Trevor Daugherty

This morning, Amazon and Whole Foods have announced a new two-hour delivery service via the former’s Prime Now subscription model. Today’s announcement is just the latest in a long line of moves by the online giant since it acquired Whole Foods last year. Starting today, Prime members in various markets will be able to shop through Prime Now for a wide-range of grocery items, including produce, seafood, meats and other items.

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Amazon’s Echo Look first hit the scene last April as a fashion-forward product that also includes Alexa Voice Services. Since its release, Amazon has unveiled a handful of new Echo devices, seen increased competition from Google and Apple, and has added a host of new voice-enabled skills. During that busy stretch, we’ve not heard much about Echo Look and what’s ahead of the camera-wielding device.

Today, a new report from Digiday says that Vogue and GQ will now be testing new content in partnership with Echo Look. This is the first notable news that we’ve heard about this device in some time, which has seen meager sales to date. Bringing in two of the biggest names in fashion might change the course for ambiguous Alexa accessory.

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Update: our apologies, the Mission: Impossible bundle jumped in price shortly after publishing.

iTunes is offering a handful of 4K and movie bundles on sale this week. By purchasing these collections together you’re saving 25% or more off the regular price individually. As always, each film will become a permanent addition to your library and can be streamed on iOS devices, Macs and Apple TV. Our favorite deals can be found below.

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The world of outdoor speakers is a rather mixed bag in 2018. There are plenty of Bluetooth options, but those largely lack audiophile-grade features. Sonos doesn’t offer an official outdoor speaker, although PLAY:1 is rated for humid environments. That said, the market is fairly wide open.

Thomas & Darden first detailed its Kube Outdoor AirPlay speaker a few years back as an all-in-one outdoor audio solution. Priced at $1,000 in 2015, it’s finally available today for $3,000 after various iterations and design changes. While it’s hardly a budget option, Thomas & Darden appear set on pricing itself out of the low-end market with this premium offering.

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The Eiffel Tower is known as one of the most iconic pieces of architecture in the world. Soaring over 1,000-feet above the Paris skyline, it serves as the site for millions of visitors each year. Each night it shines with over 20,000 bulbs that become illuminated for the first five minutes of every hour. Over the last year, many of these lights have been replaced and are now seeking a home.

A limited offering of some 300 ‘Diamond Lights’ are now being made available to the general public. Head below to learn how you could add this limited edition piece to your home’s decor.

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In this week’s Best of 9to5Toys: iTunes is offering a number of $1 HD movie rentals, the Mac App Store is also running a nice sale and we go hands-on with Urban Armor’s new iPhone X cases…

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Citybirds, a Lithuanian-based startup, has been cranking out two-wheeled scooters for a while now. And while the designs are stunning, they’ve been slow to jump into the electric-powered market. This week at the ISPO trade show in Munich, Germany, Citybirds unveiled its first take on an electric scooter. With smartphone integration and speeds up to 15mph, the minimalistic ‘Eagle’ offers an attractive design for commuters and kids alike.

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Apple is now officially offering certified refurbished iPhone 7/Plus units in the ‘Special Deals’ section of its online store. The discounts aren’t particularly steep here, with most models going for around 10% off the new condition price. Offers start at $499 for the 32GB iPhone 7 model, while the larger 7 Plus is available from $599. As always, Apple refurbished products come with all original accessories, a one-year warranty, and are eligible for AppleCare.

You may have seen earlier this week that Virgin Mobile is now offering ‘pre-loved’ iPhone 7/Plus models from $380, along with an attractive $1 per month trial. Learn more about Virgin’s available inventory here.

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Nike this morning announced the unveiling of its new Air Jordan III Golf. Taking the iconic pair of Jordans from 1988 and re-releasing them in a links-friendly version. All of the original design elements are here, including the beloved cement print that would go on to become a Jordan brand staple for years.

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It’s been a peculiar start to 2018 for GoPro following its official shutdown of the Karma drone and rumors swirling of an impending sale. Despite these rumblings, GoPro is re-focusing itself on what got them here… action cameras. It’s been a rather quiet five months since HERO6 was announced last fall, but now GoPro has detailed changes to its in-house Plus subscription program.

Previously focused on cloud storage, GoPro Plus has been expanded to now include up to two camera replacements per 12-months. The $4.99 price remains the same, guaranteeing subscribers peace of mind for $60 per year if something were to go awry.

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From DroneDJ:

DJI’s Mavic Air was announced last week to a flurry of great reviews. We’re currently putting together our review but spoiler: We can say that this is the drone to get in the ~$800 price range.

A short recap on specs:

• Capture 4K Video and 12MP Photos
• 3-Axis Gimbal-Stabilized Camera
• GPS- & Vision Position-Based Navigation
• 8GB of Internal Storage/up to 256GB via microSD
• FlightAutonomy with Obstacle Detection
• Top Speed of 43 mph in Sport Mode
• ActiveTrack Subject Tracking Modes
• Up to 21 Minutes of Flight Time
• Foldable, Portable Body

One way to save money is buying the Fly More combo but that’s not saving money off the original DJI Mavic Air, it is saving over $200 on accessories when purchased at the same time. 

The good news is that we’ve done some digging and negotiating to get the lowest price offers from various resellers on the Mavic Air. Head below for the breakdown…

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Fujiflm today is unveiling its latest consumer-focused camera, the X-A5 mirrorless that features a new 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens kit. Starting at $300 for the body-only model, it will replace the previous generation X-A3 that served as the entry-level offering for some time. On top of an attractive price-point, Fuji is going for a decidedly retro look and feel this time around with leather and silver accents.

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Amazon first unveiled its Treasure Truck portable storefronts back in 2015 as a way to offer pop-up deals in large cities like Seattle and Chicago. Some of the best offers throughout the holiday season last year were, in fact, only available on Amazon’s four-wheeled deal machine. But one of the biggest issues for shoppers was not only being near a Treasure Truck, but locating said vehicle within their city before time ran out.

Well, it’s about to get easier to cash on in Amazon’s mobile deals. Today the online retailer announced that it would be expanding this service to Whole Foods Markets across the country, further cashing in on its latest merger.

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Virgin Mobile announced today it is now offering pre-owned iPhone 7/Plus models, priced from $379.99 to $429.99 with free shipping. For comparison, Apple currently charges $549 and $669 respectively for 32GB capacities. There are currently no refurbished models available direct from the manufacturer. Best of all, each device is backed by a full one-year Apple warranty. New plans can be bundled with Virgin’s $1 per month for six months plan. You’ll find the full press release from Virgin Mobile down below.

If you’re looking for a new condition device, you may want to check out AT&T’s latest pre-paid iPhone 6s offer that we told you about a few weeks ago. You can pick up a 32GB model for $345 shipped with a $45 account credit bundled. Full details can be found here.

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We’ve seen our fair share of electric bikes over the last few years, ranging from decidedly modern to minimalistic designs. But this one from Cake may very well…well, take the cake. The new Kalk electric bike sports an intriguing design that blends both clean lines and industrial cues into one of the more unique two-wheelers we’ve come across.

Slated to ship in late 2018, the Kalk eBike from Cake features impressive top speeds at nearly 50MPH with a maximum range of 50-miles to match. Head below for more details, including how you can pre-order your own.

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In this week’s Best of 9to5Toys: Best Buy launches 3-day sale, hands-on with LEGO’s incredible Millennium Falcon, and a chance to win Anker’s ZOLO truly wireless earbuds…

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Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each morning at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play or through our dedicated RSS feed.

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Otterbox is best known for its rugged and tough iPhone cases, but in recent years the brand has expanded into other product categories. Since buying Lifeproof and through partnerships with others, Otterbox has gone beyond smartphone accessories and dabbled in other areas, culminating in this week’s release of its new Trooper Soft Coolers.

The latest from Otterbox combines an attractive soft-shell design with the ability to keep ice frozen for up to 72-hours at a time. It’s the blend of lightweight design and impressive refrigeration that has Otterbox hoping it can challenge the big names in this competitive space.

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Update: …and our winner is @KJ_Mack, thanks to all that entered!

Anker first announced its Zolo lineup last June with a successful Kickstarter campaign that saw its Liberty wireless earbuds raise over $2.8 million. After going through the manufacturing process, these AirPod competitors are now available for purchase at an affordable $99.99.

We’ve partnered with Anker to giveaway a pair of its truly wireless earphones, offering our readers a chance to cut the cord on their next workout. Head below for a brief hands-on look and to learn how you can win these earphones for yourself.

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Super Bowl LII is set to kick off on February 4th, 2018 and while the teams are set, your home theater may not be. With over a week until the big game, there’s still plenty of time to upgrade your TV to the latest technology. Over the last year, some of the biggest manufacturers have unleashed new technology with 4K, HDR and Dolby Atmos offering more immersive experiences than ever before.

We’ve rounded up some of our top picks for Super Bowl LII from LG, VIZIO, Samsung and others to fit any budget. Head below for our top picks, and more.

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When Microsoft first announced Xbox Game Pass back in June of 2017, there was an initial offering of some 100 titles available for play. But the subscription service at times felt like it wasn’t offering the latest games that we were all pining for. Fast forward to today, and Microsoft is announcing a few major updates to its Xbox Game Pass service.

Microsoft plans on expanding its subscription offerings to include all day one releases from its in-house studio, which includes future iterations of Halo, Forza and others. Along with this news, subscription offerings will now be available in varying lengths, as opposed to one year. More details below.

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Amazon offers the Sengled A19 Smart 2-pack LED Light Bulb Kit for $31.78 shipped when promo code 40EPA19J is applied during checkout. Originally $60, but usually going for around $50, today’s offer is the best we’ve seen. Features include smart controls with Alexa/Google Assistant compatibility, temperature adjustment from 2700K to 6500K, and a 20-year lifespan. Rated 4.2/5 stars.

Other notable Green Deals today include:

• Conoco 2-pack Wi-Fi Mini Smart Plugs: $22.50 (Reg. $30) | Amazon
  • w/ code P3XKPTA3
• Nest 3rd Gen. Learning Thermostat: $195 (Reg. $249) | eBay
• 8-pack AAA AmazonBasics Rechargeable Batteries: $10 (Reg. $12) | Amazon

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After acquiring Whole Foods back in the summer of 2017, Amazon has slowly begun rolling out details on its upcoming grocery store plans. It started with extra benefits for Prime members at Whole Foods locations and has slowly expanded to other areas. Amazon has been teasing its autonomous grocery store location for some time, but the Seattle-based shop has only been open to beta testers to date.

That is, until today. Amazon has officially opened its ‘Amazon Go’ grocery store across from its headquarters. The checkout-free shop has been tweaked and adjusted for over a year now, but is finally ready to hit the mainstream. Aside from relying on some cool tech to make it happen, the potential disruptions across this retail category could be far-reaching.

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In this week’s Best of 9to5Toys: Save big on Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Pro, Beats Solo3 marked down to $197, and Nintendo unveils its new DIY cardboard Switch accessories…

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Newegg offers an eight-pack of Fujitsu AA rechargeable 2550mAh batteries for $14.99 shipped. Originally $30, this is the best offer that we can find. For comparison, Amazon’s in-house brand of rechargeable batteries sell for $19 as an 8-pack. Features include a 2550mAh capacity and up to one year of storage/retention. Fujitsu batteries are generally well-rated at Amazon.

Other notable Green Deals today include:

• Save 30% on the Sengled Element A19 Smart Light Bulb, now down to $7 Prime shipped
• 4-pack SGL 4-inch Recessed LED Light Bulbs: $16 (Reg. $33) | Amazon
  • w/ code JEDPZJP2
• Segway’s sleek S1 Self-Balancing Personal Transporter returns to $299 shipped 

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Popular golf manufacturer TaylorMade has announced a partnership with Blast Motion, the folks behind those iPhone-connected sport trackers. Its first entry is the Spider Interactive putter, which uses a mixture of sensors and data to track stroke metrics and improvement over time. This is the also TaylorMade’s first completely integrated sensor product, skipping previously-required add-ons that were bulky and unattractive.

Spider Interactive will track a variety of metrics, including back and forward stroke, tempo, rotation and more. Aside from packing in all of this technology, the Spider putter is an attractive addition to any bag, its non-sensored version already being one of the most popular clubs in TaylorMade’s lineup.

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This morning, Amazon quietly made a few changes to its Prime membership pricing model. Typically $11 per month, the online giant is raising its popular two-day shipping service fee to $13. Those opting for an annual subscription will still pay the same $99 as before.

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Amazon offers its Prime members the Logitech Z337 Bluetooth 2.1-Ch. Speaker System for $49.98 shipped. Originally $100, this system has held fairly steady at $80 over the last year. Today’s offer is a match of our previous mention and the best that we’ve seen. Rated 4.2/5 stars.

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Home Depot offers the Ryobi 125MPH 8A Electric Blower for $34.97 shipped. Typically around $50+ this is the lowest price that we’ve tracked on this model. Features include two speeds, up to 135MPH flow, 8A of power and a handheld design. Rated 4.6/5 stars by over 280 Home Depot reviewers.

Other notable Green Deals today include:

• 4-pack SGL 4-inch Recessed LED Light Bulbs: $16 (Reg. $33) | Amazon
  • w/ code JEDPZJP2
• 6-pack Shine Hai Canelabra LED 40W Light Bulbs: $7 (Reg. $12) | Amazon
  • w/ code ZMXWEQAV
• Honeywell’s programmable thermostat will keep you warm & save money at $39 (Reg. $80)

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Adidas this week announced its latest collaboration, joining forces with Germany-based BVG to create one of the more unique sneakers we’ve seen recently. The EQT 93/17 were made in combination with Berlin’s public transportation company Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe to deliver an integrated subway pass for the city’s U-Bahn network.

That’s right, with Adidas’ latest creation all you have to do is walk up to the turn-style and you’re ready to hit the subway. The pass is only slated to be used for a year at a time, so there isn’t much detail on potential future re-upping. Given the long lines at yesterday’s release event, it’s safe say to say Germans are pining for this unique pair of kicks.

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Update: The Robot and Variety kits are now available for pre-order at Amazon.

Nintendo Switch was arguably the hottest release of 2017, with gamers new and old flocking to the beloved manufacturer’s latest console. Fast forward to today, and Nintendo is tapping into a whole new way of enjoying its handheld system.

Today’s fresh approach is called Nintendo Labo, and it features a DIY system of cardboard accessories that can transform Switch into a wide range of neat projects. That includes everything from a robot suit, to piano, fishing rod and more. Combining Switch’s Joy-Con controllers with these cardboard builds opens up a whole new range of mini-games. Nintendo is hoping to tap into the ever-expanding ‘maker’ culture while also bringing a tactile, real-life experience to kids.

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Colgate has a new toothbrush, announced at CES, and it’s only available at the Apple Store. Yes, it’s exclusive to Apple’s retail locations and it has all of the smart features you’d expect along with a $100 price tag. Much like other ‘smart’ toothbrushes on the market from Sonicare, this new release connects with your iPhone to track each brushing and gather data over time.

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Winsee (99% positive feedback all-time) via Amazon offers a six-pack of Shine Hai G25 Filament LED Light Bulbs for $6.99 Prime shipped when promo code 9FZSM3K7 is applied during checkout. Regularly $15, this is the lowest price that we’ve seen by $8 and the best offer available. Features include a retro-inspired glow and design, E26 base and two-year warranty. Rated 4.7/5 stars.

Other notable Green Deals today include:

• TCP 6-pack 60W A19 LED Light Bulbs: $5.50 (Reg. $10+) | Home Depot
• Get Leviton’s Decora Smart Z-Wave Plus Dimmer for $38 shipped (Reg. $49) 
• Greenworks 20-inch 40V Cordless Electric Snow Thrower from $171 shipped (25% off)

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The FIFISH P3 Underwater Drone was officially teased at CES 2018 ahead of its launch later this month on Indiegogo. With a unique design and consumer-friendly controls, this Mavic for the sea is made to capture all of the action below the surface. It has bright colors on the outside and an incredible amount of tech that enables capture of 4K footage and 20MP still images.

While its features are certainly professional-grade, the controls and design are decidedly not intimidating. In fact, it looks much like the controls we’ve come to know from DJI and Parrot, with dual joysticks and a place to secure your iPhone.

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Amazon offers the WeMo Switch Smart Plug for $21.99 Prime shipped. Originally $56, today’s deal is within $1 off the Amazon all-time low and the best that we can find. For comparison, some retailers are still charging around $40. This smart plug offers in-app scheduling, voice control, and works with appliances like Nest Thermostat. Rated 3.9/5 stars by over 15,000 Amazon reviewers.

Other notable Green Deals today include:

• Shine 6-pack Candelabra LED Lights: $7 (Reg. $12) | Amazon
  • w/ code ZMXWEQAV
• Greenworks 20-inch 40V Cordless Electric Snow Thrower from $171 shipped (25% off)
• Sylvania’s new HomeKit A19 Smart LED Light Bulb gets first discount to $21

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Google Assistant come in all shapes and sizes nowadays, but the vast majority are modern-looking speakers in every form of the word. Now, though, Klipsch is launching a new set of speakers that have a vintage look, and they’re gorgeous.

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This morning Twelve South has taken the wraps off its newest release, the PencilSnap for Apple Pencil. It is made of leather and designed to attach to just about any iPad case with the idea of securing Apple’s easy-to-lose input device. Not to long ago, Apple announced a similar product with the same $29 price tag. Twelve South’s new product takes the idea to another level with a few subtle features.

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Mophie kicked off 2018 with the release of its new powerstation AC external battery pack. This on-the-go power supply caught the eye of Mac users with its impressive 22000mAh capacity, USB-C PD support and the added bonus of an AC outlet. As the ultimate review test, I took Mophie’s latest release to Las Vegas in my CES backpack as the lone power supply for my MacBook and Nintendo Switch.

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Update 1/15: PC Richard & Son offers the Samsung MU6300 Series 55-inch LED 4K Smart TV for $449.97 shipped (Reg. $800). Rated 4.7/5 stars from Best Buy customers.

B&H offers the Sony 65-inch 4K Smart Ultra HDTV for $1,498 shipped. Better yet, B&H is throwing in a free Google Home. Originally $2,000, this TV usually goes for around $1,800 these days. This offer is matched at most online retailers like Amazon minus the included Google Home. Features include HR10 support, 120Hz refresh rate, smart functionality and four HDMI inputs. Rated 4.2/5 stars.

We also spotted the Element 65-inch 4K Smart Ultra HDTV with built-in Fire OS for $650 shipped at Amazon. Regularly $900, today’s offer is a new Amazon all-time low. Features include a 60Hz refresh rate, Fire OS support, four HDMI inputs and built-in Alexa functionality. Rated 3.6/5 stars.

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AnkerDirect’s new ZOLO Halo Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Speaker with Alexa is on sale at Amazon for $39.99 shipped. Regularly $50+, this is the first notable discount that we’ve seen since its release. Features include a built-in 5W speaker and bass port, Alexa services, and the ability to link up to six units together for multi-room sound. Reviews are still coming here, but Anker’s line consistently scores very high with Amazon customers.

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In this week’s Best of 9to5Toys: Best Buy launches a two-day tech sale, our favorite gear from CES 2018, Nike Last Chance sale and more…

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Oak Leaf LLC (99% positive feedback) via Amazon offers an 8-pack of its Solar Pathway Lights for $17.99 Prime shipped when promo code IERWSL5T is applied. That’s a $14.50 savings off the regular price and a new Amazon all-time low. This is a great way to illuminate your outdoor spaces or sidewalks without adding wiring. Thanks to built-in solar panels, you won’t need to depend on batteries. Rated 4/5 stars.

Other notable Green Deals today include:

• WEN 13.5-Amp Electric Snow Blower drops to just $89 shipped at Amazon
• Nest Thermostat 3rd Gen. Smart Thermostat: $199 (Reg. $249) | Amazon
• Philips 4-pack E26 100W LED Light Bulbs: $17 (Reg. $22) | Amazon

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You may have heard of Heatworks before, the brand behind those sleek iPhone-connected water heaters. CES 2018 delivered a new creation from the brand that’s designed for apartment dwellers and those running low on space. Tetra is a countertop dishwasher from Heatworks and design group ‘frog’ that offers smartphone features, a unique (and attractive) design along with the ability to clean an entire load in 10 minutes.

Of course, you can control the entire thing with your iPhone, too.

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Scosche has announced a new line of iPhone-focused Qi wireless charging accessories today at CES 2018. Each of these new products belongs to the MagicMount Pro line that includes solutions for desks, cars, night stands and more.

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