The Design blog |
- Seven Star Trek gadgets that entered the real world
- 10 Trendy Star Wars themed gadgets for the geeky
- Best of 2011: OLED gadgets
- Best of 2011: Concept cars
- GoTek POV accessories simplify photography even when you're on the move
- Snappy Dresser: A smart wardrobe that suggests outfits and allows virtual rehearsing of clothes
| Seven Star Trek gadgets that entered the real world Posted: 02 Dec 2011 01:52 AM PST Akshu Hegde: Unlike many Sci-Fi novels, shows and movies, Star Trek has introduced a set of futuristic gadgets that at the time were complete Science fiction. Nevertheless this soon become a reality with a list of sci-fiction gadgets coming in to markets making technology even beneficial for us. Here is a list of 7 such technological inventions, have a look:
 Star Trek inspired gadget 1. Star Trek inspired watch phone
 Star Trek inspired watch phone You cannot deny it that this Hyundai watch phone looks pretty nice. The W-100 is a phone that you can wear and a one that not only features a 1.3 mp camera but also a touch screen as well as Bluetooth. Additionally, this phone features GSM and is available in English as well as Chinese language. It can also be used as an Mp3 player and a video player. 2. Star Trek Phaser
 Star Trek Phaser This Star Trek Phaser has lights and sound effects very much like the ones used in the original Start Trek series. The Type 1 phaser is loaded with lights and sounds and will be lot of fun, pretending to be Dr. Spock or Captain James T. Kirk. The Star Trek Phaser Gadget features 4 power settings, a Light control knob, Overload setting with exploding sounds and light effects, Uses 3 LR44/AG13 batteries. 3. Star Trek USB Communicator
 Star Trek USB Communicator This is one of the ultimate gadgets for Star Trek fans, a VoIP phone that has a shaped of a Star Trek communicator. This Star Trek USB Communicator can be plugged into your PC through USB and can be used with Skype and MSN, among others. It works with Windows XP, Vista as well as Mac OS X 10.5. it has an in-built microphone, earphone and speaker, Volume switch. You can buy this Star Trek USB Communicatorfor $45 from USB Geek.
 Star Trek Tricorder 4. Star Trek Tricorder Star Trek sci-fi series Fans will be happy to know that they will soon get their hands on this cool collectible Tricorder, which is a handheld device used for scanning an area. Prepared from the original pattern utilized to create the props, this replica is prepared from die-cast metal as well as plastic to give you a perfect artifact from the future that you crave for. With a limited edition of only 2,000 pieces, you should rush to get your for $349.99. 5. Personal food analyzer
 Personal food analyzer Philips introduces a tiny food analyzer, a device that small food companies can easily afford. It is something that you can carry in your pocket anytime to have a check whether you eating a healthy good food. This personal food analyzer can help you detect if you really are eating steak and not soy or drinking Guinness and not somebody's backyard brew with a load of food coloring in it. This can be very well possible by this lab-on-a-chip technology, which puts forward the components for this kind of analysis on a single computer chip–just very much like a Star Trek tricorder does. 6. Bluetooth Headsets
 Bluetooth Headsets Remember the time when Enterprise's Communications officer used to wear a giant silver earpiece while sitting at the communications station. This reminds of the Bluetooth headpieces of today times. You might very often find people walking down the street seeming like they have gone insane and are talking to themselves. You will see a blue light flashing next to their ear and if you look closer you will see the Bluetooth earpiece. This have become a trend today as most cell phones include integrated Bluetooth and Bluetooth headsets are becoming a must-have accessory. They not only offer the benefit of hands-free chatting but also free you from dealing with those tangled wires of your regular headset. 7. Star Trek photon torpedo coffin
 Star Trek photon torpedo coffin Eternal Image, the makers of afterlife geek vessels released a near final design of their Star Trek casket that is based on the Photon Torpedo design from Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan. This piano black coffin is inclusive of a Federation insignia on the inside with handles for when the ensigns load your geek corpse into the airlock.
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| 10 Trendy Star Wars themed gadgets for the geeky Posted: 02 Dec 2011 12:27 AM PST Jharna Bhattacharya: Star Wars was the most popular fiction of the yesteryear most of us have grown up watching with. Thus, the characters, toys, instruments, electronic gadgets and computer peripherals that we come across in our every day life will be more exciting of they resemble the different characters, arms and ammunition and weapons used in Star Wars. When, on one hand, the functional aspects of these geeky gadgets are unparalleled, the aesthetic qualities make them treasures to be stored in the collection of valuables. Here are ten such gadgets inspired by the Star Wars that you will definitely love to collect:
 Star Wars themed gadgets for the geeky
1. R2-D2 Home Video Projector
 R2-D2 Home Video Projector Video projectors are essential gadgets that are indispensable if you wish you make a home theater of your own. While there are lots of video projectors sold in the market, this one will definitely remind you of the Star Wars. This video projector, named as R2-D2 Home Video Projector, resembles a robot. The silver colored metallic exterior with royal blue color combination makes this projector extremely attractive. It can be operated by means of a remote controller. The most interesting part of this is that this Millennium Falcon remote control looks like the space ship you might have often seen in Star Wars. The video projector has an in built DVD/CD player, slots for inserting memory cards and an iPod dock. But the bad part of the story is that only 4,000 such video projectors will be launched exclusively in the European market. Thus, you need to rush for your own. 2. Millennium Falcon PC
 Millenium Falcon PC This PC from Millennium Falcon will again remind you of Star Wars. The disc-like structure of this gadget makes it resemble an UFO you have probably seen in Star Wars. The gadget comprises of a powerful LED light that flashes and fades and emits different colors. The working of the hard drive is clearly visible through the number of holes in the hull, which also has a light emitting indicator. There are options of sufficient cooling too, so that the device does not get extremely heated due to prolonged hours of working. 3. Light Sabers
 Light Sabers This gadget will surely keep you awestruck and you cannot help imagining of the laser weapons that were used during the cosmic fights of Star Wars. The Laser Saber is a licensed instrument of LucasFilm. This innovative toy has an elongated, tubular structure that lights up from the bottom to the top and emits light and sound of different types and intensity. The crash of one saber with another when your kids play with Laser Saber will emit the sound of explosion. It is available in different models too. 4. Millenium Falcon Wii Mod
Millenium Falcon PC This unique kitchen gadget reflects the level of creativity of the designer. A Nintendo Wii was coupled with a toy model of the Millennium Falcon, you have seen in Star Wars. It looks more like a playstation than a toaster and you must bag it. 5. R2-D2 Watch
 R2-D2 Watch This Star Wars inspired wrist watch that looks like a geeky multifunctional gadget. This is a mini dummy of the Star Wars famed Artoo, the astromech android. This unconventional gadget has buttons that beep and chirp and what's more, it walks on your wok desk when you ask it to do so. 6. Darth Vader Wall Clock
 Darth Vader Wall Clock You will definitely love to bring in this astounding Star Wars inspired wall clock. At a first glance you will find that it is the masked head of Darth Vaders, the character from your popular show. Made by Wesco Limited of England, it features two glaring red eyes, 6 inches tall height and sound effects. It must be powered by three AAA batteries. 7. Mini LED Flashlight – Light Sabers
 Mini LED Flashlight – Light Sabers Another geeky gadget on the way, inspired by the Darth Vaders lightsaber, this key-chain is also the brainchild of Wesco Lmited of England. The three inches long metallic body attached to the key ring emits a red LED light that resembles the laser fire of light saber. So, it is more likely that your kid or any junior member of your house will snatch it from you as you bring it home. 8. Star Wars Characters Flash Drives
 Star Wars Characters Flash Drives If you are a Star Wars fan, then you must be acquainted with Mimoco, the cute looking robots. But, those who do not have ideas of Mimoco then take it as a USB port you will love to treasure. It is different in the sense that each of these USB ports is human like figure that is beautifully decorated and has different styles and fashions. Now, for the Star War fans, start collecting the monobots, Han Solo; the overconfident being, Princess Leia; the suspicious lady, Luke Skywalker; the soldier, Darth Wader or Stormtrooper, the antagonists, Boba Fett; the brave hunter, and the list will goes on. These USB devices have 4GB storage capacity and come with amusements like screensavers, avatars, sound bytes, etc. 9. Pink Floyd, The Wall PC Mod
 Pink Floyd The Wall PC Mod The die hard rock fans can bring life back to their work station by virtue of this Pink Floyd The Wall PC Mod.. It will add the much sought after touch to your PC cabinet if you always dream of Pink Floyd. The bricked design, the emblems, the hammers, all of these will remind you of the album, The Wall by Pink Floyd. The gadget is actually a modified CPU unit that functions just like a conventional CPU. The difference lies in its looks. The jet black base of the device has brick layered structure at the front, through which you are supposed to insert your CDs and DVDs. A replica hammer, hitting the head portion of the device attracts attention. You can see the CD rom from top that features a semi transparent, red cover and twin two dimensional hammers placed in a crisscross fashion. 10. NVIDIA Wheel
 NVIDIA Wheel The computer designers are now working towards modifying the conventional systems and NVIDIA Wheel is a forerunner of the idea. This PC looks like a wheel and have features like NVIDIA graphics card, LED screen and chrome muffler tips. The alloy wheel PC has also been equipped with bake disc, red caliper, 512 MB memory, picoPSU and motherboard and processor of EPIA SP13000 LVDS, so that the functions of a computer are never compromised with.
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| Posted: 02 Dec 2011 12:24 AM PST Bipin Bhaskaran Nair: With the technology running at fast pace, many revolutionary products are entering into the market. One such example is in the case of display system-with conventional LED being replaced with OLED. This article provides the list of the major OLED gadgets of 2011. And these are the best ones in the market, which you cannot resist from buying.
 OLED gadgets
1. Nokia OLED Phone X7
 Nokia OLED Phone X7 The 4-inch OLED phone is made of seamless steel. It is provided with the latest Symbian operating system, namely Symbian Anna. It provides the user with a myriad of 16 million colors, thereby giving you breath-taking display. The resolution is of 640 x 360 pixels. The transparent portion is provided with tough glass, so tough that it won’t shatter into pieces even if it falls from the fastest car available on earth! It is only 119.7 x 62.8 x 11.9mm thick and is about 146g. Other features offered by it are Pentaband 2G/3G network connectivity, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi support and a 3.5mm audio connector for headphones. The 1200mAH battery is rated for a life time of 450 hours standby and 4.5 hours talktime on a 3G network. On a GSM network, you can expect more battery life. The ideal device available for entertainment .It also includes the media that you create yourself.Other features are 8-megapixel full focus camera , with 720p video recording and a dual LED flash. It comes with pre-installed 8GB memory card, with 350MB built-in operating memory. It can support 32GB expandable memory. 2. Sony PVM-1741
 Sony PVM-1741 The 1920 x 1080 OLED panel provides accurate color reproduction in almost any ambiance, high contrast and excellent picture quality. It has stunning black body. The display is such that for a moment you feel that the picture has come out alive. So, with Sony PVM-1741, you get to experience the ultimate TV viewing. The PVM-1741 also provides three I/P modes so that users can select to suit their need. 1. Inter-field mode interpolates images between fields, to reduce the jagged effect on moving pictures. 2. Field merge mode combines lines alternately in odd and even fields, regardless of picture movements, used for PsF (Progressive Segmented Frame) processing and still image monitoring. 3. The Line Doubler mode interpolates by repeating each line, used for editing and monitoring fast-moving images and checking line flicker. The Sony PVM-1741 comes for $3,690.00. 3. Sony PSP2
 Sony PSP2 Sony launched the latest gizmo for gamers, called PSP2. It comes with OLED display and built in 3G internet accessibility. You can now surf the internet, download games, and even participate in multiplayer games. But, you have DOCOMO’s network.Other features are a built in camera, music player. 4. Samsung flexible OLED screen phone
 Samsung flexible OLED screen phone These are the specimen of advancement in mobile technology. The flexible displays can be twisted and bend in any angle. The 4 inch screen provides marvelous flexibility. Mass production of this type of phone will be done by 2013. 5. LG 55-inch OLED TV
 LG 55-inch OLED TV These are 55-inch OLED TV being manufactured by LG, the pioneer in the field of production of HDTV. They thus showed that when it comes to entertainment, size is never a constraint. The ultra thin, high resolution and commendable picture clarity is what is featured by LG. The future is thus here. 6. Huawei Leaf
 Huawei Leaf This phone is like any other phone available in the market. So what makes it stand apart from others? Its the miniature design of the phone. Thus the essence of miniaturization is being displayed with this product. It has folded OLED display. This is a concept design that will soon hit the market. That day the whole domain of mobile technology will be drastically revolutionized. It was designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune and Stefan Munther is the head of the Concept Design department. 7. Feno
 Feno This is the most unique laptop ever made by mankind. This ultra-thin laptop has highly flexible OLED display screen that can bend around the keyboard, thereby reducing the housing space. It also has a embedded mouse that can pop out, thereby eliminating the need for a touch-pad. This would probably make an important place in the list of most sophisticated portable gadgets. 8. Sony OLED 3D headset
 Sony OLED 3D headset The headset has two 3D OLED displays, each with a high-definition resolution of 1280×720. It has stunning design and marvelous body. It surely resembles a futuristic device from Star Trek movie. Though it might have left the tongue hanging down, you will have to wait till it hits the market. It is still in the research stage and the image shown above is of the demo version. It is promised by the electronics manufacturing pioneer, Sony, that with this device you will get breathing taking 3D effect. 9. Haier's transparent OLED TV
 Haier's transparent OLED TV Haier launched the transparent, slim, cool-looking and the largest transparent OLED TV. This new 22-inch transparent OLED TV shows sharper images on its slim body having a metal bezel. It has a resolution of 1680×1050. This one is also in the research stage. Only the demo version is available for demonstration. So, a bargain on the price cannot be made at this stage. With this TV, you need not sit in front of the TV to watch your favorite show. You can now view it from any angle and any quarter of the room. This TV works without power cable and wires. 10. Nokia Kinetic Prototype
 Nokia Kinetic Prototype Nokia appears to be the most impatient company. This is because they have brought tomorrows future today. So, here it is, in front of you the futuristic mobile phone, directly from the house of Nokia. This is yet another mind-blogging futuristic device. Highly flexible body, with the freedom to twist, bend, fold and all the weird things that you can imagine to be done on your phone. This is yet another prototype, that will be seen flaunting itself in the market in the near future.
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| Posted: 01 Dec 2011 08:54 PM PST Reeyankee Das Choudhury: Concept cars or prototype cars with highly creative design is back in style. At times concept cars are manufactured for showcasing an automaker's technology and at others they provide ideas for future design direction as well as for measuring public reaction. 2011 concept cars needless to say have been tantalizing. Some of the best concept cars of the year 2011 includes Daihatsu D-X concept car, Toyota FCV-R Fuel-Cell Concept, Citroen UFO Concept Car, Pagani Electrodynamics concept, Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II, Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II, Honda Native concept, Lamborghini Ankonian concept, Honda N Concept 4, 2020 Maserati GranTurismo concept.
 2011 Concept Car
1. Daihatsu D-X concept car
 Daihatsu D-X concept car Partially inspired from its Copen model and partially from A-Concept city vehicle, Daihatsu D-X Concept car is all set to make its debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show 2011. Boasting of a resin body, two-cylinder engine, and an essential interior, it is more of sports car study rather than an actual production-ready model. By simply exchanging the composite body panels of the car, customers can turn this concept car to two-door crossover from a racer or from a roadster to a hatchback. It comes with aggressive and tough exterior along with impressive interiors. It is an apt car for city drivers. 2. Toyota FCV-R Fuel-Cell Concept
 Toyota FCV-R Fuel-Cell Concept This concept car which made its debut at Tokyo Motor Show 2011 hints towards a future fuel-cell car powered by hydrogen. This four seater sedan offers impressive luggage space. The FCV-R comes with 70MPa hydrogen tank that enables the car a cruising range of approximately 435 miles. The production of the FCV-R will begin in 2015. It comes with an overall length of 4,745mm, height of 1,510 mm and width of 1,790 mm. 3. Citroen UFO Concept Car
 Citroen UFO Concept Car Citroen's French designer Ora-ito has developed a concept car whose shape is akin to an UFO which is often seen in Hollywood science fiction alien films. The design shares resemblance to its previous Citroen DS' mutated version which received immense appreciation at the automobile world solely for its futuristic look and aerodynamic body. This UFO concept car has the typical shape of a flying saucer that provides a wonderfully aerodynamic body to it. Its design displays an amalgamation of art, science and engineering. This car is devoid of wheels. 4. Pagani Electrodynamics concept
 Pagani Electrodynamics concept With electric vehicles increasingly gaining ground, more and more electric cars are manufactured to satisfy customer's needs. Antonio Bruno's Electrodynamics is a study design of an upcoming electric sports car. The design is created of unstructured volume. This concept car does not have an internal combustion engine as a result it permits considerable freedom with respect to form. The upper dome of the car is made up of a tinted acrylic component which stretches till the front bumper thereby hiding the additional headlights. 5. Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II
 Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II This concept car will make its world debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show 2011. Mitsubishi has described its concept PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicle) of having fuel efficiency and high environmental performance. It will boast of a conventional engine for the hybrid car to be at par with a conventional car yet with considerably enhanced fuel efficiency. 6. Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II
 Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II This is an updated edition of the earlier concept which was launched at Tokyo Auto Salon in 2010. It is based on MR2 hybrid concept which features a couple of styling signs from the fabulous MR2 sports car. Its 3.5 litres V6 engine will offer 249 horsepower. Powered by gasoline-electric engine along with sports-hybrid AWD system, its rear wheels are powered by gasoline engine while its front wheels are powered by an electric motor. This concept car promises to improve manoeuvrability and stability while mounting driving enjoyment. 7. Honda Native concept
 Honda Native concept After offering customers Apple mackintosh inspired iSnow and iMove concepts, another futuristic concept has been introduced by Liviu Tudoran for Honda. Called the Honda Native, this concept car is manufactured with light material as well as photo chromic material which enable the vehicle to change colour. It is powered with an electric engine which receives energy from lithium ion high voltage batteries. The interior of the elegant and sleek vehicle is made with light aluminium. An OLED display is used for the speedometer while touch screen control is used for hassle free accessing of functions. 8. Lamborghini Ankonian concept
 Lamborghini Ankonian concept Well known for designing purely thrilling car concepts, Lamborghini's latest concept Ankonian too is no different. Its aggressive curves and bold look will definitely draw customers irresistibly towards it. Ankonian refers to a specific breed of bulls known for their fury, frenzy and black coat. The killer edges and seamless curves pronounce spectacular beauty. Its black glossy paint personifies the fury and aggression which the vehicle stands for. This concept car on the whole epitomizes passion and power with close merger of audacious and articulate convex and concave curves. It has beautiful interiors and bold, bombastic and bovine exterior. It is likely to hit markets sometime in 2016. 9. Honda N Concept 4
 Honda N Concept 4 A surprise presentation, N Concept 4 will be available for production from the coming year as Honda's next model of the increasing N series Kei cars. Its production version will be powered by 660cc gasoline engine but its receiving some kind of forced induction remains an open question. The main highlight of this car is its mixture of rounded features. It boasts of bright eyes and friendly face. It comes with conventional opening doors both front and rear. 10. 2020 Maserati GranTurismo concept
 2020 Maserati GranTurismo concept The design team under Fiat's supervision has taken a big leap of faith with this concept car. It boasts of a highly feasible and classic look. The emblem of the Maserati trident has specially been used as an inspiration for LED taillights for creating brand identity within design language exclusive of a logo for itself. The seats as well as other structures have been made with light weight material such as aluminium in minimalistic combination to save weight as much as possible.
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| GoTek POV accessories simplify photography even when you're on the move Posted: 01 Dec 2011 03:57 PM PST Sahil Khurana: People who are regular players of rough sports often face the problem of self shooting when it comes to photographs or videography. Simplifying this concept and adding a touch of modern technology and ease to it is designer Dan Bellia's GoTek POV accessories. Making use of simple aesthetics and modern technology, now even the impossible has become possible. Self shooting could have never been easier. With a multitude of gadgets to make your shooting all the more interesting, you hardly have anything to worry about.
 GoTek - POV Accessories A simple illustration to prove how one of the POV accessories actually work. Built with balanced weight distribution, a ruggedized design, waterproof coating and completely tool-less concept, the accessories would make your photographs all the more self explanatory. No one would ever be able to guess that the photography has been done by yourself and not by any one else. May it be on the move or still photography, you have it all included in this set of modern technological gadgets.
Picture Gallery  These are some components that are exceptionally useful in the industry. HandleR is a camera attachment which offers you the flexibility of photography right in your hands. The camera attachment can face forward and backward and can be used as per convenience and utility. PoleR is most convenient when it comes to first person shooting. If you're an avid skier, then this is the gadget for you. Fix a camera on the extended arm and click yourself with extensive clarity. Shaped like a gun, the device would make your life all the more easier. SteadiR comes equipped with a notched pole allowing you for consistent and accurate mount adjustments. The device is most useful when it comes to clicking photos at a height. With stability being of utmost importance, this gadget is most useful when it comes to skateboarding. Seeing these gadgets, one can easily assimilate the convenience and utility attached with these devices. With convenience being the middle name, POV guarantees to provide you the support you desire. Via: Coroflot
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| Snappy Dresser: A smart wardrobe that suggests outfits and allows virtual rehearsing of clothes Posted: 01 Dec 2011 01:06 PM PST Jaspreet Kaur Walia: Wardrobe section can prove to be quite a pain while searching for that perfect outfit every single day. It means unfolding clothes just to mix and match various things present in the cupboard. If you go crazy while picking an outfit manually then one look at the Snappy Dresser and you will see all wardrobe related worries fly away in no time. Snappy Dresser is a smart appliance that will be a perfect fit for new generation homes. This futuristic creation will make wardrobe section much more than a piece of furniture that is used to keep clothes in a neat way.
 Snappy Dresser Snappy Dresser comes infused with latest technology, which combines the traditional wardrobe with interactive features like RFID, 3D TV, 3D scanners. It will unfurl a wide range of functions that will make dressing up fun and less taxing. People open their cupboards and keep staring at clothes in a hope to pull out something that will blend with the occasion at hand. But many a times we end up making blunders as there is no one to suggest what combinations will work well according to our personality. This is where the Snappy Dresser comes in handy. It comes smothered with features that will give outfit suggestions, remote management, shopping assistance, social interactions and will also allow virtual rehearsing of clothes.
Picture Gallery  This particular concept infuses the traditional wardrobe with a new level of interactivity via cutting edge technology that offers a range of functions. The smart appliance will suggest and select outfits, which is possible because of the presence of a system that works on common sense reasoning. This reasoning is responsible for matching different clothes and styles that makes it easy for the user to pick a perfect outfit. Feedback of users or their friends are recorded for the outfit they selected which makes it easy for the system to suggest when the clothes are tagged as per the occasion. Snappy Dresser makes good use of Remote Frequency Identification or RFID while suggesting outfits. This can read the tags on the clothes and stores the information, like material, brand, etc., printed on it, which makes it easy for the Snappy Dresser to suggest outfits later. How about rehearsing by wearing different outfits before finally narrowing down on one? Sounds quite a tedious job, but with the Snappy Dresser you would always want to rehearse before slipping into a particular selection. The ingenious device allows virtual rehearsing of clothes and that without actually wearing them. Input from 3D scanners is used which measures a user's body and then puts on show a 3D screen. This awe-amazing feature will let a user try a variety of combinations without pulling out a single piece of clothing from the wardrobe. Snappy Dresser can be connected to the internet, which will make it possible to use all the features from any corner of the world. At times, we end up buying almost the same outfit that is already lying in some corner of the cupboard. But the smart appliance will kill all such confusions and can be used to crosscheck if we already own a particular design as well as what all combinations are possible with the clothes that are already in our wardrobe. Snappy Dresser is a user-friendly product that will prove to be a blessing and help keep confusions at bay. The smart device will help store clothes and also make sure you never pick a wrong combination or attire. Via: Behance
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