Archive for October, 2007

By October 21, 2007 Read More →

Orange TyTN II ROM flashing warning

The Orange version of the HTC TyTN II was released just over a week ago and one of the biggest complaints we are seeing from our readers is that the Orange version does not include any of the Touch-Flo features from the vanilla HTC version and also (once again) Orange have removed Windows Live Messenger.

Several readers got in touch to tell us about this and pointed out that they decided that they would try and flash the official HTC ROM on to their Orange TyTN II. Seems like a feasible solution for anyone willing to risk bricking their brand new device.

So here is a word of warning for anyone thinking about going down this route. Not only is there the obvious consequence of invalidating the warranty on the device BUT the process doesn’t work properly on the Orange TyTN II. If you take a look at some of the forums over at XDA Developers you’ll see a raft of Orange customers have already tried this process only to discover that once you have flashed the ROM the device becomes SIM locked and not ever the original Orange SIM card will work in it!

Probably best to avoid this route for now until someone works out a better method methinks and you should also be aware that this kind of ROM-fiddling is illegal in many countries!

Posted by: Matt

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Posted in: News
By October 20, 2007 Read More →

Samsung i620 unboxed

Just a few days ago we told you that eXpansys had the new Samsung i620 in stock so we thought it would be a good idea to get our hands on one and record a little unboxing video.

Samsung i620 unboxed

If you are a regular here on Tracy & Matt you’ll know that the Samsung i600 is one of my favourite devices and up until recently has been my main device, only moved off the top spot by the HTC TyTN II. So can the i620 impress us as much as the i600? We’ll be reviewing the i620 soon.

Samsung i620 Specification

  • Network: HSDPA / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900
  • OS: Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition
  • Display: Type TFT, 65K colors, Size 320 x 240 pixels
  • Memory
  • Phonebook 1000 entries, Photocall
  • Call records 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls
  • Card slot microSD (TransFlash)
  • Data GPRS: Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 – 48 kbps, HSCSD: No, EDGE: Yes, 3G: HSDPA, 1.8 Mbps
  • Bluetooth: Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
  • Infrared port:No
  • USB:Yes, v1.1 miniUSB
  • Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
  • Browser: WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, RSS feeds
  • Camera: 2 MP, 1600×1200 pixels, video, flash; secondary VGA videocall camera
  • Additional Features

  • Java MIDP 2.0
  • WMV/3GP/H.263/MPEG4 player
  • WMA/MP3/AAC/AAC+/OGG/ASF player
  • Organiser
  • Document viewer (MS Word, Excel, PPT, PDF)
  • Built-in handsfree
  • Dimensions: 113 x 59 x 11.8 mm; 95 grams
  • Posted by: Matt

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    Posted in: Videos/Unboxings
    By October 19, 2007 Read More →

    Nokia N800 Internet Tablet – £149.99

    Quick heads-up for any bargain hunters out there. The Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, which we’ve reviewed in the past, is now available for just £149.99 including delivery!

    Available now at Play.com

    You can also read our review here

    Posted by: Mark

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    Posted in: News
    By October 18, 2007 Read More →

    Windows Live Local / Virtual Earth 3D – Major update

    OK, so this perhaps isn’t what we’d normally be talking about on Tracyandmatt, but I’ve used “Live Local” for quite a while, and I think this update is definately worth a mention.

    While Live Local has been around a while, and even things like the ‘birds eye’ views are well known now, some features were missing from the 3D applet. Not anymore.

    Microsoft have lined up all the bird eye view scenes into the 3D world. It’s not an easy thing to describe, so have a look at the screenshot to see just how good this is:

    The white box contains the birds eye image data, but with the update, the 3D engine tints and zooms the standard aerial mapping/road map to line up with the higher quality box out. You still have all the functionality to zoom/tilt/pan, and can view the specific bird eye view from another angle (all automatically adjusting the surrounding areas to line up)

    I’m still not explaining it very well, but go take a look at Windows Live Local, and install the Virtual Earth engine by selecting 3D in the top left corner. This also works in Firefox, as well as Internet Explorer.

    Posted By: Mark

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    Posted in: Apps & Games
    By October 18, 2007 Read More →

    HTC Touch Sprints across the pond

    Big news for HTC, and their aging mass-market device – the HTC Touch

    Although the device has been available worldwide for a considerable time now, including the US, it has until now failed to make a connection with a operator.

    However, shortly Sprint will be offering the device exclusively, with the device subsidised depending on contract terms. Heres the blurb:

    With an easy finger swipe, Touch by HTC, exclusively from Sprint, offers both business and personal essentials with an easy-to-use interface

    OVERLAND PARK, Kan. and BELLEVUE, Wash. — 10/17/2007 — Combining a dynamic touch screen experience with industry-leading network speeds, Sprint (NYSE: S) and HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; “HTC”), today announced the upcoming availability of Touch by HTC, a full touch screen wireless phone integrating Windows Mobile 6 with advanced entertainment features. Operating on the Sprint Mobile Broadband network, the stylish Touch by HTC brings together email and other essential business applications with Sprint’s exclusive multimedia content including over-the-air music downloads, live TV and more.

    With a nearly 3-inch display, Touch by HTC features integrated TouchFLO technology, developed by HTC, leveraging smooth navigation through menus with a finger swipe. In addition, the innovative TouchFLO cube brings a 3D cube interface allowing quick access to entertainment, communication tools and a “Dial-by-picture” photo caller ID screen.

    Touch by HTC leverages the broad functionality of Windows Mobile 6 with Outlook Mobile for smooth email integration, Office Mobile, Windows Live and the ability to run thousands of third-party applications. It also allows users to surf the web with Internet Explorer, send and receive emails, chat on Messenger and send files to their own web space through Windows Live. The home screen provides one-touch access to email, text messages, calendar appointments and contacts, as well as current weather conditions and forecasts for hundreds of cities around the world.

    Versatile and compact, Touch by HTC provides quick and easy access to Sprint-exclusive content, including:

  • Sprint Music Store(SM), powered by Groove Mobile, which allows users to browse and wirelessly download full-length songs directly to their phone from a selection of more than 1.8 million songs
  • Sprint Exclusive Entertainment (SEE), the industry’s only made-for-mobile sports and entertainment video programming network
  • Sprint TV(SM) with more than 50 channels of live and on-demand video and audio.
  • More than a dozen streaming radio stations , including Sprint Radio and SIRIUS
  • On-Demand with up-to-date information on sports, weather, news, money and more customized by zip code.
  • (Standard data charges apply to all downloads from Sprint.)

    “Our customers appreciate the ability to have one device that seamlessly balances both personal needs and business demands,” said Danny Bowman, vice president of product development for Sprint. “Touch by HTC is unlike any other wireless device because it brings together the power of Windows Mobile with easy access to our entertainment applications. This attractive device easily lets you watch news as it happens, respond to email, download your favorite songs and stay connected with the office, family and friends.”

    “This device provides a broad set of consumers with the benefits of a smartphone with the style and ease of use they demand,” said Peter Chou, chief executive officer of HTC. “Touch by HTC presents a new, more intuitive touch experience that simplifies access to the most commonly used smartphone features such as dialing, messaging and Web browsing. It also improves the video and music experience with the addition of Sprint TV and the Sprint Music Store.”

    “People want an easy-to-use companion in a mobile phone, freeing them up to leave the office or home and get more done while on-the-go,” said Pieter Knook, senior vice president, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft Corp.” The Sprint Touch is the result of the strong relationship between Microsoft, HTC and Sprint and offers customers a fun user experience, the power of Sprint’s network and the ease-of-use of Windows Mobile which makes it easy to browse the Web, send email or enjoy your digital entertainment.”

    Touch by HTC offers MicroSD card slot that supports up to 4GB – a 512MB card is included with the device. Additional features include a 2.0 MP camera/camcorder with up to 5X zoom, advanced stereo Bluetooth and Voice-activated dialing.

    Touch by HTC measures 4.0″ x 2.4″ x 0.6″ and weighs just 4 ounces. This device will be priced at $249.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and a $100 mail-in rebate. Standard data rates apply for music and other content downloads.

    Touch by HTC will be available on November 4 in all Sprint channels including www.Sprint.com and 1-800-SPRINT1. Customers can register to be among the first to purchase Touch by HTC at www.sprint.com/touch.

    Posted by: Mark

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    Posted in: News
    By October 17, 2007 Read More →

    Samsung i620 – released and in stock

    The Samsung i620, the small slider smartphone with full qwerty keyboard is now available from Expansys.

    As you can see, this one is a bit of a looker – at least in the world of Windows Mobile! The spec sheet is mixed, but if Samsung manage to get a deal with the major operators, I can see this being a big seller.

    Here is the blurb from Expansys:

    The Samsung i620 Smartphone has a compact slider form factor, with a slide down QWERTY keyboard. Use the 5-way navigation keypad to access applications quickly. For prolonged use, like replying to emails, the keyboard is there for easy input.

    Weighing just 105g, this light weight smartphone has great communication options and runs Windows Mobile Standard (WM6). You can connect to the Internet with HSDPA (3.5G). It also boasts a 2 Mega Pixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0 and a Micro SD slot.

    Samsung i620 Specification

  • Network: HSDPA / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900
  • OS: Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition
  • Display: Type TFT, 65K colors, Size 320 x 240 pixels
  • Memory
  • Phonebook 1000 entries, Photocall
  • Call records 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls
  • Card slot microSD (TransFlash)
  • Data GPRS: Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 – 48 kbps, HSCSD: No, EDGE: Yes, 3G: HSDPA, 1.8 Mbps
  • Bluetooth: Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
  • Infrared port:No
  • USB:Yes, v1.1 miniUSB
  • Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
  • Browser: WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, RSS feeds
  • Camera: 2 MP, 1600×1200 pixels, video, flash; secondary VGA videocall camera
  • Additional Features

  • Java MIDP 2.0
  • WMV/3GP/H.263/MPEG4 player
  • WMA/MP3/AAC/AAC+/OGG/ASF player
  • Organiser
  • Document viewer (MS Word, Excel, PPT, PDF)
  • Built-in handsfree
  • Dimensions: 113 x 59 x 11.8 mm; 95 grams
  • Posted by: Mark

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    Posted in: News
    By October 17, 2007 Read More →

    Olympus announces new Flagship E-3 DSLR

    Olympus today announces the new Olympus E-3, which is the flagship of its Digital SLR line and provides the high-precision performance demanded by professional and enthusiastic photographers. It combines speed and weatherproof durability for capturing exceptional images in any situation. Olympus pioneered Full Time Live View and Dust Reduction technologies for digital SLR cameras, leading where others have followed. Now, the new E-3 enhances those technical innovations and raises the performance bar with the fastest autofocus in the world. Body-Integrated Mechanical Image Stabilization to stabilize every lens, a 10-megapixel Live MOS image sensor to capture beautiful images, and a magnesium alloy body for dust-proof and splash-proof durability join the impressive innovations developed for the E-3, including:

    Olympus E-3

    Olympus E-3

    Speed: When coupled with three new ZUIKO DIGITAL Supersonic Wave Drive™ Lenses (SWD) announced today, like the ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 (24-120mm equivalent), the E-3 offers unmatched AF speeds, and the fastest AF speed in the world with that lens.1 It employs a newly-developed high speed 11-point biaxial cross type AF system, 5 frames-per-second continuous shooting, and 1/8000 second top shutter speed for the quickness required in any shooting situation.

    Superior Image Quality: In-Body Mechanical Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive technology ensures blur-free images for all lenses attached to the E-3, so now even low-light telephoto shots are clear and sharp when holding the camera in shaky hands. Its 10-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor delivers high-resolution images for large format print sizes, and TruePic III™ digital processing engine ensures high-speed image processing, accurate color and improved detail with low noise. The camera’s interior components combined with digital-specific lenses offer the edge-to-edge crystal clarity that only 100 percent digital optics can provide.

    Swivel Live View LCD: A dual-axis swivel 2.5-inch Live View LCD covers all the viewing angles from low to high and side to side, to assure accurate composition. Real-time image monitoring of white balance and exposure enables greater creative control of settings to secure the best possible photograph.

    Reliability: The E-3’s large optical viewfinder provides a 100 percent accurate view and its 1.15x magnification makes it one of the largest and most accurate viewfinders for reliable composition. The proven effective built-in Dust Reduction System with the Supersonic Wave Filter eliminates spots from photos. A durable shutter mechanism with the lifespan of 150,000 exposures meets the demands of serious photographers. Also, the E-3’s sealed magnesium alloy chassis is completely splash-proof and dust-proof for use with pro lenses on expeditions to the most extreme environments on the planet.

    “Olympus was the first to bring body-integrated Dust Reduction, 100 percent digital-specific lenses and ‘Full Time Live View’ to the digital SLR market,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Olympus continues to innovate by producing cameras of the highest quality with breakthrough technology. The new E-3 will satisfy the pro-level needs of our customers with incredible AF speed, superior image quality due, in part, to In-body Mechanical Image Stabilization that stabilizes all lenses attached to the camera, and a durable body to capture it all.”

    World’s Fastest Autofocus
    When it comes to measuring camera speed, autofocus is a key factor. If a camera’s AF system does not meet photographers’ demands and lock focus accurately and quickly, they will miss shots regardless of the camera’s shot-to-shot speed or start-up time. The E-3’s new AF system is the world’s fastest in combination with the ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 lens, to ensure fast focus for clear, sharp photos. Additionally, every lens attached to the E-3 benefits from faster AF, not just the SWD lenses, so the E-3 can lock focus on a fast-moving subject and capture that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

    The secret to the camera’s high-speed focusing is a unique Twin cross type (fully biaxial) 11 point AF sensor, based on proprietary Olympus micro-sensing technologies, that achieves equally effective performance on both the vertical and horizontal axis. With most biaxial sensors, performance on the vertical and horizontal axes is not equal, and there is often a perceived difference in response time when using different lenses. However, unlike systems that respond at nominally lower f-stop values simply by boosting sensitivity, the E-3’s AF sensor features a totally redesigned hounds tooth-pattern phase detection sensor layout that uses micro-lamination technologies to achieve superior real-world performance.

    AF accuracy is further ensured by precise alignment of the optical axis from the lens to the AF phase detection sensors, and accurate mounting of the sensors within the AF unit. The AF unit used in the E-3 is made of high-tensile engineering plastic, which is further protected by the camera’s high-rigidity magnesium body. In addition, data from a dedicated temperature sensor is used to compensate for changes in operating temperature.

    The 11 AF target points on the E-3 can be selected to work individually or dynamically in combination with adjacent target points. Once a photographer knows the general direction of a moving subject – a Formula One racecar zooming around a track for example – the AF area can be selected based on the anticipated motion to maintain accuracy.

    The newly developed Olympus Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) lenses on the E-3 enable auto focusing at ultra-high speed with precise and quiet operation. Quietness is essential when shooting in a situation where silence is truly golden, such as photographing exotic birds up close in the wild or musicians at a classical music quartet. But this technology truly shines in combination with three new Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD lenses that employ Supersonic Wave Drive motor technology inside: the ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD (24-120mm equivalent); ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 SWD (100-400mm equivalent), and the ED 14-35mm f2.0 SWD (28-70mm equivalent). The new ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 SWD lens focuses twice as fast as the previous ZUIKO DIGITAL lens with that focal length, and the new ED 14-35mm f2.0 joins the existing 35-100mm f2.0 as the brightest lenses in their class. Mechanical focusing is also available for easy and accurate manual focusing by hand.

    The E-3 can capture images at the highest image-quality setting at a rate of 5 frames per second. With shutter speeds of up 1/8000 second, it is possible to freeze action when photographing a cheetah in fast pursuit across the plain, or a fastball before it connects with the bat.

    Superior Image Quality: Steady As It Goes
    To prevent image blur caused by camera shake, which can occur in dim lighting or with longer telephoto lenses, the E-3 employs In-body Mechanical Image Stabilization, which compensates for camera movement up to 5 steps EV and delivers blur-free images taken with any of the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses available for the camera. Moreover, built-in SWD Image Stabilization offers the advantage of image stabilization for every lens attached to the camera body, so there is no need to purchase image stabilized lenses at a premium price.

    At the heart of the built-in image stabilizer unit are the Olympus-exclusive Supersonic Wave Drive motors with excellent responsiveness and control. The motors use information about camera shake gathered by a gyro sensor that detects and analyzes hand vibrations, and move the image sensor with a piezoelectric element.

    The E-3’s high-performance Live MOS image sensor delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and a new state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to eradicate noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.

    The camera’s Live MOS image sensor is complemented by Olympus’ TruePic III Image Processor that produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible with accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal expression in between. TruePic III also lowers image noise in images shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations.

    Swivel Live View LCD: What You See Is What You Get
    Olympus Live View empowers users to easily compose their subjects live on the LCD and see precisely how the settings they select impact the image before the shutter is released and the image is captured. By altering settings like white balance and exposure, and visually confirming how these changes affect the final image, this real-time monitoring offers a level of versatility and creative control that cannot be achieved by other digital SLR cameras that only offer an optical viewfinder.

    The E-3’s 100 percent accurate swivel Live View HyperCrystal™ LCD can be rotated freely so photographers can compose with the camera held overhead or down low, enabling them to take shots from angles impossible until now without feeling like a contortionist. Because Live View enables an E-3 photographer to communicate face-to-face with subjects and still have everything in the frame with the camera body out of the way, an encouraging smile or wink of the eye can be used with a shy or nervous subject to get the desired results.

    Live View provides an advantage for everyone who enjoys taking extreme close up macro shots, when composing on an optical viewfinder may be awkward, because it provides a magnification of the subject right on the LCD by a factor of 5, 7 or 10 times for sharp, pinpoint focus. The E-3 will also enable photographers to see over barriers because its swiveling LCD panel keeps subjects in view even with the camera held overhead.

    The bright 2.5-inch adjustable LCD displays 230,000 pixels in vivid color and includes HyperCrystal™ technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors for easier viewing in both preview and playback. It also provides a wide viewing angle of 170 degrees, which ensures images can be composed from even the most obscure angles. The 2.5 inch LCD makes viewing icons and text on the camera’s menu a squint-free process.

    Reliability: Built for Adventure
    The E-3 employs a large, easy-to-see optical viewfinder with 1.15x magnification and 100 percent accuracy. Photographers can rely on the E-3 to capture exactly what they compose through the optical viewfinder, so they aren’t disappointed when viewing images back at the computer. This optical viewfinder also both reduces eyestrain and makes manual focusing easier.

    Olympus’ proven Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter™. The patented ultrasonic technology physically vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor, and captures the debris on a special adhesive membrane every time you turn on the camera. It can even remove dust attached by intermolecular force that cannot be removed by physical vibration or by discharging static electricity. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside.

    The E-3 is the ideal combination of strength and mass, and was built with a new casting technology to create a stronger magnesium chassis for greater durability. The camera is also sealed to make it splash-proof and dust-proof, and when used with Pro lenses it is sealed from the elements to perform in the most rugged conditions. Its classic penta-mirror design is portable enough to comfortably shoot with all day, and measures 5.59 inches (142mm) by 4.56 inches (116mm) by 2.93 inches (74.5mm), excluding protrusions, and weighs 28.2 ounces (800 grams) body only. Photographers will experience unparalleled ease of use – from menus that make sense and buttons on the body that are easy to understand and operate for total manual control, to customizable settings for every imaginable situation. Moreover, the camera’s durable shutter mechanism is rated up to 150,000 cycles, so it will withstand heavy day-to-day use.

    Accepting both CompactFlash Type I & II, UDMA, Microdrives and xD-Picture Cards, the camera provides a choice of data storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera.

    Availability
    The Olympus E-3 Digital SLR will be available in November 2007. It includes: E-3 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-2), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.

    Posted by: John

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    Posted in: Cameras
    By October 16, 2007 Read More →

    First HTC Touch Dual review live

    CoolSmartPhone.com have just gone live with what is probably the first full review of the all new HTC Touch Slider.

    There are two versions of the HTC Touch Dual, one has a 16-key phone-style keypad with number keys and the other has a 20-key QWERTY style keypad (similar to the Blackberry or Sony P1i) where each key has two letters associated with it. This review deals with a pre-production version of the 20 key variant

    Hopefully, we’ll be getting our hands on a 16 key production review device shortly, but for a head start, head over to CoolSmartPhone’s review

    Posted by: Mark

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    Posted in: News
    By October 16, 2007 Read More →

    Live Search – with voice recognition!

    Just a very quick post, to add to our earlier news regarding Live Search, the free download from Microsoft.

    It actually supports GPS (if you have the capabilities), and also voice input/recognition.

    Just to show off, or genuinely useful?

    To download the application visit the Live Search website here.

    Posted by: Mark

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    Posted in: News
    By October 16, 2007 Read More →

    iWindowsMobile.com presents FunContact and AstroNavigator II

    VITO Technology is proud to present a brand-new web site with top quality software for your Windows Mobile Pocket PC. The six refined sparkling applets are just getting ready to show you the best of Windows Mobile. You’ll discover your Windows Mobile can do like iPhone and much more!

    iWindowsMobile

    iWindowsMobile

    Right now iWindowsMobile.com holds two applications to freshen up & upgrade your Pocket PC: FunContact and AstroNavigator II. AstroNavigator II has already become well known among Windows Mobile users for its finger friendly interface and fancy graphics with animated menus. Now they can have the same effects while managing contacts with FunContact.

    FunContact is a Windows Mobile contact manager that brings iPhone experience to your Windows Mobile Pocket PC. Now you can scroll a contact list just with a flick of a finger. The animated menus and sparkling interface with big tap-ready buttons make contact managing a real fun!

    Apart from its fancy finger-friendly interface FunContact provides quick access to the list of favorite contacts and to call history. Contacts can be sorted by first name, last name or company. The touch & feel principle of FunContact makes it a truly indispensable Windows Mobile contact manager!

    You are very welcome to go to iWindowsMobile.com and download the applications to see for yourself the brand-new looks of Windows Mobile on your Pocket PC!

    Posted by: Mark

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    Posted in: Apps & Games
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