How is the A100 for outdoor/sunlight usage? - Acer Iconia Tab A100

Hi, I'm interested in buying this tablet to use it as a car GPS (using Google Maps pre-caching). My only concern is is the screen bright enough to see clearly under sunny condition? I heard the viewing angle is not that great.
Also how well does it lock to GPS signal?
Thanks.

I think the A100 is pretty nice in the sunlight, the screen is bright enough and we've had a lot of sun recently for ol' blighty. The only real thing that is a problem is glare from the glass (something that is common on pretty much anything), but there are lots of good anti glare screen protectors out there.
The GPS I find is spot on, very accurate and fast.

It's pretty middle of the road as far as ooutdoor readability. It's definitly not on the level of Samsung screens nor does it have any antiglare like the Nook Color. If you're using it as GPS and I think viewing angles will be your worst problem where this tablet can be below average, and adding normal daylight LCD issues on top of that will probably make it worse.

I was gonna buy a floor bolt mount for mine, but changed mind. The viewing angles are incredibly bad. If you just want a gps I would just go buy an 80 dollar cheapy, you'd have gps and music or whatever and wait for the asus to drop.

Related

It is funny how everyone worried about...

the amoled screen eligibility under direct sunlight...but almost nobody said anything about it after we get our phones...at full brightness, I can see so damn clear everything on my screen...looking at the screen while taking picture while under the sun was trouble free...it is clear! so anyone got complaints of the desire screen under direct sunlight?
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Nope. The auto brightness is great. No trouble seeing anything on the screen.
That's a very good point, I've been using it outdoors and could see it perfectly!
so why go super amoled when amoled is enough? I mean they made super amoled to also curb the sunlight eligibility problem but after using my desire, I say "what problem are u talking about?" ...I was using a Samsung innov8 before and it was so much worse which is wat I call, looking at myself on the screen under direct sunlight....
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Perhaps it has been extra sunny recently, but even on full brightness I find it hard to see much detail on the screen
it's definitely harder to see in sunlight than an LCD screen (for example the iPhone's screen)
Desire screen maximum brightness: 229 cd/m2
iPhone screen maximum brightness: 428 cd/m2
The Desire display is also "glossier" than the iPhone's:
Desire screen reflectance of ambient light: 15.5 percent
iPhone screen reflectance of ambient light: 9.2 percent
Theres no question about it really, it's much harder to see in sunshine. (But the price is worth paying IMO)
I've had a couple of times I've needed to hold the phone at a bit of an angle to see some text properly, but it's not really been much more of an issue than LCDs on phones I've had in the past.
Blimey, I see night and day difference. The amoled screen in bright sunshine is pretty useless. Amazing indoors, perhaps equal in the shade, but something needs to be done for proper sunshine .
It does seem brighter when taking photos (in sunlight) than viewing apps
In my opinion, I think it IS harder to see in sunlight but it's not impossible and it's certainly not as bad as sites like engadget were making out.
I took my touch hd (lcd) and desire for a walk in typical extra sunny italian day, at 1PM: they both are hard to see if tilted so that the screen reflect the sky, they both have the same degree of reflection.
It's not impossible to see stuff but it is hard, by titling the phone so that it basically reflects your face it becomes quite bearable. Perhaps the desire can show a bit more detail if using black and white screens because of the higher contrast.
Regarding the previous comment about LCD being better than AMOLED in sunlight, I partly doubt it, since you used an iPhone as comparison which is well known to have a particularly bright and readable LCD screen (can't remember the technology now) basically like super-amoled stands to normal amoled.
I would have gladly taken super-amoled if it came on the desire even if it made the price a bit higher, that said the screen is so superb in normal conditions that I really can't complain...
get an anti glare screen protector but no more phone mirror if you do ofcourse
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
not trying to be ignorant, but have you guys tried full brightness on the setting for the desire screen and go under sunlight?
i did some typing(well normal use test), and i can see the screen clearly actually...maybe i have bionic eyes
Yes have done and still find it relatively dim to see. Worse say that a camera LCD screen.
Desire IMHO already fares much better compared to Nexus One because the Light sensor is less prone to fluctuations, maybe at the expense of a little more battery juice but at least I am going ape-crazy with a glary reflection + incorrect screen brightness like on N1.
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
I have hd2 and desire side by side, and desire is slightly less readable on direct sunlight.
But it is perfectly readable, there is no room for panic.
I have seen HD2 under sun, and it's far from perfectly readable. Actually, my Kaiser is better, and I am not happy how it looks under sun, so if Desire is even less bright I don't see how it can be good.
So far iPhone is really good under sun, every other phone is just more or less bad.
There was a video on youtube where they've put some 8-10 phones together on a table outside in a sunny day and the camera would sweep over them to see the degree of reflection and readability. It wasn't very accurate because it took some phones more tilted than others but it showed pretty clearly that the desire wasn't very different than most and that the iphone was quite better than the rest.
There is another video which compared super-amoled samsung to an iphone in direct sunlight and in that comparison the iphone seemed poor.
Cranking the brightness up to max I think doesn't have much difference than leaving the light sensor on, especially here in Italy where sun is quite strong. I've also done some comparisons and didn't see much difference.
Last thing: I have a Martin Fields screen protector on my touch hd and a cheap one on my desire and they both work equally well, so I really can't see the 13€ difference
I've never had a peroblem viewing the screen. My previous handset (Samsung i8910) also had an amoled screen and I didn't have any problems viewing the screen on that handset either.
villiankknd said:
the amoled screen eligibility under direct sunlight...but almost nobody said anything about it after we get our phones...at full brightness, I can see so damn clear everything on my screen...looking at the screen while taking picture while under the sun was trouble free...it is clear! so anyone got complaints of the desire screen under direct sunlight?
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
auto brightness is good enough for me :]

Outdoor brightness

What is the screen like outdoors?
I find the S3 very hard to use outdoors even with brightness on max. I'd read a lot of people saying this before I bought it but couldn't believe how bad it actually was.
That's always been and issue with Samsung displays.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
YMMV, but I'm pretty happy with it.
I have been doing hikes lately, and using my phone to hold the trail map and gps with google maps.
I don't recall any problems at all.
- Frank
I don't have a problem with outdoor brightness either.
No probs here too. Even when set to minimum with auto ticked, in bright daylight, the display is very clear and bright.
Cheers!!!
Are any of you old S3 users?
It sounds more positive at least.
My Note 2 has a matt screen protector which makes viewing it outside much easier as there is significantly less reflection.
I tried using my friends SIII with just the stock screen and it was like looking at a mirror, so much reflection that using it was impossible.
I should point out that I was sitting by the pool in Bangkok where the sun is extreme
Depending on the intensity of the sun wherever you are, your experience may be different.
Note's display is brighter than the S3 display by specs.

Clarification of Backlight bleed issues...Also which tablet to keep?

Many people out here are talking about issues with screen bleed on this tablet
I think that the issue here is there are 2 different screen issues with this tablet that people are referring to collectively as light bleed:
1)Screen bleed
2)Edge lighting visibility
Screen bleed as I define it is something visible usually on a dark background where white light leaks out on certain areas of the screen. Almost all LCD have some degree of this and some are better than others. Often increasing the display brightness on the drak screen magnifies it. And fleing the chassis of the tablet often will shift where it bleeds.
This tablet does have some issues with this, more so than my Nexus 7 ( I lost leaving it on a plane) did.
Edge lighting issue many have posted pictures on here an youtube calling it screen bleed is something different. It seems to consistently be the bottom of the tablet in portrait mode. It is most visible on a white not black background and at lowest intensity (non auto brightness of less than 20% and it is noticeable). IT is always 7 bright/dark areas in sequence. While I am no expert in LCD technology, LCD compared to Amoled have a backlight. If the backlight is lit at the edge, it is quite likely that as one lowers the screen brightness the edge lighting at its origin might be slightly brighter than the surrounding area giving off this effect. Above a certain brightness the edge lighting is overwhelmed by the brightness of the panel and is no longer visible
For those that don't understand here is a video someone posted on youtube that demonstrates on his GPAd what the edge light issue is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmiSEC3rbHI
Now I replaced my first tablet (white one) because it had this and significant light bleed.
Picked up a black one and the light bleed is negligable. below 50% brightness it is not there and truthfully light bleed is an issue more when viewing in darkness where there is little ambient light and corners of the screen wash out with light. The fact I have none is great!!!
But........I have the same issue of the 7 areas of brighter whites at the bottom edge of the screen when brightness is below 20-25% (non automatic).They are mostly noticeable against a white background and more so when in full screen mode or white button bar is selected, or if using in landscape mode where it will then show on the right side of screen.
I am torn as to whether I should return or not. Seeing the many who have same issue and it now being there on 2 tablets from different stores and different colors (hence different manufacture runs) I suspect that this is more or less present in all G Pad 8.3 tablets. Some of us are just more likely to see it as one needs specific situations for it to be visible.
I loved my nexus 7HD before i lost it. Though I had some issues with it:
While 32gb, no expandable storage
touchscreen was not the best
Was feeling kind of small given I have a note 3 as my phone.
As such I decided to get a replacement. My final candidates were:
Ipad Mini retina display- Great Screen and app ecosystem (wife has ipad so lots of apps purchasesd as well...) But, 100$ more no expandable storage and stuck in the walled garden. Plus already have large selection of bought apps, and books/magazines in google play.
Amazon HDX8.9- I think this is the best hardware out for the money. Still light, large vibrant very bright hi res screen with insane battery life. If there was a way to get stock android on this I would jump on it. But Amazon store is limited and side loading while fine for the odd app is not how i want to fill my tablet. I can't customize it as far as looks go and while some google apps can be side loaded they don't al work or work well and there are a lot of FC. Also being in Canada, Amazon prime doesn't really benefit me as the video and music services are not available there. IT is a shame as I think I am still tempted to buy this tablet just based on the great intermediate size with best hardware
Gpad I thought this would be the perfect replacement for my Nexus 7HD. Based on reviews the added screen size without much weight and loss of pocketability. A still vibrant high PPI though dimmer screen (don't really use out doors much and seemd fine sitting in my car today leaving bestbuy). While not on latest kitkat there are good roms out there and likely can eventually swap out software fro GPE should I want. Meanwhile the LG skin adds some cool functions like Q slide apps, knock on qpair.....Seems like it is the right size, right resolution, expandable storage Better speakers than Apple... If I didn't have the edge lighting issue this tablet would be near perfect. I don't mind slightly less battery life as I will be able to charge it at night and seems most are getting 6+ screen tme and 1-2 days stdby.
Windows 8.1 Tablet (Lenovo or Dell Venue Pro Intriguing and right size at 8 inches though decidedly lower esolution and would have to forego my library of google play apps ....though having windows and full office could have some value though there is no current way to get a wired connection to a monitor or TV.
So.....in spite of the EDGE light screen issue, what should I do?
What are those of you who have noticed same thing doing or have done?
Hmmm now I am not sure what to do.
First one I bought was a white one. It had traditional light bleed in 2 corners and had this bottom edgelight issue at low brightness.
Returned it for a black one. This one is better in that it has no light bleed except the bottom edgelight issue. This occurs at brightness below 20-25. IT is not an issue during day time as I am needing brightness above 40 to comfortably enjoy the screen.
But for night time use I have to kepe the tablet a bit brighter than I prefer so as not to see it under some circumstances, I.e. landscape viewing.
I am trying to decide if it is worth returning as I love everything else about it. I am on vacation in the US and do not have the time to keep going back and forth to various best buy locations hoping for a better unit. Especially since seems the black model is in limited supply with nearest store 30 minutes away. However also given the exchange rate on my credit card, Returning it will likely cost me 20$ based on how the Credit card companies charge....
Have you tried using a screen filter off of Google play store. I used one on my galaxy 7.7 for night time use.
I would see if a third time is the charm. Return the unit and ask if you can turn on an inspect the next unit before leaving. See if you can find one that is acceptable before walking out the door. To me, the G Pad is best unit out there in the 8" space. Fire HDX8.9 is nice, but as you mentioned, it doesn't support the Play Store and requires everything to be side loaded. Additionally can't really customize the UI at this time. Hardware is killer, but until you can drop standard Android UI on top, G Pad is better option. In regards to Ipad Mini, it's nice, but absurd at that price. If you were to go for iOS, better off with the Air as it can be had for about $60/70 more. To me the Windows Tablet is not really an option. Depends on what you plan to do with it. I've read mixed reviews with the Windows Tablets. Good for some productivity apps and browsing but not so great at gaming. Still do quite a bit of games, so for me not an option.
Again, recommend giving it one more try and exchanging the unit and see how it goes.
cbb77 said:
I would see if a third time is the charm. Return the unit and ask if you can turn on an inspect the next unit before leaving. See if you can find one that is acceptable before walking out the door. To me, the G Pad is best unit out there in the 8" space.
Again, recommend giving it one more try and exchanging the unit and see how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice. ...
Went to a third best buy location tried 4 different gpad as salesman let me test them.
All had same issue. I will keep it anyway. Switched for the white again though. Prefer the feel of the back and no finger prints
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

Considering a return because of the ambient screen :(

It's a shame really, since I love EVERYTHING else about this watch - good price, snappy processor, GPS, WiFi (not even sure what that will bring eventually), NFC.
But with this thing serving primarily as a watch on my wrist, I just can't stand the ambient screen. From pretty much any angle it is a low-contrast, mustard-y yellow.
I'm looking at the LG R watch now. It's $50 more, and is missing a bunch of features, but the screen is GREAT. :'-(
I really wanted to like this watch! Please XDA, talk me into keeping it!!
** Delete **
loneBoat said:
It's a shame really, since I love EVERYTHING else about this watch - good price, snappy processor, GPS, WiFi (not even sure what that will bring eventually), NFC.
But with this thing serving primarily as a watch on my wrist, I just can't stand the ambient screen. From pretty much any angle it is a low-contrast, mustard-y yellow.
I'm looking at the LG R watch now. It's $50 more, and is missing a bunch of features, but the screen is GREAT. :'-(
I really wanted to like this watch! Please XDA, talk me into keeping it!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The LG P-OLED screen can burn in... Otherwise I possibly had bought it aswell.
I love the sw3 and especially the ambient mode screen and GPS. Its looks like a compromise between a e-ink and LCD..
But maybe it's a kind of different tastes.
Send with Tapatalk on Sony Z2
djgodlike said:
The LG P-OLED screen can burn in... Otherwise I possibly had bought it aswell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point about the burn-in. I just searched over on the LG R watch forums and there's some horror stories of burn-in after just a week. :-o That may be a deal-breaker for me.
Hah! You may have talked me into staying on SW3 just as I requested - thanks! :highfive:
It's a garbage screen on a first-gen looking product. I returned mine for the same reason.
foxfire235 said:
It's a garbage screen on a first-gen looking product. I returned mine for the same reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't gotten mine yet but have played with it in store. I wouldn't say it's garbage. Is it on par with other android wear devices? Probably not. However, just as another user stated above, its sort of a mix between e ink and color. It seems to be helping to deliver great battery life with it too. Also, with the update it seems you guys can turn off the feature of activating the screen arm movement. So with this screen you can leave it on always on mode and still be able to see the screen without killing battery. All the android wear devices are first gen tech, but the Sony SW 3 still offers so much more than any of the other watches. For that, I can certainly deal with the screen negatives. Even though it does offer positives so its not completely bad, therefore back to my point that I wouldn't call it garbage.
I like the screen...in my office or while outdoor, I can look at it at any time and almost any angle and can see the time w/o artifiially tilting my arm, or pressing a button. The screen is always on and I get easly 2 days...that is worth a lot to me. My 2 cents....
No matter how you look at it the pro's outweigh the con's.And if you can't live with then just return it and I'll keep mine.
techrider6262 said:
No matter how you look at it the pro's outweigh the con's.And if you can't live with then just return it and I'll keep mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 :good:
---------- Post added at 10:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------
djgodlike said:
The LG P-OLED screen can burn in... Otherwise I possibly had bought it aswell.
I love the sw3 and especially the ambient mode screen and GPS. Its looks like a compromise between a e-ink and LCD..
But maybe it's a kind of different tastes.
Send with Tapatalk on Sony Z2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. It's a major flaw of OLED screen. SW3's transflective screen is the perfect choice for ambient mode. It's more readable in bright sunlight. Honestly, transflective LCD is born for outside activities.
I got my first SW3. The screen is too yellow with a small dark spot at the bottom of the screen. I returned it immediately and now the 2nd one is really good.
I disagree. Try taking your smartphone and let the sun shine on the screen (or a bright lamp) and lower the brightness. The whites and blacks will be very similar in color to the SW3's screen. I'm currently using the Odyssey watchface and sometimes it takes a while for the full watchface to turn on so I get the opportunity to seen the ambient screen with the backlight on. Whites are white on it. What I would like is for the ambient light sensor to turn on the backlight at minimal brightness in low light conditions.
my device is very white. It is of course no OLED screen that are over saturated mostly but i definetly see no yellow tint there on white (maybe a really tiny bit more yellowish but really nothing i notice at all in normal use).
And having the watch always on is such a huge + in my opinion. Yes you can't see the screen in low light situations. But honestly.
People are never happy. When the backlight would be always on some people would complain that the watch is always making light in the dark.
(which would annoy me probably more)
If you want correctly displayed colors you would need to calibrate your screens.
Who does that for home usage here?
It's definitely not first gen. I had first gen smartwatch from Sony, this one is ten times better
I would like the option for a low backlight on low light (current low backlight settings are too bright to begin with). I suppose that's what custom ROMs/root apps are for.
I like it on mine. The default faces are pretty bad on it in ambient mode, but I built ones for it on Facer that make it really easy to read.
vitaminxero said:
I would like the option for a low backlight on low light (current low backlight settings are too bright to begin with). I suppose that's what custom ROMs/root apps are for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if you had something like this in mind ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=57615301 ) ...but I'm using this app and it lets me lower the brightness down to where it's much more comfortable for using my watch in bed at night. The developer is letting us try it out for free until 12/21... but I went ahead and bought it for a buck from the Play Store.
Grown to love ambient mode, except for complete darkness I can read the watch fine.
I have a Gear Live, try to go out in the sun and read the time, this watch no problem.
I purchased Facer, made myself a digital watch face with huge numbers that makes the watch even more visible in direct sun
vitaminxero said:
I disagree. Try taking your smartphone and let the sun shine on the screen (or a bright lamp) and lower the brightness. The whites and blacks will be very similar in color to the SW3's screen. I'm currently using the Odyssey watchface and sometimes it takes a while for the full watchface to turn on so I get the opportunity to seen the ambient screen with the backlight on. Whites are white on it. What I would like is for the ambient light sensor to turn on the backlight at minimal brightness in low light conditions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed! I live in Florida (the sunshine state) and spend lots of time outdoors. Our days are long, it's almost always sunny, and the sun is INTENSE! I got this watch specifically because of this display. Try reading an OLED display outdoors in Florida sun. Even my Note4 with its high-brightness outdoor mode is barely readable. Yet my SW3 is clear as day, with or without the backlight. Yes, it definitely doesn't look as pretty indoors as the OLED screens, but for my use its perfect. Not like I'm watching movies on it or anything. I'm glad Sony decided to carry over the transflective tech from the SW2...it was a bold move but it's one of the things that sets this product apart. If you don't like it, there are plenty of competing products on the market.
I just wish there was a way to disable the backlight under any ambient light conditions, like my SW2. One of the firmware updates for the SW2 introduced a smarter backlight that stayed off, even when in use, when there was enough ambient light, like outdoors. While it makes no difference in appearance, it helps conserve battery.
Calvin Gross said:
+1 :good:
---------- Post added at 10:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------
Good point. It's a major flaw of OLED screen. SW3's transflective screen is the perfect choice for ambient mode. It's more readable in bright sunlight. Honestly, transflective LCD is born for outside activities.
I got my first SW3. The screen is too yellow with a small dark spot at the bottom of the screen. I returned it immediately and now the 2nd one is really good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Transflective screens are also installed on all Garmin outdoor standalone GPS: if you want a well readable screen on EVERY situation you need a transfective.... NOT a AMOLED.
Amoled is much contrasted and wonderful on artificial light or on low natural light, but is a pain during summer outdoor activity (and need maximum power consumption to be barely readable)
heavyhms said:
Transflective screens are also installed on all Garmin outdoor standalone GPS: if you want a well readable screen on EVERY situation you need a transfective.... NOT a AMOLED.
Amoled is much contrasted and wonderful on artificial light or on low natural light, but is a pain during summer outdoor activity (and need maximum power consumption to be barely readable)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The transflective display is one of the big selling points of this watch if you ask me. It's visible in pretty much any light except very low. I don't have to turn the backlight on to see it (saves battery) and it's viewable in direct sunlight. This is a huge plus for anyone taking this thing out for runs or bike rides. I'm a long distance runner and use this watch exclusively for tracking and music, it works great!
The screen on the Sony Smartwatch 3 is the best, hands the fak down!! Always on and viewable, just as watch suppose to be.
Its comical sporting a watch thats turned off until you put it up in front of your grill to turn ON...gayness to the fullest.

Irregular Display Lighting (with Pictures)

I have a visible light strip at the top of the display... what should I do? I say to myself I don't care but it annoys me because I keep noticing it.
Here pictures, please check them out:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/...xWVXBiUGhRTG9MR19qTTVlejJkQ3RYdUk?ltmpl=drive
That's light bleed
do you have it too? should I send it back or do all lg g4 have this?
Pictures are not loading.
Weird... heres the drive folder:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/...xWVXBiUGhRTG9MR19qTTVlejJkQ3RYdUk?ltmpl=drive
Do you guys have this too?
ruzkay said:
Weird... heres the drive folder:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/...xWVXBiUGhRTG9MR19qTTVlejJkQ3RYdUk?ltmpl=drive
Do you guys have this too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's light bleed - light seeping from the backlight into the edges of the display. Happens when the display is compressed/bent during installation into the phone. Nothing you can do about it but get the phone exchanged if it bothers you that much. However, if you exchange it, it's the luck of the draw - you might get a better one or a much worse one.
Unfortunately, all LCD displays are prone to this, as manufacturers would have to reject something like 50% of them otherwise - I had to go through SIX brand-new 27" Dell monitors before I found two that I could live with - and they're still far from perfect.
I had to exchange my iPad Mini twice to get a good display, and my Nexus 9 three times. It's totally random. Got lucky with my G4 that has a perfect screen (though I had to exchange it, too, as the first one had dust stuck between the front glass and the display panel).
Manufacturers just have really low "acceptable quality" standards to maximize profits/units sold, as many people will never notice those issues.
siraltus said:
That's light bleed - light seeping from the backlight into the edges of the display. Happens when the display is compressed/bent during installation into the phone. Nothing you can do about it but get the phone exchanged if it bothers you that much. However, if you exchange it, it's the luck of the draw - you might get a better one or a much worse one.
Unfortunately, all LCD displays are prone to this, as manufacturers would have to reject something like 50% of them otherwise - I had to go through SIX brand-new 27" Dell monitors before I found two that I could live with - and they're still far from perfect.
I had to exchange my iPad Mini twice to get a good display, and my Nexus 9 three times. It's totally random. Got lucky with my G4 that has a perfect screen (though I had to exchange it, too, as the first one had dust stuck between the front glass and the display panel).
Manufacturers just have really low "acceptable quality" standards to maximize profits/units sold, as many people will never notice those issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see thanks, I had some light bleed (I knew what it is didn't remember the english word LOL) on my N4 too but nowhere near this and it didn't seem like a solid strip more random...
Sent it back... hope I got luck with the next one, and hope Amazon is quick my current phones battery is pretty much dead...

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