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Science

Light Sensors on Wearables Struggling with Skin Color And Obesity

 

Wearables and activity trackers are growing increasingly popular as these devices are easier to use, more comfortable, and can provide important feedback to the wearer on how their daily life is impacting their overall health. However, one of the biggest issues that could prevent these wearables from being used as much as they could be is that the light sensor technology struggles to sense when the wearer’s hand, wrist, or finger are covered by clothing or if there skin complexion is a bit dark. A new solution that scientists have developed may help solve this problem and more in the future.

Why are we wearing more fitness trackers than ever?

As wearable tech becomes more popular, one of its limitations is coming to light. It’s often hard for fitness trackers to accurately track fitness activity in people. The devices also struggle to measure fitness levels of people who are obese, which could be a problem as wearable technology adoption grows. Scientists believe they have a solution that could allow fitness devices to measure heart rate more accurately than ever. However, experts say it will take time before consumers see those new features in their devices.

Why does this matter?

Well, first of all, if you don’t think obesity is a health problem, maybe you just haven’t thought about it that way. Second, wearable tech could be a particularly good solution for people who can’t make it to gyms or are too busy to devote time to fitness. A wearable tracking device might fit perfectly into their lifestyle—or at least help point them in a better direction. But most importantly, light sensors aren’t working as well as they could because tech designers don’t really understand how complex human skin really is.

What could have been done better by researchers and app developers?

While wearables are a hot new trend, they’re not perfect yet. Specifically, it seems that light sensors (the devices used to gather biometric data) are struggling when it comes to complexion and obesity. The sensors appear to be much less accurate when measuring blood oxygenation for black people compared to white individuals; additionally, for some obese users, their BMI doesn’t register correctly at all. Technology should be there to improve our lives – not further stigmatize already-marginalized groups of people. If researchers can work out these kinks, smart devices could become truly wearable technology!

Science behind light-based fitness trackers

According to some researchers, fitness trackers are failing users. That’s because wearable technology doesn’t take into account a user’s body composition or skin tone. Light sensors look at blood flow underneath your skin, but issues can arise in people with dark skin tones who have low subcutaneous oxygen content. These problems are compounded by existing obesity issues; it has been shown that fat tissue stops some light from penetrating under your skin, meaning many devices will actually overestimate calories burned by people who are overweight.

Health implications and recommendations

Devices such as Fitbit, Apple Watch, etc. all rely on light sensors to track steps, heart rate, and calories burned. The problem is that these sensors do not account for health effects that occur when a person’s body absorbs more light than normal; some people’s skin naturally absorbs more light making those wearing these trackers think they are burning more calories than they actually are . Ultimately scientists believe it will be some time before wearables can accurately measure health among varying skin colors. Until then overweight people of color (anyone who does not have white or very pale skin) should be extra careful when relying solely on step counting devices to provide information about their overall health.
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Reviews

Review : Sony LSPX-S3 – A Bold Speaker

 

Handheld, portable, and lightweight are the first three adjectives that come to mind when thinking about Sony’s new LSPX-S3 speaker. In fact, it’s so lightweight that you can easily hold it in one hand and carry it around the house or backyard without feeling fatigued from its weight. Although the S3 isn’t really designed to be used as an indoor speaker—the audio quality just isn’t quite up to par with other indoor models—it works fine if you intend to set it up indoors. Just know what you’re getting into beforehand.

Quick Overview

This speaker is small but powerful. It’s portable and sturdy, and it has some really cool features, including touch control on top of voice command. Overall, it has great sound for its size, which makes it a great speaker to carry with you in your purse or bag without worrying about breaking it. What’s more, its design helps make listening to music fun again–I like how I can get creative with my listening experience since I can change up how high or low I play songs. And if you’re into sharing music with friends (and perhaps sparking some interesting conversation), then put down that phone when you’re listening to music–you’re going to have so much more fun with these speakers! 🙂

Features

The speaker has eight amplifiers, three tweeters, two passive radiators for better bass response, two microphones for noise cancellation, touch controls on top of speaker to control volume and pause music. The Sony LSPX-S3 can also be controlled by your voice or even your smartphone when connected via Wi-Fi. Voice assistant support is limited right now but it works well with Amazon Alexa as well as Google Assistant. We’re sure more platforms will be added in future updates. The smart features are great to have, but they’re not quite perfect yet. For example, you can only use these assistants from Sony’s proprietary Music Center app.
For its size, you’d be hard pressed to find better sound. But that’s not why people buy these. They buy them because they want something different—and because, like all great gadgets, it gets them talking. Even if you aren’t an audiophile looking for a good deal, we recommend Sony’s wafer-thin speakers if you want your home to get just a little bit geekier.

Price

Sony has come up with an interesting product. It’s probably not for everybody, but if you’re willing to stand out and are looking for a speaker, there’s no reason to skip over them. When you consider their price point of $350, they really are pretty good overall.

What we think?

While we think Sony’s speaker has great features, it is definitely not for everyone. It has a strange look (like something from a sci-fi movie). The price may also be too high for some potential buyers. However, if you don’t mind paying up for an unusual design or would like to buy it as a gift, then we think you should go for it!
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Tech

Youtube will not be making most of its Originals

 

We like to keep up on trends and news in the industry, so we’ve heard quite a bit about YouTube Originals. It seemed like YouTube was trying to compete with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Amazon Prime Video and other subscription-based streaming services. Unfortunately, it looks like they are giving up on the effort and will no longer create most of their own TV shows and movies. Instead, they will focus on making other types of video content.

Why Youtube is doing this?

It seems YouTube’s foray into original content has been a failure. Instead of focusing on attracting new viewers, it tried to grow its audience by spending more money on content and promoting it through Google Preferred, an ad program that allows brands to buy ads that appear alongside popular videos. That strategy didn’t work as well as hoped for some advertisers, who chose to run their ads elsewhere. There are a lot of people who view Youtube not just as a place for video entertainment but also information.

More Alternatives

YouTube is a big name in streaming, but there are plenty of other companies offering similar services. You may want to consider YouTube’s alternatives if you’re unsatisfied with its offerings. Here are some of our favorites: – Hulu – Amazon Prime Video – Facebook Watch – Patreon It might be hard to find everything on these platforms, but they all have something to offer and keep getting better every day. So check them out! Or just stick with your favorite video platform. Remember, it’s your choice!

The Verdict

The era of YouTube Originals is coming to an end, according to a report from Bloomberg . While Google’s premium video service has produced a number of hit series over its 10-year history, including Cobra Kai , Step Up: High Water , and Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television , YouTube has decided not to move forward with funding new scripted programming. A few shows that were in development have been canceled and no additional ones are planned.
 
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Gaming

Lego delays Overwatch 2 set

For gamers, there are few things better than getting your hands on the perfect game-related merchandise. It’s even better when that merchandise is a meticulously crafted replica of one of your favorite characters in an upcoming game, making it an ideal collector’s item or gift to share with your friends. However, if you were planning on picking up the upcoming Lego Overwatch 2 set , you might have to wait a little while longer to get your hands on it.

What happened?

If you’re a fan of Overwatch, then you might want to hear about a delay in an upcoming Lego product that was supposed to be out by now. According to a press release from Lego, there has been a delay on their newest brick-building kit, which was supposed to hit shelves in time for Christmas but has been pushed back until April of next year. This is due largely in part to their evaluation of their business relationship with Activision Blizzard who makes and publishes many popular video games including Call of Duty, Destiny and Warcraft. This may also result in some other products being delayed or even canceled as well, though Lego says they plan on releasing future sets based on other popular titles from other companies over time.

About Overwatch 2

OverWatch 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It was released in May 2016 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is a sequel to 2014’s critically acclaimed OverWatch, and its latest release was announced at BlizzCon 2016. In it players control one of several heroes that battle each other across different game modes using a variety of character abilities to secure objectives or complete bonus objectives to win an encounter. The game features squad-based combat with two opposing teams of six players each, competing in matches lasting five to twenty minutes depending on mode played. Players choose one of several hero characters, each with their own unique abilities and role classes.

Final Thoughts

It’s pretty clear that these relationships have been a problem for a while. Lego is extremely protective of its image and has developed global brand recognition around its blocky figurines. We expect Activision Blizzard to seek out another licensing partner soon but won’t rule out Lego being involved again at some point in the future.
Let us know what do you think in the comments below!
 
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Science

Virtual Assistants will be helping out NASA in exploring space

Teams of virtual assistants will be heading out to deep space with NASA on their upcoming mission to the Moon in 2020. The assistants will help facilitate important communication between astronauts and mission control, providing additional support to the human crew. The two virtual assistants that have been chosen are Amazon’s Alexa and Cisco’s Webex. Both AI assistants will be traveling to space aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft and will be staying at the Lunar Gateway, which is scheduled to arrive at the Moon in 2022 and begin construction of the first human outpost in 2023.

Quick Overview

Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa, and Cisco’s video conferencing service, Webex, will have a journey of their own when they hit deep space. They’re scheduled to ride aboard NASA’s Orion crew capsule that will take a test flight into lunar orbit this March. The vehicles will remain there for a few weeks before landing back in Earth’s atmosphere. It’ll be called Artemis-I. It will provide data that can help prepare astronauts for longer missions in deep space.

What is NASA’s Artemis program?

The Artemis program is a lunar exploration initiative. The goal of Artemis is to place humans back on the moon by 2024, in order to prepare for eventual missions to Mars. The spacecraft will be named after Apollo’s twin sister, Artemis. To keep costs down and speed up development, government has proposed drawing heavily from existing private-sector technology available today. For example, both Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant technology and Cisco’s WebEx collaboration platform will play important roles in helping future astronauts make their way across our vast solar system. Understood that part? Good; now let’s take a deeper dive into how two such unlikely allies will help us one day reach new frontiers from Earth or beyond it…

How will be Amazon’s Alexa And Cisco’s Webex Helping Nasa?

Three months from now, when astronauts will be touching down on Moon’s surface, amazonalexa and ciscowebex may not be there with them. But a piece of them will have travelled more than 384,000km in airless expanse between Earth and Moon. The tech giants’ artificial intelligence-powered assistants (Alexa for Amazon and Webex for Cisco) will help scientists explore lunar dust brought back to Earth by Apollo 11 mission 45 years ago. Scientists want to know what happened to that dust after being exposed to harsh environments of space. They also want to see if it retains any record of rocks that once clumped together 4.5 billion years ago to create our planet. How do you preserve a rock? It turns out, if you expose rocks in deep space as part of an asteroid belt or comet ring then they get bombarded by high energy particles. That bombardment lasts only millionths of seconds but is enough to leave microscopic traces behind.

What is Orion Crew Capsule?

The capsule will be capable of carrying astronauts back and forth from Earth to other areas in our solar system, such as Mars or an asteroid. Orion is different from SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, which only takes astronauts up into low-Earth orbit (up to 1,200 miles above ground). It would make it one of the earliest destinations for people going into deep space, besides low-Earth orbit. Getting farther away from Earth also means it will take longer for communications signals between spacecraft and ground stations—sometimes hours instead of minutes.

What we think about it?

For its upcoming lunar base, and possibly future missions to Mars, NASA is looking into how humans can explore in deep space without isolating themselves from home. The solution? Virtual reality tools that let astronauts virtually connect with people back home. To help these crew members remain connected, NASA has teamed up with companies including Amazon (AMZN) and Cisco (CSCO) as part of its Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships 2 program. The Boeing-built Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway will be equipped with Amazon’s Echo virtual assistant—called Vesta by Boeing—and Cisco’s WebEx collaboration service so astronauts have a way of staying in touch during a planned four-week trip around Earth’s moon next year.
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Reviews

Review : Go Pro Hero 10 – A Good Action Cam

 

Now that the rumors are finally over, we can take a step back and discuss about GoPro Hero10 and its features, specifications, and more importantly the impact it will have on the industry of action cameras. This review of GoPro Hero10 will help you understand whether GoPro made the right decision by releasing an upgrade instead of going all in with an action cam 2 model. It will also help you decide whether you should get your own or not. At the end of this review, we’ll give you our verdict on whether or not it’s worth buying one of these new baby cams from GoPro!

Quick Overview

The new GoPro is here. The specs are pretty much identical to its predecessor but with a sleeker body and updated processor. One important difference however is that you can now shoot videos in RAW format if you wish – though your computer or phone will still have to be powerful enough to edit them properly. If you’ve ever used a GoPro before then most of what we’re about to talk about won’t surprise you but it’ll serve as a good intro for those who haven’t tried one yet.

Features

23.6-megapixel camera which can record at 19.6-megapixel image at 5.3k at 60 fps and 12-megapixel image at 4k at 120 fps; Up to 30 feet underwater without a housing; Touch zoom/scroll gesture interface; Interchangeable lens system. In The Box: HERO10 camera, Rechargeable Battery (1160mAh), Skeleton Backdoor and Mounting Hardware (Standard and Touch Backdoors included), Curved Adhesive Mount, Flat Adhesive Mount, Quick Release Buckle and Wrist Strap. Not Included: Expanded SD Card Storage Case. What’s in the box? GoPro has done it again with another winner in their lineup of action cameras. It comes complete with everything you need to start recording amazing footage right out of the box! All that’s left for you is decide how you’re going to use it – because with such a diverse range of options, what you create is really up to your imagination.

The Ultimate Action Cam Just Got Better The new features that have been added into Action Cam make it even easier than ever before to capture your most insane moments in vivid detail. And because every frame matters when taking your perfect shot, all-new HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization delivers smooth footage from all directions – giving you an angle so wild no one will ever believe what they’re seeing isn’t CGI.

Pricing

GoPro may be known as a brand that manufactures only action cameras, but it has other products in its lineup. Its entry-level HERO4 Black camera is a 4K-capable shooter and retails at $500. The price may be off-putting to some buyers who can get a capable mid-range camera without spending as much on GoPro’s pricier offerings.

The Verdict

The GoPro Hero10 is a solid update on an already capable line of cameras. It’s better in some ways and worse in others than previous versions, but even considering its shortcomings—and there are many—the Hero10 remains one of our favorite pieces of kit for adventurers. Why? Because unlike other brands, which put style ahead of function or prioritize form over function over all else, GoPro has always emphasized utility. And sometimes those extras aren’t enough to make you part with your hard-earned cash; at least not if you want to capture anything worth looking at.
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Tech

Google fixes issue with the Assistant’s noise

What do you think of when you hear the word noise? We bet it’s not positive things, right? The word invokes an image of chaos, disorder, and confusion. Why then did Google choose the term white noise to represent the sound their new virtual assistant makes? It seems like a strange decision at first glance, but it becomes clearer as we look at the reasons behind it and all the functionality this innovative sound offers.

What was the issue?

On Tuesday, Google said it was fixing an issue with its AI-driven voice assistant that was inadvertently turning on a white noise function at random times and startling users. In a statement to media outlets, a Google representative wrote: We are aware of an issue affecting some Google Home Mini devices that could cause them to mistakenly interpret background noise as a request to activate… We are rolling out a software update today which should address the problem. One person took to Twitter about their Mini randomly activating in response to loud music playing in their house. Another noticed it activating while they were watching TV in another room — even though there weren’t any loud sounds coming from their device.

What is Google Assistant?

Google Assistant is an intelligent personal assistant developed by Google for its Android and iOS operating systems, in addition to being a digital voice assistant on some of Google’s hardware products such as Google Home and Allo. The app includes many features similar to those found in other virtual assistants; however, it also offers several others unique only to itself or not found in any other major competing service. It also allows users to perform web searches using their voice which are then processed through Google’s search algorithms and displayed as results on a smartphone screen.

Other Google Assistant Products

Google Pixel Buds and Google Home speakers can also access Google Assistant. Ask your speaker to help you get things done, send a text, play music, navigate home or start a simple (or complex) task using just your voice. And if you have more than one of these devices in your home, you can use them together to make phone calls, listen to music in stereo or turn on lights in every room of your house. With Google Home, getting answers is as easy as asking a question.

Should you buy them?

The answer is a resounding yes. You might be concerned about privacy issues, but if you do not want your assistant to hear you when it is playing music or something else, just say Hey Google to wake it up and give it a command like Turn off. This will disable its microphone while allowing you to continue listening to music (or whatever else) at a decent volume level. Plus, there are already instructions floating around online explaining how those worried about their privacy can cover up its camera lens for additional protection. It’s worth noting that Google does have a system in place for reporting and addressing issues users may have with Assistant; keep an eye out for notifications from Google if you have any concerns.
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Gaming

Xbox Game Pass now has over 25 million subscribers

 

Microsoft’s gaming arm, Xbox, has announced that its subscription-based video game platform, Game Pass, has grown to 25 million members. The service allows subscribers to download and play as many games in the platform’s library as they want each month and costs just $9.99 per month. The library contains over 150 titles from Microsoft Studios and third-party game developers and publishers, with new titles added on a regular basis as part of Xbox Game Pass’ Games with Gold program.

What is Microsoft Game Pass?

If you’re unfamiliar with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, it’s a subscription service that grants access to over 100 PC and console games. In other words, instead of having to buy an individual game at $60 or more when it releases, you can pay $10 a month for unlimited access. This is an increasingly popular concept among video game developers: Sony launched PlayStation Now in 2015; Nintendo offers access to a variety of classic games through its virtual console services; and Ubisoft sells select titles as part of its Uplay+ program.

What makes it different?

An online subscription service was thought to be a poor choice for games with high install bases, which were expected to drive in-store sales. However, as Microsoft (Xbox) has learned through its Xbox Game Pass program, offering an all-you-can-eat buffet of games can actually be beneficial for both parties. Since launching in late June 2017, Xbox Game Pass subscriptions have nearly doubled year over year. That might not seem like much on first glance; however, it still means that around one out of every 10 people who own an Xbox One signed up for Game Pass within six months of launch – at no cost to them. For those keeping score at home, that’s more than twice Apple Music’s conversion rate within its first six months. These results are impressive given how few people play video games regularly enough to ever reach a point where they need a subscription service like Game Pass.

Pricing

$9.99/month for unlimited access to a library of over 100 titles, with new games added every month, along with cloud saves and four-hour demo support. A 14-day free trial is available, but require your credit card information before you can access it. The first month is free if you subscribe through Amazon Prime. However, Amazon doesn’t offer that option in some regions. You can also purchase and play games individually through Game Pass at $19.99 each or less, though obviously that isn’t what you pay for here.

Final Thoughts

One of Microsoft’s biggest advantages in gaming is its massive library of games that comes with an annual subscription. The standard price for an annual Xbox Game Pass membership is $99, though for a limited time you can pick one up for $74.99 as part of Amazon Prime Day deals. Subscribing to an annual plan lets you play over 100 games in total, including Halo 5: Guardians, Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3 and several other modern titles. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Science

Magic Leap 2 will be used for curing dizziness


How will Magic Leap 2 help the company? Here’s what they said: Syncthink Neurotech develops artificial intelligence-based and wearable solutions that enable users to control their symptoms, and ultimately improve the quality of their lives. They’re going to create apps that will help people with health problems like dizziness by showing them different scenes, like walking around the Eiffel Tower or experiencing something else to distract them from their current symptoms.

What is Neurotech?

Simply put, a neurotech is a non-invasive device that allows you to achieve a higher level of brain functioning by creating and recreating new neural pathways within your mind. Neurotechnologies can be used to treat depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, addiction and more. While not as invasive as other treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), these devices can produce positive results without harming your natural brain chemistry. While TMS works with an electromagnet to create neuromodulation on targeted parts of your brain—triggering small seizures—neurotechnologies are designed to work with your own neurology. Here’s how it works.

How it works?

Worn like glasses, SyncThink’s headset uses machine learning to identify and assess neurosensory disorders through a continuous, non-contact rapid oculography that’s similar to an eye exam. According to TechCrunch, SyncThink is developing augmented reality hardware and software intended to improve treatments of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by tracking and analyzing users who are already exhibiting signs of cognitive decline. Now it plans to go head-to-head with Magic Leap as part of its strategy; because who else are you going to take on in AR? 

About Magic Leap 2

The headset is a wearable computer with many mini digital lightfield chips, it uses lightfield photonics. The headset projects digital light into your eyes in such a way that it takes advantage of your brain’s natural ability to process 3D images. That means that instead of displaying flat digital images on a two-dimensional screen, like you would on an iPhone or TV, Magic Leap projects lifelike 3D objects that look and feel like they exist in physical space, allowing users to interact with them naturally and intuitively. This gives rise to what’s called presence, an experience so realistic and compelling you can’t help but believe that these virtual objects are actually present in your physical environment.

What we think about it?

It was only a matter of time until augmented reality tech found its way into helping our health. To be sure, we’re still in early stages when it comes to using AR as an everyday tool, but there are some huge market opportunities. It may be surprising to hear that AR and VR companies are finding ways to help us with more than just entertainment; that’s a win-win for everyone involved. We’ll likely see many other healthcare companies jump on board now that syncthink has proven there is real potential here. It will be interesting to see how far they can take their research and development!
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Reviews

Review : Sony WF-1000XM4 – The Best Wireless Earbuds To Buy Right Now

 

Job well done, Sony! After months of testing and using the new Sony WF-1000XM4 , we can safely say that these are definitely the best wireless earbuds on the market right now – if not ever. What makes them so good? It’s their amazing sound quality, versatility, and comfort, all rolled into one neat little package at an affordable price. But don’t just take my word for it – here’s what makes the Sony WF-1000XM4 stand out from the crowd…

Quick Overview

These earbuds have taken what already made their predecessors some of our favorite wireless buds and improved them in every way. They sound better, they’re more comfortable, and they cancel noise even better than before. Plus, battery life is a solid 15 hours — it’s as if these buds are constantly recharging themselves when not in use. Another cool feature to mention is Quick Attention mode which allows you to summon Alexa or Google Assistant at any time by giving a quick double tap on either earbud. It works surprisingly well; we wish all headphones had it built-in! You can grab these for around $250.

Features

Unparalleled active noise cancellation. We’ve tried and tested a lot of noise cancelling headphones, and these are in a class of their own. Even at low volumes you can barely hear any ambient sounds. At high volumes, they literally block out everything – you could wear them on an airplane or a subway and never worry about people talking to you or noises from outside getting to your ears. They really are exceptional; if you’re looking for Bose quality but aren’t willing to shell out that kind of money, these are as close as it gets without breaking your bank account!

Specifications

The earbuds are fitted with noise cancellation (ANC) technology, enabling them to suppress a significant number of ambient noises. Additionally, they feature sensors that can detect your activity and automatically pause your music when you remove one of them from your ears. With their IPX2 water resistance rating, they’re quite capable in dealing with minor splashes of water or sweat too. As an extra bonus, these earbuds come equipped with a charging case which provides up to 8 hours of battery life on just 15 minutes of charging time. As is standard with most other ANC headphones though, they need slightly longer charging times than usual: over 2 hours versus approximately 1 hour for regular headphones.

Final Thoughts

Before buying a pair of wireless earbuds, it’s important to know what kind of features you want and need. These wireless earbuds from Sony offer some pretty neat specifications for listening on-the-go. With noise cancellation and up to 30 hours of battery life, these are great for people who are constantly on their feet or use public transportation. You can learn more about how they measure up against other wireless earbuds here . Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
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