sprawling 116,000 square feet of gaming space (roughly the size of two football fields) hosts one of the best gaming floors in Vegas, its sexy 40-table poker room a haven for pro players and World Poker Tour showdowns. You can also sip rare vintage Scotch while rolling the dice in the opulent Art Deco Club Prime high limit lounge, or pick out a winner amidst the hotel’s 2,300 slot machines.

Rooms are noted for their beauty and elegance, with accommodations ranging from simple yet luxurious hotel rooms to ultra-ritzy invite-only villas. When you’re done dominating the craps table like Danny Ocean, toast your winning with a fancy French feast at a table overlooking the fountains at the AAA Five Diamond Le Cirque. The next day, kick back at the Mediterranean-styled The Pool at the Bellagio Hotel for a more laid-back take on the typical Vegas pool party rager.

Highlights

Poker Face

The hotel’s opulent poker room is a haven for pro players.

Garden Party

In addition to the world-famous fountains, the hotel also boasts its own art gallery and botanical gardens.

Bellagio

Rated 5 stars out of 5

Top rated

Las Vegas

8.8 Excellent (44136 reviews)

Escape into Nature at Red Rock Casino Resort

Perched near the base of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 10 minutes west of the street, the 5-star Red Rock Casino Resort is the most criminally overlooked of all Las Vegas casino hotels. Take a break from the endless noise of the street and get back to nature, overlooking stunning sandstone canyons and picturesque red-hued mountains from the comfort of your room.

Gamblers will find a more intimate environment for planning a date with lady luck. Instead of getting lost in a maze of massive gaming floors, Red Rock offers a more manageable layout of 20 poker tables and 16 blackjack tables, along with baccarat, craps, roulette, bingo and a chic VIP high limit table games lounge. With 2,700 slot machines and a 200-TV-strong sports book, the resort is also known by locals as one of the best hotels for slots and video poker in Vegas.

Accommodations include chic, modern hotel rooms and opulent Grand Villa Suites. Play some poolside blackjack at the Sandbar Pool, see some live music at the on-site Rocks Lounge, or carve into some USDA Prime steak at T-Bones Chophouse. There’s even a 72-lane bowling alley with “cosmic” bowling on weekends for those who want a little fun without having to suffer through another cookie-cutter, eardrum-bursting Vegas nightclub experience.

Highlights

Rock Out

Enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and canyons of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Get Bowled Over

The hotel includes its own 72-lane bowling alley with “cosmic” bowling on weekends.

Red Rock Casino Resort

Rated 5 stars out of 5

Top rated

Las Vegas

9.0 Excellent (4610 reviews)

Play Blackjack by The Pool at Encore at Wynn

Together with the adjacent Wynn Las Vegas, Encore at Wynn is one of the largest and most opulent hotels in Vegas. Located on a quieter stretch of the street(north of most Vegas mega resorts) with all guests at the newer 2,034-room Encore given access to the full suite of amenities at the main 2,716-room Wynn, the combined resort claims the most five-star awards of any independent hotel in the world.

With an almost incomprehensible 263,000 square feet of gaming space between the two hotels, Encore’s gaming floor is a bit more laid-back and is home to the Wynn’s legendarily posh 28-table poker room. The hotel also boasts one of the widest varieties of table games and slots, in addition to a high limit gaming pavilion at its always-happening Encore Beach Club pool.

Rooms and suites are among the biggest on the street, unfurling excellent views of the skyline and mountains from as high as 48 stories. While the resort also includes its own shopping complex and 18-hole championship golf course, Encore’s most well known attraction is its massive 40,000-square foot XS Nightclub. Regarded as one of the world’s top clubs, it features a 10-foot rotating chandelier amidst an otherworldly assemblage of 10,000 lights set to pounding EDM music.

Discover the Top 5 Casino Hotels in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is not just the entertainment capital of the world but also a premier destination for those seeking high-end gaming experiences. From luxurious accommodations to world-class dining and thrilling entertainment, the city’s casino hotels offer a perfect blend of excitement and comfort. Here are the five best casino hotels in Los Angeles that promise an unforgettable stay:

1. The Commerce Casino & Hotel

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, The Commerce Casino & Hotel is renowned for its extensive gaming options. With over 240 tables, it is one of the largest card rooms in the world. Guests can indulge in games like poker, blackjack, and baccarat while enjoying the comfort of their stylish rooms. The hotel also features gourmet dining options, including the acclaimed Arena Sports Bar & Grill, offering a diverse menu and a lively atmosphere.

2. The Bicycle Hotel & Casino

The Bicycle Hotel & Casino, commonly known as “The Bike,” is a premier gaming destination in Los Angeles. This luxurious hotel boasts a variety of gaming options, including poker, table games, and more. The well-appointed rooms and suites provide a comfortable retreat after a day of gaming. Guests can also enjoy fine dining at The Bike Brewery, which offers an impressive selection of craft beers and delicious meals.

3. Hollywood Park Casino

Hollywood Park Casino combines the thrill of gaming with the glamour of Hollywood. This iconic casino features a wide range of table games and poker tournaments, attracting both locals and tourists. The casino’s modern design and vibrant atmosphere make it a popular choice for entertainment. After a night of gaming, guests can relax in the elegantly designed hotel rooms and savor delectable dishes at the on-site restaurant.

4. Hustler Casino

Hustler Casino, founded by Larry Flynt, offers a unique gaming experience with a touch of sophistication. The casino features a variety of table games, including poker, blackjack, and roulette. The upscale ambiance and friendly staff create a welcoming environment for guests. The adjacent hotel provides luxurious accommodations, ensuring a comfortable stay. Dining options include the popular Larry Flynt’s Bar & Grill, known for its delicious American cuisine.

5. San Manuel Casino

Located just outside Los Angeles, San Manuel Casino is a top choice for gaming enthusiasts. This expansive casino offers an impressive array of slot machines and table games. The recently added luxury hotel provides guests with plush accommodations and stunning views of the surrounding area. The casino also boasts several dining options, including The Pines Modern Steakhouse, offering a fine dining experience with a menu featuring premium steaks and seafood.

Final Thoughts

Los Angeles is home to some of the finest casino hotels in the country, each offering a unique blend of gaming, luxury, and entertainment. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a casual gamer, these top five casino hotels promise an unforgettable experience. Enjoy the thrill of the games, indulge in gourmet dining, and relax in luxurious accommodations—all in the vibrant city of Los Angeles.

The 29th annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Readers’ Survey was announcedrecently, which highlights the year’s top islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more. Vancouver Island was voted number-1 Canadian Island, the City of Victoria was voted number-2 Best Canadian City, and Fairmont Empress was recognized as the number-2 Best City Hotel in Canada.

“We’re incredibly honoured to be celebrated internationally and earn the number-2 top spot for best Canadian City Hotel amongst Travel + Leisure readers. It’s beyond rewarding to know that so many of our valued guests voted us as their hotel of choice in the World’s Best Awards,” says Dan McGowan, general manager of Fairmont Empress. “This achievement is a testament to the level of service and special experiences we aim to provide all of our guests and speaks volumes to the tremendous effort and dedication put forth by our entire team. We’re very proud, and this recognition only fuels our commitment to excellence.”

The World’s Best Awards is a travel-recognition program run by Travel + Leisure, based on an annual reader survey where participants weigh in on their travel experiences around the globe and share their critiques. Respondents rate hotels on characteristics including: rooms, facilities, location, service, restaurants and value. The awards are widely renowned for showcasing the pinnacle of excellence across hotels, destinations, and travel experiences. More than 186,000 readers completed the survey this year with more than 700,000 votes cast.

Between 2014 and 2016, a YouTube channel called Every Frame a Painting posted 28 video essays critiquing movies and dissecting different aspects of filmmaking before it went silent. Taylor Ramos and Tony Zhou, the people behind the channel, talked about how Robin Williams was a master at blocking and using movement to portray his characters, as well as how Steven Spielberg does one long takes all the time that tend to go unnoticed by the public, among many other topics. Now, the duo is back, promising another series of video essays followed by the debut of a short film at Fantasia International Film Festival on July 20.

Ramos and Zhou wrote and directed their upcoming film called The Second starring Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Ethan Hwan. They didn’t share a lot of details about the movie, but the film festival’s website says it’s about “an alternate version of today’s world where dueling is still acceptable” in which Philip “must perform the role of ‘Second’ on the day of his only son’s duel.”

Every Frame a Painting has over 2 million subscribers on YouTube and was one of the creators that helped legitimize video essays on the website. Ramos and Zhou also created the Netflix series Voir, produced by David Fincher, which featured video essays about film, as well. Seeing as they promised new posts on YouTube before their film premieres, we’ll likely see them upload a fresh batch of videos in the coming days.

Getac has announced two new entries into the rugged tablet market, the F110 and K120, and both promise to push the boundaries of what a tablet-laptop hybrid can do out in the real world. 

In its bid to try and displace the Dell Latitude 7330 as the best rugged laptop, Getac is attempting to do something a little different, thanks to a 2-in-1 design that hopefully combines the best of a tablet with the best of a laptop. 

Both come sporting Intel processors, ultra-bright screens that can hit 1,200 nits of brightness for outdoor usage, and Wi-Fi 6E, putting them firmly among the more technologically advanced rugged devices we’ve seen so far. 

The K120, designed for anything

Getac says the K120 is ideally suited to those working in public safety, manufacturing, and utilities, according to the company, and is designed to handle the kind of knocks and spillages that come with working outside, often in hazardous conditions – a MacBook Pro this is not. 

The K120 comes with Intel’s Core 13th-Gen i5 or i7 processors, with integrated Iris Xe graphics, and includes two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports alongside a dual SIM card slot, which is perfect for working on the go. 

Getac lets user change and upgrade the SSD, and the 12.5-inch display can deliver up to 1,200 nits of brightness, a worthy match for a bright and sunny day. There are hot swappable batteries for all-day usage, IP66 rating, MIL-STD-810H certification, and more. The K120 can handle being dropped from up to 6 foot, too. 

Of course, the standout feature is the 2-in-1 design, and the company says the K120 can be used in laptop, presentation, and convertible modes (via the keyboard dock), as well as tilt mode (when used with its “hard handle”), and a docking mode (when used with the vehicle or office dock).

Getac says the K120 will be available later in July 2024, but hasn’t put out a price yet. 

The flagship F110 

Like the K120, Getac’s flagship F110 tablet is hard as nails without sacrificing any of the forward-thinking tech insides. You’re getting Intel Core 13th-Gen i5 or i7, with Intel’s UHD graphics, plus the same 1,200-nit display, multi-touch modes (for finger, pen, or glove), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and a 5MP webcam. 

Getac says the F110 is designed for industries like oil and gas, which rely on fast connectivity and can also present hazards to technology. There’s the same IP66 rating, 6 foot drop rating, and optional salt fog resistance. 

“The F110 has been a mainstay of our fully rugged tablet portfolio for a long time, and for good reason,” says Getac’s James Hwang. “Its combination of laptop-level performance and tablet convenience makes it the ultimate field device for customers across sectors and industries where challenging operating environments are par for the course every day.” 

The company says the F110 is available now, but does not currently offer a public-facing price tag.

MORE FROM TECHRADAR PRO ]]> https://bonusplay.me/getac-unveils-two-rugged-tablets-that-can-transform-into-laptops-its-just-a-shame-they-are-not-ip68-rated/feed/ 0 https://bonusplay.me/youtube-will-now-take-down-ai-deepfakes-of-you-if-you-ask/ https://bonusplay.me/youtube-will-now-take-down-ai-deepfakes-of-you-if-you-ask/#respond Fri, 05 Jul 2024 09:28:17 +0000 https://bonusplay.me/?p=72377

Japanese electronics firm Elecom, best known for inventing the first-ever oval mouse in 1988, has launched a new device that marries an AC charger with a mobile battery to produce an incredibly versatile power station.

The DE-AC08-5000 is ultra-portable, with a slim design that can easily fit into small bags or pouches. It has both a 5,000mAh battery and a plug, and supports USB Power Delivery 20W, allowing fast smartphone charging to ensure you never run out of battery unexpectedly.

Elecom claims the battery can charge a typical 1,800mAh smartphone about 1.6 times and a 3,000mAh smartphone about 0.9 times when the phone is off. What sets the device apart from other power banks is that you can plug it into an outlet and connect your smartphone directly, using it like a regular charger. It supports charging both the power bank and a connected device simultaneously, usefully prioritizing the latter until it is fully charged.

Black or white (with a face)

The power plug has a swing mechanism, so it can be tucked away into the main body when not in use. You can check the remaining battery level through a four-stage LED indicator, so you always know how much power is left.

Elecom’s 2-in-1 AC charger and mobile battery is available in two versions: black and Shiro-chan, Elecom’s quirky product line, which is white with a cartoon face on it (as you can see in the top photo). The price for both is the same at 5,980 yen, about $37.

Elecom says the device uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts for about 500 charge cycles and includes five protection functions: overcharge, over-discharge, overcurrent, short-circuit protection, and temperature detection. It is also safe for air travel, meeting UN38.3 standards.

More from TechRadar Pro

I love an account on X (formerly Twitter) called @LizaMinnelliOutlives (shockingly not run by the icon herself) that lists things like famous deaths or agreements. Well, in a twist, the real Liza Minnelli no longer outlives new words from her deceased mother, Judy Garland. The actress and singer has given ElevenLabs, an AI startup with cloning services, permission to recreate her mother’s voice for their new Reader App. Garland joins James Dean, Burt Reynolds and Sir Laurence Olivier as deceased stars whose AI voices are in the “Iconic voice collection,” thanks to deals with their estates for undisclosed sums.

The voices will exist solely on the Reader App and people can use them for things like narrating an e-book. “It’s exciting to see our mother’s voice available to the countless millions of people who love her,” Minnelli, the representative of the Garland Estate, said. “Through the spectacular new technology offered by ElevenLabs, our family believes that this will bring new fans to Mama, and be exciting to those who already cherish the unparalleled legacy that Mama gave and continues to give to the world.” A sample of Garland reading The Wizard of Oz appears in ElevenLab’s promotional video on YouTube — personally, I find it a little bit eerie, but I can see the appeal.

ElevenLabs released its Reader App in late June to allow users to hear any text on their phone, including messages, PDFs and news articles. It’s currently only available in English for iOS users in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. However, ElevenLabs has a waitlist for Android users and claims it will launch in the Google Play store in the “coming weeks.” The company also says it’s working on making the app available in every language its Multilingual model supports (29 as of now) and will, subsequently, launch it globally.

This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.

If you’re anything like me you’ll find today’s Connections to be a difficult one. But it’s also possible I was just having a bad day. Read on to see how my game went, and to take advantage of my hints if you need them.

What should you do once you’ve finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I’ve also got daily Wordle hints and answers, Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #390) – today’s words

Today’s NYT Connections words are…

YENBONDMADPOWEREUROOQFORTUNELONGMKPINEBUBBLEGUMNATUREDESIREMONEYPENNYNYT Connections today (game #390) – hint #1 – group hints

What are some clues for today’s NYT Connections groups?

Yellow: WantGreen: Glossy readBlue: The name’s…Purple: They go before a music genre

Need more clues?

We’re firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today’s NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #390) – hint #2 – group answers

What are the answers for today’s NYT Connections groups?

YELLOW: YEARNGREEN: MAGAZINESBLUE: CHARACTERS IN BOND MOVIESPURPLE: WORDS THAT PRECEDE “POP” IN MUSIC GENRES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #390) – the answers

The answers to today’s Connections, game #390, are…

YELLOW: YEARN DESIRE, LONG, PINE, YENGREEN: MAGAZINES FORTUNE, MAD, NATURE, OBLUE: CHARACTERS IN BOND MOVIES BOND, M, MONEYPENNY, QPURPLE: WORDS THAT PRECEDE “POP” IN MUSIC GENRES BUBBLEGUM, EURO, K, POWERMy rating: HardMy score: 3 mistakes

Yesterday’s Connections was relatively easy; today’s is anything but that.

Once again, it was short words that confused me, or in this case single letters: Q, M, K and O all feature here. Two of them were obvious, at least, with the words BOND and MONEYPENNY joining Q and M for a 007-themed group (blue). The yellow one wasn’t too bad: this was simple synonyms for YEARN (DESIRE, YEN, PINE, LONG).

However, the green group really tripped me up. I spotted that FORTUNE, NATURE and MAD were all magazines, but I couldn’t identify the fourth. Apologies to Oprah Winfrey, but it never occurred to me that O magazine would be the fourth. I went through three alternative answers before guessing that and solving the puzzle with no room to spare.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday’s NYT Connections answers (Thursday, 4 July, game #389)GREEN: THINGS STORED BY A WEB BROWSER CACHE, COOKIES, DATA, HISTORYBLUE: SINGLE ROTATION CYCLE, LAP, REVOLUTION, TURNYELLOW: ROMANTIC RAPPORT ATTRACTION, CHEMISTRY, FIREWORKS, SPARKSPURPLE: WORDS BEFORE “BELL” BAR, DINNER, LIBERTY, TINKERWhat is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don’t technically need to solve the final one, as you’ll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What’s more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It’s a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It’s playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Earlier this year, Nintendo said it would shut down all Wii U servers, putting an end to multiplayer, co-op and other services. Now, the company has announced that it’s ending Wii U repairs as well, effectively giving last rites to the loveable but not very popular console.

In May, Nintendo forewarned the end of Wii U repairs. “The period for retaining repair parts as stipulated in the repair service regulations has expired, so as soon as the current stock of parts is depleted, repair services will end,” the company wrote in a service notice. The Wii U is now listed as no longer eligible for repair on an end-of-life service page, just as Nintendo previewed.

The Wii U launched in late 2012 as a successor to the Wii, but it failed to catch on with consumers, selling just 13.56 million units. It was eventually replaced by the Switch, which has gone on to more than 10 times the sales at 141.3 million units.

The defining feature of the Wii U was its Gamepad with a built-in 6.2-inch touchscreen. That allowed you to play either fully handheld or connected to a TV, a new feature at the time. The other key selling point was the first-party games like Splatoon, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Mario Kart 8 and Super Mario 3D World. At the time, those offered local multiplayer action you couldn’t find anywhere else.

It was also just a quirky, weird and fun console that “wiggled its way into the hearts of many players, including myself,” Engadget’s Jessica Conditt wrote back in 2015. Nintendo is set to announce its successor to the Switch before March 2025, but if you’re still playing on Wii U, you’d need to take extra good care of it now that repairs will be far more challenging.