vivo X70 Series Lands in Malaysia with TWS 2 Series Earbuds

Less than a month ago, vivo announced their new flagship series: the vivo X70 series. The new flagship series is the first to come with vivo’s new in-house imaging processor, the V1 imaging processor. The new smartphone continues to push vivo’s aspirations of becoming the go-to brand when it comes to smartphone photography.

The vivo X70 series packs a custom MediaTek Dimensity 1200 which gives the phones 5G connectivity. It also comes with the lineup’s signature Gimbal Stabilization for its ZEISS co-engineered cameras. This time all the series’ cameras come with ZEISS T* coating which promises better photography performance. The series is also one of the first to feature extendable RAM technology.

The vivo X70 and X70 Pro both come with quad-camera setups which allow users to get the most out of their partnership with ZEISS. The smartphones come with multi-sensor setups for their cameras. The vivo X70 has a triple camera setup with a 40-megapixel main sensor paired with two 12-megapixel sensors. The X70 Pro on the other hand comes with a quad-camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor paired with two 12-megapixel sensors and an additional 8-megapixel sensor. You can get the full details in our coverage of its initial announcement.

vivo x70 pro photo 2
Source: vivo

Together with the X70, vivo also announced their new entries into their true wireless earbuds: the TWS 2e and TWS 2 ANC. As the name suggests, the TWS 2 ANC comes with active noise cancelling so you can tune out the world. The 2e is your regular run-of-the-mill true wireless earbuds. Both come with touch capabilities and have aptX compatibility.

Pricing and Availability

The vivo X70 series will be available off shelves starting on 1 October 2021. The X70 will retail for MYR2,499 while the X70 Pro comes in at MYR3,299. There is no word yet on if and when the X70 Pro+ will be available.

They are now available for pre-order through their various dealers and online stores. Pre-orders of both will be entitled to vivo’s Protection Plus service which provides an extra year of warranty and 1-year screen crack protection worth MYR399. In addition, pre-orders of the X70 Pro will also receive a Bluetooth Soundbar and VIU TV membership card worth MYR400; while X70 pre-orders will be entitled to a Bluetooth speaker, high-speed car charger and VIU TV membership worth MYR200.

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vivo’s TWS 2 series earbuds are also available for pre-order. Those who pre-order the smartphones will also be able to take advantage of the purchase with purchase promo for the TWS 2 series. The TWS 2e will be available for MYR68 while the TWS 2 ANC will be available for MYR98 as a part of the promo. They will retail at MYR269 for the TWS 2e and MYR369 for the TWS 3 ANC.

Microsoft Updates the Surface Duo 2 with Snapdragon 888

Microsoft’s Surface Duo made quite the splash in its initial outing. The smartphone rethought the notion of foldable devices with a more productivity centred approach. This year, Microsoft is doubling down on their approach with the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 which bumps the specs and functionality of the smartphone.

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 4

The Surface Duo 2 comes with the Snapdragon 888 paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. Microsoft has also increased the size of the screens on the Duo 2 to 5.8 inches with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Both screens individually have a resolution of 1892×1344 pixels. When viewed side to side, it has an 8.3-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and resolution of 2688×1892 pixels.

The cameras on the Surface Duo 2 have also been updated. The foldable now comes with a triple camera array for its main camera setup. The array is made of a 12-megapixel wide sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor with an f/2.4 aperture and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. This is a big upgrade from the single sensor that was on the Surface Duo. On the front, the Duo 2 still sports a single 12-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 sensor.

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 8

Aside from that, the Surface Duo 2 remains one of the thinnest smartphones in the market. It comes in at 11mm thick when closed and 5.5mm when opened. It supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth5.1 and has a fingerprint reader. It’s powered by a 4,449mAh battery with support for fast charging.

It’s Not Just About Hardware

Microsoft leaned into innovating technology which made an impact. With the Surface Duo 2, they are staying true. The focus isn’t just on the hardware, Microsoft has been working on the software of the Duo. They have optimised their version of Android 11 for the Duo 2 packing it with features that make sense for the dual-screen setup.

They have created an extended experience that takes advantage of the slight curves of the Surface Duo 2’s screens when closed. With the Glance Bar, you will now be able to tell how many notifications you have when the screen is closed. The same feature can also be used to tell your battery capacity when charging.

Microsoft is also banking on a more seamless experience across its Windows 11 devices and the Surface Duo 2. They have updated the Microsoft launcher with a UI that is both familiar and utilitarian – similar to the one we see on Windows 11. These optimisations also include widgets that share the same approach.

  • Microsoft Surface Duo 2 7
  • Microsoft Surface Duo 2 6
  • Microsoft Surface Duo 2 2

Aside from this, the Surface Duo 2 comes with a lift to wake feature. This wakes the screen as soon as you lift it making things feel snappier and quicker. Of course, Microsoft XBOX App with Game Pass also makes an appearance on the Surface Duo 2. In fact, it comes with optimisations that turn one screen of the Duo 2 into a controller. This will allow you to have an uninterrupted gaming experience across the two screens.

Pricing & Availability

The Surface Duo 2 will be available in select countries starting October 21, 2021. It will be retailing at USD$1,499.99 (MYR6,271.80) for the 128GB version, USD$1,599.99 (MYR6,690.38) for the 256GB version and USD$1,799.99 (MYR7,526.69) for the 512GB version. It will be available in two colours: Obsidian and glacier.

Pre-orders are starting today in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany and Japan. Units will start shipping on October 21, 2021.

There is no indication just yet if the Duo 2 will be making its way to other countries after its initial rollout.

Coocaa is bringing the heat to Vietnam this summer!

This summer, coocaa TV is bringing its latest variety of quality products at affordable prices to Vietnamese users for a new experience in Smart Home living!

HANOI, Vietnam, Sept. 23, 2021 — Established in 2006, coocaa has grown to become one of the largest smart TV brands in the world, bringing the latest in home-living to the world. With 9 production facilities and 6 R&D systems worldwide, coocaa is recognised in over 40 countries, and is now proudly the official partner for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020!

In light of coocaa’s partnership with AFF Suzuki Cup 2020, the #coocaaTVtiepluaAFF challenge was launched on Tiktok on September 7th, receiving raving interest from over 100 celebrities, joining the challenge on Tiktok ahead of the tournament. With tens of millions of users following the many influencers who have helped spread the challenge, coocaa has seen roughly 200 million impressions, with over 50,000 challenge participants, and more than 10 million interactions!

Coocaa is bringing the heat to Vietnam this summer!
Coocaa is bringing the heat to Vietnam this summer!

Coocaa has now hit the Best-selling TV brand on Lazada while coming 2nd on Shopee, thanks the best-seller S6G Pro Max, which boasts state-of-the-art technology in voice-activated entertainment TV.

Now, both the colour-vibrant Android 11-powered S7G TV, as well as the S3U TV which highlight the coolita OS, bringing the power of YouTube 2021, CC Plus, CC Cast, Swaiot Home, eye protection mode to your home!

Mr. Thinh Pham, Head of TV & Video at Lazada shared: "Thanks to the well-prepared product launch plan, Coocaa TV has been highly appreciated by Vietnamese consumers for its design and product experience. Products. As a strategic partner of Lazada, Coocaa TV hopes to spread its products to more Vietnamese families and young generations to create conditions for consumers to have a rich source of entertainment."

COOCAA TV – AFF SUZUKI CUP 2020 Official Partner
Immerse yourself in a magical Smart TV experience!
Follow us on Facebook @coocaa (VN) and Instagram @coocaavietnam!
#CooLife #AFFSuzukiCupOfficialSmartTV

About coocaa

coocaa is a registered trademark of the market-leading TV manufacturer. Since 2006, coocaa brings fun to the home – with TVs that inspire around the world. In doing so, coocaa not only promotes the innovation and development of advanced technologies, but also strives for product quality that will bring a smile to customers’ faces.

Microsoft Introduces the Surface Laptop Studio with Windows 11 – The Ultimate Windows 11 Content Creator?

The content creator market is a hot one these days. Everyone wants a piece of the action in the content creator space. Of course, it is not like the Microsoft Windows platform was not an appealing platform for content creators in the first place. The Windows PC platform is still one of the most popular platforms in the content creation industry.

That was Windows 10 though. It was a versatile platform that could run anything you ask it to. It could do about anything you want it to with little compatibility issues. Because Windows 11 is pretty much Windows 10 in basic architecture, you should expect pretty much the same compatibility and versatility from Windows 11 devices.

Except, before we even see Windows 11 devices from manufacturers hitting shelves, Microsoft kind of jumped the gun a little and introduced their own Windows 11 devices. We want to say these could be reference devices, but it does not look like Microsoft is interested in creating references devices. Instead, these devices are built to compete and be as premium and powerful as Windows wants them to be for their purposes. The new Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is the very culmination of what Windows envisions a prefect creator class device should be.

First, it is powerful. You get to spec the new Surface Laptop Studio with up to an 11th generation Intel Core i7-11370H. You also get up to 32GB of RAM to work with, which is ample when it comes to video editing, photo editing, and even 3D workloads. On the graphics department, you can opt for a very powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU for an even more seamless workflow. You can store all the works of art in a 2TB SSD (up to).

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Of course, you get the highest standards of Windows 11 experience for creators with the new Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. The touch screen display does not just tilt open and close like the regular laptop you might be used to. There is a second hinge in the middle part of the display shell that allows the display to swivel a bit more. You can bring the display closer to you, for example, to have better access to the touch sensitive display. You could also use the Surface Slim Pen 2 to draw on it when you need to. Or use it as a tablet completely, when the mood takes you.

The display is not just some random cheap display too. It is a bright 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow Display that refreshes up to 120Hz, in case you are in the mood for gaming. It is a 3:2 aspect ratio displays at 2,400 x 1,600 pixels; odd, but it is a creator first display.  With Dolby Vision as well, you can be proud at whatever film edits you would want to show your clients on the display.

The webcam you get on the Surface Laptop Studio is capable of Full HD resolution for crisp looking video calls. For good measure, the Surface Laptop Studio also comes with Windows Hello face authentication feature on the Surface Laptop. Of course, the Windows 11 device must have far-field mics for voice command and crisp audio for video calls. It also packs four Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos certification. Of course, for smooth, uninterrupted video calls, you have WiFi 6 capabilities on the Surface Laptop Studio.

The new Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio with Windows 11 will be available in select regions 5th of October 2021 onward. Prices start from US$ 1,599.99 (MYR 6,703*) and tops out at US$ 3,099.99 (MYR 12,990*). There are no other colour options other than Platinum on the Magnesium and Aluminium built Windows 11. There are no confirmations on when the Surface Laptop Studio will arrive in Malaysia currently, but we are keeping our ears close to the ground. More information on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio can be found on their website.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.19 on xe.com as of 23/09/2021

HP Spectre x360 Gets A Big Refresh

The HP Spectre lineup has been one of the lightest and sleekest laptops available in the market. The lineup’s signature thickness paired with the extended functionality makes it one of the more versatile laptop lineups out there. However, if there was one feature that was lacking – it would be the lack of graphics prowess. Yes – there are options with NVIDIA’s GTX graphics but that’s hardly enough for creators.

hp spectre x360 windows 11 lifestyle
Source: HP

The new HP Spectre x360 16 changes that with the inclusion of NVIDIA’s RTX3050 Laptop GPU. Yes – that’s right, the new laptop comes with an entry-level RTX 30 series GPU. It’s also the largest screen available in the lineup with a whopping 16-inch display. The 16:10 display has options that range all the up to a UHD+ OLED display. It comes certified with VESA True Black HDR and is calibrated for colour accuracy. It’s also near borderless with 91% coverage of the panel.

HP has also enhanced the camera of the Spectre x360 16. You’ll be able to use AI-enabled algorithms to touch up your appearance with Beauty Mode. You can also stay in frame when you need to get up to get the blood flowing again with the Auto Frame feature. The AI also enables a myriad of features that many will find useful; for instance, the device will lock as soon as you walk away and wakes when you return. It will also blur the active screen when someone is looking over your shoulder.

hp spectre x360 windows 11
Source: HP

Along with the graphics prowess, the new HP Spectre x360 16 comes equipped with Intel’s 11th generation Core i7 Processor. It also comes with support for the latest WiFi technology – WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. The best part? It comes with a full complement of ports with everything from microSD to HDMI to USB-C and Thunderbolt. It also has compatibility with the HP Pen.

Pricing & Availability

The HP Spectre x360 16 2 in 1 Laptop will be available starting in October 2021. It will be priced starting at USD$1,639 (MYR6,869.69).

Neopets Launches its First NFT Collection – The Neopets Metaverse Collection

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 22, 2021 — Neopets is excited to announce a partnership with Raydium, an automated market maker (AMM) and launchpad powered by Solana, to bring a collection of NFTs based on characters from the  20 years of the Neopian history and lore.  The greater Neopets community will now have access to digital memorabilia from their beloved brand.

Neopets Launches its First NFT Collection – The Neopets Metaverse Collection
Neopets Launches its First NFT Collection – The Neopets Metaverse Collection

"Over the past 20 plus years, nearly 100 million people have engaged with Neopets characters both in the game and through merchandise and other branded items.  Extending to NFTs give those users as well as NFT collectors the chance to experience and own part of the history of Neopets" says Jim Czulewicz, President and CEO of JumpStart Games, Inc., the company that owns Neopets.  "For us this is another opportunity to extend the brand into new markets and to new users in a format that is both modern and valued."

Collectors and fans will have the opportunity to acquire one of 20,500 equally unique, algorithmically generated lovable Neopets NFTs with variable backgrounds, assets, clothing, and personality – 7 varying trait categories.  An official launch date will be shared as we get closer but look for the drop to be in early to mid-October.

Neopets is pleased to be partnering with Raydium’s DropZone as one of the first on the platform.  Raydium’s DropZone is an initiative by Raydium to promote the growth of NFTs on Solana while supporting project teams like Neopets with the infrastructure needed to launch the collections.

About Neopets
Owned by JumpStart® Games, the leader in creating interactive family experiences that both entertain and educate. JumpStart® creates mobile and multi-player games and experiences under its flagship brands – JumpStart®, Jumpstart Academy®, School of Dragons®, Zoo Guardians® and Math Blaster®. For over 20 years, Neopets has allowed users to create and care for digital pets called "Neopets" while exploring the virtual world of Neopia and sharing it with their friends and the community on desktop and mobile web browsers. For more information, please visit www.neopets.com

About Raydium
Raydium is an automated market maker (AMM) built on the Solana blockchain which leverages the central order book of the Serum decentralized exchange (DEX) to enable lightning-fast trades, shared liquidity and new features for earning yield. DropZone is an initiative by Raydium to promote the growth of NFTs on Solana while supporting project teams with the infrastructure needed to launch new collections. DropZone will serve as a launchpad for the hottest Solana NFT projects to raise capital, seamlessly distribute NFT collections, and build their community.

Dada Haibo System Awarded Best Practice Case of Retail Technology Innovation

SHANGHAI, Sept. 22, 2021 — Dada Group (Nasdaq: DADA), China’s leading local on-demand delivery and retail platform, is pleased to announce that its Dada Haibo omni-channel online retail operating system was awarded the 2021 Best Practice Case of Retail Digital Transformation and Technology Application by China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA).

Dada Haibo System integrates the operations of marketing, products, users, account reconciliation and order fulfillment in a systematic, digitalized, and standardized platform, which has significantly improved operating efficacies and reduced cost for a lot of leading retailers in China. According to the latest list of 2020 China’s Top 100 supermarket chains released by CCFA, 45 of the Top 100 supermarkets have been adopting the system.

The deployment of Dada Haibo system at Wangzhongwang Supermarket, a leading supermarket chain in Jiangxi Province, has been acknowledged by CCFA for its impressive digital transformation. This merchant had hoped to boost sales through O2O channels, but was struggling with losses caused by a lack of detailed operational data. By adopting Dada Haibo system, they were able to automate financial reconciliation process for omni-channel businesses. And Dada Haibo’s visualized dashboard enables them to analyze operational data across dimensions, including sales channels, stores, product categories and SKUs. Through adopting the Haibo System, the merchant’s omni-channel O2O sales increased by over 50% from previously. In addition, the profit margin of their O2O business improved by 3.5 times.

"Since our cooperation with Dada Group was established, Wangzhongwang has made rapid progress in new retail and achieved wonderful growth in digital operations and O2O business," said Rong Hu, Chairman of Wangzhongwang Supermarket.

As of the end of August, Dada Haibo System had been adopted by more than 4300 retail chain stores, up significantly from 3300 stores as of the end of April, and the number keeps going up. Haibo system has already been proven that’s able to increase the efficiency of retailers’ O2O business and also to increase partners’ revenue from O2O business.  Last year, Dada Haibo system was also awarded the 2020 China’s Best Practice Case of Retail Digitalization by CCFA.

About Dada Group

Dada Group is a leading platform of local on-demand retail and delivery in China. It operates JDDJ, one of China’s largest local on-demand retail platforms for retailers and brand owners, and Dada Now, a leading local on-demand delivery platform open to merchants and individual senders across various industries and product categories. The Company’s two platforms are inter-connected and mutually beneficial. The Dada Now platform enables improved delivery experience for participants on the JDDJ platform through its readily accessible fulfillment solutions and strong on-demand delivery infrastructure. Meanwhile, the vast volume of on-demand delivery orders from the JDDJ platform increases order volume and density for the Dada Now platform. In June 2020, Dada Group began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the ticker symbol "DADA."

 

 

Related Links :

http://imdada.cn

Netflix Introduces Free Subscription in Kenya

Netflix seems to be testing the waters with a new subscription plan in Kenya. The popular content streaming service is offering a new, free subscription tier in the African country. The new subscription will allow access to all of Netflix’s features including profiles and kids mode.

However, the free subscription does come with some limitations. The first being that the subscription is only available for Android phones. Users on the free subscription will also not have access to Netflix’s full library. Instead, they will only be able to access a fourth of the expansive library. In addition, features like screencasting and downloading shows will not be accessible.

Netflix Freeplan GIF 1
Source: Netflix

The subscription will be available only in Kenya for now. Netflix has indicated that, as of now, there are no plans to expand the availability. Would-be subscribers will only need an email address and proof that they are above 18 years of age to subscribe. The plan will be rolled out in Kenya over the next few weeks. Netflix has indicated that it sees the free plan as a means of gathering new subscribers to the service.

Pokémon UNITE Lands On Mobile with A Special Holowear Pikachu

Pokémon UNITE was released earlier this year on the Nintendo Switch. The game marks the titular franchise’s first ventured into the MOBA realm. The unique gameplay and fast-paced gaming allowed the game to catch on pretty quickly on the Nintendo Switch.

Now, months after Pokémon UNITE’s Nintendo Switch debut, the game is finally on mobile. It’s available starting September 22, 2021, worldwide on iOS and Android. The mobile version of UNITE will be able to cross-play with the Nintendo Switch version. Trainers who have already been playing on the Switch will simply have to link their Pokémon Trainer Club or Nintendo account when playing.

Pikachu & Zeraora Join the Celebration of Pokémon UNITE on Mobile

To celebrate the launch of Pokémon UNITE on mobile, the Pokémon Company is giving away a special holowear Pikachu. The Pikachu giveaway also celebrates the game getting over 5 million pre-registrations ahead of the official launch. To get it, you simply have to log in to the mobile version of the game by October 31 2021 at 14:59 UTC. If you do, you’ll receive 1,000 Aeos tickets, a Pikachu Unite License and Festival Style: Pikachu Holowear.

In addition to Pikachu, new players can easily get one of the most powerful Pokémon available in UNITE to date – Zeraora – by completing special missions. All you have to do is win a total of 32 battles in Pokémon UNITE. Zeraora was initially given away as a launch freebie during the game’s Nintendo Switch launch.

New Battle Pass & Unite Squads Also Join the Game

Unite Battle low

Together with the iOS and Android launch, Pokémon UNITE will be kicking off a new battle pass. The space-themed Galactic Ghost 094 battle pass features a cutesy space-themed holowear for Gengar. Of course, as with all battle passes before, it comes with goodies for all players. However, if you want to maximise your winnings, you will have to pay for the pass.

Starting on September 22, 2021, you’ll be able to form Unite Squads with your favourite battle comrades. You’ll be able to interact and chat with squad members directly! There isn’t any indication if voice chat will be a part of this feature.

MDT Releases TMR13DX Magnetic Switch Sensors with Pre-programmed Switching Points Based on Customer Requests


MDT’s Multi-purpose Programmable TMR Sensor Design Offers Greater Versatility across Diverse Applications and Requirements, Assuring Customers with Stable Supply during Semiconductor Supply Shortages

SAN JOSE, Calif., and ZHANGJIAGANG, China, Sept. 22, 2021 — MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd. (MDT), a leading supplier of magnetic sensors specializing in Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) technology, will release the TMR13DX pre-programmed TMR magnetic switch sensors at Sensors Converge 2021. TMR13DX allows factory-presetting of switching threshold parameters before delivery based on customer requests. It offers performance consistency with enhanced adaptability for a variety of applications including utility meters, proximity switches, liquid level sensing, linear and rotary position sensing.

"The multi-function programmable sensor design of TMR13DX is suitable for various operating conditions of many magnetic sensor applications. Combined with MDT’s unique TMR sensor design, TMR13DX’s built-in signal conditioning circuitry and programmable logic unit can perform factory presetting of the on/off switching thresholds as well as the sensing polarity and output interface. It provides a universal solution that is readily available to meet new requirements from the market, without requiring customers to modify their designs, thus greatly accelerating their design cycle and time-to-market," said Dr. Song Xue, Chairman and CEO of MultiDimension Technology. "In today’s semiconductor supply shortages, our ability to deliver this versatile and ready-to-use solution will promptly facilitate new customers who are looking for alternatives to short-supplied products on the market. Current MDT customers will also benefit from TMR13DX as a pin-to-pin compatible backup option to secure their supply during this difficult time."

TMR13DX is available in the following default configurations, with options to factory-preset alternative switching points, different polarities (omnipolar, bipolar, or unipolar), and customizable output interface (open-drain or push-pull, active-high or active-low).

Part Number

Operating Point

(Gauss)

Release Point

(Gauss)

Common Features

TMR13D3

±40

±30

omnipolar, push-pull,
active-low, -40~125°C,
1.8~5.5V, 1.5µA low-
power, high-speed in
continuous-power,
SOT23-3 or TO-92S
package

TMR13D5

±30

±20

TMR13D7

±20

±14

TMR13D9

±10

±5

The latest TMR13DX production release covers MDT’s 1.5µA microAmpere continuous-power TMR switch series. This capability will be expended to the nanoAmpere ultra-low power TMR switch series in 2022. Please contact MDT for samples, pricing and delivery information, or visit MDT at Sensors Converge 2021, booth 535 in San Jose, California in Sep. 22~23.

About MDT
MultiDimension Technology was founded in 2010 in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China, with branch offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Ningbo in China, Tokyo, Japan, and San Jose, Calif., USA. MDT has developed a unique intellectual property portfolio, and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities that can support volume production of high-performance, low-cost TMR magnetic sensors to satisfy the most demanding application needs. Led by its core management team of elite experts and veterans in magnetic sensor technology and engineering services, MDT is committed to creating added value for its customers and ensuring their success. For more information about MDT please visit http://www.multidimensiontech.com.

Media Contacts
Jinfeng Liu, jinfeng.liu@dowayusa.com,
Tel: +1-650-275-2318 (US), +86-189-3612-1156 (China)
Jilie Wei, kevin.wei@dowaytech.com,
Tel: +86-189-3612-1160 (China)

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http://www.dowaytech.com