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Droid Bionic Bug Fix Update Coming in November

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I’ve been getting a lot of emails from frustrated Motorola Droid Bionic owners who have been complaining about a number of bugs including issues with the phone making the switch from 3G to 4G and in regards to a mysterious high pitched sound that seems to occur when listening to media through a pair of headphones connected to the device.

Well, we have some good news on the bug killing front as Droid-Life is reporting that a bug fix update will be rolling out in November and should take care of these two issues and more.

Yes, I realize that it’s still September, which means you have a fairly long wait ahead of you before these bugs get ironed out but at least we know that a fix is coming. Verizon has confirmed it with an extremely long list of bug fixes.

Droid Bionic

The list is long, but here it is in its entirety:

Issue:  4G/3G Service – Data Connectivity

  • Marginal 4G to 3G transition:  Loss of data connectivity – The device may display 3G service indication but no data connections are possible.
  • Action: The user will need to power cycle the device or enable/disable Airplane Mode.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  High Pitch Headset Noise:

  • A customer may experience high pitched “screetches” while using high end wired headsets.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Mobile Hotspot User Limitations:

  • The Mobile Hotspot only supports 5 users.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: This is a limitation of the device hardware and cannot be corrected.

Issue:  Non-branded Chargers:

  • The XT875 can only be charged with Motorola or Verizon Wireless branded chargers.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  USB Cables:

  • The XT875 can only be used with Motorola USB cables.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  Google Talk Video Calls:

  • Google Video Talk sessions can be established faster if you start a text chat session first.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  Touchdown Compatibility:

  • Nitrodesk’s Touchdown will not function on the XT875.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  Lapdock low memory warning:

  • With 4 or more windows opened, a user may see low memory warnings.
  • Action: The user can terminate browser sessions and/or stop running applications (Tasks application in System Tray).
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the second post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is under review.

9.  Issue:  Mobile Hotspot Security Modes:

  • Mobile Hotspot does not support WEP or WPA Wi-Fi protocols. Only WPA2 is supported .
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: No resolution required, working as designed and approved by Verizon Wireless.

Issue:  Home Panel Application Shortcuts:

  • Application shortcuts may be removed from the Home Panel without any user interaction.
  • Action: The User can go in System Tray and manually add them back in Home Panels. The applications are not deleted from the device.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the second post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is under review.

Issue:  MMS Media Message View:

  • The user may encounter “Force Close” errors or delays when opening MMS messages with media attachments.
  • Action: The user may need to make more than one attempt to view the message.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Recent Applications Display:

  • If a user presses and holds the Home key, recently run applications are displayed. Selecting an application may generate an error message “Application not installed on phone.”
  • Action: Access the application from the System Tray.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  3 Way Calling – Ending Last Call:

  • In certain infrastructure markets (Motorola and Nortel), pressing the “End last call” button will place the last party on hold and not drop the call.
  • Action: User should use the “End call” button to insure all parties are disconnected.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  MEID Displayed:

  • Under Settings > About Phone > Status, the 14 digit MEID is displayed rather than the 15 digit IMEI.
  • Action: This information is available on the battery cavity label.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Verizon Wireless Media Store Ringtones:

  • Ringtones purchased through online store cannot be saved when received in an MMS message. User will get an “error saving attachment” error.
  • Action: The user should use the VCast Tone application to purchase ringtones.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Post OTA Update – Favorites:

  • The Favorites contacts may be deleted after a software update. The user will need to manually add the Favorites back.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  SIM Swapping Blocks OTA Updates:

  • In another provisioned SIM is inserted into the XT875 and original SIM is reinserted, the device will not get any OTA updates.
  • Action: The user will need to perform a factory reset to get OTA updates.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Answering incoming calls while in the Lapdock:

  • A user may not be able to answer an incoming call while the XT875 is in the Lapdock.
  • Action: This issue can be reduced if the call is answered during the first ring cycle.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the second post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is under review.

Issue:  Camera use while in Lapdock:

  • If the XT875 is in the Lapdock and the user opens the Camera, they may receive a “Camera is unable to initialize” error message.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the second post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is under review.

Issue:  NFL Mobile – Lapdock Videos:

  • NFL Mobile videos will not be displayed while the Bionic is in the Lapdock.
  • Action: No work around required.
  • Resolution: This is a limitation of DRM protection.

Issue:  Sleep Mode After HD Dock Use:

  • If the XT875 is removed from the HD Dock, the device may not go back into screen saver mode.
  • Action: Go to Settings > Applications > Development and uncheck “Stay awake” option.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Resets during Visual Voicemail:

  • User may encounter resets while playing back voice messages or replying with voice messages.
  • Action: There is no known work around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Visual Voicemail Power-up Message:

  • When the XT875 is powered up the user may see “Data service N/A. Select to refresh” as a Visual Voicemail activities alert in the Notification Panel.
  • Action: This is a false error message. It can be dismissed from the Notification Panel.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

Issue:  Message Thread Order – Device Rotation:

  • If the XT875 is rotated from portrait to landscape then back to portrait mode after a message sent, the message thread jumps from the latest to the oldest message.
  • Action: There is no known around.
  • Resolution: A fix for this issue is under review and will be included in the first post launch maintenance release software for this device. The tentative release date is early November 2011.

How has your experience with the Droid Bionic been, folks?

51 Comments

51 Comments

  1. Efrendelaluz

    09/30/2011 at 12:25 pm

    I returned the damn thing to Verizon!!!! Stupid Motorola they delayed the phone for 9 freaking months and still didn’t get it right!!!!

    • Jim-Maryland

      09/30/2011 at 3:57 pm

      I did too. Got it on the 8th; returned it 12 day later after a half dozen black freezes requiring battery pulls.

    • JpNerd

      10/18/2011 at 11:00 am

      I read most of the other posts here and wow, if anyone thinks they are going to stay ahead of the tech curve when it comes to phones, then you don’t know even a tiny bit about technology.  It’s about picking the best of the time, at your price point and best suited for your needs.  I went through the Droid Charge nightmare and let me tell you that Verizon was little to no help.  Through my own means I sourced a Bionic and while it has a few quirks, it blows away, the charge and all others available, beyond recognition.  I had to resist the urge to stomp on the Charge with my boot instead of selling it to recoup my losses.  For anyone think of replying with some nerdhatage to this I will tell you this, get the next best phone coming out after you obsess over it, pay too much as they are all overpriced at launch, then be prepared to be disappointed very shortly after when the next best thing is announced or released.  Happy Hunting To All.

  2. Anonymous

    09/30/2011 at 1:23 pm

    Weird, I haven’t had problems, though I don’t use most of the features mentioned above.

    • Favor2121

      10/01/2011 at 10:19 am

      I HAVEN’T HAD THOSE ISSUES EITHER..LOVE THE DOCKING SYATION / LAPTOP FEATURE..

      • Guest

        10/27/2011 at 4:52 pm

        WHY ARE YOU YELLING?

  3. Hollins

    09/30/2011 at 2:03 pm

    No problems other than if you don’t use the swype to text the keys will sometimes stick and will cause zooming when scrolling through webpage only fix I hanger found for this is to use swype but swype was better on my DX

    • Hollis

      09/30/2011 at 2:06 pm

      Perfect example hanger should of been have*

  4. FanDroid619

    09/30/2011 at 2:28 pm

    Still patiently waitin’ on the bug-killer update for my DROID X2  :-)

    • Victor

      11/16/2011 at 8:05 pm

      I went through 3 droid X2’s.  I loved this phone(s) but, each one of them was a nightmare.  Just as I got one customized, I had to get another one because of it freezing up, the notification light staying on for no reason, pulled battery several times, etc., so…they finally sent me a droid bionic.  Now that has some sound quirks.  Hopefully the software update in November will address the sound issue.  Good luck to all…

  5. Anonymous

    09/30/2011 at 2:47 pm

    My Bionic is working great..Im afraid of OTA updates ..Bye Bye ROOT.

  6. David

    09/30/2011 at 6:21 pm

    It’s no big deal to wait til Nov for the update–I’m over the age of consent and already like my Bionic just fine.  The only issue that seems to bug people the most–the headphone whine–is fixed by using attenuation on one’s headphones.   I use the switch in my Bose QC15 to totally eliminate the whine until Moto issues some type of fix.   that’s quite a statement on my part, seeing as I’m a dyed-in-the-wool audiophile.  :)     the data connection thing doesn’t affect me often, and when it does, I have a shortcut to Airplane Mode on my home screen.    A few seconds of going into/out of Airplane mode fixes it right up.

  7. Rezzie1975

    09/30/2011 at 9:45 pm

    Mine is working decent. However I do agree. Android & all the manufacturers have a huge hurdle to overcome with making things work before release… this is why people will go to apple. They may be less open. But they do what they say they are gonna do. Now I had. DROID X brand new Jan 15th and 7 phones later, a thunderbolt for 2 weeks and now a bionic on the 8th. Im afraid of what does work now … again won’t after the update. My DROIDX was perfect when I first got it. Verizon and Motorola should let you opt to update and rollback if needed… this is my last swing at Android. Let’s see if it will stay decent. If not im jumping ship.

    • David

      10/01/2011 at 9:35 am

      Apple has their share of issues and missing features.   people buy Apple mostly because Apple products are SIMPLE to operate.   Not because they have tons of features.   Android does more than iOS and Android has every app that I’ve had on my touch so I can happily put away my touch.

      • Billtaylor12

        10/02/2011 at 10:56 pm

        Had minor bugs with ipad 2 after few days i dont think its an apple or android thing. In fact the only bug ive had on bionic is the ocassional data bug

    • Rezzie1975

      10/06/2011 at 6:15 am

      Update: My Bionic just shutdown during a call. I had to power it back on. Now what?

  8. BrianB13

    10/01/2011 at 10:37 am

    If you like your Bionic, good for you.  I’m so glad I passed on the Bionic even after waiting 9 months for it following all the hype.  As long as its out in October or November, I’m getting the Nexus Prime.  If that doesn’t work out, I will get the HTC Vigor.  Either one of these phones will be far superior to the Bionic and definitely worth waiting a month or two more for.  

    • Joe Giannetti

      10/01/2011 at 7:53 pm

      yeh and in another 2 months a phone will come out that will blow away the htc vigor  they are  already working on 2.5 ghz proccessors for phones…..I love my bionic

  9. Tp246779

    10/02/2011 at 2:57 pm

    what a bout the freeken camera focousing and the dissapearing apps? If moto dont f motorolaix these issues i will demand that i be  elegable for another upgrade?  motorola are a bunch of slackers

  10. Justin

    10/04/2011 at 4:51 pm

    Only Issue i have had was my phone went into BP Dump mode and they had to replace my phone. Hopefully this hasnt happened to anybody else yet. Happened about 12 days after i got it and moto said it was the first they heard of it with the bionic. Other than that i love the phone.

  11. rb

    10/05/2011 at 5:46 am

    I am enjoying the phone. This is my first android experience. Switched over from bb storm2. LTE is fantastic and having the ability to talk and surf on verizon (b/c of lte) is the best part. That being said, the camera is awful. I have two small children and by the time I hit the button to take the pic, the kids have moved and the picture that comes out is blury, grainy and ultimately, not what I wanted to shoot. Thinking about returning to costco today and waiting for the 4s.

  12. Motoxer

    10/05/2011 at 7:47 pm

    On my third Bionic. First one had a defective 4G radio, dead pixel and loud noisy battery cover. Second one reset literally about every ten minutes. Third one has its share of bugs but they’re mostly software related. What the hell was moto thinking giving tgis phone a plastic battery cover??? Dumb A$$es!!!

  13. Marcus2242

    10/06/2011 at 9:17 am

    …my biggest issues are app’s that disappear shortly after I download them, and it seems to be the same app’s all the time????

    • Guyver

      10/06/2011 at 12:28 pm

      It is the biggest issue and has to do witb the way the phone stores data on the SD card. Apps that are inappropriately stored are not seen by the phone and thus it thinks they are not installed. This is the most basic of things for a smart phone and yet they screwed it up. You have to wait until November for the issue to be fixed. I hope a class action lawsuit gets underway on this.

  14. Mmcnally

    10/06/2011 at 11:40 am

    I am on my second or third bionic depending on whether you believe the Verizon people on the phone or the rude employees at the Verizon kiosk. It was a bizarre and nightmarish experience. My phone still has the same glitch, but I am more concerned with the treatment I received at the kiosk and could care less about a phone that was obviously released too soon. After dealing with the immature and unprofessional supervisor at the kiosk I called Verizon and requested a supervisor to formally lodge a complaint. I was assured that the matter would be taken seriously and that they would respond back to me. Needless to say that over a week has passed and I have heard nothing. I am considering sucking up the fee for breaking the contract just to get away from this toxic company.
       

  15. Guyver

    10/06/2011 at 12:19 pm

    The Bionic is my second Motorola Droid and my last. I returned the Droid X within two days due to its clunky and poorly implemented user interface and lack of cut and paste. HTC simply makes a better Android phone. I can’t believe people like Motorola Android phones. For every one thing they get right they get two wrong.

    Try an HTC and you will see the difference. The Bionic is all in all an utter failure. The Thunderbolt had a couple of issues but this thing is crippled. You can’t tell me this thing was tested for even the basics of functionality. The major issue with Bionics is dissappearing apps. This has to do witb how it communicates with the SD card. Some apps on the SD card will work. Some simply show their icon like they are installed and when you click it you get an error message that the app is not installed.

    Couple this issue with repeated error messages indicating insufficient storage space, when their isn’t, and invalid lage file errors as well as all the other bugs and you have a device that is severely crippled and unable to function as designed. I complaines enough that Verizon gave me a free upgrade and told me to keep the phone. I am making due until the HTC Vigor comes out and then selling this garbage.

    • Guyver

      10/06/2011 at 12:21 pm

      Sorry about the typos

    • Whitelie389

      11/04/2011 at 12:05 pm

      Won’t buy another htc my wife’s Eris was garbage

  16. Bill_johnson45

    10/06/2011 at 12:52 pm

    Interesting, maybe some people got a bad batch of phones.  I for one have explored the phone inside out and only have experienced the data switching bug.  No whine, apps fine, no fc’s, in fact its an AWESOME phone!

    too each his own i guess

    • Wbucklew2003

      11/14/2011 at 6:49 am

      I am with you. No problems with mine either. Just loss of data connection and missing apps. love my bionic!

  17. Suz

    10/06/2011 at 2:05 pm

    Blackberry to DroidX to Blackberry to Droid Bionic user –   I hope me going through the trouble of  putting my comments here will make a difference.  First, not impressed with this anymore than the Droid X.  I went back to the blackberry for that reason when using the Droid X.  Most people go back to the blackberry for Sound Profiles, can’t say I’m any different (wow, how simple is that???? ) .  I’m so surprised that this far into Droids noone has duplicated this option.  So lets start with what I dislike about this Droid Bionic that I think missed the mark as a ‘newer’ generation. 
    When the phone rings , there is no option to answer or ignore when it hasn’t been touched and in lock mode. First how many people have posted they hate this lock feature in the first place, you would think someone would make an option to turn it off for those who hate it.  However, in this case, it’s not even so much that, but when the phone rings and when slding the lock key it automatically answers the call.  Where is the options to ignore or answer?  NOT there !!!…..Yes, I can hit power, but it just stops it from ringing ,doesn’t give you these wonderful  ‘text’ option answers,  unless you are not in lock mode.  No way to change this in any setting, UNLESS of course it’s on a docking station.  Really?  This is NOT a droid thing, this is a Bionic thing.  For example Samsung charge gives you the option no matter when it rings. 
    Next problem with the Bionic : with NO changes in the phone, meaning no applications installed other than what was already on from factory,, the battery is HORRIBLE.  3 1/2 hours max if used and 4 hours if not used.  If I have to turn off 4 G, and all applications to get the battery to last what is the point.  It’s been 2 1/2 weeks now and from battery to battery all day long.  Horrible for buisness users.  I’ve had to turn off 4 G , used battery saving methods, shut down push emails and no wallpapers, or weather, to get 7 hours out of this.  THAT is pointless to have this phone then.   This has a very grainy display, Samsung’s and IPhone much better.  Camera ‘ok’ at best, blackberry’s take even better pics than this.  The phone has gone black 3 times for no reason, had to hard power it.  Froze up 2 or three times with only 1 window open.  The speaker is ok, not bad, still like blackberry’s better there.  Think it’s a dumb design on the bottom when your usually looking at it if on speaker phone.    Browser very fast which is truly no competition for the blackberry.  I suspect, if the brower was better many many buisness users would go back to blackberry’s.  Even non buisness users. 2 huge verizon mistakes  1) not carrying the Samsung Galaxy II, and eliminating the IPHONE unlimitied data IF you weren’t grandfathered in with the IPHONE already.  Yup, if I was to switch to a IPHONE, I no longer can have unlimited data plan.  Sounds to me like Verizon is gearing up for a partnership with Motorolola/google as well! 

    • bionic!

      10/19/2011 at 4:25 pm

      Look in call settings and text message reply. Make sure it is not checked then you will get the answer or ignore options. You can’t talk about something you don’t know thoroughly about. Play with different features and then do tests to see what it does.

  18. archie

    10/10/2011 at 9:50 pm

    my bionic barely gets 3g after a month of owning it. to get 20 minutes (if that) of 3g i have to restart it. i switched to this from an iphone 3g (att) and i cant find a single thing that i like more about it. i just wish i had returned it during the trial period…

  19. Bryon Ganson

    10/12/2011 at 2:28 pm

    I love the Bionic.  I love when fools sit there and say “waaaa, I’m going to wait for 42 more days and get something “far superior to the Bionic” blah blah blah”.  Are you people really that dumb?  In 42 more days there will be another product that will be far superior to the far superior phone you have so patently waited for. lol 

  20. Guyver

    10/16/2011 at 8:16 am

    I bought the Bionic as soon as it came out and have absolutely regretted it. It is a horribly flawed phone that apparently was not even tested for basic functionality prior to release or they just didn’t care and had too much pressure to release the phone problems or not. The Bionic does feature a fast processor and good battery life with the extended battery in place.

    Beyond that it has the same clunky poorly implemented user interface other Motorola Droids have with a few nice touches and sorely lacking cut and paste features. That’s not so bad right? That is apparently to be expected from Motorola. HTC makes such a better user interface that you truly come to see just how inept Motorola is just by using the dialer amongst other things.

    Still you can work around all that with apps in the Android Market such as Touchpal Dialer and Go Launcher right? Well I guess you could if the Bionic didn’t have this little problem with storing data. You see it downloads and installs apps and you either receive error messages such as insufficient storage space or page file errors. Worse yet the Bionic stops communicating with the SD card randomly and your apps disappear or you get an error message stating that application is not installed.

    Verizon is aware of the problem and so is Motorola. They HOPE to have it fixed SOMETIME in November. They had to know of this issue prior to releasing this phone. It is like selling a computer that can only access the information on the hard drive sometimes. It is beyond frustrating and Verizon will not replace it with a different phone or take this one back. They stated “it is an acknowledged problem and therefore the phone will not be replaced.

  21. Guyver

    10/16/2011 at 8:18 am

    I really hope a class action lawsuit is filed and Verizon as well as Motorola lose a chunk of change over this. Maybe they will learn that they can’t just knowingly release a defective product.

  22. Frustrated

    10/16/2011 at 6:23 pm

    I’m on my 3rd Bionic. I just noticed that there’s no data connection again after replacing the SIM card again. On a long hold wait with Verizon now. They managed to drag this out past my replacement time of course. These big companies are out of control.

  23. CsQz3

    10/17/2011 at 8:21 pm

    This is for you Adam Mills did you seriously say ” The hotspot issue is actually something I’ve heard about as well so it’s nice that Verizon has a fix for that in the works as well”… may want to reread your own story genius

  24. Temp20042001

    10/18/2011 at 6:30 pm

    i went thru 3 phones in a week bc of the keyboard spazzing while texting…i call tech support and they wanted to send a refurbished phone! hell no! just paid $300 for it….i asked if she was high off her ass!!!! if u buy a new car, and motor blows in a week, who would settle for a used motor or car??? NO ONE!

  25. Muddpuppie1

    10/19/2011 at 8:58 am

    Started with motorola and decided to try htc thunderbolt well lets say this, five months and five phones later ive been granted a chance to upgrade at my expense. Sold that phone and got a bionic and think its the best phone out there. Ive had minor issues but nothing i cant manage.

  26. Terrybressler

    10/19/2011 at 6:12 pm

    I love my bionic, reminds me of my x and x2 loved those phones and wanted the bionic instead of the x2. Lots of the same features just the bionic is on roids. Only one failing I can see. Very very slow camera and that is a very important one since I have a 2 year old.camera is fast to slow to catch the action. Would love it if it was as fast as the camera on the x2

  27. Snapptoit

    10/21/2011 at 7:55 pm

    Bring on the class action , Motorola should be responsible for putting on the market a substandard device, I HAVE HAD NO END TO ISSUES WITH THE BIONIC!

  28. Itou

    11/13/2011 at 6:10 am

    Too much$ for a basic phone
    Screwed by Motorola
    So much for being loyal
    verizon no help when you buy from Motorola
    data plane waste of money when you cant use it on a Motorola Droid Bionic

  29. Jamski3

    12/07/2011 at 5:25 pm

    Is it November yet?

  30. Michael_carmack0946

    12/08/2011 at 5:16 pm

    Talked to customer service today at Verizon because of all of the issues with my Droid Bionic.  According to the lady at the service desk they will be releasing the update to fix the connectivity and other issues on December 09, 2011.  So sometime tomorrow we should hopefully be able to get the update and possibly do away with some of these issues.

  31. Shawn S

    02/03/2012 at 3:11 pm

    Bought the Bionic in November, haven’t had any major issues until yesterday when suddenly I couldn’t plug in my headphones anymore?!? Something has gotten bent inside the headphone jack so I’m getting a replacement phone sent today. Other than that I’ve had no problems and love the phone, but it how do you spend all this time and money building such a powerful phone and then skimp on something so cheap and simple as a headphone jack?!? I guess it’s better than a faulty antenna though… =}

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