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Avatar for Patrick Campanale

Patrick Campanale

pcamp96

When I’m not working on building custom computers or fixing phones, I love to write about technology. I’m always looking out for the best deal on any tech I can get my hands on, so one day I decided, “Why not write about it?!” You can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @pcamp96, though I’m way more active on Twitter. If you’ve got a tip to an awesome deal, go ahead and drop me a line at patrick@9to5mac.com!

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Amazon launches its own AmazonBasics memory foam mattresses with prices from $130

From $130

Amazon seems to make everything with its AmazonBasics brand these days. You have charging cables, an Alexa-powered microwave, bed sheets, backpacks, and more made by Amazon’s in-house brand. Recently, Amazon expanded its product lineup to include memory foam mattresses, ranging from twin 8-inch beds to California king 12-inch offerings. They start at $130 shipped.


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Lenovo shoots for the stars with its crazy USS Enterprise high-end computer

Lenovo has quite a bit of experience in the computer realm. The company is over 30 years old, and these days many people will buy Lenovo’s ThinkPad brand or even high-end gaming machines.

One area I didn’t expect Lenovo to get into, at least not like this, was custom designed gaming computers. The company recently announced a Star Trek USS Enterprise high-end computer at its Tech World Conference in Beijing. This uniquely designed computer could become a must-have for Trekkies around the world.


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TiVo announces its BOLT OTA 4K DVR & streaming box as an new alternative to cable

TiVo is a bit of a household name when it comes to DVRs outside of your normal cable provider offerings. The company has been a go-to name for many years when people want the ability to record over-the-air broadcasts to watch later.

Well, TiVo announced its all-new BOLT OTA for Antenna today. This DVR is a 4K model that is built to work with HD antennas, so you can record the highest-quality over-the-air broadcasts, though TiVo still charges its monthly fee, so you won’t be getting off completely scot-free here.


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Oculus announces the Quest, the company’s latest All-in-One virtual reality system

Oculus is one of the main names in virtual reality and is right up there next to HTC Vive. Today, the company announced its latest headset, the Quest. As Oculus’ first All-in-One virtual reality gaming system, the Quest offers six degrees of freedom for even more immersive gameplay.

You’ll be able to enjoy virtual reality with no computer, wires, or even external sensors. There will be more than 50 titles available at launch in 2019, and the Quest will set you back $399. Keep reading to find out what makes the Quest truly unique.


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AT&T’s HARMAN Spark OBD II adapter makes any car smart

New cars come with awesome features like app controls, built-in LTE for devices inside the car, and other smart features. If you’re like me and generally buy used cars to save some cash, then you’re likely missing out on some of these features.

Though you could install high-end alarm systems for remotely tracking or starting your car, other features like pulling diagnostics and getting built-in LTE for road trips are normally reserved for newer vehicles. That is, until now. AT&T recently announced the HARMAN Spark, an OBD-II device that adds a plethora of features to any vehicle from 1996 and up.


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HyperX introduces new FURY RGB internal & SAVAGE EXO portable SSDs

There’s a craze sweeping PC gamers worldwide. It’s called RGB, and nothing seems to be safe from it. We have RGB mice, keyboards, headsets, mousepads, and even speakers. Just last week, we showed you how to start a budget-friendly RGB setup. The latest victims of this RGBification are SSDs from HyperX. Though RGB SSDs have been around for a while, these new models are sure to spice up any custom PC build.

HyperX’s latest FURY RGB SSD lineup brings colorful sections to the logo and surrounding areas, making your SSD go from something that blends into making a statement. The company also announced its SAVAGE EXO Portable SSD today, which boasts PS4/Xbox One compatibility as well as the ability to be used with your PC or Mac easily.


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RGBify your gaming battle station w/ these accessories for under $65

If you watch a lot of YouTube, you’ve likely seen those killer setup tours with RGB lights everywhere from the keyboard to the back of the desk reflecting off the wall. In fact, we’ve done tours of our own setups that feature many RGB goodies. Though many of those setups can cost hundreds, if not more, you don’t have to spend a fortune in order to have a killer looking workstation.

Though you can always go the route of high-end accessories for your desk, it’s just as easy to customize your battle station without spending a ton. We’re going to take a look at just a few items you can use to spruce up your desk without going over $65 at Amazon.


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Could the Nintendo 64 Classic be real? This trademark filing suggests so

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Nintendo is a company that’s made headlines time and time again over the past few years. From the company’s acclaimed Switch to the SuperNES (and NES) Classic consoles that retailers couldn’t keep in stock, Nintendo has been at the forefront of retro (and small form factor) gaming more than anyone else this year.

Sony recently announced it was cashing in on this action by releasing the PlayStation Classic. I instantly pre-ordered this, as it was one of the first major consoles I ever had as a child. But, another console from yesteryear might be making its way to store shelves soon: the Nintendo 64.


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$25

Here’s how you can sign up to save 50% on Amazon’s brand new Echo Auto

Earlier today, Amazon announced quite a few new devices. There are new Echo units, microwaves, and even wall clocks on the horizon for Amazon. One of the more interesting devices announced was Echo Auto, a means of adding Amazon’s Alexa to your vehicle for hands-free entertainment, information, and more. For a limited time, you can bag 50% off of the Echo Auto, if selected by Amazon. Keep reading to find out how you can try to reserve your spot.


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Giveaway: Win the ultimate RAVPower fast-charging bundle for the latest iPhones

Apple’s iPhone XS and XS Max will start delivering this Friday. Sadly, Apple has yet to include quick charging accessories with its latest iPhones, and AirPower is still nowhere to be seen. We’ve gotten together with RAVPower to get you started with both wireless and quick charging and have a great power bundle for you. In this bundle, you’ll win a 7.5/10W Qi-enabled Wireless Charger + QC 3.0 Charging Plug/Cable, a 16750mAh Power Bank with up to 2A output in each USB slot, and a 6-Port USB-C 60W Wall Charger. You’ll be receiving a total value of nearly $100 between all of the products included here. Keep reading for more information on how to enter.


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PUBG could be launching on PS4 this winter to compete w/ Fortnite, Blackout, & Firestorm

With Battlefield V and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 coming to consoles this fall, it’s about to be clash-of-the-battle royale games. Fortnite is still king when it comes to this genre, and while that could change with Blackout and FirestormPUBG also wants in on the action.

Currently, you can only use PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds on PC, Xbox One, iOS, and Android, but that could all change this winter. PUBG faces some harsh competition if it releases on PS4, but could that be just what it needs to gain more market share?


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Rowkin brings Qi charging to truly wireless earbuds with its Ascent line

When it comes to truly wireless earbuds, everyone is getting into the game. Apple has their AirPods, Anker has the Zolo Liberty+, and then there’s Rowkin.

Rowkin started in the headphone game a few years ago and has been making leaps and bounds as the company progresses in wireless headphone technologies. The latest from Rowkin, the Ascent line, features new styling, and one feature lacking from AirPods that everyone is has been waiting for.


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I’ve finally found the perfect travel backpack, and it’s Peak Design’s Travel Line

Finding the perfect bag to take on a trip has never been an easy task for me. I want to carry my camera gear, clothes, toiletries, and my laptop too; along with all of the necessary cables and cords I’ll need for that trip. I’ve used several bags over the past few years, from the TYLT Energi to Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack 30L, Messenger Bag 15, and even the WaterField’s Air Porter.

Each serves a purpose unique to itself: the Messenger Bag 15 is great for carrying one camera body and a few lenses along with a laptop, the Everyday Backpack 30L is an awesome bag to carry tons of stuff, though it’s not super comfy. The Air Porter is an awesome laptop bag with plenty of room to carry other tech items, like my Switch. But, in the past, I’ve always had to carry multiple bags when going on a weekend vacation or convention. That all changed with the Peak Design Travel Backpack.


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Osmo’s teaching tools are coming to Amazon’s Fire tablets this November

Osmo is a well-known name when it comes to STEM smart-connected teaching tools. The company has made iPad-enabled learning games for kids ages 5 and up for some time now, but recently announced that these products will come to Amazon’s Fire line of tablets.

This is great because Amazon’s Fire tablet lineup is more affordable than Apple’s iPad, and makes it an easier entry point into homes to help kids learn and grow.


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Amazon slated to launch at least 8 new devices with Alexa capabilities this year

Amazon continues its march to be a member of every part of your house with its latest plans to release at least 8 new Alexa-enabled devices by the end of this year. The online shopping giant has been integrating itself more and more with our lives and has plans to do so even further with things like a possible checking account-style product launch and more.

We’re set to see devices like microwaves, amplifiers, subwoofers, and more come from Amazon sometime this year, according to a new report. What does this mean for those shopping with the company? Keep reading for more information.


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Luigi’s Mansion 3 to launch on Switch in 2019, here’s 37 seconds of gameplay footage

Nintendo is bringing many classics back to life with its Switch console. Just yesterday the company announced NES-style controllers to use when playing original titles. Nintendo recently told the world of its latest plans for new titles, one of which has me very excited.

I used to play Luigi’s Mansion years ago, and it was one of my favorite Mario games. Back in 2001 when it came out, everyone loved it. Now, Nintendo is back with Luigi’s Mansion 3 (a working title) and just yesterday Nintendo showed the world a short 37 seconds of what’s to come.


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Nintendo announces a two-pack of wireless NES controllers for Switch at $60

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Nintendo recently announced a brand-new controller for its acclaimed Switch console. This controller isn’t like the regular Joy Con or Pro Controller, but rather it’s a wireless NES controller for the Switch.

This is going to become a must-have for every Switch owner this Christmas, and it’s set to ship mid-December of this year. Why would someone want a controller like this? Keep reading to find out more.


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Moshi’s iPhone Xs/Max/R case lineup has some awesome options like the StealthCover, more

Apple just announced its latest iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and XR devices and now it’s time to keep them protected. We’ve already seen cases from WaterField, Pad & Quill, Nomad, and others. Now it’s time to look at what Moshi has to offer.

These new cases come in many flavors for each device. From the Altra with its slim yet sleek style to StealthCover which is a 360-degree folio-style case that lets you see your phone and use FaceID without opening up the folio. Keep reading for more information on each case.


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Dyson announces its 360 Heurist robotic vacuum, a nice improvement over the 360 Eye

Dyson, one of the biggest names in vacuums, launched its first robotic vacuum way back in 2015. Today, we’re getting a new peek at the latest offering from the vacuum company.

The Dyson 360 Heurist, which was announced in Beijing earlier today, with some nice upgrades. You’ll get a better processor and maneuvering, a LED light ring around the top camera, and more.


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Amazon set to sell 7-foot Christmas trees, more online this holiday season

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For many, the tradition of buying a Christmas tree is long-seated and can go back generations. My family, however, has always used pre-lit offerings as the cleanup is generally easier and the tree can be reused for years.

Amazon is trying to become a part of many family traditions it seems, and the latest the online shopping giant seems to be entering is the large Christmas tree business. This holiday season, you’ll be able to order a 7-foot live Fraser fir from Amazon, among other festive plants.


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Bring battle royale to life w/ Fortnite-inspired Nerf guns, coming in 2019

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It seems Fortnite is here to stay, and the latest merchandise set to take the world by storm is Nerf guns. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Nerf make a video game come to life, as earlier this year it was announced that Overwatch weapons would be making their way to store shelves in 2019.

It was recently announced that Fortnite Monopoly would be hitting shelves on October 1st, just in time for holiday shopping. Will Fortnite Nerf guns also find their into our homes soon enough?


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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Blackout beta starts Monday & we’re giving away 5 access codes

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The Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Blackout beta starts on Monday for PlayStation gamers and Friday for Xbox/PC, and we’re here to help. If you’ve yet to pre-order the game but want to check out Blackout to see if the Black Ops 4 will be worth your hard-earned money, we’ve got you covered. We’re giving away 5 beta codes to Blackout which can be redeemed for any system. Keep reading for more information on how to enter.


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Das Keyboards introduces the “world’s first smart gaming keyboard” w/ RGB, more

Keyboards are something that many of us spend hours a day in front of. In fact, I spend the better part of 10+ hours a day with my fingers either on, or really close to my keyboard. It only makes sense that the less your fingers have to move, the more productive you are, right?

Well, that’s what Das Keyboard though with its latest X50Q RGB Smart Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (X50Q for short). According to Das, this is the “world’s first smart gaming keyboard” but what does that really mean, and could it actually benefit you in the long run?


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Monopoly is the latest classic to get a Fortnite makeover, in stores October 1st

Update 9/14 @ 3:44 PM: Monopoly: Fortnite Edition is now available to pre-order for $19.99 Prime shipped from Amazon, Walmart, or Barns & Noble, and $22.99 from GameStop.

These days, it seems everything is getting a Fortnite makeover. From video games like Battlefield V and Black Ops 4 gaining battle royale modes to Funko Pop figures taking a likeness to your favorite game character, everything seems to be receiving Fortnite designs. Monopoly is the latest to be added to this list, and you can expect to pick it up in stores starting October 1st.


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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Blackout beta starts Sept. 10th, here’s what we know & how to play

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The beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Blackout is just around the corner. This is one of the biggest updates to Call of Duty in recent memory and brings an entirely new game style that we’ve yet to see from Treyarch and Activision in games past.

Blackout introduces a Fortnite-style gameplay with a battle royale mode never before seen in prior Call of Duty games. This personally excites me as I’ve never been a fan of previous battle royale games, but Blackout looks like a completely different beast. Here’s how to make sure you can try out Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Blackout beta before the game’s official release.


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Canon announces the EOS R, a full-frame mirrorless camera that packs 4K recording

If there’s one thing photographers and videographers have been waiting on Canon for, it’s a decent 4K camera that won’t set them back thousands of dollars. Panasonic has several in the sub-$1,000 range, Sony has offerings in the low-$1,000 range, and Canon has two areas: under $1,000 with not great adoption, or over $3,000.

Today, Canon announced its EOS R Mirrorless System that packs 4K recording and a full frame sensor. Could this be the answer to a Canon shooter’s wishes? While this is a great camera, I don’t think it checks enough boxes to be considered the go-to Canon 4K camera just yet.


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The Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500 is an AirPlay-enabled record player for high-end setups

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These days, retro seems to be making a comeback. We have people using typewriter-style keyboards, returning to tube-powered receivers, and vinyl is becoming the “in” thing to listen to music on.

Recently, Yamaha announced the MusicCast Vinyl 500, a Wi-Fi connected turntable that features AirPlay compatibility as well as many other features. With vinyl making a return, this could be the ultimate record player for high-end setups.


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Hands-on: Logitech’s MX Vertical changed the way I look at mice

Buy now!

When I first saw the announcement for the MX Vertical from Logitech, I was intrigued. I had seen vertical mice like this from other companies on Amazon before but was never quite sure if they “really” worked.

I came from the MX Master 2S (and MX Master before that, with a few MX Anywhere mice thrown in as well.) In my mind, nothing could be as good ergonomically as the MX Master. It felt better than other mice and had tons of features. My views were completely changed after using the MX Vertical for just over a week.


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Acer/Lenovo at IFA 2018: Thin & light computers, high-end gaming chairs, more

Now that IFA is officially underway, there are plenty of announcements to go around. We’re seeing some awesome new computers heading into the holidays from companies like Lenovo and Acer.

Lenovo is launching a number of products with new laptops, and Acer has several different offerings from laptops to chairs, Mixed Reality Headsets, and more.


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Which dash camera should you pick? These are the best options on the market

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Dash cameras are becoming a vital part of our society. From keeping a record of an accident, or just capturing a deer walking across the road as you cruise through the countryside, a dash cam can capture many different moments. Just a few weeks ago, my mother was in a car accident and the person who hit her fled the scene. A dash cam was easily capable of capturing the license plate and vehicle to help the police close the case.

When it comes to dash cameras, however, there are many different options. You have some that are on the lower end of the spectrum and some that can get up there in price, but which should you choose? This really depends on what you want, whether you want high-quality 1440p recording, dual cameras, or any number of other features. We took four popular dash camera models and compared them side-by-side so you can know exactly what camera to pick up.


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Turtle Beach’s Elite Pro 2 gaming headset is a must-have for Xbox players, preorder now

White is the new black in technology design, and Microsoft and its partners are on the forefront. With the recent announcement of the white Xbox One Elite Controller, long-time partner Turtle Beach is now announcing the Elite Pro 2 + SuperAmp Pro Gaming Audio System for Xbox One.

This white-themed headset will pair perfectly with your new Elite Controller and even the white Xbox One X system being announced as well.


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LG’s new 21:9 gaming monitor packs 120Hz G-SYNC, Viotek unveils bezel-less line from $180

IFA starts this week and it’s announcement time. One area of technology that has been advancing at the speed of light is monitors (hah, get it? Light…monitors?) We’ve seen some crazy 4.5K UltraWide offerings, Samsung’s latest in the extra UltraWide department, and some regular offerings even just yesterday.

There were a few different monitors announced recently, with a new line from LG dubbed UltraGear and a company called Viotek, who is somewhat of a newcomer to the monitor space. Will LG’s UltraGear or Viotek’s latest curved bezel-less monitors find their way onto your desk?


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Blue announces the Yeti Nano, a compact version of its best-selling Yeti USB microphone

If you’ve watched tech YouTubers at all, or tried to be one yourself, you’re likely aware of the Blue Yeti microphone. It’s become the go-to when it comes to voiceovers, and that’s because of price and quality when it comes to audio.

I’ve owned a Yeti for years, and it’s always the first thing I grab when going on a trip or when I need something quick for podcasting or voice recording. The only downside to the Yeti, however, has been its size. That all changes with the just released Yeti Nano.


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Samsung’s Thunderbolt 3-powered 34-inch UltraWide monitor preorders are open

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Thunderbolt 3 is an amazing technology. It can carry power, data, and display over a single cable. Made popular with Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup, this technology is finally making its way into more devices around the world.

Earlier this year, Samsung announced the CJ79 34-inch curved UltraWide monitor with Thunderbolt 3. Today, this monitor is available for purchase worldwide. Could this be your next monitor (or mine)?


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Alexa now has kid-friendly responses to life’s most important questions like “Is Santa real?”

Amazon’s Alexa is a great smart assistant for many tasks. You can use it to look up recipes, control smart home devices, and even watch movies or shows if you own a Fire TV product.

There’s also the ability to have it read stories to kids through FreeTime, and Amazon even sells a kid-friendly Echo Dot so your children can interact with Alexa without you around. FreeTime is about to get an update which could help protect children from hearing responses you’d rather not have them listen to.


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Nikon announces its Z-series of mirrorless 4K cameras with up to 46MP sensors

Nikon is normally a camera company related to wildlife photography and high-end DSLR cameras. Well, the company decided to change that today with the introduction of its first full-frame mirrorless camera.

Until now, Sony has been the king of full-frame mirrorless cameras. The A7-series that Sony offers is regarded as one of the best “all around” full-frame cameras on the market, garnering praise from videographers and photographers alike. Nikon seems to want a piece of this action and launched its Z-series of cameras today.


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Walmart launches an eBook store w/ Rakuten’s Kobo to compete against Amazon’s Kindle

Amazon and Walmart seem to be battling often these days. Walmart recently announced free 2-day shipping to combat Amazon Prime, and even discounts some products that you opt to pick up in store instead of having shipped to your house.

Walmart is now aiming to give Amazon a run for its money in another area: eBook reading. Partnering with Rakuten’s Kobo eBooks, Walmart is now offering its own eBook service that will be brought to you by a co-developed and branded app.


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NVIDIA unveils real-time ray tracing graphics cards w/ its RTX 20-series lineup

NVIDIA, one of the biggest names in computer gaming, is back at it with the company’s latest graphics cards. Featuring NVIDIA Turing architecture, the 20-series GPUs feature something computer gamers have long wanted: real-time ray tracing. This, along with more performance, could make the 20-series graphics cards one of the biggest updates to gaming in a long time…but should you upgrade?

Last year, I upgraded from my GTX 970 to the GTX 1080, and it was one of the best computer upgrades I had done in a long time. With Turing, however, I’m likely going to be passing, at least at the start.


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