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PocketGPSWorld.com Event Article |
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CES for the non-GPS some final thoughts from Mike
Nearly at the final posts for CES in Las Vegas for 2007. So far we have looked at the serious GPS related items. But of course the expo was full of all sorts of hi tech toys for us. In fact there were so many that after a week we were in serious danger of suffering a high tech overload. In fact such was the intensity of the show that when we visited our favorite 'toy shop' Fry's we only spent about 60 minutes in there and didnt buy a thing... This was a first for us especially as Lutz was with us...
The PocketGPSWorld.com team have the latest technology or at least we thought so until we visited the Sony booth. Our favorite portable computers are the new Sony UX PCs. We thought we had the latest and best... We dont. Sony have introduced 2 new models one of which has a 30GB flash disk so no moving parts... We all hung our heads and slipped quietly off the stand. The bad news for us also is that nobody has a car mount for them at the moment, so they cant safely be used as navigation systems.
As Lutz mentioned in an earlier post I was quite taken by the cars at the show. One of the halls was dedicated to the automotive industry and was filled with all sorts of goodies, but topped for me by some of the most outrageous (and impractical). My favorites must be the golden lo-rider (try getting over a speed bump with that...) and the tracked snowmobile rescue vehicle complete with SatNav (not sure if it was offroad or not) and rather than a first aid kit it had a hearing aid kit...
A Mercedes was kitted out with so many display screens that it would be totally impossible (not to mention illegal) to drive. And last but not least a sparkling pick up with the truck bed completely full of ICE gear, and internal features include not only SatNav and video, but also a champagne holder (what happened to cup holders?).
On a more serious note a company called IPevo http://www.ipevo.com/ were displaying a number of Skype devices. I bought an IPevo Free-1 phone when I was in Taiwan last year and have been really impressed with it. Supported both in Windows and Mac OS it is small and works like a dream. Of course they have now updated the phone, and also brought out a number of hands free and conference phones as well.
A strange gimmick I saw was the "Guard Kitty" a USB device that connects to your PC and detects movement and hisses, purrs and plays music. Who on earth thought of that!!!
On the home entertainment side of things there was just too much too take in. The primary story here is the battle between HD-DVD and BlueRay, with some companies hedging their bets and creating multi-standard devices to allow both technologies to play in the same device. The there were the Plasma/LCD displays getting bigger, clearer, and better. I saw a 108 inch display, but I am sure there were some much larger. If you are ashamed of your TV in the Living room then one company has the ideal solution... A remote control curtain covering the screen to show a painting when the TV is not on.
Robert found a portable TV, unfortunately he was a little distracted for some reason. When we asked what the specification was he replied "36-24-34". "No", we said, "the TV". "Oh", he replied, "I think it was white :D".
The "best" gadget I saw though was a frame that fits beneath your chair and when connected to the home cinema amplifier provides movement simulating the experience of actually being in the film. This rocked gently when playing soothing music and more aggressively in an action film. The setup is configurable up to the size of a love seat. I did ask the sales girl for a demo of that but she politely told me that they didnt have one at the show...
Other strange stuff to come from the far east included matching PC accessories. When we say matching we do really mean matching. Camouflage keyboard, mouse, speakers, headsets, webcams etc, they also did them in pink too... And a special keyboard for people like Robert and myself with big fingers...
Article by Mike Barrett on Tuesday, January 23 @ 22:00:40 UTC
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The Winner of the Teleatlas LBS Attendee Chioce awards is...
The Teleatlas LBS Innovators Attendee Choice Awards took place on the Teleatlas booth at CES. There were 3 companies in the finals: GTES, Loopt, and iLocate.
WirelessChaperone from GTES. This application allows parents to monitor the driving behavior of their teens. Featuring Tele Atlas’ digital map data and content, WirelessChaperone provides notifications of excessive speed, enables parents to establish geographic boundaries, and offers a map viewing application displaying current or past vehicle locations.
loopt from loopt Inc. This location-based social mapping service lets users find their friends on their mobile phones. With Tele Atlas’ digital maps, users can find friends on detailed maps, as well as share photos and on-the-go experiences, and receive alerts when friends are nearby.
“WHERE” from uLocate. uLocate, the platform and publisher of products such as MapQuest Find-Me and Helio Buddy Beacon has developed their latest product, “WHERE,” to address wireless carrier, developer and consumer needs. Through a simple API, developers can rapidly create location enabled wireless products that are location-centric, leveraging Tele Atlas digital maps.
The winner of the Awards was loopt.
In the USA part of the regulatory requirements of Mobile Phones is a GPS function allowing the caller to be located when placing a 911 emergency call. This enables all sorts of innovative applications, including social networking. The loopt system is based on mobile phones connected to the Boost Mobile and has lots of neat features such as buddy location, messaging, proximity alerts etc. Operating on a permission based system you are guaranteed privacy and control over your buddy network.
Loopt is based in Palo Alto California. I actually visited San Jose after CES and unfortunately did not have a chance to get out there and meet them for a full demonstration. That will be one of the items on the top of my agenda next time I am in California.
Article by Mike Barrett on Tuesday, January 23 @ 18:08:16 UTC
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Mio introduce new devices but the DigiWalker H610 steals the show
Mio are now officially selling the C310x in the North American market, and have also introduced two new devices, the C520 and C250. But the H610 is a much more interesting device.
Similar to the Pocket Loox N100 the Mio H610 is a small, stylish device that is squarely targeted at the fashion conscious GPS buyer. There are a number of different face plates available to add a personal note (white, pink, black, chrome), and the software (MioMap 3.2) looks good too. The H610 is meant to be worn around the neck (it has a lanyard hinge for that) but it is also very pocketable.
As usual it comes not just with the GPS program but also with MP3 player, picture viewer and video player. It is definitely worth to look at it if you are in the market for "her" GPS.
Oh, the 520 has a widescreen 4.3" display which seems to trigger iGO (oops, Mio Map) to display two maps side by side, one for your current location and one for the upcoming turn. We will have to test if that adds much value.
Article by Lutz Bendlin on Wednesday, January 10 @ 07:04:55 UTC
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Navigon Announce the Porsche Design PND
Also on the Navigon stand was the new Porsche Design PND. I had seen this device all locked away behind plate glass at the IFA show in Berlin last year. Touching was not an option... Today however was a different matter... We were able to get up close and personal with the system...
With a brushed aluminum case the Porshe Design PND simply shouts style and design at you then you look behind the PND and see the mount and it is just super eye candy... I have already put in an order for a test sample for my car. In the mount is a secondary speaker enhancing the sound reproduction from the system. The front of the PND also has two small holes for a pair of microphones, one for noise cancelation.
Navigon Press Release
NAVIGON Directs New Porsche Design Personal Navigation Device P’9611TM Compromises Nothing with Subscription FREE Traffic and Sleek Design LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #6011) and CHICAGO, January 9, 2007 – NAVIGON, Inc, the leading navigation software provider, today offered the U.S. market a special sneak peek at the new P’9611 by Porsche Design Group, a best-in-class portable navigation device for the discriminating consumer. Designed as the ultimate luxury navigation product, the P’9611 packages the intuitive, full-featured NAVIGON experience in a super-sleek, timeless form factor Subscription FREE traffic for the lifetime of the product from NAVIGON – the first company in the navigation category to make such an offer – provides consumers with the ability to avoid traffic jams or obstacles out-of-the-box without the tedious unlock or subscription process. Built-in Traffic Message Channel (TMC) functionality automatically supplies the driver with alternative routes, and coupled with NAVIGON’s revolutionary lane assistant, offers seamless navigation guidance through complicated junctures. On multi-lane roads, NAVIGON software displays the path a driver must follow to maintain a projected route. Under the hood of the P’9611 is NAVIGON’s new MobileNavigator (MN) PremiumTM software, which reinvigorates the navigation user experience with a robust list of smart, intuitive category-leading features such as superior text-to-speech capabilities, “street first” or “city first” destination entry, and predictive spelling support. Additional software features include actual sign text, speed warnings, and automatic increases in navigation message volume to compensate for driving noise. The P’9611 includes the most comprehensive point of interest (POI) listings available for personal navigation devices (PND) through a strategic NAVIGON partnership with Zagat Survey. As the first PND to feature this functionality, drivers now have immediate access to five destination guides, including Zagat Survey’s Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts and Spas, America’s Top Restaurants, America’s Top Golf Courses, Attractions and Nightlife in 70+ US Cities/Locales to make informed destination choices. The millions of consumers worldwide who rely on Zagat Survey’s ratings and reviews now have immediate access to integrated content in their turn-by-turn driving directions. This partnership enhances the millions of POI listings, above and beyond lesser products, that are standard within NAVIGON’s MN software suite. “We’re thrilled to be a part of this product,” said Andreas Hecht, NAVIGON’s General Manager for the Americas. “It’s a beautiful realization of design and innovation and represents the cutting-edge of navigation.” Other key features include a high-contrast 480 x 272 touch screen, 520 MHz Intel CPU, dual processor platform, graphics accelerator chip, 64 MB of both RAM and ROM, high-sensitivity GPS receiver, hands-free Bluetooth communications kits, high quality built-in speakers, and a windshield cradle that is among the most thoughtfully designed in the category. The P’9611 will be available in Summer 2007, and will sell for an MSRP of $899. About Porsche Design Porsche Design is a global luxury men's brand and is determined by engineered products. Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche established the Porsche Design brand in 1972 whose products are attracting consumers with their technical innovation and represent functionality and timelessness in its purest form. Porsche Design products are sold in exclusive own retail and franchise stores, shop-in-shops, up-market department stores and exclusive specialist stores. For more information, visit www.porsche-design.com.
Article by Mike Barrett on Tuesday, January 09 @ 07:20:52 UTC
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Navigon and Fujitsu Siemens launch the Pocket Loox N100 in the US
The Pocket Loox has been available in Europe for some time now. I first saw it in Berlin back in September last year. Navigon and Fujitsu Seimens have today launched the Loox in the United States. Not only is the SatNav a small stylish product, but it also implements some of the latest features of the Navteq Mapping data, namely Signposting, and more interestingly Lane Awareness.
Lane Awareness is where you are on a multi-lane freeway and you need to be in the left hand lane or the right hand lanes, the Navigon application highlights where you should position yourself on the road. The ever sceptical Lutz put the device through some challenging trial routes which it passed with flying colours (sorry colors)...
We also met with Navigon's UK representitive who assured us that the Loox will be launched in the UK in the very near future.
From the Navigon/Fujitsu Seimens press release
Fujitsu Siemens Computers and NAVIGON Introduces the Pocket LOOX N100TM Ultra-portable navigation device delivers premium technology in the market’s thinnest, smallest, and hippest package LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #6011) and CHICAGO, January 8, 2007 – Fujitsu Siemens Computers, the leading European IT-provider, and NAVIGON, Inc, the leading navigation software provider, today unveiled the co-developed Pocket LOOX N100 to the U.S. market at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This light, compact, and ultra-portable industry first redefines the personal navigation device (PND) product category by offering a first-rate navigation experience with new on-the-go features and functionality.
Designed for dynamic lifestyles – business people, over-scheduled soccer moms, anyone on the go – the Pocket LOOX measures 0.6 inches (16mm) thin and weighs 3.9 ounces (110 grams), making it the thinnest and smallest multifunctional PND available. This pocket-sized device delivers heavyweight performance in a featherweight package as the perfect travel companion.
Featuring the largest display in its class, the Pocket LOOX 2.8 inch color screen is comparable to its heftier predecessors. The device, powered by a five-hour rechargeable lithium-ion battery, also sports a built-in MP3 player, video player, photo viewer and computer games in a trendy design that can hang off a keychain. The Pocket LOOX guarantees one-click operation; directed by NAVIGON’s customized MobileNavigator (MN) PremiumTM software featuring touch screen capabilities and a multilingual user interface. The Pocket LOOX is the first U.S. device to leverage the advantages of NAVIGON’s MN Premium software for rich and easy-to-use, audio-guided navigation. The company’s category-leading map display provides lane information, point-of-interest searches with branded icons along the route, speed limit information and warnings, road signs, and GPS auto-follow in tunnels – features typically reserved for high-end products. General availability of the Pocket LOOX begins at major U.S. retailers in Spring 2007 for an MSRP of $499. The Pocket LOOX is sold with a Mini SD card (up to 2 GB), car holder, car charger, AC adapter, USB cable, headphones, two face plates, and a quick reference guide. Additional information is available at www.navigonusa.com.
Article by Mike Barrett on Tuesday, January 09 @ 06:43:46 UTC
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Garmin showcase a pet locator
One of the most off the wall products on display on the Garmin stand was a pet locator. This is a blend of GPS receivers and short distance radio transmitters. The main system unit is a hybrid GPS/radio receiver which is about the size of the current Garmin 60cx but with an additional antenna. This is then supplemented by one or more remote GPS systems attached to your pets. These units report back to the master unit allowing all the pets to be tracked relative to the master location.
Garmin Product Data
Leave the hunting to your dog.
Tired of searching for your hunting dog in tall grass or dense cover? Now you can leave the hunting entirely to him. Introducing Astro™, the first high sensitivity GPS-enabled dog tracking system for hunters and sportsmen. This unique system pinpoints your dog’s position and shows you exactly where he is, even when you can’t see or hear him.
Attach Collar and Go
The Astro system includes a bright color-screen handheld GPS device and a wireless transmitter, called the DC 20. To get started, just take Astro outdoors and turn on the handheld and transmitter to acquire GPS satellite signals. Then attach the DC 20 to your dog, either with the included neoprene harness or by threading it onto an existing 1-inch e-collar. Now you’re ready to turn him loose — no other setup required.
Track Dogs in Dense Cover
As often as every five seconds, your dog’s DC 20 transmits his position to your handheld, and you can see his current location and a trail of where he’s been on the Map page of your handheld. Switch over to the Dog Tracker page to view a compass pointing to your dog’s location as well as his current status: whether he’s running, sitting, on point or treeing quarry. Astro can also sound an alarm to let you know instantly when your dog goes on point.
Astro boasts a high-sensitivity GPS receiver that can track your dog’s position even in the densest cover. You can track up to ten dogs at one time with Astro, at a distance of up to five miles away (depending on terrain). The system transmits information by line-of-sight, so it reaches farthest in flat, open territory.
Count Your Coveys
After you’ve captured your quarry, mark the exact spot with Astro’s Covey Counter™, a special waypoint that tells you the exact location, time of day and elevation where you found your prey, as well as the number of birds you flushed and took from that location. Astro lets you save other special waypoints, such as “Truck” and “Lodge,” so you can save the location of these places quickly and easily for each hunt. Astro also offers special waypoint icons to represent food plots, tree stands and other hunting-related points.
Experience Full-featured GPS
Astro shines when you’re out on the hunt, but it also excels in getting you back to your truck at the end of the day, or even back home again. In fact, the Astro handheld has all the features of Garmin’s top-line handheld outdoor devices, including a barometric altimeter, microSD card slot, celestial information, area calculator, rugged, IPX7 waterproof exterior and a revolutionary 3-axis compass, which works no matter how the handheld is oriented. With optional detailed city street maps, you can search for over 6 million points of interest and create a route on roads with exact turn-by-turn directions.
Article by Mike Barrett on Tuesday, January 09 @ 06:09:37 UTC
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Garmin introduce Garmin Mobile
Garmin are launching a new navigation system for mobile devices, with 'onboard' mapping for a range of different operating systems: Windows Mobile, Symbian and Palm. Initially these are to be bundled by wireless operator Sprint, but will become available separately both in North America and Europe later.
There are three different versions of this product Garmin Mobile 20 with the GPS in the cradle, Garmin Mobile 10 with a separate BT GPS, and Garmin Mobile XT user supplied GPS.
Garmin also have an offboard navigation solution bundled by the wireless operator Sprint. this is available on a multitude of platforms, including Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Symbian, infact it will be based on Java technologies so has a wide range of applications. The application requires 300-500kb of memory for the Java application. The mapping and routing are served from central servers over the wireless network. This implementation also includes Text To Speech also downloaded from the server.
Garmin also have a new service entitled Garmin Online, which includes downloading of traffic, and weather data, and the implementation of a new service called PeerPoint. PeerPoint sends an MMS message of your position on the screen along with co-ordinates. If the recipient has a mobile phone then it will just display your map screen, if you are running Garmin Mobile then the co-ordinates can be used to navigate to your friend.
Article by Mike Barrett on Tuesday, January 09 @ 05:59:59 UTC
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TomTom Announce Embedded Navigation Solution
TomTom Press Release:
TomTom creates the world’s first embedded portable navigation solution for the automotive industry
Automotive industry can now provide all the benefits of portable navigation devices fully integrated into the automobile
January 8, 2007, Amsterdam: TomTom, the world’s largest navigation solution provider, has developed the world’s first portable navigation device which can be embedded into vehicles through the dashboard or the radio. The unit will be in the market from summer 2007.
Car manufacturers have encountered difficulties in developing integrated satellite navigation systems that meet consumer demands for cost effective, easy to use and updateable navigation that features the latest innovations the industry has to offer.
TomTom’s innovative offering will see TomTom partner with car manufacturers and their suppliers to create new, smart ways to customise its award winning navigation technology into the look and functions of their cars. The TomTom units can be coupled with a radio, infotainment head unit, or built directly into the dashboard.
Using TomTom's patented technology, the touchscreen on the device can be used as an interface to the car’s entire entertainment system. Regardless of whether the TomTom device is built into a radio or a dashboard, a driver can control the radio via the touchscreen and the TomTom device will provide full audio integration with the car playing CDs and MP3s at Hi-Fi stereo quality, as well as spoken instructions and phone calls all via the car speakers.
Additionally, the TomTom device can be connected to the vehicle BUS system and sensors, such as speed impulse for enhanced functionalities.
Compared to traditional embedded navigation systems, the TomTom offering will have the following benefits:
· The user experience is improved as the unit is entirely portable and can be used in any other vehicle as a result of a built in battery and speaker, while remaining nicely integrated in the vehicle.
· TomTom’s offering is very affordable for end customers. · The unit can always be easily updated and upgraded to keep pace with the latest, fast moving consumer electronics technologies.
· All content and services provided by TomTom’s unique PLUS offering are available for this embedded system as well, managed through TomTom HOME. TomTom HOME is TomTom’s free software application enabling users to manage, download, store and transfer content from their computer onto their TomTom device.
Customers can enjoy easy control and functional benefits such as: hands free calling, iPod control, MP3 playback, control of the radio and CD player, synchronised radio volume controls and no wires, as power is taken from the car directly.
“For the first time, the automotive industry can truly participate in the huge growth of the portable navigation device market by taking advantage of TomTom’s expertise. This marks an industry first that we can now bring an affordable and practical solution to the automotive manufacturers and their suppliers to provide integrated, portable navigation to its customers,” Harold Goddijn, TomTom’s chief executive officer comments.
This unique offering is an example of how TomTom’s is expanding its offerings by working on solutions with the automotive industry that bring the best of both the consumer electronics world and the automotive world together. TomTom is able to offer innovative, affordable, easy-to-use navigation that is always updateable and upgradeable for the automotive industry.
TomTom and Fujitsu-TEN, an innovative manufacturer of products which enhance the in-car theatre entertainment and information experience, have developed the first embedded double-DIN radio navigation unit to feature a PND – the Eclipse AVN2210p which provides in-dash portable navigation with a CD/USB multi-source receiver. (See separate press release).
Article by Darren Griffin on Tuesday, January 09 @ 05:22:41 UTC
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TomTom announce availability of FM mounts for the x10 devices at 49 EUR
TomTom have announced the release of a new mount for the GO x10 series. This mount also includes a FM transmitter. If your GO x10 has software version 6.522 or later you can use this setup to transmit the navigation instructions to your car stereo. The FM transmitter also supports steroe sound so you can listen to the MP3s on your GO x10 through the car stereo too if you are so inclined.
In unrelated news TomTom announced an updated version of the TomTom One which seems to come with a large integrated flash memory. We'll visit the guys to seeif they have a device at hand, and let you know as we learn more.
The full press release follows:
TomTom to launch FM Transmitter Mount in Europe
- Available for European portable navigation customers for the first time: wireless integration of navigation instructions and music through car stereo –
8 January 2006 – Amsterdam: TomTom, the world’s largest navigation solution provider today announces it is launching the FM Transmitter Mount - a windscreen dock that enables drivers to use their car radio to wirelessly play navigation instructions, hands free calls and music from their TomTom device. The FM Transmitter Mount is compatible with the TomTom GO range, costs € 49, 95 and will be available from major retailers across Europe in February 2007*. TomTom is the first portable navigation supplier in Europe to make FM technology available for its customers.
The FM Transmitter Mount broadcasts navigation instructions and music from a TomTom GO device over the air to the car radio, like a short range radio station. TomTom GO users simply dock their TomTom GO on the new FM Transmitter Mount, tune the car radio to an unused FM frequency and select the same frequency on the TomTom GO. Turn by turn navigation instructions, hands free calls and music can now be heard in HiFi through the car stereo, without any unsightly cables cluttering the interior. The seamless integration between the TomTom GO and the car stereo also ensures that music stops when navigation instructions are played or (hands free) phone calls are made.
The FM Transmitter Mount is ideally suited to the TomTom GO 910, which has 12 GB of free memory space. This allows users to store up to 3,000 songs – enough to be on the road for up to 8 days without hearing a single song twice. TomTom GO 710 and TomTom GO 510 users can also hear the songs that are stored on their iPod over the car stereo, when the iPod is connected to their device**.
“TomTom continues to push the envelope when it comes to technology innovation,” says Éric Pité, vice president Product Management at TomTom. “This wireless solution using FM frequencies, allows drivers to be guided by clear voice instructions and hear their favourite songs through the car stereo for a more integrated and enjoyable driving experience.”
The FM Transmitter Mount will be available as an accessory and is currently compatible with the TomTom GO 910, TomTom GO 710 and TomTom GO 510. TomTom customers are required to have software version 6.522 or above, which is available when connecting to TomTom HOME. TomTom HOME is TomTom’s free software application enabling users to manage, download, store and transfer content from their computer onto their TomTom device.
* Price and availability may vary per country ** iPod Connect Cable is available as an accessory
Article by Lutz Bendlin on Monday, January 08 @ 19:59:34 UTC
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What is CES?
Quote from the CES Website: "Since 1967, CES has been the launch pad of technology, and this upcoming show promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Over the past four decades, the International CES has grown eight-fold and now hosts 2,700 exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services to more than 150,000 attendees.
The first CES took place in New York City, June 25-28, 1967, at the Americana and the New York Hilton hotels. Touting 110 exhibitors in 150,000 square feet, CES attracted 17,500 attendees and featured a government-industry symposium, merchandising seminars, an "all-industry" banquet (all inclusive price $10 per person) and an industrial historical display. The first solid-state television was introduced at the 1967 show, and exhibitors showed the latest in transistor radios, stereos and small-screen black-and-white TVs. In 1967 only 16% of U.S. households had a color TV, but by 1972, 49% owned one. Touch-tone phones began to replace rotary dials and Microsoft was founded (1975).
In the past 10 years, even more must-have products debuted at CES, and in the marketplace, cellphones and portable digital audio players became wildly popular items for all age groups. Now, as we approach the 2007 International CES – the 40th anniversary of what has become the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow – the average U.S. household has 21 CE products – up from 1.3 when the show first started."
PocketGPSWorld.com included the CES show in the list of "must attend" events for the first time last year. With the rapid development of GPS technology and the World's manufacturers, developers and suppliers using CES to showcase their current and future products it really is the place to be... As you can imagine the team have a love of technology above and beyond GPS, for us being out here it is like giving kids free reign in a toy factory :D.
Article by Mike Barrett on Saturday, January 06 @ 04:43:01 UTC
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