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You can’t always guess what the future will hold. But you can bet your bottom dollar on one thing—there’s bound to be a whole bunch of tech breakthroughs that seemed incredibly important at the time only to have been left by the wayside.

Our team here at Bored Panda has spelunked into the darkest corners of the net to find you some of these tech innovations that seemed so amazing just a handful of years ago but which sound bizarre, hilarious, or even useless now. Check them out below and, as you scroll down, upvote the pics that you liked the most. Got a strong sense of nostalgia? We’d love to hear all about the tech you remember the most fondly, so be sure to write us a comment or two with your thoughts.

Bored Panda chatted about the future of technology and work with Aaron Genest, an expert on labor in the tech and innovation industry. Aaron, who is an Applications Engineering Manager for Siemens Software and the President of SaskTech, said that making accurate predictions about what tech and devices will be long-lived and stand the test of time is a very difficult thing to do. Difficult... but not impossible.

"I'd argue that most people underestimate the timelines necessary to produce the technological goods on which we rely and the investment made to allow them to exist. By looking 'upstream' in that investment space, we can have a pretty good idea of what whole industries are betting on," he said. "For instance, it takes almost two years to develop and produce a computer chip and get it to market for a phone, and five years to get something into a new kind of car. So if we want to have a sense for what, for instance, the gadgets in our cars will look like in 2026, we just need to look at what the car manufacturers are asking their suppliers to design today."

#1

The Motorola Razr. Still The Coolest Cell Phone To Be Produced

The Motorola Razr. Still The Coolest Cell Phone To Be Produced

Boojibs Report

#2

See-Through Electronics

See-Through Electronics

rysterf Report

#3

Batteries That Let You Check How Much Energy Was Left

Batteries That Let You Check How Much Energy Was Left

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Aaron, a manager with Siemens Software, noted that if the industry is investing billions and billions of dollars into certain kinds of chips of technologies, like 5G, the odds are that they'll be around long enough for the companies to recoup their investments. The tech and innovation expert said that prognosticators and 'futurists' make bets based on these upstream industry trends, rather than "on some crystal ball they hide in their robes."

What's more, Aaron shared with Bored Panda how the Covid-19 pandemic has been shaping the job industry and what the future of work might look like. "Many companies, including mine, started a conversation about the future of work as the result of Covid. Siemens has a new and permanent policy where workers can work from home for a few days a week where their job permits. My entire site will adopt this, allowing us two days a week at home and three in the office. I'm sure we're not alone," he shared how Siemens is approaching the situation in a flexible way.

#4

The GE Alarm Clock That Everyone Seemed To Have

The GE Alarm Clock That Everyone Seemed To Have

2ezyo Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hotels used those a lot and as time went on they ended up in thrift stores when the hotels upgraded

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#5

TVs With A VHS Player Built Into Them

TVs With A VHS Player Built Into Them

Wikimedia Commons Report

#6

Phones With Internet On Them In The First Place

Phones With Internet On Them In The First Place

passingpleasantries Report

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it was the "internet", so pointless and hard to use, not just like a web browser

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Meanwhile, plenty of companies are open to having 'permanently remote' positions. "This was starting pre-Covid, but is now gaining steam and I'm aware of several people in my 'remote' community of Saskatoon who have accepted permanent positions, working from here, with teams based in other provinces or countries," the expert shared.

Aaron believes that this trend of working remotely full-time is here to stay, even if the pandemic is brought under control. "There are huge advantages in tech to having access to a global workforce without having to provide a global infrastructure. This is very different from offshoring, by the way, but will have (in my opinion) as profound an impact on the way we do business and the way our labor force is constructed."

There's a practical aspect to wanting to work from home (at least part-time) in the future, too. Lots of employees have invested sizable sums of money into creating good working environments for themselves at home. That includes purchasing electronics and furniture to make working remotely as comfortable and efficient as possible. Naturally, those who have made these investments want to continue using those spaces.

#7

Cassette Tape That Let You Connect Your iPod To Your Car Stereo

Cassette Tape That Let You Connect Your iPod To Your Car Stereo

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#8

Digital Mp3 Players With These Songs

Digital Mp3 Players With These Songs

Luminous_Fantasy Report

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stripped down to nothing because it made them have less data, this was annoying if the song was like that. Only vocals and basic instruments, lots of the track was pared away. Or if you had the song intact, massive file! Mind you I can remember a mb of data being 'huge'

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#9

Remember When Laptops Used To Have That Little Rubber Cl!t For A Mouse?

Remember When Laptops Used To Have That Little Rubber Cl!t For A Mouse?

reddit.com Report

Nobody can deny that the pace at which technology changes is incredibly fast. So much so that some of us (e.g. me) get left behind, clinging to what’s familiar, safe, and doesn’t require us to feel like we’re already pensioners. (No shade on pensioners, though—most of the ones I know are better at adapting to new tech than I am!)

Ramona Pringle, the Director of the Creative Innovation Studio and Associate Professor at the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University, told me all about the changes in tech during a previous interview with Bored Panda.

“We don’t know what the future holds, and anyone who says that they do is selling snake oil. But, there are certain things we can count on: we love stories, and we love to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Be it oral storytelling, books, blogs, movies, or video games, we’ve never lost our love of narrative,” Pringle told Bored Panda earlier.

#10

Portable DVD Players

Portable DVD Players

ldn_elek Report

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laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still have mine, it works fine. Handy when in hospital too

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William Teach
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me too. I charge it up when nasty storms are forecast. They used to make stuff that lasted, right?

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SOOOOOOO handy for long road trips/planes w/kids!!!! (Unless they are the car sick variety, in which case, a hard pass!)

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Son of Philosoraptor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Got a really simple one for my aged mother in law when she couldn't work the cable tv very well anymore. Gave her a lot of pleasure.

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pincriske avatar
Clearly sunny
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But I am sufferer from insomnia, so I put a quiet repeat of the same comforting movie on repeat every night. At least it's drug free method. A fan in summers.

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Suzanne McHenry
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved these, you could attach them behind the seat I think.They were good for long road trips, kept the kids occupied for a while.

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Anonymous User
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were essential for quieter road trips with 4 young kids! They each had a cheap version and headphones.

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mcborge1
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter has one. Getting a used one is far cheaper then paying for the dvd software for her windows 10 laptop.

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Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I miss these. Especially considering that most laptops no longer have a disc drive.

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Danieletc
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I had a dime for every time I saw someone watching a movie on a screen 1/4th the size of those, I could buy Apple.

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was very useful when you had to wait in a car for hours while going to vacation.

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Shirley Heyn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was very much appreciated during chemo treatments that took hours. . .

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Simon Murray
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a portable playstation 1 with a screen somewhere in the attic

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Stephanie Barr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These they still make. Have bought new ones for the car multiple times and have one like this for my son on travel.

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Kris “ADHD_Carrier” Dudoich
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never understood these because the screen was so small. I remember my grandmother having one for when she traveled but I preferred watching movies on my laptop, once I had one!

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Lana Jig-maker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had one. bought it to school, and we watch The Crow in the back office haha.

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Bad Mole
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just threw mine away last week. All my DVDs are now ripped to a SSD plugged into my router, I can watch all the movies on all my screens.

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A Random Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have one. Once I watched Borrower Arrietty on it so many times I got bored of it.

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Elizabeth
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those were literally the best! We used them all the time on road trips, and still do sometimes take them with us

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The Deez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey , those were great when we traveled with our kids! We weren't fancy enough to have one built in to the car...

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Sophia Atkinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had one from before I was born. We got rid of it in 2019. The charger broke

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NWB
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still use it! good for kids on a long trip...not everywhere has cell coverage! so least this keeps the movies going!

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Connie Martin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought a replacement for mine recently. Our family cabin has satellite internet and I can't stream video. I have a pretty big DVD collection so I'm glad to be able, and need, to use them.

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Moe Lewis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My sisters have a couple of these. Good for very long car trips.

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Debbie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have two of these and hubby bought me a lather one for my birthday so I can watch all my dvds

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Mz Phit
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bought one the day before flying with my three year old from Arizona to Italy... the Al Italia flight attendant confiscated it as soon as she saw it...said it "interferes with the instruments " - when I got it returned at the end of the (long long long )flight ( with very active toddler)it was broken and never worked again.

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Honey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still have one. Very handy to have around at times!

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Jennifer Norton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My baby, born in 2006, went through three of these. She loved them!!

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Leigh C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A girl at work wiuld bring one of those into the office. Not sure how she was allowed. Probably just me but these made movies feel like a chore to watch or just something to pass the boring times.

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Laura Mortensen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A guy at the bus stop once tried to sell me one and was really annoyed when I said "No Thank You."

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Owen Merkel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had one but I lost the charger for it it was soooooooooooooooo useful on drives to south Dakoda(I still have the dvd player!!!)

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Mark Johansen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have one sitting on the shelf. I pulled it out a couple of years ago thinking I'd take it on a trip. It still worked. Just had to recharge the battery. But I never did take it with me.

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Bama Belle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bought my kid brother one for Christmas from Best Buy. I bought it too soon and the return window expired. Sure enough, Christmas day came and the player didn't work. Best Buy wouldn't accept return, money completely wasted.

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Gracie Jay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still have those, actually bought 2 on purpose a couple years ago.

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Ryan Michael
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents used to hook a couple of these up in the back seat when we traveled

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#11

Watches That Lit Up Blue

Watches That Lit Up Blue

itslikesoulman Report

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N G
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wasn't this so you could check the time at night without frying your retinas? That luminescent blue still features on some gadgets for that reason

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#12

Netflix's DVD Service

Netflix's DVD Service

suburbanmen Report

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A great save by netflix: they changed as tech did, which blockbuster refused to do/admit

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“Equally true, even when we can’t go into a concert hall or colosseum, we look for ways to be together, connected, and part of a communal experience. The tech might change, but these will continue to be the drivers of our entertainment experiences,” she said that entertainment and connectivity will most likely continue to drive changes in technology in the future.

According to Pringle, over the next decade, we should see big changes occurring in the entertainment tech industry. “Immersion and interactivity have long been goals for creators and media makers when it comes to how technology can influence entertainment,” she said.

#13

Those Backwards Seats In Station Wagons

Those Backwards Seats In Station Wagons

or_worse__EXPELLED Report

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What do oyu mean by forgotten. If I'm not mistaken the Tesla Model S still has those

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#14

Movies On An iPod With A 2-Inch Screen

Movies On An iPod With A 2-Inch Screen

nowuzit Report

#15

That Singing Fish

That Singing Fish

StevenBalthaser Report

“For the last decade, we’ve leaned into virtual reality because of how it enables both of these. We can step inside a world and have influence over it, and the story or experience that unfolds. I think one of the things we can expect moving forward is, in a sense, the opposite of virtual reality. Instead, more of an enhanced reality or fictional reality, wherein the entertainment isn’t in a headset, but instead, all around us,” Pringle highlighted what we might see start popping up with more frequency over the next few years.

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#16

Cd Players That Held Multiple Cds At Once

Cd Players That Held Multiple Cds At Once

EXSUPERVILLAIN Report

#17

CD Players With 45-Second Skip Protection

CD Players With 45-Second Skip Protection

Philips Report

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you had 45 seconds of song, then skip! Mine could play well if i didnt move or breathe

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#18

Old School PC Microphones

Old School PC Microphones

wanpakujozu Report

“A decade ago, we didn’t talk to robots. Today, many of us do. Siri and Alexa are some of the more common bots, but we already interface with non-human characters regularly. As technology advances, including augmented reality and mixed reality, I think we can expect that entertainment will be something we can engage with off of the screen, but out in the world, with characters and stories we can engage with throughout the day, or throughout our houses,” the researcher said.

#19

Pagers Are Now Collecting Dust

Pagers Are Now Collecting Dust

Wikimedia Commons Report

#20

Thick Big Screen TVs Only Rich Kids Had

Thick Big Screen TVs Only Rich Kids Had

photobucket Report

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not just coz of price it's coz crt tv screens had giant backs and weighed a ton, so u needed the big house to go with it

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How we engage with one another will also have a large impact on entertainment, according to Pringle. One example of this is the unexpected rise of e-sports. “Whoever would have thought that people would pay money to watch other people play games? Media that engages us and gives us something to gather around, be it together, or virtually, is something that will always appeal to us,” she said.

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#22

Robot Dogs

Robot Dogs

PussyAnalBreath Report

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My friend had one, I was so envious! I had a furby I saved up for: it glitched out after one day so they replaced it. Happened 3 times in a row then I gave up

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#23

Speakers That Attached To The Monitor

Speakers That Attached To The Monitor

Smeg98 Report

#24

A DVD Or VHS Player In A Car

A DVD Or VHS Player In A Car

photobucket Report

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Autumn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had little tvs that velcroed to the seat but we never used them much cause my dad thought they distracted him from driving.

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We’re also likely to see “the ebb and flow” of experiences that focus on bringing people together offline, on-screen, and online. “In the last few years, we’ve seen the rise of interactive and immersive venues like the museum of ice cream or the Dr. Seuss experience,” Pringle told Bored Panda about how the divide between what we consider to be tech and not might get blurry. Especially in the field of entertainment.

#25

Digital Cable And Being Able To Watch A Ton Of Useless Channels

Digital Cable And Being Able To Watch A Ton Of Useless Channels

photobucket Report

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Steve Barnett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

UK here. I'm so old that I grew up with just three channels. But in '82, we then got a fourth!

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#26

These iPhone Apps Where You Drank Fake Beer

These iPhone Apps Where You Drank Fake Beer

onmilwaukee Report

#27

Can I Interest You In A Sidekick II With Aol Messenger?

Can I Interest You In A Sidekick II With Aol Messenger?

TheConfusingWords Report

“These are places we can go, with friends and family, and have a shared experience. It feeds back into our online experiences because we can share photos or memories and these environments are designed to foster that. Certainly, as we find ourselves in a time of social distancing, we’re seeing new creative ways of “being together” even when we’re apart. So I think we can expect to see entertainment that helps us connect, be it online or off, and immerses us in an experience, story, or community.”

#31

Fake Lighter Phone Apps

Fake Lighter Phone Apps

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troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very useful at rock concerts. You get all the fun without the risk of getting burned! lol

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#32

Having The Option And The Ability To Update Your Facebook From A Text Message

Having The Option And The Ability To Update Your Facebook From A Text Message

SillyActuary Report