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IR blaster, bad range?

anyone else notice that the IR blaster range sucks? it literally has to be facing 100 percent forward at the thing.. you can't be off at any angle like on a normal remote or even my gs4.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 4

Yes, used it for 5 minutes...disabled it. Not responsive enough.

Damn, that sux to hear. You gonna return the device?
Sent from my LG-D800 using xda premium

Seems to be about a 15% range from left to right for me. I don't mind. I am always in front of the tv. It's just nice to have when im in bed and forget my remote.

If you look at the top of you G2 you'll notice the size of the IR sensor/transmitter. This is still an amazing feature (although an old one which should have been in phones a long time ago before they ditched the IRs). It doesn't have that great of a directional range because it's not a protruding light like on most controllers. Size is equal to sacrifice. Mine works amazing at around 10-15 feet if I aim it properly. It's also been dead on the first program try with every device in my house and work. I give this a huge credit for what they did.

ahh yeah. didn't know it correlated to size for ir to be honest. the gs4 blaster is a little bigger so maybe that's why it worked better. eh it's just a gimmick to me anyway haha.. kinda mad I spent 10 bucks on the smart remote app for the gs4 and it won't work on the LG though. ugh lol
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 4

jayochs said:
ahh yeah. didn't know it correlated to size for ir to be honest. the gs4 blaster is a little bigger so maybe that's why it worked better. eh it's just a gimmick to me anyway haha.. kinda mad I spent 10 bucks on the smart remote app for the gs4 and it won't work on the LG though. ugh lol
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 4
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The G2 has everything built in with its own app, no reason to use the other app. That one works great. I've had a few beers though so forgive me if I missed your point...lol

The built in app works great! I was able to control anything from my kitchen which is probably a good 25 - 30 feet from my tv/entertainment center. So I don't think the range for the IR is a problem.

toraRTC said:
The built in app works great! I was able to control anything from my kitchen which is probably a good 25 - 30 feet from my tv/entertainment center. So I don't think the range for the IR is a problem.
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From your kitchen direct view? Or around the corner? Cause around the corner would be more bluetooth or wifi connection. If that thing could hit direct view from 25-30 feet than damn, that thing had a hell of a powerful transmitter.

centrix said:
From your kitchen direct view? Or around the corner? Cause around the corner would be more bluetooth or wifi connection. If that thing could hit direct view from 25-30 feet than damn, that thing had a hell of a powerful transmitter.
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Direct view. We were standing in the kitchen.. pointed it at our stereo receiver and managed to change the volume through the kitchen, through the dining area, into the living room against the back wall. It's a pretty good distance, I was very impressed.

Just tried, confirmed....very bad angle. Range seems normal but it has to be almost directly pointed at the devices ir receiver to work.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 2

Eh, I need to practically be standing in front of my TV with my POS Time Warner Cable remote to use it, no big deal.

Yeah, no big deal. Even it worked awesome I would probably only use it a hand full of time's. No love lost
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Yup, IR blaster sucks you have to hold it pretty much pointing direct at the TV to work.
The IR blaster on the S4 kinda sucks too because it would lag, I would push a button on the S4 and the TV would respond 2 seconds later.
The best IR blaster is the one on the HTC one, thing has great range, responds instantly and best of all it doesn't have to be pointed perfectly at the TV to work.

As others are saying, to me it's not the range as much as the angle. I love the IR blaster feature and the app that controls it, but you have to have good aim ?
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 2

The HTC ONE blaster was absolutely a beast, better than remote. Also had some cool options to remind you of shows, but I rarely used it. Yes on this you need to really point it directly at tv
Sent from my VS980 4G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I can only get mine to work 5 to 7 feet away... And that is is pointing it straight.. So IDK if there is something wrong with my phone or what. The OE app is awesome and works great when I am that close, but outside of 7 feet it's unusable..
Is there anything I can do to improve range?

DXL007 said:
I can only get mine to work 5 to 7 feet away... And that is is pointing it straight.. So IDK if there is something wrong with my phone or what. The OE app is awesome and works great when I am that close, but outside of 7 feet it's unusable..
Is there anything I can do to improve range?
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I'm having the exact same issue. It's aweful. From my couch it doesn't work at all period no matter how perfectly I aim it.. If I lunch forward I can get it to work but it's not very consistent. This is a completely useless feature for me given it doesn't work from 8-10 feet away even with perfect angles. Seems like maybe my IR blaster is defective.. I definitely didn't buy the phone for that but thought it would be a useful feature.

Depends on the TV it seems. On my Sony TV it works great from far away and not straight angles. But on my Samsung TV or barely works from laying in bed and it has to be pointed pretty straight at it. So I guess it is TV related.
Sent from my LG-E988 using xda app-developers app

I find the remote works best when the phone is level or pointing slightly down. If it has to be angled up to reach the remote sensor on the device it doesn't work as well.

How is the IR blaster and the QuickRemote feature?

I am curious how the LG G2 IR blaster works as a remote control compared to the GS4 and HTC One? Is it very responsive to turning on your TV? What about for DVD/Bluray players or Air conditioners?

My good friend has an S4 and it works identical to his. Pretty much have to point the phone directly at the IR sensor. But that can also depend on the device you are controlling. But i do know the built in app, quick remote is a great app and has worked with every device I have currently. Tvs, sounds systems, dish, etc
Sent from my LG-D800 using xda app-developers app

Xbox as a DVD player in app, my pana plasma, my Yamaha receiver, pretty much everything but my myth box. Admittedly, I haven't put in any time trying my myth box.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4

it's pretty bad. there's absolutely no range. you have to literally be standing directly in front of what you're using.. not off to the side whatsoever. the gs4 had better range and angles.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 4

S4 works from any angle.. Tried and tested

jayochs said:
it's pretty bad. there's absolutely no range. you have to literally be standing directly in front of what you're using.. not off to the side whatsoever. the gs4 had better range and angles.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 4
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Interesting. The LG G2's IR blaster looks like the same size as the GS4 but way smaller than the HTC One. I don't get why it would have range or angle issues compared to the GS4.

Doesn't handle complex remotes from what I've seen so far. Tried to add a WMC remote and that was fail-tastic.

jayochs said:
it's pretty bad. there's absolutely no range. you have to literally be standing directly in front of what you're using.. not off to the side whatsoever. the gs4 had better range and angles.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 4
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Geekybiker said:
Doesn't handle complex remotes from what I've seen so far. Tried to add a WMC remote and that was fail-tastic.
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Those are precisely my observations with the Verizon G2:
Windows Media Center 7 is next to impossible to control unless I am nearly touching the IR receiver.
My Panasonic V10 plasma is also next to impossible to control unless I am 2-3 feet from the IR receiver.
I can't get my Denon AVR to control at all.
Looks like I'm sticking with Ceton's media center app and my harmony one for a while longer.

Anyone try a different IR app?

Awesome
I had the S4 before and I love the remote on the G2. It's more basic but on my stuff it's faster and doesn't have all the watch on junk I don't care about. Also you can access it from the notification bar from anywhere and you can use it on the lock screen even with a pass code.

I find that it works, but like others have mentioned you need a pretty good direct line of sight. I have it set up for my Sony TV, Sony Blu-Ray, Pioneer Receiver and my Xbox. TBH, I haven't tested how well the xbox controlls work, but I had to manually program it using a different Xbox remote that I already had. Based on previous use w/ a physical Xbox remote, the IR sensor in the Xbox is pretty crappy, I don't expect the G2 to be any better. Bottom line: It's convenient at times, and annoying at others. total wash.

Thanks for all the responses. I don't mind that I need to be line of sight in order to use the remote control feature because who honestly is not facing the TV or what not when they are using the remote. These IR blasters are a new thing on smartphones so I am sure future generations will be better.

ericdabbs said:
Thanks for all the responses. I don't mind that I need to be line of sight in order to use the remote control feature because who honestly is not facing the TV or what not when they are using the remote. These IR blasters are a new thing on smartphones so I am sure future generations will be better.
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I was excited to try out the IR blaster on my new verizon lg g2 and was very disappointed as well. It's not that you have to be facing what you are controlling but you need to be really close. My couch is probably 8-12 feet back from the tv depending on where you sit, and it doesn't even come close to controlling anything unless i reach all the way out and lift my arm all the way up so the angle is perfectly pointing at the device. It's incredibly awkward and a complete waste of time. Oh and that is if i'm at the closest distance, anything further and it doesn't work at all no matter how I angle it. Don't get me wrong I love this phone but the IR blaster is pretty much useless. Maybe mine is defective but even during setup when i was standing 4 feet away I had to click multiple times for it to do anything. I read a lot of reviews on the device and didn't see anyone complain about it until I started digging.. All the major sites just raved that it had an IR blaster and that it worked similar to the other recent phones that have come out with IR blasters.. No mention that it has horrible range at all. I only found this thread and 1 others talking about bad range.

Could someone post the APKs? I accidentally deleted mine when I was uninstalling all of the bloat.

Same problem here...totally useless. I have 4 different brands of tv' sand I only can get it to work on one of them. Will not work with any directv boxes. Total crap.

zhzaen said:
Same problem here...totally useless. I have 4 different brands of tv' sand I only can get it to work on one of them. Will not work with any directv boxes. Total crap.
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don't know about the negative comments but it seems to work great in my house Samsung hd tv sony hi fi and humax set top box hd all work excellently ? no problems whatsoever so not sure why maybe because im using it in a small room idk but ive no negative things to say about it

Works with my directv boxes and my Samsung tv. The drawback is you need to be close or our won't work.
Sent from my Verizon LG G2 VS980 using Tapatalk 4

I hate it to be honest because it doesn't work half the time before root and after root. That's the only thing I miss from my s4.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk now Free

What are good small devices to use for the Trusted Devices feature?

I like the idea of Trusted Devices but I'd like to pair it with something that's always on me so I almost literally never have to enter my PIN. The best would be something that's nearly as slim as a credit card that could go in my wallet or a very small nub that could go on my keyring. I've searched around but nothing seems perfect. Any ideas for this?

This is what you want, but it's not quite here yet.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sticknfind-bluetooth-powered-ultra-small-location-stickers
Here's another from eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiny-Anti-L..._eReader_Accessories&var=&hash=item53fd1a1c24

Seems rather impractical, as you'd always have to be connected to the bluetooth device, so it would need to be charged, and your phone would be using more battery/staying awake whenever it is connected.
This is exactly what the Moto Skip is for, but it's not a trusted device in the sense that it stays on all the time and you don't have to do anything to unlock.
There are two types of Skip devices, though. One is more "active" and will wake and unlock the device. This is the "nicer" option, and it uses a magnet to clip onto your shirt, pants pocket, etc. The other option is the more "passive" Skip, which are the Skip Dots that come with the Moto Skip. They are stickers that do the same thing as the Skip, but you have to wake the device and then touch them. If you have the device sitting on a Skip Dot on your desk, in your car, etc. and press the power button, then pick it up, it will be unlocked. With the Moto Skip proper, you just touch it and the phone will vibrate and unlock.
I bought a Moto Skip when I got my Moto X because it was half off, but I've never really used it. I have a 30 minute lock delay on my PIN, and check my phone pretty often, so it doesn't really ask for a password that much. I also use Bluetooth trusted devices in my car, with the GM in car phone connection.
Depending on where you spend the bulk of your time, look into Tasker and Secure Settings change PIN/password settings based on WIFI connections (home/work WIFI might be your "safe zone"), and lock it up when you're not connected to those.
Just my thoughts.

thehumble1 said:
This is what you want, but it's not quite here yet.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sticknfind-bluetooth-powered-ultra-small-location-stickers
Here's another from eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiny-Anti-L..._eReader_Accessories&var=&hash=item53fd1a1c24
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Wow.. That's like a professional.. Is it works on my old moto ?

DANIEL AMBRUSO said:
Wow.. That's like a professional.. Is it works on my old moto ?
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I bet it works only on BT 4.0+ since it can't have a large battery (probably a CR2032 or similar disk). I know that some BT 4.0 devices have 1-2 years of life between charges, but don't have much range or capability.
You didn't reference your "Old" Moto, but it will work with the X.

thehumble1 said:
I bet it works only on BT 4.0+ since it can't have a large battery (probably a CR2032 or similar disk). I know that some BT 4.0 devices have 1-2 years of life between charges, but don't have much range or capability.
You didn't reference your "Old" Moto, but it will work with the X.
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Thanks. it's out of my reference.. When i buy Moto x then i will try it.

Would a smart watch work?
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk 2

x2h said:
Would a smart watch work?
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Yep, using it with my pebble now.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

thehumble1 said:
I bet it works only on BT 4.0+ since it can't have a large battery (probably a CR2032 or similar disk). I know that some BT 4.0 devices have 1-2 years of life between charges, but don't have much range or capability.
You didn't reference your "Old" Moto, but it will work with the X.
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For my purpose (and I believe the OP's) - having something on you that is a trusted device - a range of 6 feet and the capability to pair with another device are all that's required.

xdp said:
I like the idea of Trusted Devices but I'd like to pair it with something that's always on me so I almost literally never have to enter my PIN. The best would be something that's nearly as slim as a credit card that could go in my wallet or a very small nub that could go on my keyring. I've searched around but nothing seems perfect. Any ideas for this?
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I've been waiting for something like this as well, but so far, nothing has popped up yet. Android central and the following posts are good. Was hoping the Chipolo would work but it seems to have lots of issues. Maybe the Gecko tag will work it is released.
http://www.adamlasnik.net/post/moto-x-trusted-bluetooth-devices-list/
http://forums.androidcentral.com/motorola-droid-maxx/306674-trusted-bluetooth-devices-8.html

The trusted device feature works wonderfully with both the Pebble and the Galaxy Gear watches. Conversely, I've had nothing but trouble with the Stick-n-finds. They refuse to pair for me.
Sent from my XT1060 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

hawkjm73 said:
The trusted device feature works wonderfully with both the Pebble and the Galaxy Gear watches. Conversely, I've had nothing but trouble with the Stick-n-finds. They refuse to pair for me.
Sent from my XT1060 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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I second the Pebble. It's my favorite feature of the Pebble actually.

IR Blaster or not?

As the title says, because I really rely on my Note 4's InfraRed capability, not for TV Remote, but for Shutter Release on my Nikon DSLR Camera.
Not having an included IR Blaster could well prove a deal breaker on the S8.
Does anyone know if there is a workaround?

I would like to know this too...
Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

No ir. Sry. Im upset too. Keeping my s6 for another year it seems

Samsungs never bringing this back..Sad
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I wonder why they ditched it ? i see no reason for it... the phones is more expensive for each year weird.. its a good thing to have on your phone bah

I'm definitely going to miss the ir blaster, I just got it back with the LG V20.
Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk

mortuus82 said:
I wonder why they ditched it ? i see no reason for it... the phones is more expensive for each year weird.. its a good thing to have on your phone bah
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seems not a lot of people have used it , and that feature was not popular enough
In addition, it may cost a lot of money to include it, so they have decided to invest the money on another things

i always carry my LG G2 everytime i stay at a hotel. i need it to change the hotel tv input to hdmi to stream por.n

No ir blasters yet they continue to include the hear rate sensor. Do people really use the heart rate sensor?

Aww man, this just reminded me that I'm gonna miss using my IR blaster on my S6. T.T From what I know, I don't believe there's gonna be an IR blaster. I could be wrong, but if I'm not, RIP IR blaster.
Bo$well said:
No it blasters yet they continue to include the hear rate sensor. Do people really use the heart rate sensor?
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I've heard that you can use it as another option for taking selfies with the front facing camera, at least that what the Samsung guy I talked to at Best Buy said, but besides that, I've only used the heart rate sensor a couple random times.

darixtorento1 said:
In addition, it may cost a lot of money to include it, so they have decided to invest the money on another things
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And it takes up space inside the phone. Your average person wants a huge display with a decent battery in a slim phone, they don't care about IR blasters in their phone.

LoliSmith said:
Your average person wants a huge display with a decent battery in a slim phone, they don't care about IR blasters in their phone.
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that's bull****!
i guess the average person dont care about qualcomn quick charge 4.0 either, which let you charge 5 minutes to get 5 hours of talk time. that' why they probably take away and NOT included quick charge 4.0

netnerd said:
that's bull****!
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No it's not. If the average consumer wanted them, they would be in the device. I don't know anyone IRL who uses them.

netnerd said:
that's bull****!
i guess the average person dont care about qualcomn quick charge 4.0 either, which let you charge 5 minutes to get 5 hours of talk time. that' why they probably take away and NOT included quick charge 4.0
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Chances are, the people here on XDA or those that understand specs and need the IR Blaster...are not your average consumers. People tend to choose a phone by brand marketing, how it looks and the screen size etc. Not everybody has a passion for technology or understands what RAM, SoC etc is and how it all works...they just want to use the phone. Apple don't push specs at all, they focus on what the average consumer needs/wants to know and it works for them.
It is really a niche feature. Doesn't mean that you or others don't want to have it, of course it's nice to have and I would have liked it too. It's just that Samsung have deemed it surplus to requirements, they don't think it's helping them to sell phones. They took away a less popular feature to save space, costs and maybe even improve the aesthetics. Annoying for some, but I'm pretty sure the majority wouldn't even notice.

yes. i'm sure the majority wont even notice the headphone jack is missing on iphone7 or people dont really care about headphone jack, that' why they took it away

Highspeed123 said:
They took away a less popular feature to save space, costs and maybe even improve the aesthetics. Annoying for some, but I'm pretty sure the majority wouldn't even notice.
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Correct.
---------- Post added at 06:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 AM ----------
netnerd said:
yes. i'm sure the majority wont even notice the headphone jack is missing on iphone7 or people dont really care about headphone jack, that' why they took it away
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The iPhone 7/7+ has sold very well despite the lack of a 3.5mm jack. You can still use 3.5mm headphones, you just need an adapter. And if the headphones have a lightning connector, those work fine. Even if they don't, the phone came with an adapter.

The IR blaster is dead along with CD's and VHS tapes. Line of sight device control is so 80's. Nothing I've purchase in the past two years relies on IR. Most are Wi-Fi or BT controllable with only one supporting RF (IR's beefier cousin) in addition to Wi-Fi. Hell, I have 40+ lightbulbs that are all Wi-Fi controllable. Time to let IR go. Each phone generation there are hues and cries about the loss of IR and FM radios. I'm surprised a thread on the latter hasn't appeared yet.

Well.. you can use something like a 3.5mm port IR blaster like this: https://www.amazon.com/Infrared-Universal-Wireless-Projector-Conditioner/dp/B01F54HKDU
I personally never tried it but theoretically it will work, just need the remote app able to convert the pulsing into audio to trigger the IR LED and it will light as pattern just like any normal IR blaster.

netnerd said:
yes. i'm sure the majority wont even notice the headphone jack is missing on iphone7 or people dont really care about headphone jack, that' why they took it away
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Apples to oranges. I'm certain that more people listen to music than need an IR blaster on their phone. Remotes do come with the products they purchase, usually. There was a big Internet explosion over the loss of the headphone jack, the IR blaster is dying out with a whimper. In fact, I only see complaints on enthusiast forums such as XDA. That says it all.
That being said, tech is moving on. It's sad to lose something that is so well known but the future is wireless and the same thing can be said about IR. My TV has many different ways to control it, with or without IR blasters or the remote.

No InfraRed ?? 950€ and no InfraRed ??
I'm upset me too ! I will return to Xiaomi immediately !
Ridiculous: I changed to Samsung S4 and then S5 also for theyr Amazing InfraRed = Remote control ... !!
Nothing to add...

Anyone else missing the removal of the ir blaster?

I feel like the Ir Blaster is a very underrated feature, I mean you can literally control everything in your house with it.
Edit: Mods move to guides, news & discussion please

Nah not really.....you can get an OTG microUSB IR blaster + OTG MicroUSB to USB C adapter + ZaZa remote app to make up for it.
All hardware total price is $17 on Amazon with prime. Zaza is free.

Check the LG G6 accessories thread. I bought a Broadlink RM Mini 3 (A.K.A the black bean). Works flawlessly so far.
Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

skyfox99 said:
Check the LG G6 accessories thread. I bought a Broadlink RM Mini 3 (A.K.A the black bean). Works flawlessly so far.
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Hmmm yea excellent alternative for home. I might pick one up.
However I spend half my week in hotels, .....the ones I mentioned I'll keep for the hotel TVs.

That's understandable then, method requires a WiFi LAN.
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This has become a deal breaker now. I use the app for my cable box, bluray, all of my tv's, my soundbar.. I need a convenient remote I can just pull out if I can't find the others.. This sucks big time. No root, no remote, that stupid in call floater.. Going back to my V20. Too many features taken away and not enough good ones added.

Yeah, with it being in the G3, G4 and V10, I just assumed it would be in there. But, I didn't thoroughly research this phone and you know what they say about assuming....guess I'll keep my G4 around as an extra remote and rooted device.

I have been using the IR blaster I've mentioned above. It has been very solid, even works well with Google Home, IfTTT, and an old Android phone running a bridge. I would certainly recommend it. I will likely end up getting another one for the bedroom.
It's nice (also extremely lazy) as I don't even use the remote app often. Just "Hey Google, turn up the TV."
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