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Huawei Launches P40 Series Online

Marty
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Huawei Launches P40 Series Online

I used to work in a phone shop. Literally selling phones. It was a very enjoyable job. I’m sure a lot of that was down to me loving tech and chatting with people. I remember selling a few Huawei P8s and P9s back in the day. They were decent phones. Huawei started bringing some specs from the flagship-class into mid-range price points. It really shook things up a bit. Fast forward a couple of years and Huwaei have become a dominant smartphone maker mainly down to the incredible P20 Pro which launched a few years back.

Today Huawei launched the P40 Series, the latest in their popular series of photography-focused phones. My romantic intro there was triggered by me knowing that the P40 Pro could very well shake up the smartphone market again, just like the P8 did back in the day. While I’ve just started testing the P40 Pro out, here’s what it offers on paper and why it might just rattle a few cages.

Commence The Apple v Google v Huawei Battle

It’s always interesting seeing smartphone manufacturers battle but for years it was just the same cycle.

  1. Samsung launches
  2. Huawei launches a slightly higher spec phone than Samsung
  3. iPhone comes out, nowhere near the two but delivers great ecosystem so people love it

Because Google can no-longer officially support Huawei, the Chinese manufacturer has decided to go it alone with the Huawei AppGallery and Huawei Mobile Services. Right now, this does leave Huawei at a bit of a disadvantage as their AppGallery and app experience in general is remarkable given how quickly it’s been put together, but still leaves quite a bit to be desired for the vast majority of users.

The interesting thing right now is what happens if Huawei gets this right? What happens if they get all the app developers on board? Huawei has the potential to pose a threat to Google and Apple that Microsoft tried to pose with Windows Phone. The fact Windows Phone doesn’t exist any more also tells you the stakes are high here.

so beyond this issue which I feel, I’ve written about a million and one times, what does the P40 Pro look on paper?

What Phones Did Huawei Launch?

Huawei already launched the P40 Lite last month. I feel that was testing the water because they don’t usually split the launch of the P40 Series like this. Anyway, in addition to this phone, Huawei launched three others. Here’s the full P40 Series:

  • Huawei P40 Lite
  • Huawei P40
  • Huawei P40 Pro
  • Huawei P40 Pro+

The big one here and the one I’m going to focus on is the P40 Pro. Yep, I’m taking the Goldilocks approach. The P40 is too mid-range and the P40 Pro+ is too high end!

The P40 Pro Camera

The P stands for photography. People often ask me if Huawei can really succeed without the support of Google. My answer is always the same. They can if they improve the HMS experience a bit and keep nailing their smartphone camera hardware. The P40 Pro shows the start of Huawei building out the HMS experience and would also appear to be innovating with their photography hardware.

P40 Pro camera

P40 Pro: Photography Software

I’m going to make an unusual callout here. One of the biggest developments for the Huawei P40 Pro is the Kirin 990 5G chip. The Kirin 990 chip featured in the Mate 30 Pro that I’ve been test-driving for the past while. The Mate Series always focuses on experience, design and build. It makes the odd sacrifice when it comes to the camera. But on the Mate 30 Pro, I noticed that photos were sometimes better than the P30 Pro.

Now, this might now sound like much but I remember that the P20 Pro always took superior photos than the Mate 20 Pro and that made sense. The game-changer for me has to be the Kirin 990 chip.

This chip powers the AI-assisted photography modes in the Mate 30 Pro. Little things like adjusting colours and white balance while also knowing how to differentiate between subjects and backgrounds of a photo for blurring and bokeh effects. I’ve never seen a phone handle this kind of smart assistance as well as the Mate 30 Pro. But why am I harping on about the wrong phone?

Well, the P40 Pro also has the Kirin 990 chip. In fact, it’s got the slightly upgraded Kirin 990 5G. Combined with some incredible photography hardware, I can’t wait to see what the P40 is capable of when I give it the full-on review treatment.

Huawei claims the P40 Pro will be able to take “studio-like” portraits and this will largely come thanks to the Kirin 990 5G chip onboard. This chip also lets you remove pesky passersby from the background of your shots too.

If you like shooting sports, the P40 Pro’s AI has been trained on seven different sports to know what the best shots are taking postition, gestures, emotions and the likes into account.

Finally, the AI does something really nerdy. If you’re like me and enjoy taking photos of old artefacts in museums, the P40 Pro removes reflections form photos when taking pictures of glass cases. It’s pretty niche, but again, it shows the power of that Kirin 990 chip.

Actually, speaking of hardware.

P40 Pro: Photography Hardware

As always, Huawei has once again teamed up with Leica to design their lenses. Leica building lenses is like Germans building cars. You just trust them.

Primary Camera

The P40 Pro builds upon the exciting software innovations with some impressive hardware upgrades. On the rear, you’ll have a quad camera with what Huawei is calling their Visionary Super Main Camera (Wide Angle, f/1.9, OIS). Alongside this lens is a Cinematic Camera (Ultra-Wide Angle, f/1.8).

Zooming has become a bit of a trend these days. The zooming capability of the P30 Pro was scary, but sometimes a little useless because of how shakey your hands appear at long-range zooms. Huawei has tackled this with additional stabilisation that should make the long-range telephoto lens (f/3.4, OIS) much more user friendly.

Selfie Camera

Huawei has opted for the in-screen selfie camera on the P40 Pro which now has two front-facing cameras in the screen. The selfie camera is a 32MP lens combined with a depth camera too. The result should be some cracking selfies but only time will tell.

The in-screen camera is quite cool but I’ll need to wait and see if it ends up being distracting or not. With that thought placed to the side, for now, it’s time we talk about that screen.

P40 Pro Display

I thing the waterfall-style horizon display was one of the things that made me fall in love with the Mate 30 Pro in Munich. While the P40 Pro isn’t quite as dramatic, Huawei really didn’t want to waste any space when it came to their new display. The P40 Pro boasts a 6.58-inch display and a primary focus on killing bezels. You’re left with a really thin forehead and slightly thicket chin on the phone, but the amount of screen on show here is stunning.

P40 Pro display

The curved corners did take me by surprise a little, but beyond that Huawei has been bold enough in their design of this display.

While the display doesn’t pack enough punch to beat match that of the S20+, S20 Ultra or iPhone 11 Pro Max, it does beat the Huawei Mate 30 Pro from last year. It also brings a 90Hz refresh rate for crisper navigation and mobile gaming.

Other Key Huawei P40 Specs

I’m not going to dwell on these other features too much but they are certainly noteworthy.

Battery

There’s one thing that I will forever back Huawei for; battery efficiency. I’ve never seen a phone like it and that’s looking at a range of flagships over the years. By today’s standards, the P40 Pro’s 4200 mAh battery is far from remarkable on paper. However, I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of life I get from this 4200 mAh when paired with the impressive Kirin 990 5G chip and all the other AI-assisted power management on the P40 Pro.

AI Measure

I feel Huawei’s additional time invested in the likes of Huawei Mobile Services will lead to some serious innovation. One of these is AI Measure. What better way to measure social distancing that with your very own AI-powered smart ruler!

Huawei Music and Huawei Cloud

It’s all about the eco-system. The more services Huawei can get you bought into the less of a problem this whole Google-revolt thing becomes. That’s the warts and all side of the business. Make no bones about it, Apple and Google do the same thing while Samsung tries but just aren’t very good at it.

With the P40 Pro also comes added focus on Huawei Music and Huawei Cloud services. I’ll give these their own test in time, but did you know Huawei Cloud is run right out of Ireland? There you have it. Useless fact of the day.

Huawei decided everyone could use a little music in their lives right about now and have decided to make their new Music platform free for all Huawei phone owners for three months. This was a last-minute decision as it was initially only supposed to be for customers buying the new phone. Nice little touch there. Huawei Music will have 1,200,000 albums by 600,000 musicians from over 100 record companies.

5G By Default

This craic is well underway now. Samsung launched its S20 Series with a massive focus on 5G. It’s expected that Apple will do the same later this year. The P40 Pro is 5G by default. The model I’ve been testing out is actually dual-sim too so it’ll be interesting to see if all P40 Pro’s hitting Ireland are dual sim too.

Right now, 5G is offered by Vodafone and Eir while Three, Virgin Media, Tesco Mobile and Lyca have yet to make any move in this space. 5G is growing for sure, but its also not a massive attraction for most consumers right now. Still, it’s always nice to know your phone is future-proofed a little.

Huawei AppGallery

The biggest aspect of the Huawei P40 Series launch is knowing this is really the start of Huawei’s journey without Google Mobile Services. I’ve already been testing out the Huawei Mate 30 Pro purely to see what living with a phone without Google Mobile Services is like. If you’re interested in knowing what apps are available (yes Disney+ plus is there and it works) you can read all about it over in that article.

I predict that many will be underwhelmed by the AppGallery at first, but in a few months and certainly by the time we see the P50 Series hit the market, you’ll be impressed with how quickly Huawei got their act together on this. I’ve said myself I’m measuring them by Huawei Pay, a service that Samsung failed to bring their version of to mass market.

Where And When You Can Buy The Huawei P40 Series

The Huawei P40 Series is available to buy from April 7th 2020. I’ll come back and update this section once we know the price and range from Ireland’s smartphone retailers. It is worth noting that phone shops have been declared an essential service under current Covid-19 actions taken by the government. While there are more important things in life than phones, if you’re a nerd like me isn’t it nice to get the little lift of a new gadget!

 

 

 

Hands-on Testing: How Do Huawei Phones Work Without Google?

Marty
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0
Hands-on Testing: How Do Huawei Phones Work Without Google?

Today Huawei launched the long-awaited P40 Series. I say long-awaited, but I could also say “much-discussed” and maybe even “most controversial” when talking about this phone launch. The Huawei P40 series is the first major consumer phone launch for Huawei since the American Google was forbidden from officially supporting the Chinese manufacturer.

I’ve been test-driving last year’s Huawei Mate 30 Pro and, more briefly, the Huawei P40 Pro to answer the big question. How do Huawei phones work without Google?

The Google-Huawei Problem

It still seems odd to me that Donald Trump can tweet something and it makes a massive impact on the rest of the world. The U.S. President effectively threw his toys out of the pram about China and trade. The knock-on effect was quite incredible. In short, the American Google would no longer be allowed to directly deal with or support Huawei. As a result, Huawei phones could no longer ship with Google Mobile Services or popular Google Apps such as YouTube or Gmail. I’ve covered the Google-Huawei problem in more detail before, but it’s important to remind everyone what’s going on.

I’ve now gotten to see the reality of this issue going beyond headlines in economics newspapers. It seems like decades ago at this stage when I was in Munich with the new Huawei Mate 30 Pro. Like it’s predecessor, the Mate series has a special appeal. Huawei sacrifices some camera hardware in place of pure build quality and style. It’s designed for business people. and the Mate Series produces gorgeous phones. I’d argue the Mate 20 Pro is still my favourite phone.

The Mate 30 Pro appeared to be offering something special too. The combination of Huawei AI-assisted software and incredible hardware meant the camera sacrifices weren’t all that notable when compared to the design gains. Anyway, the big problem for the Mate 30 Pro was the fact it didn’t have Google. In my opinion, it just wasn’t a big enough phone to overcome the lack of Google Mobile Services and Huawei held back. Speaking in Barcelona, Huawei CEO, Richard Yu, also mentioned this was the reason the company held back the original Huawei Mate X folding phone. Ultimately, this all meant the Mate 30 Pro wasn’t coming to Ireland and we’d have to wait and see how a Google-free Huawei flagship worked.

Using A Huawei Phone Without Google

A few months ago, Huawei sent me the Mate 30 Pro. The goal wasn’t really to evaluate the phone itself because it wasn’t going to launch in Ireland. Instead, the plan was to test out Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and what a smartphone without Google is really like. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.

the huawei Mate 30 Pro
The Huawei Mate 30 Pro

Do Huawei Phones Run Android?

This is one of the most asked questions when it comes to these new HMS Huawei phones. It’s understandable too. The answer is simple though. Yes, Huawei phones still run Android. There’s a difference between Android and Google Mobile Services. Android is the operating system and it’s open sources so everyone can use it. Google Mobile Services is the system that ties together a huge number of apps from Google including the Google Play Store. So, the issue was never about Android. Instead, it was about Huawei having to break from the Google eco-system.

What Does Huawei Have Instead Of The Google Play Store?

Huawei has created the Huawei AppGallery. At their event in Barcelona, Huawei bit the bullet and confirmed they would now be competing with Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store. The only problem is that Huawei is scrambling to get apps into the Huawei AppGallery.

Huawei AppGallery

To be honest, you’ll find more apps are missing from your list of favourites than are in there right now. I do believe Huawei when they say they’re working hard to get apps added because they’re flying into the AppGallery at a woeful rate. That’s the country interpretation of woeful by the way, which means it’s happening really quickly.

What About Apps Not In The Huawei AppGallery?

Naturally, as soon as I booted up my phone, I went to install WhatsApp. Nadda. No can do. Not in the AppGallery. However, there is a link to WhatsApp’s official website. See, many apps now offer an official source to download their APK from. An APK is an installation file. On laptops, this would be similar to .exe or on Mac, it’s .dmg.

Installing from the WhatsApp site was simple and straight forward. The only issue I did hit here was the fact WhatsApp on Android can only backup or restore messages from Google Drive. There’s a manual way of doing this, I just need to get around to it.

And When An App Isn’t Available From An Official Source?

When it comes to installing apps outside an approved app store, things do get a little shadier. I’m quite comfortable out here in the shade, to be honest, but I understand it’s not for everyone. Installing from anywhere that I haven’t mentioned already does bring some added risk. Fake versions of apps or copied apps with malware added can be found littered around the internet. I would really only recommend the following methods of installing apps if you’re confident and comfortable in doing so.

APKPure

APKPure is a third-party app store. Here, you can find nearly every APK under the sun. APKPure itself is an app that you install which then works very similarly to the Google Play Store or Huwaei AppGallery. However, there were a few apps I installed from APKPure which still didn’t work because they required Google Mobile Services. When this happens, your goose is cooked. You’ll need to wait for an official app to emerge on the Huawei AppGallery.

One massive positive of APKPure is the fact it doesn’t care about geo-restrictions. You can download any app you want in any country. Sometimes it’ll work, others it might not, but it’s always worth a crack.

Considering it’s the hot topic right now, this is actually how I installed Disney Plus on my P40 Pro. I can confirm it works a charm!

APK Generation

This was a sneaky method I’ve been using myself for years – even on phones with GMS. You’ve searched for your favourite app in the Huawei AppGallery and APKPure, but no luck. It’s time to make your last stand.

Generating your own APK files is remarkably easy and practically removes the risk of downloading a dodgy app posing as a trusted app. I found this great for when there’s an Irish app with little international appeal that simply hasn’t found its way onto APKPure’s radar.

To generate an APK file, just do the following:

  1. Using your favourite search engine in your mobile browser, type in the name of the app you’re looking to download along with Google Play Store.
  2. Next, open the app within the Google Play Store within your mobile browser.
  3. Copy the URL of the app within the Google Play Store.
  4. Next, head on over to this APK generation website. I’ve saved this to my mobile home screen for future reference
  5. Tap generate download link and then download the file when available.
  6. Next, open the file you’ve just downloaded and, if required, select allow installation from unknown sources.

Again, this isn’t a foolproof method of installing every single app you need. I used this to try and install my KBC app, but because of the security required in such an app, I just couldn’t get it to work. However, between APKPure and this APK generation method, I’ve gotten the vast majority of apps I was after. But what about those I didn’t?

Important Mention: Phone Clone

Phone clone is an awesome app from Huawei which you install on your old phone. Using your new phone, you scan a QR code on the screen of your old phone and the two phones connect. You can then transfer files, photos apps and all from your old phone to your new HMS Huawei phone. Like many of the options I’ve mentioned so far, it’s not foolproof and does have a few gaps. However, with all these methods combined, I believe the vast majority of users will be fine.

Getting Google Apps Onto A HMS Huawei Phone

Ok, so with all the tricks of the trade there, I’m still left without a Google app on my phone. So what are you options when it comes to Google apps?

Sideloading Google Mobile Services

This was the much shadier and dodgier of approaches when it comes to getting your new Huawei phone up and running. Basically, what this approach entails is you installing what the U.S/China trade war forbids you from having. Sounds serious right? You’d think it’s mega hard right?

This step took me less than five minutes. I’m not going to walk you through this process, but I got it done the first time, no practice shots, all down to following YouTube tutorials.

I’m not going to dwell on this point too much because this is a risky approach. You could damage your phone and leave countless vulnerabilities open on your phone.

I will say that once completed, the vast majority of features on my phone worked perfectly. It’s easier for me to call out what didn’t work – and that’s Google Pay. Google Pay needs the phone to be nice and locked down, passing Play Protect certification to protect payment methods. Looking back, I really can’t remember any other scenarios where I felt I was using anything other than a regular smartphone.

The real problem here is that this specific method has been highlighted by Google as something we should be avoiding. While you can sideload GMS, it’s not being officially supplied by Google which means there could be added vulnerabilities.

It’s one of those options I would take on myself no problem, but I really can’t recommend you do it. Also, given that I can see Huawei getting their HMS platform flying it in no time, I don’t even think it’s really worth it. I’ve been rather enjoying my break from Google, to be honest. Except for YouTube.

How To Install YouTube On the Huawei P40 Pro With HMS

Some apps are worth the risk, aren’t they.

I’m actually not a massive YouTube fan. I enjoy the odd binge into mad videos as much as anyone. For example, yesterday I watched a video of how an old DC-3 got flown across the Atlantic. Also, YouTube is great for when you need to change a bulb in your car or something.

Of course, on the likes of the P40 Pro or Mate 30 Pro, you can’t install YouTube. Even if you manually install the APK file using a method above, the app just won’t work. Fortunately, someone has created a clone of the app and it works a charm. Download this YouTube Vanced app and you’ll be up and running in no time.

Unfortunately, you can’t sign in or subscribe to channels, but you can binge.

Speaking of binging. There are plenty of other apps you might be looking to install.

How To Install Netflix On The Huawei P40 Pro With HMS

Again, I’d move the earth to make sure I have Netflix on my phone. A quick Google led me to a post about installing Netflix on the Huawei Mate 30 Pro. It worked a charm for my P40 Pro too. Just download that file and install. You’ll be back up and running in no time!

This app even lets me Chromecast which blew me away a little if I’m honest.

Can I Install Disney+ On The Huawei P40 Pro?

I figured this is going to be a pretty big question considering both launch in the same week while we’re all locked inside! Yes. You can install Disney+ using the APKPure method above. I’ve been streaming loads of Disney classics on my P40 Pro so kick back and enjoy!

Installing Amazon Prime Video On The Huawei P40 Pro

Just like Disney+, you can install Amazon Prime Video on your new Huawei P40 Pro using the APKPure method. Boom. Done.

Apps That Work With The Huawei P40 Pro

Now, this isn’t going to be an exhaustive list. This is just the list of essential apps I’ve installed myself. If you want, drop a comment below and I’ll try to install an app for you to see if it works.

  • WhatsApp
  • Facebook
  • Messenger
  • Instagram
  • RTÉ News Now
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Office
  • LinkedIn
  • Podcast Go
  • Radio FM
  • Revolut
  • Untapped
  • TikTok
  • Disney+
  • Adobe Photoshop Mix
  • Netflix
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Instagram Layout
  • Bose Connect
  • 1Password

Living Without Google: The HMS Verdict

To be honest, it’s grand for me. I don’t mind a little bit of running around to get my favourite apps working. I have found that there are a few things I don’t check so much because I’m missing the apps. The truth of it is though, is that I’m checking things less and it doesn’t really impact my life negatively at all. Maybe it’s even positive. I took the past while living with HMS as a test to see if I could cut Google out of my life. The resounding result there is yes.

Using an HMS phone like the Huawei P40 Pro isn’t going to be for everyone. As Steve Jobs once said, the great thing about Apple products is that they “just work”. Right now, if you were to move to a P40 Pro, I don’t think things would be that straight forward. But I never thought they would be. I’ve been waiting to see what the P40 Pro hardware is like so I can make a big call on this. Is the hardware worth the inconvenience of a phone that takes a bit of effort to run?

Whether or not it is worth the effort, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait and see as I’ve only just started reviewing the P40 Pro. But there is a positive to take from my assessment so far. From my extended time with the Huawei Mate 30 Pro, I can confirm that living with a Huawei smartphone in your pocket running Huawei Mobile Services is fine. The experience is only going to get better over time too as more apps and services are onboarded.

I said in the past that this whole debate started out as Huawei without Google, but it could quickly become Google without Huawei. Only time will tell, but the journey as certainly started.

Thinking of buying a P40 Pro but worried that your favourite must-have app won’t work? Drop it into the comments below and I’ll try to install it for you. Keep it clean.

 

 

 

Phantom Hazy IPA: The White Hag Host Ireland’s First Online Beer Launch

Marty
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0
Phantom Hazy IPA: The White Hag Host Ireland’s First Online Beer Launch

Right, well it’s safe to say we’re probably going to be in this situation for another while, right? The bars are shut. loads of restaurants are shut. Life as we know it has changed dramatically for the coming weeks and months. Businesses are going to be under pressure. One area of business I’m looking to support more is craft breweries. Tonight, The White Hag Irish Brewing Company hosted the first every online beer launch in Ireland.

Who Are The White Hag Irish Brewing Company?

Hailing from Ballymote, County Sligo, The White Hag Irish Brewing Company was founded in 2013. The brewery was founded by Brewmaster Joe Kearns, the Storyteller Pádraig Staunton and the Bean Counter Paul Mullin. Their goal: to build an innovative and ambitious brewery in Sligo. Today, they’re a team creating some of the finest craft beer in Ireland. They do it all with an Imperial Oatmeal Stout, an Irish Bog Ale, an Irish IPA, a WIT Beer, a White IPA, an Imperial Sour Red and an Oatmeal Chocolate Milk Stout all on offer.

For the past few months, they’ve been brewing a range of beers to get through Paddy’s Day and beyond. That’s a Paddy’s Day that didn’t happen. If you could imagine Christmas not happening for the toy industry, this is what just happened to the craft brewing industry.

So with barrels of beer set to launch and the pubs closed, what’s The White Hag to do? Why it’s launch it online of course.

Phantom Hazy IPA Launch

With a laptop streaming Facebook Live and two phones covering Instagram and Periscope on Twitter, the lads cracked open a few new beers to an audience of a couple of hundred onlookers. The event had been announced a few days ago and drops were made in select off-licenses so people could have a can for the launch. You could also buy online.

Obviously, we’re all much more open to the idea of video conferencing and video calling. My own mother has managed to have a glass of wine with a friend over WhatsApp video calling just last night. We’re a nation in isolation who just doesn’t want to feel isolated.

However, for the likes of The White Hag, there’s a lot more at stake.

Saving Craft Brewing

Honestly, it really wasn’t that long ago I didn’t understand craft beers. I’d look at the atypical “craft wankers” and scoff. I’m now an absolute “craft wankers”. Today, I toddled over to Craft Central’s store and dropped fifty quid on cans. Why?

To be honest, I wanted to stock up for the coming weeks (days – who am I kidding). I was going to do an order with Brewdog but then I figured, you know what. They probably have hundreds of ordres going into hundreds of distribution centres around the world. It might not be fair logic, but that’s why I went and supported the local off-license.

Ok, I’m totally appreciating that these are the romantic words of a potential alcoholic. The truth of the matter is many breweries most likely won’t be here by the time this crisis clears up. You can be sure the likes of Heineken and Guinness won’t go anywhere, but these tasty and carefully crafted IPAs and stouts could very easily be a thing of the past unless we support the breweries.

Now, there are more important things than ales. Of course, there are. I’m just saying I’m glad I was able to support an Irish business tonight in launching a new beer. I’ll be supporting them through a few launches, hopefully long into the future. There’ll be more online launches and remember you can order your beers directly from The White Hag or from some cracking online stores like Craft Central. Craft Central is just off Stephen’s Green too if you’re Dublin-based.

In the coming weeks and months, you’re going to see craft breweries getting more creative. Brewdog has just teamed up with Deliveroo who now also offer contactless delivery. The White Hag team has promised more madness in the coming weeks. Others are getting in on the act too with a band, The Scratch, opting to release their new album early off the back of a free Paddy’s Day gig they did on YouTube. Everyone is adjusting to this new way of living and we’re all getting creative. Breweries will too so this could be the best time every to get into a new hobby. Craft beer tasting.

Phantom Hazy IPA: The Verdict

Oh, go on. How often will I get to rate a beer on a tech blog? As tenuous a link as the live stream was, I’m taking it.

The Phantom Hazy IPA is everything I look for in a beer. When I started out with IPAs I thought it was the Double IPAs I liked. Being honest, I still have no idea what I’m tasting or enjoying when I’m drinking, but it was dangerous thinking that only liked 9% beers!

The Hazy IPA from The White Hag is a love 4% IPA that you can let yourself put a few away without worrying about the stumble home. I call these hazy ones chewy. I don’t know why, but for me, that’s what I look for. It’s gorgeous and I’m glad I found a 4% IPA that I really like.

Throw me a follow on Untappd if you want to see my voyage of discovery into the world of craft beers continue.

Update: Back in March I said we might be light this for a while. Now it’s December and brewers need you more than ever. The White Hag is now offering great value craft beer gift packs, the perfect gift idea for any beer fan!

The Platform: An Unfortunately Apt Look At Modern Society On Netflix

Marty
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0
The Platform: An Unfortunately Apt Look At Modern Society On Netflix

I’ve just finished watching The Platform. It resonates to an uncomfortable level given the headlines we see now on a daily basis. I’m not going to be writing a spoiler-free review. Instead, I’m taking a closer look at the movie through the lens of the Covid-19 crisis.

What is The Platform about?

The Platform is a new Spanish language movie on Netflix. The story takes place in an interpretation of prison. This prison is a tower where each cell takes up one floor. Each floor is home to two prisoners. All they have is a bed each, a shared sink and toilet. They also have a gaping hole in the ceiling and a hole in the floor. Each month, the prisoners are gassed and moved with their cellmate to a new floor.

Each day, a platform passes through the hole in the ceiling and stops in the cell. For just a few moments, the prisoners have a chance to eat. How much food they get to eat relies largely on the floor they are situated on. Each month, how much food they get will vary dramatically.

The further down the chain you are, the less food. Eventually, the platform goes to floors where there isn’t even a scrap left for the prisoners.

Hidden and not so hidden meaning in movies

At last year’s Oscars, Parasite was the shock victor for many categories, including Best Picture. At its core, Parasite was a complex metaphor about South Korean class structure. The Platform isn’t as complex or subtle about its message.

The Platform passing through the cells carries with it enough food for everyone. However, overconsumption by those who can, those in the higher levels, means there’s less and less for those below. Some in the higher levels have past memories of having nothing, taking a platform with food as their opportunity to feast. And to feast, while it lasts.

This is a story of inequality and the problems of class structure, some of which is strikingly similar to that of Parasite. The main character attempts to plead with those in the cell below him, eventually threatening to defecate in the food on the platform if they do not start to ration food for the lower levels. However, he understands the limitation of his logic as he cannot “shit upwards”.

The eerie resonance of The Platform

It’s hard to not look at the world without the lens of Covid-19 right now.

Death from above

We live in a capitalist society. When I was younger, I always felt these “ist” titles were negative from learning about them in history. Really they’re just descriptive. Our capitalist society has struggled in recent weeks because of panic buying. When the opportunity presents itself, some people have shown that they will look after their own individual self rather than the collective well-being of the many.

Shelves in stores have been emptied, ravaged by over-consumption, disregarding the needs to those elsewhere who are likely more vulnerable. Watching the movie, it was impossible not to overlay today’s events onto the story. In many ways, other elements of the story are also eerily fitting. It’s a little creepy how good Netflix is getting as this timing of stuff given it was less than two months ago they released a documentary about pandemics.

Help from above

The Platform also tells us that help from above might not always be so reliable. Again, this is a hard realisation hitting many these days. China, the United Kingdom and the United States of America have all come under increasing criticism for how they’ve handled the Covid-19 crisis. Largely, and certainly, for the two latter powers, this is down to a privileged leadership with an apparent disregard for the lower classes.

Immigration and racism

Two recurring themes in The Platform also surround immigration and racism. As I’ve mentioned a few times, the movie doesn’t try to disguise the metaphors a whole lot. In one scene, a white man literally shits on a black man trying to claw his way up into a higher cell.

Another character describes why he was in prison. He threw his TV out of a window in a rage and it landed on an “illegal immigrant” who, in the words of the prisoner, “shouldn’t even have been there”. This is a common issue these days in Ireland and you only need to roam Twitter for a few minutes to see it. Because of our capitalist society where we pay taxes to our government, some don’t like the idea of immigrants taking a share, even when they’ve likely been running from a war-torn country or some other horrible type of persecution.

The environment

The frustration of The Platform on Netflix is the cycle. Everyone has enough information to protect each other. Everyone knows what needs to be done because everyone knows how horrible it can get at the bottom. Yet, the collective wellbeing takes a back seat as individualism takes precedence. People live in the now, looking after what we have right now instead of protecting the many over time.

In the movie, a child emerges as a beacon of hope. Not much is clear when the credits run, but this child was the one hope for the future. Personally, I took this to be a general message which could easily be turned into one of global warming and that while we all worry about the here and now, it’s the children we should be worried about.

I came to this conclusion as the men descend through the prison protecting a pannacotta dessert only to eventually give it to the child who they find at the very bottom of the prison. It turned out her mother was bringing food to her every day and helping her to survive.

Take away this learning from The Platform

As I said, it’s a fitting time for this movie to emerge. Every day now, we’re battered with examples of individualism taking priority for many over the wellbeing of the collective. Some empty shelves in shops leaving nothing for the elderly or emergency workers. Others continue to meet-up in large groups, disregarding the government’s pleas for social distancing to be practised. The Platform is a movie I absolutely recommend watching because it’s an eye-opener. I’m that weirdo who watched Contagion last week. In truth, the virus doesn’t scare me half as much as society does some times.

Look after yourself and look after each other.

If you need further information on Covid-19, please check out the World Health Organisation’s WhatsApp information service or visit the HSE website.

Watch The Platform on Netflix now.

You Can Now Pause Your Sky Sports Subscription

Marty
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You Can Now Pause Your Sky Sports Subscription
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the collective of humanity come together like they are right now. There’s lots of businesses thinking outside the box to do what they can to keep afloat while other businesses are helping others where they can. Sky has just announced that you can now pause your Sky Sports membership.

Why Pause Sky Sports Payments?

We’re living in unprecedented times. I don’t know how many times I’ve written that but looks like I’ll be writing it a few more in the coming weeks and months. With Covid-19 spreading, we’ve all realised that there are more important things to life than sports. The sporting world has ground to a halt. The Premier League has been paused until the end of April and F1 postponed and their winter break moved forward to now after calling of the season opener in Australia last week.

While Sky Sports did host the first virtual Grand Prix at a virtual Bahrain using the F1 2019 game, that might be the only time they get to tag a show with “live” for quite some time. So, with all of this going on, is it fair to expect customers to keep paying for Sky Sports? Not really.

Sky Sports Will Allow Pausing

In response to the bizarre lack of live sports on the telly, Sky has now made it possible for customers to pause their Sky Sports subscription.

What this means is that you will no longer be paying for Sky Sports during the Covid-19 suspension of sports. This suspension stays in place until normal action resumes. When sports comes back, you’ll start paying again. All discounts on your account will be maintained and you’ll even maintain access to Sky Sports when payments are suspended. Yup, all the Premier League Years you can handle.

How To Pause Sky Sports Payments

All you need to do to pause your Sky Sports subscription is contact them. They have a page on their website created to give you more information but it’s broken right now. You can still call them.

  1. Call 0800 151 2747
  2. when prompted say “cancel Sky Sports”
  3. You’ll then be asked if you would like to pause your subscription
  4. Say “yes”

From what I’ve seen on Twitter and from Sky’s own Twitter account, that’s it. You’ll even get to keep the Sky Sports channels, on-demand content and anything you’ve recorded. Who knows? Sky has even started streaming some e-sports so it might be worth checking in to see what else they bring to the table.

Formula One: Sky Sports Turns To E-Sports Amid Lack Of Sport

Marty
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Formula One: Sky Sports Turns To E-Sports Amid Lack Of Sport

It’s a bonkers time right now. I’m a Sky Sports customer, but there are no live sports to watch. The broadcaster has started showing playbacks of games and sports to beat the band. In fact, Sky has paused payments from publicans who are paying for the Sky Sports package and also offered no quibble pausing of subscriptions for Sky Sports customers like myself. They’re also getting creative and have just turned to E-Sports.

What are E-Sports?

This might be pretty self-explanatory, but let me spell it out. E-sports are electronic sports. Typically, these are played on games consoles or gaming rigs (powerful PCs) which represent real-world sports. However, e-sports also include non-sports games. In fact, the most popular e-sports include mythical and shoot-em-up games like League of Legends, Dota, Counter-Strike, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., and StarCraft.

Sky, as you might expect, are sticking to the representative e-sports. Their first dipping of a toe is Formula One.

First Virtual Grand Prix: The Bahrain GP

Sky has shown e-sports before and they’ve even focused on Formula One specifically during the 2018 season. E-sports have become big business within Formula One with the likes of Fernando Alonso starting his own team and many drivers competing regularly too. Believe it or not, the first virtual Grand Prix at Bahrain included Lando Norris, current McLaren F1 driver.

When planning this virtual Grand Prix, Sky had a choice to make and I genuinely don’t know which is the right one. They had to choose between a proper race with competitive e-sports pros or get a load of famous heads in for a race. They went with the latter. The grid was filled with motorsport commentators, drivers from various classes, former drivers and a few random people too. This race included Lando Norris, Nico Hulkenberg, Lewis Hamilton’s brother, Johnny Herbert, golfer Ian Poulter and Chris Hoy.

there’s a lot of geeks on there that are really good

Former Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg said before the Grand Prix, “there’s a lot of geeks on there that are really good”. Funny considering just a few months ago he was racing the real deal around real tracks.

Could E-sports Fill The Gap On Sky Sports?

The simple answer here is yes. The complicated answer is no.

Unfortunately for Sky, they are trying to find something. Actually, they’re trying to find anything. Anything that can fill the gap. E-sports is a pretty big deal and is not without its own coverage. This very race which was streaming on Sky Sports was available for free on YouTube.

If Sky is serious about either promoting e-sports or having it has a contingency plan for the world of sports going into shutdown, they need to support it all year-round. They need to invest and from a business point of view, need to own the rights.

We might be seeing the start of a new way of thinking when it comes to e-sports, but when the Premier League comes back, it’s hard to imagine e-sports will get the 8PM slot on a Sunday evening on the main Sky Sports channel.

I’m a terrible e-racer, but I do have the Thrustmaster F1-series racing wheel, so Sky – my phone will be on for the next race!

World Health Organisation Launch Covid-19 WhatsApp Information Bot

Marty
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World Health Organisation Launch Covid-19 WhatsApp Information Bot

As Covid-19 spreads around the world, last week Ireland saw another issue spread like wildfire. Misinformation. It’s impossible to know where it all came from because it was happening on WhatsApp. Messages from “best-mates” and “a friends who work in a hospital” bounced from smartphone to smartphone in record time. Another message spread that Revolut was in trouble. While I could dive into the potential sources of these rumours, it’s more important that I focus on what’s being done about it.

Using WhatsApp For Good

Technology has a part to play in this crisis. From mass being streamed online to hot dinners being delivered without contact by Just Eat. WhatsApp has 2 billion users worldwide. This means it’s a powerful platform for spreading information, whether it’s accurate or not.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had a choice to make. Resist WhatsApp as a platform or embrace it. On Friday, Simon Harris, Ireland’s Minister for Health, decided to embrace it, disseminating a WhatsApp voice message. Personally, I listened waiting for it to be a funny impersonation with a punchline. It wasn’t. This was Simon Harris knowing that people would do what I did. Listen to the whole thing and absorb good quality information. Harris knew the power of the platform and now it’s clear the WHO does too.

WHO Launches Covid-19 WhatsApp Information Service

The WHO has decided to embrace WhatsApp. They’ve launched an information service through WhatsApp. This is now one of the easiest and fastest ways to get up to date information from a trustworthy source, right into your hand.

To get the information, all you need to do is text “hi” to +41 79 893 1892 over WhatsApp. You’ll then be sent a menu from the WHO which offers information on Covid-19. Available information includes:

  • Latest statistics
  • How to protect yourself
  • FAQs
  • Covid-19 myths
  • Travel advice
  • News
  • How to donate

When presented with this menu, you just have to reply with a number. So for example, you reply 1 to get the latest numbers or 5 for travel advise.

To try it out for yourself, text “hi” to +41 79 893 1892, or if you’re on mobile, tap the button below.

Get Covid-19 Information

Times are tough right now, but let the professionals do their thing. All you need to do, is stay home, stay apart and wash your hands. It’s that simple. Get your info from trusted sources and question everything you’re sent on WhatsApp.

Irish Netflix: The Very Best Of Irish-Themed Stuff To Stream

Marty
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Irish Netflix: The Very Best Of Irish-Themed Stuff To Stream

It’s nearly St. Patrick’s Day! You know what that means! Staying in, social distancing and watching Netflix. It’s going to be a St. Patrick’s Day like no other but it’s crucial that we all just chill out and stay home right now. What better to do when you stay home than to stream a hape of Netflix. For the day that’s in it, why not find something Irish-themed?

The Best Irish Stuff On Netflix: Movies

Now, this isn’t all made in Ireland, by Irish directors, writers and actors for the benefit of the Irish people. It’s just got a tinge of green in it or depicts Irish legends.

The Siege of Jadotville

Ireland’s greatest backs to the wall defence either came in Italy or Jadotville. The Siege of Jadotville sums up what’s deep down in all of us. That incredible Irish pride that leads to goosebumps when we watch Houghton score.

The Siege of Jadotville tells the true story of Irish Soldiers who were besieged by overwhelming enemy forces while on a UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo.  The heroes led by Commandant Pat Quinlan fought for five days and heroically defended their outpost. These men were disgraced for surrendering and disobeying orders until very recently. When you watch this story unfold, you’ll be ready to go fight alongside the Defense Forces.

 

Katie

I don’t even want to use the word arguably. Katie Taylor is Ireland’s greatest ever sportsperson. Watch her story in this critically acclaimed documentary. Intimately follow champion boxer Katie Taylor as she attempts to rebuild her career after a year of turmoil threatened to derail her career. With many writing her off, Taylor decided to start again, and the notoriously private champion agreed to let a small crew document her attempt to rescale the heights.

The Young Offenders

When you grow up down the country, you do get a little tired of seeing everything on telly be based in Dublin. I think that’s why The Young Offenders has even more appeal for many people in Ireland. With that said, it’s a bloody hilarious show in its own right. This feature-length movie follows the two lads as they steal bicycles and set off to the coast to find a bale of cocaine from a smuggler’s capsized ship.

Bad Day For The Cut

I’m still shocked more people don’t talk about this. Bad Day For The Cut is a really dark movie which always reminds me of Falling Down. The story follows a mild-mannered, middle-aged Irish farmer devoted to his mother. It all turns when he embarks on a violent quest for revenge when she’s murdered in a home invasion.

Really dark, lots of violence and most importantly it’s a really compelling story.

The Irishman

This is down as a movie, but being honest, you’ll be doing well to sit it out in one go. The Irishman is a brilliant depiction of hitman Frank Sheeran’s life. This movie looks back at the secrets he kept as a loyal member of the Bufalino crime family in this acclaimed film from Martin Scorsese. It’s a good movie, but many heralded it as one of the gangster movie greats. I’m not convinced. Still a worthwhile watch mind.

Dublin Old School

Not going to lie, I’ve not watched this yet. However, it’s my first movie of choice for Paddy’s Day. I know there’s a link to RIOT! which blew me away. Twice!

Over a lost weekend, a drugged-out DJ reconnects with his estranged brother and sees where his hedonistic lifestyle could lead in the end.

Black 47

I remember the movie poster being stunning for this movie. It stuck with me so long that scrolling through Netflix one day the movie jumped out at me. I’ve never seen “taking the soup” depicted as perfectly as Black 47 does it. There you have it. A quote that will never make the side of a Dublin Bus that absolutely should have.

When the Great Famine ravages his beloved country, a battle-hardened Irishman deserts the Great British Empire and exacts revenge on the tyrants responsible.

 

The Best Irish Stuff On Netflix: TV Shows And Series

Again, this is just Irish-themed stuff that comes in bite-sized chunks rather than big long features. But, there’s nothing stopping you from binging the whole lot in one go.

Derry Girls

You’ve already seen it. Surely, you’ve already seen it, right? If not, this is the biggest no-brainer on St. Patrick’s Day when you’re looking for Irish stuff to watch. Derry Girls follows a group of teenage girls living through the Troubles in the early 1990s. It’s not a recipe for comedy at all, but it’s one of the funniest things on Netflix.

I Am Patrick

Well, for the day that’s in it, it’s mandatory. There’s no tomfoolery here mind. I Am Patrick is a look back at the life of our patron saint, St. Patrick himself. This docuseries brings the story of Patrick to life, from a kidnapped slave to becoming the face of a nation.

The Hardy Bucks

This might be back to my culchie comment again, but I love stuff not based in Dublin. The Hardy Bucks is just one of the most iconic Irish shows because of it’s stupid humour and surprising quotability. Now, Netflix has four seasons of these lads trying to turn a coin for cans and craic. All while living in a wee town in Mayo.

How To Watch Mass Online: Streaming Mass To See Increase

Marty
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How To Watch Mass Online: Streaming Mass To See Increase

You can tell people are worried right now. We’re living in pretty unprecedented times as a result of Covid-19. Our daily lives have been turned upside down. So I think we could all find some solace in maintaining some daily norms. One such norm for many is going to mass. While people of all ages around Ireland are religious, the elderly who are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 may take extra comfort in their spirituality right now. With indoor mass gatherings of 100 people or more to be cancelled, mass around the country is being cancelled. Step in technology. Here’s how to watch mass online.

The Current Situation

We’re living in pretty unprecedented times right now. I’ve been reluctant to write too much about what’s going on because largely, like Jurgen Klopp says, “my opinion is really not important”. But there are specific things happening right now which show us how important technology can be in maintaining ordinary life during extraordinary circumstances. Just Eat has announced contactless delivery so people in self-isolation can still get food delivered. Microsoft is offering Teams for free to people working from home for the first time.

All of these things are about maintaining norms in very unusual times. Maintaining norms, whether they be silly, trivial or important can reduce panic so we should try to maintain as normal a daily life as possible. Yes, even if that’s a cheeky takeaway.

Now, given my current attempts to leave the catholic church through GDPR, I can understand why many would see the irony in me encouraging people to attend digital mass. However, for me, this is a fantastic example of what I love most about technology.

It’s technology overcoming the worst and helping the most vulnerable in society.

Why Watch Mass Online?

We stream everything else these days, so why not mass?

Around the country, bishops are cancelling mass for three weekends to comply with Covid-19 restrictions. So far, the dioceses of Galway, Meath, Limerick, Tipperary, Donegal and Armagh confirmed that no mass will take place until March 29. The remaining dioceses are expected to cancel too, but regardless social distancing should be observed.

However, with the nations most vulnerable also likely the most worried being the elderly, this comes as a hammer blow to many weekend routines. But with the science of community transmission taking on religion right now, even Lourdes has closed healing pools. So, if you’re reading this, I do strongly recommend that you do not attend a church service in person right now.

Also, if you’re religious and self-isolating, I’d imagine a mass might be of some comfort.

How To Watch Mass Online

I might be trying to leave the church and I may have just said don’t attend church in person, but I would encourage the religious out there to stream mass online. After all, maintaining your daily routine as best as possible is important.

There is a website dedicated to the streaming of mass. Church Services TV streams mass from various locations throughout the day. Church Services TV was started back in 2005 and streams services over the internet helping parishes and other religious organisations expand their reach across the globe. The service helps parishes stream mass, weddings, funerals and more. While these services have had niche appeal until now, with Covid-19 services like this take on new importance.

some cancelled masses will still be streamed behind closed doors

While this may not be the case for all churches, I got in touch with some of the below streamers to ask if they would stream from behind closed doors. Fr. Jim Noonan of St. Teresa’s Claredon Street promptly replied, stating that owing to “the new norms promulgated by the Irish Episcopal Conference, and our duty of care to our regular worshippers, visitors, staff, volunteers and our community, we have taken the decision to cancel all Masses at St. Teresa’s for Sunday”. He also told me told me they would be streaming two masses online, namely the Vigil Mass at 6.00 pm on Saturday and 11.00 am Mass on Sunday.

So whether or not this is your local church, the good news is that Church Services TV streams from plenty of locations. I’ve had a quick look and found streamed mass in

So not only can you still attend mass, you can even travel around a bit. These are just the Irish masses but the platform does stream mass from around the world. You can simply find a mass which is on right now or search for your preferred church. Not all are on there naturally, but you’ll find something to your liking I’m sure. You can like their Facebook page too to receive further updates.

churches where you can watch online

Like I said, this is the ultimate display of technology helping the masses for me. Pun intended.

On a personal note, I would encourage you not to be worried about Covid-19. It’s crucial that you take steps to protect yourself and others by social distancing, washing your hands and following advise from health experts. You can find the latest advice and news on the HSE website.

Just Eat Introduce Contactless Delivery

Marty
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Just Eat Introduce Contactless Delivery

We’re taking more cautions because of Covid-19. As a nation, we’re taking unprecedented steps to stem the spread of a virus in our communities. Your social media feed is likely full of people panic-buying whatever is left on Tesco shelves. But, I’m a lazy man and one of the first things I thought throughout all of this was “I wonder if Just Eat is still delivering?”.

Is Just Eat Still Delivering?

Yes. Just Eat is still delivering! Of course, I know that not everyone is within an area serviced by delivery drivers or drone delivery, but if you are and spot the fridge looking a bit sparse, order yourself a takeaway.

As has become quite clear, we are not all responsible for reducing the risk of spreading Covid-19 in our communities. At a glance, you may think ordering a take away is a little irresponsible. However, Just Eat has taken steps to endure safe delivery by introducing contactless delivery.

What Is Contactless Delivery?

Contactless delivery is nothing to do with payments. As you complete your order with Just Eat, you will be able to leave a note for the restaurant you’re ordering from. Here, you can leave instructions for a contactless delivery.

I’ll buzz you in and you can leave the order inside the door

For example, when you order you can say “Call me when outside, I’ll buzz you in and you can leave the order inside the door”.

Just Eat has communicated with partners to make it clear to delivery drivers that you will need a contactless delivery. This is priceless for those at home self-isolating.

It’s believed that Deliveroo will introduce a similar service next week.

Isn’t This Silly?

Now, many might think this is silly. Don’t run the risk and just cook what you have. For me, there are two reasons efforts like this from Just Eat and Deliveroo are important.

Cabin Fever

If you’ve been cooked up in a house for two weeks eating rice and ketchup, a treat from the local kebab shop could do a lot to keep your head straight. With contactless delivery, risk of transmission to the delivery driver is reduced to almost nil. You do have a responsibility to take every step to keep it that way.

Support Restaurants

Today I cancelled flights, a hotel booking, a Bed and Breakfast booking and a visit to the Teeling Whiskey Distillery. It really doesn’t feel nice knowing I’m taking revenue away from small and large businesses. All the businesses of Ireland deserve a massive shout out too for being very understanding and accomodating during trying times.

Restaurants are going to be going through a tough time right now as people practising social distancing stay home. You can still support your local businesses by ordering a contactless delivery of a takeaway from your favourite restaurant.

Again, I know I run the risk of being the lad from Kilkenny, living in Dublin who forgets he grew up where the thoughts of getting a pizza delivered was a pipedream. But if you are self-isolating or just practising social-distancing as well you should be, Just Eat and Deliveroo contactless deliveries are a great way to keep a little bit of life normal.

They also deliver booze. Just saying.

If you require further information on Covid-19 please visit the HSE website for trusted advice. Here you’ll find scientific factual information on Coronavirus. Also, I personally recommend you take a few minutes away from social media because it’s not a pretty place right now.

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