Monthly Archives: October 2015

Garmin unveils new Vivosmart fitness wearable, Index Smart Scale

October 27, 2015Wearablesfitness, fitness tracker, Garmin, health, sensor, Slashgear, smart, smartwatch, tracker, tracking, Vivosmart, wearable

Only a week after announcing a trio of smartwatches with heart rate monitoring capabilities, Garmin is back with a new Vivosmart HR fitness tracker, as well as its first smart scale. The new wearable not only includes a heart-rate sensor, but offers continuous monitoring all throughout the day. Along with a touchscreen, the tracker can handle several typical smartwatch functions, including notifications. Garmin’s new Index Smart Scale, on the other hand, comes with its own unique health tracking features.
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https://www.slashgear.com/garmin-unveils-new-vivosmart-fitness-wearable-index-smart-scale-27411783/

Shure SRH145 Headphones Review

October 26, 2015Audio & Video, Wearablesheadphones, portable, Review, sensor, Shure

It’s easy to get drawn in by expensive headphones that come with a plethora of features and design quirks—like touch-sensor controls or swappable faceplates. But sometimes you don’t need or even want any of those fancy features. Instead, you just need a pair of headphones that look good, don’t cost much, and just plain work.

Well, say hello to the Shure SRH145 Portable Headphones (MSRP: $39.00). Very similar—in looks and performance—to the SRH144s, the SRH145s feature a closed-back on-ear design that’s meant to provide isolation from ambient sounds, while retaining optimum comfort.
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https://www.reviewed.com/

Xiaomi Mi 4c review

October 26, 2015PhonesReview, Xiaomi

1. Introduction

Xiaomi Mi 4, one of the hottest Chinese-bred flagships of 2014, got two modifications over the course of its lifecycle – that’s an achievement right there. The Mi 4i was more of an attractive mid-ranger rather than a Mi 4 spiritual successor, but the Mi 4c is what we call a flagship in disguise and a true successor of the Mi 4.

Xiaomi is supposed to announce the anticipated Mi 5 in just few weeks, but yet it surprised its loyal fans with a device so good that it’s almost impossible to resist. The Xiaomi Mi 4c looks absolutely the same as the Mi 4i. And this is where the ordinary talk ends.
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https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_4c-review-1328.php

7 Laptop Battery Secrets That You Never Knew Before

October 26, 2015Wearableslaptop

The laptop you have had for a couple of years might be starting to get weak and since you can’t afford a new one so like many, would have to contend with just a new battery. Now that you want your battery to be replaced, there are a few trade secrets that you need to keep in mind before you to the market.

Here we present you with six of these important ones you must know before heading out:
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https://wonderfulengineering.com/7-laptop-battery-secrets-that-you-never-knew-before/

Apple being sued over iOS 9 Wi-Fi Assist feature

October 26, 2015WearablesApple, iOS, ios 9, ipad, iphone, Slashgear, suit

We should have probably seen this coming a mile away, especially considering how people love suing Apple for almost every consumer misstep it makes. The latest class action suit filed against it by William Scott Phillips and Suzanne Schmidt Phillips on behalf of all other disgruntled iPhone and iPad users relates to the new Wi-Fi Assist feature added and enabled by default on iOS 9. The feature, which silently uses cellular data when Wi-Fi quality is poor, has allegedly caused the plaintiffs more than $5 million in data charges.
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https://www.slashgear.com/apple-being-sued-over-ios-9-wi-fi-assist-feature-25411454/

OPPO Neo 7 announced, 5-inch display with Snapdragon 410 processor

October 26, 2015Phonesandroid, Oppo, processor, Slashgear, smartphone, Snapdragon

Android device manufacturer Oppo has just debuted its latest smartphone today, the Neo 7. As the successor to the Neo 5 and Neo 5s, which were released earlier this year, the Neo 7 continues the line’s intentions of being an entry-level Android device. Sorry, Android flagship fans, you won’t find much interesting for you here. Everyone else, however, has a new option when it comes to an affordable 5-inch Android-powered phone.
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https://www.slashgear.com/oppo-neo-7-announced-5-inch-display-with-snapdragon-410-processor-26411484/

Amazon Echo can now give Yelp restaurant suggestions

October 26, 2015Audio & VideoAmazon, Amazon Echo, Bluetooth, business, echo, Google, google now, siri, Slashgear, speaker

Alexa, the personificaiton of Amazon’s Echo Bluetooth speaker, isn’t exactly the most popular among the main virtual assistants. The product itself hasn’t exactly been the most wanted thing in the market, with a niche purpose that mostly ties in with Amazon’s core business of selling you stuff. But like Siri or Google Now, much of Alexa’s functionality depends on the services that integrate with the platform. Luckily for owners of the Echo, Amazon has expanded its functionality to include Yelp recommendations for interesting local establishments.
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https://www.slashgear.com/amazon-echo-can-now-give-yelp-restaurant-suggestions-26411464/

Real world MPG tests peg Titan XD Cummins at 17.7mpg combined

October 26, 2015CarsFord, Ford F-150, Nissan, Nissan Titan, Slashgear, titan, truck, trucks

Fans of diesel-powered trucks have one more model that will use the popular Cummins diesel engines to choose from in 2016. Nissan has a Cummins powered truck that will sit in the gap between a normal half-ton truck like the Ford F-150 and heavy-duty trucks like the F-250. The new Nissan Titan will be available with a standard gas engine as well.

The big benefit in having a diesel engine under the hood is improved fuel economy and more towing power. MotorTrend recently had a chance to put the new Titan XD with the Cummins turbodiesel engine through its Real MPG testing to see how the truck would fare in the real world.
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https://www.slashgear.com/real-world-mpg-tests-peg-titan-xd-cummins-at-17-7mpg-combined-26411480/

New iPhone 6s ads focus on camera, Siri, and Jamie Foxx

October 26, 2015PhonesApple, camera, entertainment, iphone, IPHONE 6S, siri, Slashgear, smartphone, video

Apple is usually known for video ads that are subtle, artful, tastefully done, and entertaining. These latest ones for the new iPhone 6s are perhaps no different, though some might be scratching their heads at the point that Apple wants to make in some of them. Beyond their entertainment value, that is. Three videos make up this latest batch, one focusing on the smartphone’s new camera and the others on Siri. Well, perhaps on Jamie Foxx more, with Siri acting as an obedient, hands-free assistant.
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https://www.slashgear.com/new-iphone-6s-ads-focus-on-camera-siri-and-jamie-foxx-26411458/

Mercedes to equip S and E-Class cars with CO2 AC system starting in 2017

October 26, 2015Carsautomotive, luxury, Mercedes, Slashgear

Mercedes has announced that it intends to comply with new EU climate protection regulations that start in 2017 by moving two of its popular luxury cars to new types of air conditioning systems. The S-Class and E-Class cars will move to CO2 air conditioning systems starting in 2017. Mercedes says that the new AC systems were developed based on the DIN specifications defined by the automotive standards committee of the German Association of the Automotive industry.
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https://www.slashgear.com/mercedes-to-equip-s-and-e-class-cars-with-co2-ac-system-starting-in-2017-26411470/

Ministry of Sound Audio L Plus review: Much more than a Clubber’s Guide

October 26, 2015Audio & Videoaudio, Beats, Bluetooth, DJs, headphones, Review, speakers, wireless

Who would have thought that Ministry of Sound would be an obvious Sonosmulti-room audio competitor? That’s exactly where the Audio L Plus is targeting its attention, as the top-of-line product in the MoS Audio range.

Forget sweat-dripping-from-the-ceiling clubs with DJs spinning vinyl dubplates back in the early 1990s, though, the Audio L Plus is all about the here and now. It’s neat and tidy in appearance, capable of networked multi-room support, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, or wired input to blast out those beats – or other musical genres of your choice.

Having recently seen the affordable Audio On headphones from the same line, which were rather bass-heavy in their tuning, does the Ministry of Sound Audio L Plus manage a more balanced output to appeal to not only Clubber’s Guide fans familiar with the brand, but a wider audience too?
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/speakers/reviews/135682-ministry-of-sound-audio-l-plus-review-much-more-than-a-clubber-s-guide

Android 6.0 Marshmallow vs 5.0 Lollipop head-to-head

October 26, 2015Wearablesandroid, android 5.0, Google, google now, Lollipop, mobile, security, software, tablet

Verdict

Some improvements remain to be proven, but Android Marshmallow is nonetheless the best version of Google’s mobile OS so far

Android 6.0 Marshmallow is the software that’ll power almost every new Android phone and tablet of 2016. Any changes it makes will affect millions.

Marshmallow is less of a drastic change than Android 5.0 Lollipop was, but there are still numerous functional and visual changes that not only continue what Google started with Lollipop’s Material UI. On top of this is greater clarity in the system’s security, a much more wide-ranging set of abilities for the Google Now personal assistant and more detailed battery management. Here’s how Android 6.0 Marshmallow stacks up next to Android 5.0 Lollipop.
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https://www.itpro.co.uk/android/25480/android-60-marshmallow-vs-50-lollipop-head-to-head

Richard Petty’s Speed Shop Building 727hp King Mustang

October 26, 2015Carscomputer, Ford, Mustang, Mustang GT, racecar, Slashgear

NASCAR fans will recognize the name Richard Petty as “The King”, a long time racecar driver and winner of many races during his career. Petty now owns a speed shop in North Carolina where his crew builds some fast cars for customers and the latest car that the company is offering is a hopped up FordMustang dubbed the Mustang King.

The Mustang King starts life as a stock 435hp Mustang GT and then gets massaged by the gang at Petty’s Garage. The modifications include MagnaFlow exhaust, new intake system, Ford Performance supercharger, and the needed computer calibrations to make safe power with that blower.
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https://www.slashgear.com/richard-pettys-speed-shop-building-727hp-king-mustang-26411472/

HTC Grip pushed back again to first quarter next year

October 26, 2015Wearablescamera, case, headset, HTC, HTC Vive, Slashgear, smartphone, virtual reality, vive, vr

HTC has tried to venture outside of smartphone comfort zone with products like a strange action camera and a virtual reality headset. While these products seemed quite decent or at least interesting, they’re not exactly the hottest items in the market. And in the case of the HTC Vive VR headgear, isn’t even in the market yet. Another product that is joining that “coming soon” list is the HTC Grip, which has again been delayed, this time with a slightly more definite date of “early next year”.
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https://www.slashgear.com/htc-grip-pushed-back-again-to-first-quarter-next-year-26411449/

How to get to Android Marshmallow’s hidden file manager

October 26, 2015Phonesandroid, app, computer, Google, Google Play, how to, usb

If you, like me, are accustomed to micromanaging your files on your computer, the lack of a built-in file manager on smartphones can be a serious pain point. Why do I have to jump from app to app to manage files? Why can’t I do it all from one place? Sure, you can find various file management apps on Google Play, but Android itself never shipped with one. Until now, anyway.

Android 6 Marshmallow includes a hidden file manager that’s switched off by default, but you can switch it on quickly and easily if you know where to look.

Go to the Settings app then tap Storage & USB (it’s under the Device subheading). Scroll to the bottom of the resulting screen then tap Explore: Just like that, you’ll be taken to a file manager that lets you get at just about any file on your phone.
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https://www.greenbot.com/article/2996030/how-to-get-to-android-marshmallows-hidden-file-manager.html

Surface Book vs. MacBook Pro: It isn’t twice as fast. It’s three times as fast

October 26, 2015Computers & ITChevy, Ford, MacBook, macbook pro, Microsoft, Surface, Surface Book

Of course we had to pit the Surface Book vs. the MacBook Pro. It’s like Ford vs. Chevy, or Coke vs. Pepsi. Each side has its diehard fans, plus others who just want to know which is better.

Microsoft claims its new Surface Book is “twice” as fast as its equivalent MacBook Pro. Well, we ran some benchmarks, and hate to say it, but Microsoft lied. The Surface Book isn’t twice as fast.

It’s three times as fast.
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https://www.pcworld.com/article/2995599/surface-book-vs-macbook-pro-it-isnt-twice-as-fast-its-three-times-as-fast.html

2016 Lexus GS F First Drive

October 25, 2015Cars2016 Lexus GS F, first drive, lexus, Lexus GS, Slashgear

“Man, this is nice,” my driving partner says, as if a little surprised. We’re just seated inside the 2016 Lexus GS F, awash in colorful leathers, soft Alcantara, and crisp digital displays. While I’m trying to figure out how far we are from the Cicuito de Jarama track, our destination for the day, 8:30a.m. traffic engulfs Madrid on the roads all around us.

The car we’re seated in will arrive in showrooms in December, and when it does, it will continue the industry trend towards upmarket, increasingly niche segments. For its part, the luxe Japanese automaker has largely avoided following in the footsteps of the big German three in that regard. In many ways, the GS F will look to make its own way as well, all 2,000 of them slated to arrive in America.
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https://www.slashgear.com/

Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 review: Big audio, basic design

October 25, 2015Audio & Videoaudio, Bluetooth, Creative, Review, Sony, speaker, speakers, ultimate ears

When the original Creative Sound Blaster Roar landed on our desk last year we were impressed by the big sound from its small scale. Now it’s the turn of the more compact, more powerful, yet more expensive sequel: the Roar 2.

It’s incredible how quickly the world of Bluetooth speakers progresses. We’ve seen some stand-out designs from the likes of Ultimate Ears, while big names such as Sony have excelled with models such as the SRS-X55. Creative, on the other hand, has stuck by its laurels, producing a speaker with exposed ports that lacks the aesthetic elegance of the competition.
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/speakers/reviews/creative/135671-creative-sound-blaster-roar-2-review-big-audio-basic-design

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata review: Forget the specs, Mazda’s roadster is the embodiment of driving joy

October 25, 2015CarsMazda, mazda mx, Mazda MX-5, MX-5 Miata, Review

THE GOOD

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata boasts excellent driving dynamics, quite good efficiency and, perhaps most importantly, a level of feedback and “feel” that is lacking in many modern sports cars. Mazda has revised the roadster’s ergonomics, making it a better fit for tall drivers, despite its more compact dimensions.

THE BAD

Mazda’s packaging makes some option combos (or deletions) impossible. For example, it’s impossible to get the handling upgrades without Mazda Connect.
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https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/reviews/2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-review/

Jawbone Up4 Review: Smart Coach, Dumb Price

October 25, 2015Wearablesfitness, fitness tracker, hardware, jawbone, Review, smart, tracker

The top-end fitness tracker in its lineup, the Jawbone Up4 can measure your heart rate, track your sleep, set your thermostat automatically, and even be used to pay for things at the store. So why does this $199 device feel overpriced? A lot has to do with the way its hardware is underused.

Design

Aesthetically, there’s no difference between the Jawbone Up3 and the Up4. Both are stylish plastic bands whose insides have five square metal contacts; these are used to measure your heart rate. On the top are three indicator lights for sleep, activity and notifications.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/jawbone-up4,review-3116.html

Fugoo Style XL: Big, Loud and Tough

October 25, 2015Audio & VideoBluetooth, Fugoo, portable, portable Bluetooth speakers, Review, speaker, speakers

There’s a place for small and cheap portable speakers, but when you really want to hear your tunes, you need to go big. The new Fugoo Style XL is the perfect example of this, retaining its predecessor’s ruggedness and long battery life while making the sound bigger and better.

Fugoo’s excellent original portable Bluetooth speakers — Style, Sport and Tough — have a lot going for them: ruggedness, long battery life and good sound. With the XL line, Fugoo kept all the best elements of its original speaker and made the sound bigger and better.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/fugoo-style-xl-bluetooth-speaker,review-3142.html

Blackphone 2 Review: Security, for a Price

October 25, 2015Phonesmobile, Review, security, smartphone

Picking a phone is like learning to trust a friend: You don’t want to confide in someone who will blab every detail of your life to everyone else, just as you want to be able to trust that your smartphone activity isn’t being relayed back to a carrier or Internet giant.

Mobile-security company Silent Circle’s sophomore effort at the ultimate private device aims to providejust that. The Blackphone 2 (starting at $799 unlocked) is a device you can trust with your sensitive information and communications, and it even lets you create up to four virtual phones in one handset. But security features aside, the Blackphone doesn’t stack up well compared to other flagship phones.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/blackphone-2,review-3138.html

Roku 4 review: The ultimate 4K accessory for your shiny new TV

October 25, 2015Audio & Video4K, Amazon, movies, Netflix, Review, roku, TV, video, Vudu, youtube

When you drop a chunk of change on a shiny new thing, like a big TV with 4K resolution, the urge to accessorize can be overwhelming. If that urge has just overtaken you, the Roku 4 looks pretty sweet.

This squat little box spits out the widest variety of 4K video available today — including Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Vudu and M-Go — and makes finding actual 4K TV shows and movies easier than ever. It’s still early days for 4K so even those services don’t have much, and newer 4K movies cost a bundle, but if you’re hot to demo that new TV, I guess some 4K is better than no 4K.
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https://www.cnet.com/reviews/roku-4-review/

Check Out MB&F’s Special Edition LM101 For Hodinkee

October 25, 2015Wearablescase, luxury, wearable

The MB&F LM101 is a beautiful timepiece and, quite possibly, the most wearable of the luxury watchmaker’s ostentatious creations. It doesn’t look like a spaceship, it isn’t sized like a wrist-mounted weapon, and it looks normal enough to pair with most any outfit in your wardrobe.

If there was any caveat, it’s the fact that the case is made in gold – a softer precious metal that you’ll probably have to worry about scratching every time you wear it out. That’s why the new MB&F LM101 for Hodinkee trades in the gold for stainless steel, housing the same ostentatious timepiece in a metal you won’t mind knocking into stuff.
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https://www.coolthings.com/

BlackBerry Priv up for preorder, Android slider for $699

October 25, 2015Phonesandroid, blackberry, BlackBerry Priv, security, Slashgear

Just two days after an early listing, the new BlackBerry Priv is now officially available for pre-order in the US, Canada, and the UK. The good news is that the Android-powered device is priced at $699 for the US, a little better than the original $749 that was hinted at earlier this week. Along with a sliding physical keyboard and a focus on BlackBerry’s specialty of security, the rest of the phone’s specs were listed, with a US shipping date of November 6th.
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https://www.slashgear.com/blackberry-priv-up-for-preorder-android-slider-for-699-23411296/

Fallout 4 Xbox One controller arrives next month

October 25, 2015Wearablesbethesda, console, controller, fallout, fallout 4, game, Online, pc, Playstation, Playstation 4, Slashgear, Xbox, Xbox Console, Xbox One

You’ve been preparing for it — maybe you’ve even shelled out for the special beer — and now it is nearly upon us: Fallout 4 arrives next month for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Those playing it on the Xbox console will have a special controller option thanks to Bethesda, which is teasing gamers with a bright blue controller up for pre-sale in its online store. The controller is only offered for Xbox One, and it’ll arrive alongside the game.
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https://www.slashgear.com/fallout-4-xbox-one-controller-arrives-next-month-23411397/

2016 Nissan N Attack GT-R Brings Extra Aero and suspension to SEMA

October 25, 2015Carsgt-r, Japan, nismo, Nissan, Slashgear

Nissan has announced that it will be bringing a sweet hopped up version of the GT-R to SEMA for fans to check out. The car is the 2016 Nissan Nismo R Attack GT-R and it has extra parts that are designed to make it faster at the track. All those extra parts were tested at the Nurburgring.

Buyers will get aerodynamic tidbits to improve downforce including a larger rear wing, ground effects course, and updated suspension for better handling. Buyers in Japan can order the car up directly from the Omori factory.
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https://www.slashgear.com/2016-nissan-n-attack-gt-r-brings-extra-aero-and-suspension-to-sema-23411306/

Apple Music for Android screenshots leak

October 25, 2015Wearablesandroid, Apple, apple music, apple tv, business, iOS, ios 8, ios 8.4, ipad, iphone, iPod, ipod touch, leak, music, OS X, Slashgear, software, streaming, streaming service, TV

Apple might not commonly be in the business of making apps for Android, but a new leak suggests it has cross-platform ambitions for Apple Music. The subscription-based streaming service launched back in June with iOS 8.4 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and OS X, but according to a new set of screenshots, work is progressing on what’s purportedly an Android version of the software.
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https://www.slashgear.com/apple-music-for-android-screenshots-leak-24411404/

2016 Toyota 4Runner Review

October 25, 2015Carselectric, model x, Review, Slashgear, suv, Tesla, Toyota, Toyota 4Runner

It felt almost blasphemous, turning up at Tesla’s Model X launch in the vast 2016 Toyota 4Runner. Stood in line outside, surrounded by Tesla owners – many of them preorder customers for the new electric SUV – discussing the longest trip on a single charge they’d made, or the money on gas they’d saved, or just how generally superior to dinosaur-juice burning cars their electric steeds turned out to be, I couldn’t help but dwell on the 4Runner’s 4.0-liter V6 engine and its 18mpg mileage.
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https://www.slashgear.com/

HTC defends One A9 design, will roll out to M, Desire lines

October 25, 2015Phonesandroid, Apple, HTC, HTC one, Slashgear, smartphone

The HTC One A9, which the Taiwanese OEM just unveiled Tuesday, is technically an OK, if not great, Android smartphone. Sadly, all its strengths, and even its weaknesses, will be drowned out by its one glaring feature, or misfeature, depending on who you ask. To almost everyone except HTC, the One A9 looks too eerily similar to Apple’s new design that debuted on theiPhone 6. Of course, HTC is denying that accusation by doing perhaps what it should not: calling Apple the actual copycat instead.
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https://www.slashgear.com/htc-defends-one-a9-design-will-roll-out-to-m-desire-lines-23411208/