Tag Archives: Toys

A Linoleum Birdhouse Game That Educates and Instils The Values Of Sustainability

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In an interesting collaboration, design studio Mano de Santo has joined forces with French design atelier Tarkett to introduce ELVI. This innovative urban birdhouse game delves into the transformative potential of reusing materials. An eco-friendly and adaptable creation that not only highlights the versatility of linoleum but also aims to provide an interactive learning experience, fostering awareness and coexistence with urban wildlife.

Designers: Mano de Santo and Tarkett

In the world of birdhouse games, ELVI is not your everyday player. It stands out for its incredible ability to fit in just about anywhere – be it on streetlights, trees, balconies, or bars. It has a way of seamlessly blending into different spots, making it the go-to choice for those who appreciate a touch of beauty. What makes it even cooler is its modular design, making it super easy for anyone to put it together. You can be your own urban designer, customizing the birdhouse to match your style. The DIY aspect of ELVI adds a unique and personal dimension to the birdhouse-making process. By allowing individuals to assemble the birdhouse themselves, it creates a sense of connection to the project. This hands-on approach not only fosters a personal connection with the final product but also instills a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in its creation.

But this birdhouse is not just about looking good; it’s on a mission to teach us some important values. Imagine it as a wise friend, sharing knowledge about linoleum – a material often used for floors. It’s not just comfortable and durable; it’s also super versatile. You can find it in schools, hospitals, and many other places. The birdhouse takes this material and turns it into a piece of art that fits perfectly into our daily lives. The DIY nature encourages more people to actively engage in sustainable practices. As individuals take part in the creation of their birdhouses, they become more conscious of the materials used and the environmental impact of their choices.

Beyond its good looks, it takes on another important role as an educational tool. It’s like a guiding light, showing us how linoleum can be recycled and why it’s so good for the environment. It’s a product of the values of Tarkett, emphasizing how linoleum can be recovered and reused after we’re done using it. By pointing out the linoleum’s cleanliness and its ability to become new floors, the birdhouse wants us to feel responsible for taking care of our environment.

The hands-on experience serves as an educational tool, promoting a greater understanding of the importance of reusing materials like linoleum and contributing to a culture of sustainability.

By creating ELVI, a birdhouse game that goes beyond just being pretty, the project adds a special touch to urban spaces. Its design and focus on the eco-friendly qualities of linoleum make it more than just a decoration; it becomes a symbol of responsible choices and a reminder that we can live in harmony with nature even in our busy cities.

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Pool noodle furniture brings a spirit of play to both indoor and outdoor spaces

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Bright, colorful, flexible, buoyant, and life-saving. These are the words that are often used to describe pool noodles, sometimes called waterlogs or even water woggles. These floating foam tubes allow kids and adults alike to engage in playful banter in the pool while still remaining safe, though they’re also finding use outside of the water. Their flexible bodies and soft material make the perfect objects for safe play, but they’ve amusingly also become the foundations of designs completely unrelated to their original use. Take this experimental set of furniture that employs these vibrant tubes to deliver that same whimsical atmosphere to chairs, tables, and everything in between.

Designer: Lieyah Dagan

They may come by any other name, but pool noodles are a popular component in many fanciful designs, from playground obstacle courses to car covers. Their ubiquity, affordability, and flexibility make it easy to shape them into different objects, combining them to form a more complex composition of rods, circles, and arcs. What pool noodles aren’t known for is stability and rigidity, properties that are almost antithetical to the very essence of these foamy objects. And yet that’s exactly what this furniture is presenting, mixing contrasting elements to give the designs a distinct, lively character.

The first step in producing the Looped line of indoor and outdoor furniture was to actually break chairs, tables, and other furniture down to their frames, revealing the structure that ultimately gives them form. The pool noodles are then used to “flesh out” the actual shape of the furniture, giving them mass that would be needed to support their newfound purpose as utilitarian objects. Once the final designs have been selected, dowels and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) are added to provide the needed support to make the furniture become more stable and reliable.

Of course, it wouldn’t be fun if the pool noodles simply followed the same shape as the original furniture. Looped embodies not just the characteristics but also the spirit of these playful waterlogs, employing plenty of curves, loops, and over-the-top proportions that make the furniture almost feel like toys. That, for better or worse, is both the strength and the flaw of the design.

Loop has an undeniable pull that makes people want to play with it, whether it’s because of the bright colors, the soft material, or familiarity with pool noodles. That’s fine with soft toys like actual pool noodles, but playing with a chair or a table brings risks of accidents and injuries. In the end, it creates a perception of playful engagement when they’re also supposed to be designed for serious use, creating a conflict in the mind of the viewer that is both enthralling but also a bit confusing.

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3D print your own transforming robots with these downloadable templates

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3D printing has already come a long way since it was first introduced in the 80s. It still hasn’t reached the levels where almost every household has one like we now have with regular printers of course. But now we’re seeing consumer-level 3D printers as well as “templates” we can download and print on our own. Even if you only have a basic knowledge of how this technology works, it’s pretty easy to try it out on your own or at least find a tutorial online on how to do it. If you’re a fan of the old school transformers, these downloadable templates will be right up your alley.

Designer: Dr. Operator

Dr. Operator has been publishing 3D model templates on Printables and they’re quirky and interesting, especially if you like toy collectibles. But instead of the usual IP-related collectibles that remain faithful copycats, you get his own take on things like Star Wars’ AT-AT, Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine, Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K, etc. If you’re a fan of the Transformers series, then you’ll appreciate his latest series of 3D models that take inspiration from our favorite robots, but adding his own style and flair (and back story).

There are currently only two templates in this series but hopefully we get more robots soon. The Ham and Cheese model is a robot that turns into, you guessed it, a ham and cheese sandwich. It was inspired by the designer’s favorite Transformer, Soundwave. The “back story” is that the Ham is an Autobot and the Cheese is a Decepticon and they decide to abandon the fight and just become a sandwich. The Hippie Van Transformer is what exactly the name says it is. There are different toy car brands but the designer says that the Transformers are still the coolest so he created this.

There is still an upcoming 3D model kit that isn’t available yet on Printables but it may just be the coolest. It’s a robot that turns into a telephone headset and may even have a built in Bluetooth module. For kids out there, a telephone is what we used to communicate before there were smartphones. We’re looking forward to what other Transformers templates he’ll be able to come up with eventually.

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The Brooklyn Nine-Nine precinct gets immortalized with its very own LEGO build

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Chills… Literal Chills.

Meet the most lovable police force in the NYPD. This adorable build by LEGO creator Ben Fankhauser details the entire 99th precinct, complete with all the rooms and characters of the hit TV series, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The set, in great detail, features all of the show’s recurring characters, along with the bullpen, captain’s office, rec room, kitchen, and the printer room. The only missing room seems to be the infamous briefing/meeting room that formed a core part of the planning (and chaos) behind some of the squad’s missions… but that’s a trade-off I’m happily willing to make.

Designer: Ben Fankhauser

The beauty of Fankhauser’s build is just the sheer amount of detail gone into recreating every aspect of the precinct’s floor, along with a few secret details scattered along the way. “The set is packed full of Easter eggs,” says Fankhauser, detailing some of the dizzyingly specific references to the show itself. The break room has the training dummy, while Holt’s office has his pet corgi, Cheddar. You’ll find a portrait of Holt on Terry’s desk (right beside his yogurt), and those disgusting chocolate and cheese fountains on Hitchcock and Scully’s tables. Speaking of disgusting, Jake Peralta’s pet rat Algernon can be found somewhere too, as can Boyle’s ancestral sourdough starter.

The details extend to the characters found in the set too. You’ve obviously got the showrunners, Jake Peralta, Charles Boyle, Amy Santiago, Rosa Diaz, Sgt. Terry Jeffords, Capt. Raymond Holt, Gina Linetti, Norm Scully, and Michael Hitchcock… but the set also includes a few crowd favorites like Holt’s partner Kevin Cozner, and arguably Jake’s soulmate, the elusive Doug Judy, the Pontiac Bandit!

The set comes in at a little over 1,500 pieces, with the bulk of this piece count coming from small 2×2 tiles used for the flooring. The smooth floor is perfect for anyone aiming to recreate the full bullpen, playing out scenes from the TV series.

Almost emblematic of the series itself, this LEGO build from Ben Fankhauzer was ‘cancelled’ by LEGO not once, but twice. It reached its 10,000 vote mark twice but was rejected by the LEGO internal team (probably for licensing reasons). Unfazed by defeat, Fankhauser is giving the LEGO MoC (My Own Creation) yet another shot at being turned into a box-set, and has already gathered a staggering 6,382 votes (including my own) and is looking to hit the 10,000 mark for a third, and hopefully last time. You can cast your vote for the build on the LEGO Ideas website here. Captain Holt would want this.

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These 1:1 scale LEGO Reptiles are the perfect blend of Creepy and Cool!

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The word Herpetophile stands for someone who loves reptiles. Of course, if you already knew that, chances are you’re a fan of scaly vertebrates like lizards, snakes, turtles, and other members of the reptilia family. If the term herpetophile describes you, chances are you’ll love LEGO builder legotruman’s submission to the LEGO Ideas forum. legotruman’s reptile collection showcases with three animals – the Veiled Chameleon, the Leopard Gecko, and the Box Turtle. These reptiles are made entirely from LEGO pieces, celebrating the unique colors, textures, and patterns of these animals, and are built to 1:1 scale, making them perfect for any serious collector who shares a love for, well, unconventional pets!

Designer: legotruman

Indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian chameleon, scientifically referred to as Chamaeleo calyptratus, boasts captivating hues and is distinguished by its distinctive casque that extends from its head. Contrary to common misconceptions, the chameleon’s remarkable color changes are not for camouflage but rather serve as a visual display of its emotions, stress levels, and social standing. legotruman recreated the chameleon using a myriad of tiles, perching the animal delicately on a LEGO branch too. Points if you noticed the use of a brick from the LEGO Scooby Doo Mystery Machine for the chameleon’s eyes!

The adorable-looking Leopard Gecko, native to desert habitats, has garnered worldwide popularity as a beloved pet reptile. One of the frequently encountered morphs showcases a striking pattern of dark spots on a vibrant yellow or orange skin, reminiscent of leopards. Often dubbed as the pioneers of domesticated lizards, they are cherished for their endearing large eyes, charming smiles, and their iconic plump tails. Adult females can reach a length of up to 20 cm, while males can attain an impressive 28 cm in size. The lizard, made entirely out of LEGO bricks, gets perched on a slanted branch, allowing it to display the gecko’s elegant stance.

Highly favored as pets, the Box Turtles are known for their dome-shaped shells. Some showcase remarkable radiating patterns on their shells, adorned with vibrant shades of yellow and orange. Despite their tortoise-like appearance, it’s important to note that they belong to the terrapin family, similar to other aquatic turtles like the red-eared slider. Remarkably, box turtles can enjoy a lifespan of up to 40-50 years! To recreate their stunning shells, legotruman utilized black and orange slope Lego elements, quarter tiles for the leg scales pattern, and gold ring elements to craft their eyes.

The LEGO Reptiles are a submission to LEGO’s Ideas forum, where creators and enthusiasts can design their own LEGO sculptures and share them with the global community. The entries with the highest votes get considered by LEGO’s internal team to be turned into retail box-sets. legotruman’s LEGO Reptiles has collected 2240 votes as of writing this article, and is gradually on its way to hit the coveted 10,000 vote mark that qualifies it for an official LEGO review. Click here to vote for the entry!

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LEGO announces smaller, 1050-brick version of R2D2 to celebrate Star Wars’ 25th Anniversary

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Get ready to embark on a journey to a galaxy far, far away as LEGO commemorates the 25th anniversary of Star Wars with this new 1050-brick version of R2D2, hitting stores in March 2024. R2-D2, the iconic droid who’s captured our hearts in countless Star Wars adventures, is making a triumphant return in his brick-built form, following a 2214-brick version from 3 years ago. This newer build is smaller (boasting half the parts of the original), and is focused around younger galactic enthusiasts age 9 and above. However, whether you’re a seasoned LEGO Jedi or young a novice Padawan, this delightful set promises hours of galactic fun!

Designer: LEGO

Standing at 24cm tall, this brick-built rendition of R2-D2 is slightly shorter than the previous 75308 model, which graced us nearly three years ago. However, don’t let the size fool you, as this version is packed with exciting features. With a moveable head, an adjustable third leg, a periscope, and a plethora of tools straight from the Star Wars universe, it’s a true masterpiece.

But that’s not all, folks! R2-D2 comes complete with an information plaque, a Minifigure version of himself, and a special 25th Anniversary Minifigure of the infamous Darth Malak. It’s a Star Wars celebration like no other!

Here’s the lowdown on LEGO Star Wars 75379 R2-D2:

  • Set Name: R2-D2
  • Set Number: 75379
  • Age Range: 9+
  • Piece Count: 1,050
  • Price: $99.99
  • Release Date: March 1st, 2024

So, mark your calendars for this epic rendezvous with R2-D2 in March 2024. Whether you’re a young Jedi or a seasoned builder, this set promises adventure, nostalgia, and the joy of creating alongside one of Star Wars’ most beloved characters.

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Rimowa Chess Attache offers a luxurious way to carry your luxurious game pieces

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Chess is a game that spans centuries and while the basic mechanics haven’t changed much, it has taken various forms over the course of its very long history. Chess sets today come in a variety of styles, from cheap plastic to fragile class, from classic designs to abstract geometric shapes. Some sets, usually the expensive ones, are kept safely at home, while others go wherever their owners go, ready to challenge a fellow enthusiast at a moment’s notice. Rimowa, best known for making premium luggage and bags, is trying its hand at striking a middle ground with a high-quality aluminum chess set housed in a signature Rimowa case, ready to travel and make you the envy of all your chess colleagues.

Designer: Rimowa

Portable chess sets do exist, but the most common design you might see is a thick wooden board that folds in the middle to transform into a miniature suitcase for the wooden pieces. It’s practical and, to be fair, a bit sustainable, but also terribly uninspiring. Nothing lights a chess enthusiast’s fire better than a captivating and elegant chess set, one that embodies the long-lasting legacy of a game that had enchanted and beguiled even monarchs.

The new Rimowa Chess Attache is both a homage to the classic chess design but also a rejuvenation with a more modern aesthetic. Each chess piece is crafted from black and silver (for white) anodized aluminum, emblazoned with a laser-engraved Rimowa monogram. The board, though made of wood, is wrapped in leather materials and has magnets that keep the pieces steadily in place until you or your opponent is ready to make the next move. That board’s aluminum frame also bares Rimowa’s logo, signifying its place in the brand’s selection of premium products.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Rimowa product if there is no travel container involved, and indeed, a major part of the Chess Attache’s appeal is exactly that attache case. The small suitcase’s rounded edges and ribbed faces carry the hallmarks of Rimowa’s iconic design language. Inside, the chess pieces like in compartments cut out from foam and a suede-like microfiber, securing them in place until the time comes for them to be taken out and played. A delicate protective leather layer then sits in between the pieces and the magnetic wooden board that’s secured to the attache with premium leather straps.

Of course, there’s also plenty of Rimowa branding to be found inside, from the black leather lining down to the monogram-engraved snaps of the leather straps. Every inch of the design screams luxury product, and it’s probably good that a metallic lock system is integrated directly into the case’s shell. Whether it’s the chess set itself or the case that carries them, this Rimowa Chess Attache elevates not just your game but also your traveling experience.

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This LEGO version of the classic Sony Walkman WM-22 features an opening lid with removable cassettes!

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Fashion is cyclical and it seems like cassettes may just be making their comeback. Audio manufacturer Fiio just debuted their latest retro CP13 cassette player at CES this year, and it shouldn’t be long before people are making mixtapes again. Just to prime us for that retro-resurgence, LEGO builder Srta.JirafaEnfadada designed a to-scale Sony Walkman made entirely out of LEGO bricks… and the best part, it actually fits LEGO cassettes in!

Designer: Srta.JirafaEnfadada

Before MP3 players and iPods pretty much changed the game, cassettes were the gold standard in music playback. Cars had cassette players, people owned boomboxes, and for a brief while, the Sony Walkman was one of the coolest products you could own. Designed to play cassettes on-the-go, the Walkman walked so the iPod could run. You could make your mixtape, pop it in, and listen to music either on the Walkman’s built-in speaker (if it had one), or on a pair of headphones or earphones for a private music experience.

This entry into the LEGO Ideas forum is based on the WM-22 Walkman, available in the iconic red colorway. It features the classic opening flap on the front that lets you put cassettes in and take them out between plays, with a transparent window that even lets you peer into the walkman’s insides to see which cassette’s loaded. Around the periphery are its play-pause and rewind/fast-forward buttons, and a simple rotary dial to adjust volume. The WM-22 didn’t sport a record button, which most costlier models had, allowing you to even capture audio directly to the cassette. However, it did have a 3.5mm jack, which can be found on this LEGO version too (right above the volume button), allowing you to hook a pair of headphones in. You’ve also got 4 different LEGO cassettes to choose from with the build, adding variety to your music library!

The Sony Walkman was submitted to the LEGO Ideas forum, an online dashboard where LEGO enthusiasts can share their own LEGO-based creations. The forum allows the LEGO community to vote for their favorite designs, with the top-voted ones getting turned into box-sets for us regular-folk to buy. The Sony Walkman sits at 2,068 votes as of writing this article, and if it hits the coveted 10,000 mark, it could potentially be made into a retail set! You can vote for the Sony Walkman or any of your other favorite designs on the LEGO Ideas website.

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Cute Camera for Kids Concept gets budding shutterbugs started early

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Smartphone photography is a huge part of modern culture today, whether it’s for preserving precious memories or for taking food photos to flaunt on social media. And just like how big touch screens like tablets have become children’s toys in one way or another, it might only be a matter of time before the younger generation becomes interested in taking photos. Of course, camera apps even on the most kid-friendly tablet aren’t exactly kid-friendly, not to mention the device itself won’t be the best medium for inducting toddlers into the wonderful world of digital photography. This concept design tries to address those issues by turning a digital camera into an object that kids are most familiar with: a toy.

Designer: Nicola Morelli

While smartphone manufacturers are indeed trying to make taking photos as simple as tapping on the shutter button, especially with the help of AI, there will always be occasions when you need to manually adjust some settings. That’s true not just for changing ISO, focus, and shutter speed, but also for the selfie timer. Typical camera apps make these settings easy to change if you’re an adult, but toddlers 3 years or older are a very different story. And there’s the fact that a touchscreen isn’t exactly the best interface for kids still developing cognitive and motor abilities.

This Camera for Kids concept design attempts to transform the digital camera into a more tactile experience by using physical controls for using the camera. And it’s not just any old physical control, which would make it similar to a complicated professional camera. Instead, it uses metaphors that kids might be more familiar with for those same actions, ensuring that their functions remain understandable even if the underlying concepts aren’t.

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The shutter button, for example, takes the form of a water gun trigger that most kids will probably know how to use. A crank lever is used to change focus and brightness, and taking selfies involves pulling a “TNT” string that shortens as it counts down to the shot. The toy-like operation as well as the appearance of these parts help instill a sense of confidence and fun, encouraging the child to explore and discover rather than be intimidated by the device.

The camera also has a modular design that makes it easier to use, like an actual mirror for those selfies, a flash for lighting, and a strap for carrying around the kid’s neck. Almost like building blocks, kids or their parents can mix and match these parts, depending on what they need or want to do at the time. It’s an example of a thoughtful design that truly puts the target audience, in this case, little photographers, at the center of the experience, shaping technology around them rather than forcing them to adopt to something their minds aren’t yet ready to tackle.

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A Unique Pet Toy Inspired By Nature To Keep Your Pets Engaged

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Pet toys come in various shapes and sizes, but The Triangle Toy stands out as a unique creation that not only entertains your furry friends but also doubles as a work of art. This innovative pet toy is not just about play; it’s a visual experience inspired by the beauty of nature.

Designers: Second White, Ethan J Choi, Jihun Yoo, DK (Dukkeun An), Junha Kam, Ikhyeon Kim<, Maini Kwon yanko design images to size – Triangle_pet_toy_02

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Triangle’s design is a testament to the creativity that can be infused into pet products. The triangular shape serves as a canvas for the motifs of clouds, mountains, and the sun. The towering mountains are represented by the overall triangular structure, while the rolling ball symbolizes the gentle flow of clouds. The transparent ball, a central element of the toy, represents the shining sun. Together, these elements create a harmonious scene reminiscent of a sunrise or sunset over a cloud-covered mountain.

The design language of Triangle is a careful blend of curved and angular lines. This combination imparts a sense of softness and brilliance to the toy, making it visually appealing. Crafted from high-quality materials and featuring a seamless harmony between its components, Triangle transcends the typical notion of a pet toy, resembling more of an objet d’art that seamlessly integrates into any space.

What sets Triangle apart is its interactive nature. The toy is designed to maintain your pet’s continuous interest through an ingenious treat-dispensing mechanism. By placing treats inside the transparent ball, your pet is enticed to engage with the toy. When the cloud-shaped plate is touched, the ball rolls along rails, dispensing treats as it moves. This not only provides mental stimulation but also turns playtime into a rewarding experience for your furry companion.

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Adding to its innovative features, Triangle allows for difficulty adjustment. The three holes in the transparent ball can be resized by turning its top part. This feature enables pet owners to customize the level of challenge, ensuring that the toy remains engaging for pets of varying activity levels. It’s a thoughtful addition that caters to the diverse needs of pets, keeping them entertained and mentally stimulated.

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Practicality meets design in Triangle, as it is not only an engaging toy but also easy to maintain. All parts, including the transparent ball, are detachable, allowing for convenient cleaning. This feature ensures that Triangle remains a hygienic and safe plaything for your pet. The ease of disassembly and reassembly makes the cleaning process a breeze, enhancing the overall user experience.

At its core, Triangle is a simple yet ingenious mechanism toy that harnesses the beauty of nature. The ball within the toy moves by tilting around a central axis based on the principles of gravity. This design, inspired by the natural world, incorporates inclined surfaces and curved shapes. By subtly tilting the toy, users can manipulate the ball, creating an interactive and enjoyable experience for both pets and their owners.

In conclusion, Triangle is more than just a pet toy; it’s a thoughtful creation that brings together design, functionality, and the essence of nature. Its ability to engage pets, adjustable difficulty levels, and easy maintenance make it a standout product in the world of pet accessories. Triangle not only adds joy to your pet’s playtime but also elevates your living space with its aesthetic appeal—a true testament to the potential for creativity in the world of pet products.

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