5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week – Android Apps Weekly https://ift.tt/iLFoKb5

Welcome to the 465th Android Apps Weekly and the final edition in 2022. Happy new years, and here are the big headlines from the last week:

• We asked our readers how well Google did this year. You all told us that you thought Google did pretty well this year, both in terms of hardware and software. Regarding stats, 48% of you said that Google had a good year, while only about 5% thought the year was a total failure. You can hit the link to see the more granular stats.
• We also asked our readers when they sideloaded an app on Android last. Over 40% of our readers have sideloaded an app within the last month, and only about 15% have never sideloaded an app at all. We found that interesting since the common narrative is that sideloading is rare. Apparently, we have some rare readers.
• Our own Adam Birney attempted to use Google Translate on a trip with some mixed results. For example, some of the traveler-friendly features don’t work offline. Adam outlined his experience with the various features working or not working, and you can read it at the link above.
• Google is worried about Search. The number of AI tools and their surging popularity have the company a little on edge. Reportedly, the situation is a code red at Google. The worry is that AI responses give such tight answers that people won’t click on advertising links anymore, which would cause Google to lose a lot of money. Hit the link to keep reading, and we’ll keep monitoring to see what happens.
• As per the norm, we have rounded up the best new Android apps, best new Android games, and most controversial apps and games from the last year. You can hit any of the links to check out our selections. Overall, there are 50 apps and games to scroll through, along with ten more controversial apps and games. It was a pretty exciting year with some interesting launches.

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Alliance Alive HD Remastered

Price: $11.99

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5 things we want to see from Samsung in 2023 https://ift.tt/TxLo3Sr

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Samsung is saying goodbye to what has been a reasonably successful year for the Korean brand. The Galaxy S22 series built on the sales momentum of its predecessors, the company’s latest foldables delivered significant growth over 2021’s devices, and it fared better than most rivals when it came to weathering a declining global market.

We already have a pretty good idea about how the upcoming flagship Galaxy S23 series is shaping up, but there are still plenty of ways for Samsung to improve matters next year, though. So here are our thoughts on how the company can make 2023 better than 2022.

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reWASD is the best controller software you’re not using https://ift.tt/rfTXe1b

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

The average PC gamer likely has one controller they use for certain games. They connect that controller to their PC, launch a game, and then play. There’s not much extra thought put into it. However, if you’ve ever wondered what you could be doing with your controller and how you could make an experience specifically tailored to the games you play and the way you game, then let me introduce you to reWASD.

If you’ve never heard of reWASD, I’m not surprised. The company is relatively small in the gaming world — the reWASD subreddit only has 625 members as of writing. However, I have absolutely no clue why that is the case. I took a chance on the app earlier this year, and now I wonder how I ever lived without it.

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Here are the best streaming shows you might have missed in 2022 https://ift.tt/D2LZNOy

Credit: Epix, HBO Max, Amazon

Let’s face it: if you love watching great television, you know that we live in a new golden age of TV shows. The streaming revolution has brought us tons of great shows across various genres over the years. 2022 was no exception, and it doesn’t look like this will change anytime soon. However, that also means many great shows sometimes slip through the cracks of even the most dedicated TV fans. So what were some of the best streaming shows you may have missed in 2022?

We picked 10 shows you may not have been aware of that were first launched in 2022. Sadly, some of these shows won’t be getting a second season, but they are still worth your time to check out. Be sure to check out our list of the best streaming shows of 2022 as well.

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Poll: What improvements do you want to see from smartphone cameras in 2023? https://ift.tt/vgzBWSG

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The camera experience is one of the biggest considerations when buying a smartphone, at least according to the results of an Android Authority poll back in 2021. In fact, roughly three-quarters of respondents said it was one of several key considerations at the very least.

But what specific improvements do you actually want to see from smartphone cameras in 2023, though? That’s the topic of our featured poll today. So go ahead and make your decision via the poll below.

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The Lensa AI app — everything you need to know https://ift.tt/QYPBKJg

If you look at the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, image editing apps are a dime a dozen. New ones that hit the marketplace always claim to be better than the others, with features that often cause you to yawn out loud. But right now, we are going through a stage where artificial intelligence is running the show. Whether it’s writing your essays, souping up your smartphone camera, or controlling Terminator robots through Skynet, AI seems to be the flavor of the year. The newest one is called Lensa AI, which is already causing some controversy. Let’s cut through the marketing speak and see if Lensa is worth using and paying for.

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What is Lensa AI?

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Moto Watch 100 revealed: A cheaper smartwatch, at a cost https://ift.tt/c50kHGZ

Credit: MotoWatch.com

• Motorola brand licensees have announced the Moto Watch 100 and Moto Buds 600 ANC.
• The watch ditches Wear OS and an OLED screen for a much cheaper price tag.
• The earbuds bring Fast Pair, Snapdragon Sound, and more for $149.

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Motorola has allowed other brands to license its name for tech products for a while now, with smartwatches and earphones leading the charge in this regard.

Now, we’ve got two new Moto-branded products entering the fray as CES 2023 looms, namely the Moto Watch 100 and Moto Buds 600 ANC.

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10 best Android lock screen apps and lock screen replacement apps https://ift.tt/1bB7n5y

The Android lock screen has evolved many times over the years. There have been various slide-to-unlock methods and OEMs have always put their own spin on things. As it turns out, there are also a lot of lock screen apps in the Play Store that can do even more. These days, we usually recommend people just use a fingerprint scanner to bypass the lock screen altogether. It’s okay if you don’t want to do that, though. Here are the best lock screen apps for Android.

It’s important to note that lock screen apps are a bit of a dying breed. Most biometric unlock methods bypass the lock screen entirely, and a lot of people don’t even look at it anymore aside from maybe checking a notification or the time. Plus, nearly all Android phones come with always-on displays by default, a feature that used to require an app.

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PHANTOM X2 Series: Premium smartphones with revolutionary camera technology https://ift.tt/1bB7n5y

^{PHANTOM X2 Pro 5G Eco-Friendly Edition}

TECNO’s PHANTOM X2 series landed just the other week. Sporting a selection of high-end features — from a powerhouse Mediatek Dimensity 9000 processor to blazing-fast memory and storage, through to super-quick charging, and a striking unibody double-curved design — the handsets aim to the brand’s spirit of “Stop At Nothing.”

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5 things we want to see from budget phones in 2023 https://ift.tt/zY1TUuZ

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

High-end flagship devices grab most of the headlines each year, but we spend just as much time with budget phones here at Android Authority. Looking back, 2022 might go down as the year that the budget and mid-range markets grew up. Both segments are as hot as ever, primarily thanks to the steps taken to close the gap on premium devices.

Google, for example, brought its flagship Tensor processor to the Pixel 6a, OnePlus leans into speedy charging better than almost anyone, and Samsung keeps offering better software commitments at all levels. However, there’s still much more that the modestly priced market can do. Here are five things we want to see from budget phones in 2023.

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Google was in talks to buy CPU startup Nuvia before Qualcomm swooped in https://ift.tt/7tMK3zE

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Google was reportedly in talks to acquire CPU startup Nuvia.
• Microsoft and Intel were two other players purportedly in talks with the startup.
• Qualcomm would go on to buy the company for $1.4 billion in 2021.

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Qualcomm acquired CPU startup Nuvia back in 2021, with the company’s custom CPU technology set to debut inside Snapdragon chipsets in 2023. But it turned out that another major company was in discussions to acquire the firm.

The Information reports (h/t: 9to5Google) that Nuvia was in talks to be acquired by Google, Intel, and Microsoft before Qualcomm swooped in and bought the firm in a $1.4 billion deal, citing a source with knowledge of the discussions.

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You told us: You thought Google had a good year for software and hardware https://ift.tt/RrkQzdp

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Google had a pretty solid 2022 for the most part, according to AA colleague Rob Triggs, noting that the company came close but “didn’t quite nail” things.

What did you think of Google’s 2022 in terms of hardware and software, though? We posted this poll inside Rob’s article, and here’s what you told us.

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The Redmi K60 could come to global markets as Poco F5 Pro https://ift.tt/u2kI0j8

Credit: Supplied by Xiaomi

• A reliable source has claimed that the Redmi K60 will gain the Poco F5 Pro name.
• That means the Poco F5 Pro should be equipped with a QHD+ screen and wireless charging.

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Xiaomi announced the Redmi K60 series earlier this week, bringing some affordable flagship-level phones to China. We’re expecting at least one of these devices to land outside China and get a name change, and a trusted source has now shed apparent details.

MIUI Polska writer Kacper Skrzypek tweeted that the Redmi K60 will be called the Poco F5 Pro when it comes to global markets. Skrzypek didn’t reveal any additional details such as target markets, but we’re guessing that the phone will arrive in the likes of Europe and India. This would nevertheless be the first Poco F Pro model since 2020’s Poco F2 Pro.

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What devices are Android Authority readers using? (2022 Edition) https://ift.tt/05g36yw

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

We’re big Android fans here at Android Authority, as you might expect. But have you ever thought about the phones your fellow readers use? Well, we dug into our anonymous user figures to present a breakdown of Android Authority readers and the devices they — well, you — use.

This is our fourth time looking at this data, having previously posted similar articles in 2021, 2019, and 2017. The data in our latest breakdown is based on site visitor stats from October to November 2022.

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Samsung promises to complete One UI 5 rollout in the next 4 days https://ift.tt/kSU02Z8

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Samsung has revealed that the One UI 5 rollout will be completed by the end of the year.
• The company added that this was its fastest One UI rollout yet.

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Samsung has done a great job of pushing out the Android 13-based One UI 5 update to its various devices, with flagships, mid-rangers, and more all receiving the new Android skin.

Now, the company has issued a post on its Newsroom website, claiming that the One UI 5 release was its fastest rollout yet. More specifically, Samsung said it managed to push One UI 5 to over 46 devices in less than two months (as of December 9).

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You told us: Here’s the last time you sideloaded an app on your phone https://ift.tt/7NlpsmD

One of the best things about Android is that you can sideload apps onto your device. In other words, you can install apps from sources other than the Play Store.

In any event, we were curious about the last time readers sideloaded an app on their phones. We posed this question over a week ago and the results are finally in.

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Poll: Did you get any Android-powered devices for Christmas? https://ift.tt/dT0Vgan

Credit: Curtis Joe / Android Authority

The festive season inevitably sees some gift-giving between loved ones, and tech gadgets remain a popular category in this regard. Between wireless earbuds, tablets, gaming consoles, and a host of other products, the possibilities are endless.

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LG’s new optical zoom sensor aims to get rid of the smartphone camera bump https://ift.tt/ElGRj05

Credit: LG Innotek

• LG Innotek announced a new camera module that will allow 4-9 times magnification.
• LG claims the size of the optical zoom sensor should be small enough to remove the camera bump on smartphones.
• LG Innotek is partnering with Qualcomm to fast-track the adoption of the sensor.

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Are you sick and tired of seeing camera bumps on smartphones? Apparently, LG is too as LG Innotek has announced a new camera module that it believes could mean the end for camera bumps.

Although LG has long given up on making its own phones, LG Innotek continues to be a major supplier of mobile camera modules. Its latest project appears to be an optical zoom sensor that can shift between two points.

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What network does Google Fi use? https://ift.tt/dWRV7IF

Google is getting into just about every corner of the consumer technology market. From an impressive lineup of Pixel phones to smart home products and even your mobile coverage with Google Fi. Google Fi has become an increasingly popular carrier with affordable plans and support for just about any phone. But what network does Google Fi use, and how does it work? We’ll answer those questions in this guide.

Read more: Google Fi buyer’s guide: Pricing, plans, and more

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We asked, you told us: Many of you own an Android TV set or box https://ift.tt/dVlakjA

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Many TVs these days are of the smart variety, and Android TV is one of the most popular smart TV platforms around. However, AA colleague Adamya Sharma lamented her experience with her Sony Bravia W950D Android TV set.

In any event, that got us wondering just how many people have an Android TV set, streaming box, or something different altogether. We posed this question in our opinion piece last week and here’s what you said.

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LG is raising its game at CES 2023 with new 240Hz OLED monitors https://ift.tt/9LAjT43

Credit: LG

• LG is bringing its newly launched 240Hz UltraGear gaming monitors to CES 2023.
• The two models come in 27-inch and 45-inch variants.
• The 45-inch version is a curved OLED with an 800R radius.

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LG is bringing two new UltraGear OLED gaming monitors to CES 2023. Both the 27-inch and 45-inch models offer a speedy 240Hz refresh rate, up from 144Hz on last year’s UltraGear monitors. It’s the highest refresh rate you can get on any OLED monitor today. The 45-inch version even offers a curved display with an 800R curvature.

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Apple iPhone 15: Everything we know so far and what we want to see https://ift.tt/BGAVcLh

We’ve become so accustomed to Apple’s iterative smartphone launches each year that the iPhone 14 event represented one of the most exciting in recent memory. Sure, the base model was practically identical to its predecessor, but Apple gave us a Plus instead of a Mini and the Pro devices introduced a brand-new punch hole display.

The instantly memeable Dynamic Island (Apple’s fancy name for the screen cutout and its corresponding software enhancements) is the biggest shakeup to the iPhone design in years. In many ways, it made up for a lack of innovation elsewhere in Apple’s flagship phone lineup, with plenty of consumers deciding there was no need to upgrade just yet. Will 2023’s iPhone 15 series offer more than just superficial improvements and convince more people to make the jump? Let’s find out.

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The best phones to look forward to in 2023 https://ift.tt/Li9Jlgm

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

There were plenty of great smartphones to be had in 2022, with the Google Pixel 7 series, Samsung Galaxy S22 range, iPhone 14 Pro devices, and Sony’s Xperia 5 IV all bringing the heat.

2023 looks like it could be an even better year, and there have already been plenty of rumors and leaks regarding next year’s crop of phones. But which upcoming devices are we looking forward to? Here are our picks.

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No hablo Español? Don’t rely on Google Translate to save you https://ift.tt/czFKth7

Opinion post by

Adam Birney

As the cold winter began to grip Canada this year, my partner and I decided to escape the snowy weather and flee to her homeland in Mexico for a few weeks. I have been learning Spanish through Memrise for the past few months, which has taught me the basics of greeting others and ordering another beer, but I am far from fluent. Thankfully, my fluency in French is helping me pick things up quicker due to the languages’ similarities, but I usually rely on my partner, who is a native speaker, to help translate the rest. For this trip, though, I wanted to give her a break and be more self-reliant. So I downloaded the Google Translate app as my main companion and aid in navigating the local language for this journey.

See also: 10 best Spanish to English dictionaries and phrasebooks for Android

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Poll: Have you ever printed your Google Photos? https://ift.tt/CEvdhKR

Credit: Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

Google Photos is a pretty convenient photo backup service, also bringing some smart editing features to the table if you’ve got a Google One subscription or Pixel phone.

Another cool Google Photos feature you might not know about is that you can actually get your photos printed via the service. Is this something you’ve done before? Give us your answer via the poll below.

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Got a new PS5 for Christmas? Here are 7 things you should do first https://ift.tt/lcJ8UeZ

Credit: Adam Birney / Android Authority

If you’ve been lucky enough to bag yourself a PS5, congratulations! Once you find a good place to keep your massive console, there’s a lot to do. First and foremost, there’s probably a heap of updates to take care of all of the changes from the last year. After that, you’ll probably have to update your controller, too, and every single game you install.

After all of those updates are out of the way and your new PS5 is ready for you, here are seven things you should do.

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These are our team member’s favorite Google Assistant commands https://ift.tt/ENxAUri

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s AI-powered voice assistant has been around for years. Allowing users to trigger apps, ask questions, make plans, carry out tasks, and more with the right voice commands. Also like Siri and Alexa, Google Assistant can provide a bit of humor, if you know what to ask it.

As a result, there are all kinds of voice commands you can lob at Google Assistant like “Hey Google, set an alarm for [time],” “Hey Google, remind me to [activity],” or even “Hey Google, wubba lubba dub dub.” With so many voice commands to choose from, of course, everybody is going to have their own favorite command.

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Just got a new Xbox Series X/S? Here’s what you should do first. https://ift.tt/BaUSAVn

Credit: Adamya Sharma / Android Authority

So, after waiting for what feels like forever, you finally got a new Xbox Series X or Series S. Maybe it was a Christmas present or a special gift to yourself. Regardless, congratulations on getting your hands on the sought-after console! You’re in for more hours of fun than you can probably count. But where do you start?

We put together this quick guide for new Xbox owners to get their game systems up and running. Surely you’re biting at the nail to hop into some next-gen gaming, so let’s get started!

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First things to do with your new Android phone https://ift.tt/VX920Lm

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

You’ve just lifted your new Android device from its packaging, and you’re beaming. Maybe your hands are shivering with anticipation. Your mouth is dry, and your pupils are dilated. Okay, perhaps you’re not that excited, but a new phone is certainly a cause for celebration. What comes next, though? Here are some of the first things every Android owner should do with their phone when taking it out of the box. These little exercises will ensure that you get the most out of your device from day one.

Check out your device

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I customized my Sony DualSense controller: Here’s how it went https://ift.tt/ftgbVdF

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

The Sony PlayStation 5 is over two years old at this point, but it’s still tricky to get. Thankfully, the official controller for the console — known as the DualSense — is much easier to grab. It’s also widely compatible with PCs, Macs, Android phones, and iPhones, so it’s worth checking out even if you don’t own a PS5.

Although the controller comes in various colors, there’s still plenty of room for more options. As such, you might be looking into trying to customize a DualSense to make it more your own, match your rig, or even be more functional for your needs. You might then wonder if this is a good idea since taking any electronic device apart can be daunting.

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15 best Android games released in 2022 https://ift.tt/AR0zwSY

Mobile gaming continued its domination in 2022. There were a number of high-profile releases, and some of them already have tens of millions of downloads with a healthy active player base. It’s that time of year to find out the best ones and reward them appropriately. Like most years, most of the games on the list are free to play. We know some people don’t like those, but they’ve improved since the old days. 2022 wasn’t the craziest year, but there are still some keepers here. Here are the best Android games released in 2022. We also have a list of honorable mentions below the main list.

We sorted through over 200 total games for this piece, with many more left on the cutting room floor. The cutoff for this article is December 10th, 2022. Thus, if a game came out on or around that date, it was not considered for this list since we haven’t had the opportunity to test it yet.

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What were the biggest streaming flops of 2022? https://ift.tt/4eL0WyE

Credit: Netflix

2022 saw some pretty major original streaming releases, including a highly anticipated Knives Out sequel at Netflix, a sequel to Enchanted at Disney Plus, a historical epic starring Will Smith at Apple TV Plus, and plenty more. Of course, it also saw some major bombs. So, what were the biggest streaming flops of 2022?

See also: The best original streaming movies on every platform

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5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week – Android Apps Weekly https://ift.tt/AR0zwSY

Welcome to the 464th edition of Android Apps Weekly. Happy holidays, and here are the big headlines from the last week:

• Our own Andrew Grush took a good, hard look at gaming on a Chromebook. He found that it was actually pretty decent, and there is some hope for Chrome OS as a gaming platform. However, there are still some kinks to work out, as noted in his article linked above. Give it a read.
• YouTube announced that it was partnering with the NFL to distribute NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Google is reportedly paying $2 billion per season for the deal, so we hope plenty of people find it interesting. This is a huge deal for YouTube TV as it improves the platform’s sports selections dramatically. Apple was considered the favorite to win the contract. We guess the NFL decided to side with Google for this one.
• A surprising number of our readers use Chrome OS. We posted the poll last week, and over 50% of respondents said they use Chromebooks every day. However, we also think that Chromebook owners were more drawn to the article than users of other platforms. Still, it’s encouraging to see that Chrome OS is alive and well among our readership.
• Our own Kaitlyn Cimino wrote an article this week about sleep tracking data. It’s a good read, especially since people stress out so much over such data. Her advice is, essentially, to stop worrying about it and let the chips fall where they may. A good night’s sleep is important, but you can’t get a good night’s sleep if you’re always worried about getting a good night’s sleep.
• Elon Musk posted a poll on Twitter this week. He asked if he should step down as the head of Twitter, and then said he would abide by the results of the poll. The poll ended with 57.5% of respondents saying that they would like him to step down. Hit the link for more details, but if he can’t find someone to take over the job, he probably won’t step down.

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Miko Era

Price: Free to play

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