iamthebarefootone

[iamthebarefootone]

The Benefits Of Owning A Coffee Grinder

One of the benefits of owning a coffee grinder is to provide every coffee lover out there with fresh ground coffee, no matter what kind it is. There's just something special and wonderful about freshly ground coffee that brings a smile as that first whiff floats through the house or coffee shop. In order to enjoy the special flavor of fresh ground coffee, one usually has to own some sort of coffee grinder. Gone are the days of the tiny little box with the turning wheel on top. Today, a coffee grinder can cost hundred of dollars, if not more.

Why Freshly Ground Coffee?

A great tasting cup of coffee is produced from whole coffee that's ground within a few minutes of brewing, and it doesn't matter what kind of coffee bean is used, whether it's an exotic blend or French Vanilla or a Colombian blend. Whole coffee beans can be caffeinated or decaffeinated. The reason why coffee tastes so much better when it's just been through a coffee grinder, is that within two minutes, or so the experts claim, the coffee beans begin to oxidize, which is referred to in coffee circles as 'staling', which is what changes the flavor. Most experts agree that the sooner you brew your coffee after you put it through a coffee grinder, the better your coffee will taste.

How do you grind coffee?

There are different types of coffee grinder models out there, some with a blade and some with a burr. A coffee grinder fitted with a blade is less expensive than a burr coffee grinder. A fan-shaped blade spins to grind the coffee beans. However, with a blade coffee grinder, grains are inconsistent unless you grind the coffee to a finer texture, which is fine if you're making an automatic drip coffee maker.

Electric or Hand Operated Burr Grinder?

If you want espresso, the blade grinder method doesn't work out too well. A burr coffee grinder is the best, as it crushes the coffee beans in a consistent manner that allows for a uniform grind. Of course, a burr coffee grinder can be either an electric style or a hand-cranked style. Both work equally well, though of course the electric coffee grinder will take less time. Still, the hand-cranked coffee grinder is ideal for those who like to take the time to enjoy handling the coffee and savor the aroma while grinding. A hand-crank coffee grinder is also portable, which makes it ideal for taking along on camping trips or when RV'ing.

Conclusion.

A burr style coffee grinder can cost someone anywhere from $75 to $400, depending on how fancy you want to get. It doesn't really matter what kind of coffee grinder you purchase as long as it does the job it's supposed to do. You don't have to spend a fortune for a good cup of coffee when a bit of patience will get you the same results. Many people enjoy grinding their own coffee, and whether you own a blade or a burr coffee grinder, you're going to enjoy a better cup of coffee no matter which style you use.

So enjoy the benefits of owning a coffee grinder whether you are at home or on the road.

http://www.coffeemachinesheaven.com/the-benefits-of-owning-a-coffee-grinder/

[iamthebarefootone]

The Benefits Of Owning A Coffee Grinder

One of the benefits of owning a coffee grinder is to provide every coffee lover out there with fresh ground coffee, no matter what kind it is. There's just something special and wonderful about freshly ground coffee that brings a smile as that first whiff floats through the house or coffee shop. In order to enjoy the special flavor of fresh ground coffee, one usually has to own some sort of coffee grinder. Gone are the days of the tiny little box with the turning wheel on top. Today, a coffee grinder can cost hundred of dollars, if not more.

Why Freshly Ground Coffee?

A great tasting cup of coffee is produced from whole coffee that's ground within a few minutes of brewing, and it doesn't matter what kind of coffee bean is used, whether it's an exotic blend or French Vanilla or a Colombian blend. Whole coffee beans can be caffeinated or decaffeinated. The reason why coffee tastes so much better when it's just been through a coffee grinder, is that within two minutes, or so the experts claim, the coffee beans begin to oxidize, which is referred to in coffee circles as 'staling', which is what changes the flavor. Most experts agree that the sooner you brew your coffee after you put it through a coffee grinder, the better your coffee will taste.

How do you grind coffee?

There are different types of coffee grinder models out there, some with a blade and some with a burr. A coffee grinder fitted with a blade is less expensive than a burr coffee grinder. A fan-shaped blade spins to grind the coffee beans. However, with a blade coffee grinder, grains are inconsistent unless you grind the coffee to a finer texture, which is fine if you're making an automatic drip coffee maker.

Electric or Hand Operated Burr Grinder?

If you want espresso, the blade grinder method doesn't work out too well. A burr coffee grinder is the best, as it crushes the coffee beans in a consistent manner that allows for a uniform grind. Of course, a burr coffee grinder can be either an electric style or a hand-cranked style. Both work equally well, though of course the electric coffee grinder will take less time. Still, the hand-cranked coffee grinder is ideal for those who like to take the time to enjoy handling the coffee and savor the aroma while grinding. A hand-crank coffee grinder is also portable, which makes it ideal for taking along on camping trips or when RV'ing.

Conclusion.

A burr style coffee grinder can cost someone anywhere from $75 to $400, depending on how fancy you want to get. It doesn't really matter what kind of coffee grinder you purchase as long as it does the job it's supposed to do. You don't have to spend a fortune for a good cup of coffee when a bit of patience will get you the same results. Many people enjoy grinding their own coffee, and whether you own a blade or a burr coffee grinder, you're going to enjoy a better cup of coffee no matter which style you use.

So enjoy the benefits of owning a coffee grinder whether you are at home or on the road.

http://www.coffeemachinesheaven.com/the-benefits-of-owning-a-coffee-grinder/

[iamthebarefootone]

The Ideal Coffee Machine For The Coffee Lover

What is the ideal coffee machine for the coffee lover? Coffee machines can be found in all homes, dorms and offices of coffee drinkers. Different types of coffee machines are built to be used in different places; there are also coffee makers that can be used in a RV, a big rig and to take along with you when you go camping.

Types of coffee machines

The different types of coffee machines in the market today have individual features in a variety of colors, size, price, size and finish. The different types of coffee machines found today are automatic, French press, expresso coffee maker, vacuum, stove top, drip coffee makers and the pod. These different coffee machines are found either as hot or cold brew coffee machines. Some coffee machines are a combination of both grinder and coffee making capabilities.

Nowadays, different companies manufacture different coffee makers. Most coffee machines are known by the company name like delonghi coffee machine, jura coffee machine, sunbeam coffee machine, breville coffee machine, saeco coffee machine and senseo coffee machine. You can find these coffee machines in different colors that include black, white, red and practically any color you want to match your interiors. They are also made of different materials ranging from plastic to stainless steel while most of them come with a shatterproof glass carafe.

You also find coffee machines in the market that produce more than twenty cups of coffee, called the commercial coffee machine. These coffee machines are best for use in commercial establishments like offices and stores. Different coffee machines have different features that may include frothing systems, electric timers, digital/programmable, thermostat, filters and warming plate. The price of the coffee maker varies according to your preference and functionality of the coffee machine.

What is the right coffee machine for you?

When choosing the ideal coffee machine for the coffee lover, you have to look for the coffee machine that first fits your budget. Then you have to consider if the coffee machine has all the features required to make the type of coffee you enjoy drinking like expresso or cappuccino. With the wide range of coffee machines in the market, you are sure to find the right coffee machine that creates coffee to suit your taste buds.

http://www.coffeemachinesheaven.com/the-ideal-coffee-machine-for-the-coffee-lover/

[iamthebarefootone]

Cappuccino - How To Make This Rich, Dark Coffee

How To Make This Rich, Dark Coffee

  The taste of a good cappuccino is totally lip smacking and some times people just cannot start their day without a cup of cappuccino.

Cappuccino is a rich, dark coffee whose recipe originated in Italy. The name cappuccino actually comes from the resemblance of its color to the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order.

Cappuccino has a large volume of foam making it a light weight drink and less filling than other coffees. You take equal parts of steamed and frothed milk and espresso, with the milk on top of the espresso. Then you are free to sprinkle nutmeg, cinnamon or chocolate powder on top.

Start With Good Espresso

To make a good cappuccino you have to start with good espresso, which you get from doing the following: Grind the beans fine, press the espresso down firmly, use a high pressure machine or stove top model, don’t make too much at once, the cream must be visible on top as a golden-brown foam, and use an espresso cup to keep the temperature from cooling down too quickly.

The Difference between a Cappuccino and a Latte

Lattes are also half espresso and half milk. If you are wondering what the difference is between a latte and a cappuccino, with a latte you take the milk and espresso and pour the milk down the side of the cup so it mixes with the espresso.

Making the Froth

Where does the frothed milk come from for cappuccinos and for lattes? If you are using the French press as a foamer, you heat a cup of milk (non-fat is best) on the stove or microwave, to a temperature that you can stand to put your finger into it, then pour the milk into a rinsed plunger pot. Pump the plunger in the pot for a few minutes and the milk will expand to three to four times its volume, creating the froth for your cappuccino (or latte).

Getting Your Own Cappuccino Maker

If you have a coffee addiction, you may want to shop for a cappuccino coffee maker so you can make your own at home. A nice characteristic about the counter top model is it can steam milk for cappuccino and latte’s. When purchasing a cappuccino maker keep in mind that if you entertain frequently, you may want to shop for a cappuccino machine that makes several cups of cappuccino at one time.

Conclusion

Once classed as luxuries, many items of equipment such as grinders, cappuccino makers, espresso makers, and other drinks makers now adorn homes all over the world. So if you are one of the many who must start their day with a cappuccino, it will save you money by having the equipment at home than having to pay at a coffee house.

Another benefit is that you will be able to make some cappuccino whenever you choose. No longer will you have to run out to purchase a cup of your favorite coffee. You simply walk to your kitchen and put together your favorite brew.

http://www.coffeemachinesheaven.com/cappuccino-how-to-make-this-rich-dark-coffee/

[iamthebarefootone]

Apple has a weird idea for putting FaceTime on the Watc...

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FaceTime is one of the most popular ways to video call, and it's available on almost every Apple device you can get your hands on. Every device but the Apple Watch, that is.

But it looks like Apple might soon change that. A new patent granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, first spotted by AppleInsider, outlines a watch band with a camera system and some advanced camera tech.

Read this: The best Apple Watch apps to download

Apple knows that FaceTiming from your watch could be difficult because you'd have to keep your wrist in front of your face and would have to hold it high enough that the person on the other side of the call wouldn't be faced with the inside of your nose.

Apple proposes using software to fix both problems. One, it would use face detection technology to keep your face in the frame at all times, even if your hand was moving about. This would work similar to Facebook's Portal smart display, which adjusts the video to keep someone in frame.

Second, it would use software to digitally alter the angle. So if you're holding the watch below your face, it would use software to correct the image so that it looked like you're staring straight at your watch. It could do this by recreating parts of your face with old facial data it had captured. It would then register your facial expressions and movements and map that onto your generated face in real time. It'd be like a hyper-real version of Animoji.

This could be done in two ways. Apple is exploring either using a single wide-angle camera or two cameras that would work in conjunction with each other, capturing a scene and using software to stitch it all together. Apple also wants you to be a photographer from your wrist, and all of this is aimed at making it easier to take your photos from your smartwatch.

While Apple knows it's difficult to take photos from your wrist because it's difficult to see what you're shooting, it thinks capturing as much of a scene as possible and letting you crop it down later is a better solution.

As noted in the patent application, this is all intended to help you be less reliant on your iPhone. So that you can keep it home while you do things like play sports or workout where having a slab in your pocket isn't ideal. The patent was applied for way back in 2016, and it incorporates a number of Apple's ideas that weren't yet features - including the face-detection technology used in Face ID and Animoji.

It's not clear when Apple could eventually make this camera-equipped watch band, but judging on how impressive Apple's chip team has been recently, it seems like it would take a couple of years until Apple is able to make an Apple Watch with a processor powerful enough to run the software needed for this.

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Spotify on Apple Watch lets you play, pause, rewind… an...

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Spotify

The Apple Watch supports background audio as of Watch OS 5, but music-subscription service Spotify's eagerly anticipated debut on the Watch doesn't yet support it. 

The streaming company's app, updated on Tuesday with Apple Watch capabilities, lets you connect to compatible devices and delivers basic playback controls, such as play, pause, back/forward and rewind (podcasts), plus the ability to collect favorites and replay recent tracks.

Not surprising, since that's the same set of capabilities it has on Apple's Watch OS competitor, Android Wear OS.

Now playing: Watch this: Apple Music vs. Spotify: Music streaming battle

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Black Friday 2018 smartwatch and fitness tracker deals:...

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John Kim/CNET

2018 may finally be the year you trade in your analogue watch for something a little smarter. Over the last few years wearable devices from companies like Apple, Fitbit and Garmin have become helpful tools that keep you connected while kicking your butt into shape. And with Black Friday deals like these, buying a smartwatch or fitness tracker is more tempting than ever.  

But before you start looking for deals, its important to figure out what you need in a wearable or you may end up spending more on features you don't need. Designated fitness bands like Fitbit's Charge 3 and Alta or Garmin's Vivofit tend to be cheaper options. You get basic activity tracking, watch  features and notifications, but you're limited by a smaller screen. 

Smartwatches like the Apple Watch, Fitbit Versa, or Samsung Gear for example, will still have a lot of the same fitness tracking functionality as the previous trackers, but they have more controls on the screen and can even become a secondary phone. The downside is they do tend to be bulkier and more expensive. 

Now that you have a clearer idea of what you want, let's save you some money. We'll be sure to update this post with both Walmart wearables deals and Best Buy wearables deals later this week. In the meantime, check out our Walmart and Best Buy deals in all their glory. 

Now playing: Watch this: Tricks to score extra savings on Black Friday and Cyber...

2:06

Just keep in mind:

Terms of the deal vary, so where possible we've listed when and where to get the sale price from each retailer.

The deals below are current as of Nov. 8, and include Target, Amazon and Shopko. When more retailers' deals come in (we expect Best Buy and Walmart later this week, for example), we'll include them too.

CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.

We linked to the current listing at the retailer's website when one was available, but of course sale pricing won't be available until the sale begins.

With that out of the way, let's get you started on some bargain hunting. 

Fitbit Charge 3, $120 (Save $40)

Sarah Tew/CNET

Fitbit's latest tracker is almost a category of its own. It's not quite a fully fledged smartwatch, but it's not just a fitness band either. The design is also a nice middle ground between bulky and sleek, and has some tactile functionality on the screen. 

Sale pricing starts

Shopko: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m.

Target: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.

$119.00 at Shopko Read CNET's Take

Apple Watch Series 3 GPS, $199 (Save $80)

James Martin/CNET

If you don't need the EKG feature on this year's Series 4, the Apple Watch Series 3 may be the perfect fit. It has most of the same features as the newer model, but for a lot less. And it still keeps track of your ticker by alerting you if your heart rate is abnormally high or low. 

Sale pricing starts

Macy's: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.

Target: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.

$199.00 at Target Read CNET's review

Apple Watch Series 3 available at Macy's

Fitbit Versa, $149 (Save $50)

Sarah Tew/CNET

This Fitbit smartwatch has a comfortable, sleek design with a color touchscreen, heart rate sensor and a battery that will last you days at a time. It's compatible with both Android and iOS devices, but only Android users will be able to program quick responses to reply to text messages.

Sale pricing starts

Kohl's: Online Monday, Nov. 19, and in-store on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.

Shopko: Online Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Meijer: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 6 a.m.

$149.00 at Kohl's Read CNET's review

Fitbit Versa available at Shopko

Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch, $200 (Save $100)

Sarah Tew/CNET

This well crafted smartwatch has a round design and a rotating bezel that allows you to easily navigate through its many features. It also boasts one of the best Samsung features available: Samsung Pay, which allows you to make payments at just about any credit card terminal. 

Sale pricing starts

Meijer: Online on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 6 a.m.

$199.00 at Meijer Read CNET's review

Fitbit Alta HR, $80 (Save $50)

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Fitbit Alta HR is the perfect companion if you're just getting stated on your fitness journey. It's the smallest and lightest fitness tracker on our list, with customizable straps that can give it a more stylish look. And it's still able to fit in a heart rate sensor for improved activity tracking and calorie count.

Sale pricing starts

Kohl's: Online starting Monday, Nov. 19, and in-store on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.

Target: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.

$79.00 at Kohl's Read CNET's review

Black Friday 2018 deals in each category

Black Friday 2018 deals by store

Black Friday 2018: CNET's complete coverage

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Apple Watch Series 4 comes to Amazon and Dyson's wearab...

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Welcome to the only place to catch up on the wearable tech news that didn't quite make the cut on the site this week. But we're still going to show it some love here.

We're talking about the stories that lost out to the news that the Apple AirPods 2 could track your health and the Fossil Sport is the second Wear smartwatch to be powered by Qualcomm's next gen smartwatch chip. Also, there's a pretty big Fitbit Versa Black Friday deal to look out when the deals action kicks off in a couple of weeks time. Remember, you can see all the headlines over in our news section.

We've saved three more wearable tech news that featuring wearable tech heavyweights Apple and Samsung a potential newcomer in the shape of Dyson.

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Watch Series 4 gets big Amazon love

Apple is set to make getting hold of its smartwatch from one of the biggest online retailers a whole lot easier. That's according to the folks at Cnet and the news that Amazon has signed a deal with the Cupertino company to start selling more Apple products on the site worldwide.

Those products will include iPhones, iPads and the Apple Watch, including the new Apple Watch Series 4. The new listings are set to start rolling out on Amazon in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and India.

In the past Amazon has opted not to sell certain Apple products while many that are available are via third party sellers. This is a big deal for Apple as it'll no doubt help the company shift even more devices. But it's also a big win for Amazon, especially with Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon.

Interested in grabbing a cheap Apple Watch? Check out our roundup of Apple Watch Black Friday deals to look out for.

Samsung Galaxy Watch gets Tidal app

Samsung was the first wearable to get a proper Spotify app and now it's added Tidal to the mix to offer more music streaming options from the wrist.

The new Tidal Samsung app is available for Samsung's fitness trackers and smartwatches, which includes the Gear Fit2, Gear Sport, Gear S3 and of course the Samsung Galaxy Watch. The official offering will let you browse music and podcasts and view playlists from your wearable. There's voice support to help make it easier to search and the all important offline playlist support is there too when you want to listen to that exclusive new Jay Z album sans smartphone.

To make the most of the app, you will need to be a paid up member of Tidal and if you sign up for the first time with a compatible Samsung wearable, you'll get three months to try it out for free.

Got a Samsung Galaxy Watch? Check out our top Galaxy Watch tips and tricks to get more from your new smartwatch.

Dyson's wearable air purifier plans

Dyson is of course best known for vacuum cleaners, hand dryers and pricey hairdryers, but it could have plans to add wearable air purifiers to its collection of tech.

That's according to Bloomberg who said it's spoken with two people with knowledge of the project. The device, which will primarily work as an air purifier could well double as a pair of headphones too. The company has already filed patents for a 'wearable air purifier' this year to suggest it's working on a wearable device.

The idea of a wearable air purifier could have great appeal in heavily polluted cities across the world including major cities in Asia. Of course, Dyson like a lot of companies file hundreds of patents that never see the light of day. But the fact that sources close to the private project believe it is in the works, could suggest this is one Dyson idea that could become a reality.

Looking for a new wearable to spend your money on? Check out our latest buying guides.

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Your guide to picking up an cheap sports watch

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Yes, it's coming. The bargain-chasing extravaganza that is Black Friday is not too far away. The day (well, week) of deals kicks off on 23 November and Amazon, along with retailers like Best Buy and Currys PC World, will be getting in on the action.

If you're on this page, you've clearly already decided you want a new Garmin in your life and you probably know what model you're after. The chances are that there will be Garmin devices going for cheap on Black Friday. The question is, which devices will be in the mix?

Read this: The best Garmin watch for you

We obviously won't know that until Black Friday begins, despite the odd leak (shown below) giving us some indication. And based on what was discounted last year, along with new upgraded models that have launched this year, we can start to build a picture of what's likely to be up for grabs in the UK and the US. When we do have firmer details, be sure to bookmark this page to find out the latest Garmin deals.

Best Garmin deals - US

Garmin Vivofit Jr. - $49.99 (save $30) - Target

Garmin Vivoactive 3 - $199.99 (save $70) - Best Buy

Garmin Fenix 5X Plus - $699.99 (save $150) - Best Buy

Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music - $249.99 (save $50) - Best Buy

Garmin Forerunner 235 - $199.99 (save $50) - Best Buy

Best Garmin deals - UK

Garmin Vivomove HR - £129.99 (save £40) - Amazon

Garmin Forerunner 935 tri bundle - £399 (save £170) - Wiggle

Garmin Vivoactive 3

The Vivoactive 3 is Garmin's answer to Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and Google's Wear OS smartwatches. It gives you all those staple connected features including contactless payments, notifications and combines those with Garmin's sports tracking skills. With the arrival of the Vivoactive 3 Music (which adds a built-in music player), there's every chance the Vivoactive 3 will get discounted during the Black Friday festivities.

Garmin Fenix 5

Garmin's outdoor watch beast is probably a watch that Fenix 3 and Fenix 3 HR owners have been sizing up as an upgrade. Garmin has since introduced the Fenix 5 Plus series, which brings more smartwatch-like features to the Fenix party. But if you don't care about payments and music player support and you're all about the advanced sports tracking, the Fenix 5 series is a top candidate to get discounted.

Garmin Forerunner 235

An oldie, but still a solid watch for runners. The Forerunner 235 has the sleek design, big display and serves up plenty of useful running metrics whether you're a beginner or starting to take your running more seriously. It does have a heart rate monitor on board, but it's not the best performing based on our experience. The 235 has been part of the Black Friday deals action the last couple of years, and we're tipping it to be there for 2018 too.

Garmin Vivosport

If you don't want a Garmin watch but you do want something to track your outdoor activity, the Vivosport might be a better fit instead. It's the only fitness tracker in the Garmin wearable family to include built-in GPS. It also finds room to pack in a decent performing heart rate monitor and offers smartwatch features like displaying notifications and controlling music from your smartphone.

Garmin Vivofit Jr

Garmin makes fitness trackers for the kids and along with the Fitbit Ace, the Vivofit jr 2 is one of the best options for your little ones. It's designed for ages 4-7 and comes in a variety of fun, Disney-themed designs. It offers up basic fitness tracking features including sleep and the ability to make progress in adventure games when you unlock 60 minutes of active time.

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Fossil launches its first smartwatch on Snapdragon | We...

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Fossil has announced its newest addition to our wearables assortment: the Fossil Sport Smartwatch.

Based on the recently launched Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform and the newly redesigned Wear OS by Google, this watch boasts several new technology features including extended battery life, a new battery saving mode, enhanced ambient mode, integrated heart rate, NFC, and GPS capabilities.

The new nylon and aluminum case make this the lightest smartwatch to date and sits alongside 28 new silicone straps to give the wearer endless colorful combinations. Additionally, the Fossil Sport smartwatch will house a bigger battery (350 mAh), and the recently announced Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform, which brings in new capabilities and extends battery life.

“The smartwatch market continues to grow at a rapid pace with unprecedented innovation in the industry,” said Pankaj Kedia, senior director, product marketing, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Over the last three years, Fossil and Qualcomm have collaborated closely to launch a series of products and have led the Wear OS by Google smartwatch segment. The Fossil Sport smartwatch represents our best efforts yet made possible through the combination of Qualcomm’s world class Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform and Fossil’s ingenious pulse of the evolving consumer needs. This smartwatch truly represents the best of technology, fashion, and fitness.”

This watch retails for £249 and will be available for purchase starting November 8 on www.fossil.com and in select Fossil retail stores globally on November 12.

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Huawei Watch GT bulks up on battery life, loses Wear OS...

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CNET First Look

October 16, 2018

Wearable TechMobileWear OSHuawei

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Insta Ring lets you snap your favourite moments from th...

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Wearables and cameras have a somewhat difficult relationship. When it comes to gadgets that sit on the wrist, it's really only within kids smartwatches that we see a front-facing camera sitting above the screen. We haven't seen one turn up on a smartwatch since the early Samsung Gear days.

Sure, there have been patents from Apple that have hinted it considered it, but generally the concept of taking photos with watches hasn't really taken off.

Read this: Smart rings are great - there's just one problem

But what if you were to move the camera from the wrist to the finger and make it a fashion item, in the form of a smart ring? Well, that's the thinking of startup Unlike Labs, with its Insta Ring helping users capture photos and 4K video directly from their finger. The company's device is currently available from $89 on Kickstarter, with its rings set to be delivered to backers next February.

"My husband is a actually a big fan of smartphones, and he likes to break them down and see all the tech that's used inside. So, one day he broke down his Samsung Galaxy S8, opened it all up and had the idea to build a ring using just the components from the phone. That was really the beginning of the prototyping and testing," said Unlike Labs founder Mariola Grzduk.

"I think the idea is interesting to us because there is nothing quite like it on the market. We think there's a comfort and difference to taking a photo or video from a ring; it allows you to catch a fleeting moment of your life, one which you may otherwise miss preparing a normal camera or phone."

Read next: Why smart rings are so difficult to build

So, how exactly does the Insta Ring work? As Grzduk told us, users simply slip the ring (available in 12 colours, including black, white, red and blue) on and press or hold one of the two side buttons in order to capture a moment. The device builds in a 12-megapixel camera for photos, with features like optical image stabilisation, face detection, HDR, auto-focus helping to assist captures, too. The design also allows for the Insta Ring to be taken in the water up to 50 metres, with the 128GB internal storage helping you save snaps until you're ready to upload them across to your connected phone.

But with so much to pack into such a small device, building prototypes and getting the ring to the stage where it's ready for manufacturing on a larger scale has been a considerable challenge for the startup, Grzduk said.

"This is our first adventure with crowdfunding. The team does have experience in tech - both hardware and software - and everyone is a specialist in a different branch of science and industry, but it's been a very big challenge," she said. "We're actually a group of friends, and so we're happy that we've been able to develop a concept together, build the beta version and have a successful campaign," she continued.

With this representing the startup's first foray into hardware, it, like many other small companies, has also worked to try and bring all of its initial ideas to life. And though this has meant the ring itself is on the chunky side, the upside of this is that it's packed with camera tech. Grzduk told us that the company will potentially look to slim down the device in the future, though the priority will be to keep one eye on the latest camera tech used in phones and bring it to a future iteration of the ring.

Crowdfund this?

The Insta Ring poses an interesting concept to the burgeoning world of smart rings. An area we traditionally see fitness and fashion blend is instead being leveraged here to create an alternative way of capturing moments - whether they're selfies on holiday, dives into a pool and everything else in between.

The project has already surpassed it's funding target, with Grzduk confirming that the final design is ready for production once the campaign closes at the end of November. The only hurdle left to jump is within the software, with the iOS and Android companion apps yet to be fully completed.

The fact that everything is in place to begin manufacturing is a tick for Unlike Labs, though, as with any campaign, risks are always present that could push the rollout of its device back.

That aside, there's a lot to like here. It may not sit in the same mould as the svelte smart rings that have come before it, but there's a genuinely impressive amount of tech onboard the Insta Ring. With that, it has the potential to be the Snap Spectacles for your finger; something that will no doubt appeal to a younger generation and encourage the capture of quick and easy photos and videos.

If it's able to do what it claims on paper, this be one campaign that's worth a closer inspection.

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The Apple Watch Series 4 -- down to the tiniest detail

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Digital crown button

The digital crown button can be pressed down to take you to the home screen, talk to Siri, return to the last app, or be turned to scroll through apps. The red accent ring is also visible here. The metal center is where the new EKG feature will complete a circuit for heart-rate readings, which comes in handy for fitness tracking.

Published:October 21, 2018Caption:Josh MillerPhoto:Josh Miller/CNET

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[iamthebarefootone]

Fitbit Versa drops to $149 in Target's Black Friday 201...

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Of all the Fitbit Black Friday deals, we didn't really expect the Fitbit Versa to be part of the sales action. But US retailer Target has proved us wrong, and is set to knock off a big chunk of cash on the Versa.

The retailer has offered a sneak peek at some of the deals we can expect when Black Friday kicks off on 23 November. Front and centre of its Black Friday ad is Fitbit's second smartwatch, which will be available for $149. That's $50 off the usual price.

Fitbit Versa Black Friday deal

Fitbit Versa - $149.95 (save $50) - Target

Fitbit's 'mass appeal' smartwatch went on sale back in April of this year and has proved a big success story for the company. While last year's Ionic has dropped down in price over the year, this would be the first time that the Versa budges from its $199 price tag. At $149, that makes it even more of a great smartwatch to pick up and is a fair bit cheaper than investing in an Apple Watch.

If you're wondering how the Versa compares to the Ionic, the Versa has a smaller, slimmer design and lacks the built-in GPS support included in the Ionic. But the Versa offers everything else that Fitbit's first smartwatch offers. That includes swim tracking, female health tracking and 4-5 days of battery life.

It scored an impressive 4 out of 5 in our review, where we praised it for a more agreeable design, being packed with features and having a more attractive price.

With Target offering a cut-price Versa, it could signal that other retailers and even Fitbit could follow suit and do the same too. If more Versa deals do surface, be sure to check into our main Black Friday 2018 deals page to keep track of them.

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How to make calls on an Apple Watch

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Taking a call on an Apple Watch is so easy you could accidentally do it. Someone calls you, your wrist vibrates and you're given the option to accept or decline.

You can also palm the Apple Watch to silence the call. That's all well and good and convenient, but how the heck do you make a call? If you're vaguely remembering something about a favorites list, you can forget about all that. That's how making a call on the Watch used to be done.

Essential reading: Best Apple Watch apps to download first

Things have changed in the Apple Watch landscape, so let's see how you can swap your iPhone for your smartwatch when you need to get in touch.

How to make calls on an Apple Watch

The first, and most easy way, is to use Siri. Just raise that wrist and say things like "Call Paul", "Dial 555-123-4567", or "call Steve via FaceTime Audio". It's all simple and to the point, but if you're out in public and don't want to tell the world who you're calling there is an alternative.

Here's how to get started:

1) Tap the Digital Crown. 2) Scroll to the Phone app.

So far, so good, but now you've got some options. You can go to your favorites, check out your recent calls, scroll through your contacts, use the keypad or access your voicemails.

For the purposes of this how-to, let's head over to contacts:

1) Use the Digital Crown to scroll through your contacts. 2) Choose a contact. 3) Tap on the Phone icon.

Boom, you're calling.

If you don't have someone in your contacts, you can also just use the keypad, which will have you input the number and then call it. For the most part, your Apple Watch should take care of the connections by itself.

If it's connected to your iPhone, it'll route things through there. If it's on cellular, it'll take care of things itself when you're out and about and need to call. There's also Wi-Fi Calling, a feature you can use if your carrier supports it.

To enable Wi-Fi Calling, head over to Settings on your iPhone:

1) Click Phone. 2) Tap Wi-Fi Calling. 3) Turn on both Wi-Fi Calling and Add Wi-Fi Calling for other devices.

Now head over to the Watch app.

1) Tap My Watch. 2) Click on Phone. 3) Turn on Wi-Fi Calls.

Congratulations, you're all ready to make calls on your Apple Watch.

Got any questions? Hit us up in the comments below.

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NYPD pulls thousands of body cameras from streets after...

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The NYPD has pulled some Vievu body cameras from the streets after an LE-5 model (similar to the LE-3 seen here) exploded on Sunday.

Andrew Burton / Getty Images

The New York Police Department removed thousands of officers' body cameras Sunday after one cop's camera exploded.

The Staten Island officer was on duty around midnight Sunday when the Vievu LE-5 camera started to smoke, the department wrote.

The police officer quickly removed the device, which then exploded on the ground. No one was injured, the department said.

Now playing: Watch this: Cops aren't the only ones embracing body cameras

1:37

The NYPD statement pointed to the camera's battery as a possible source of the problem, and said that the cause and scope of the defect are being investigated.

"All officers assigned LE-5 cameras were instructed to immediately remove the cameras and bring them back to their commands," the department said in its statement.

There are 2,990 LE-5s in use in 16 precincts, out of a total of 15,500 body cameras deployed with NYPD cops. Those equipped with the LE-4, another Vievu model, will continue to use them, and officers who had the LE-5 won't have any body camera.

Vievu beat then-rival Taser to win the $6.4 million NYPD contract back in 2016, before Taser rebranded as Axon the following year. Axon bought Vievu in May, essentially giving it dominance over the body camera market, Bloomberg noted at the time.

"We are working closely with the NYPD to investigate this issue," Axon said in an emailed statement. "The officer was not injured, however officer safety is of the utmost importance to Axon. We will do whatever is necessary to quickly and safely resolve this situation."

The global market for security equipment in city surveillance like body cameras topped $3 billion last year and could grow at an average annual rate of 14.6 percent from 2016 to 2021, research showed back in March.

First published at 4:12 a.m. PT. Updated at 8:32 a.m. PT: Adds Axon statement.

Police portal by Apple: Cops will be able to submit and track requests for data and obtain responses from Apple.

The best and the weirdest: Police lip-sync battles put some funk into law enforcement.

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Apple and Stanford's atrial fibrillation study is the l...

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In 2017 Apple teamed up with Stanford University to launch the Apple Heart Study, focused on seeing if the Apple Watch could accurately identify atrial fibrillation, a leading cause of strokes and heart failure, killing nearly 130,000 in the US each year. Now, nearly a year later, the two are letting the people in on how the study worked.

Stanford announced it amassed 400,000 participants, making it the largest atrial fibrillation study ever. Each participant was required to have an iPhone and either an Apple Watch Series 1, 2 or 3. Apple also leveraged its massive customer base to invite people who qualified to participate in the study.

Read this: Atrial fibrillation explained

An app on iPhone would then intermittently check the heart rate data for measurements of an irregular pulse. If it found "sufficient episodes of an irregular pulse" it would alert the participant and tell them to visit a doctor involved with the study.

The participants would then get sent an electrocardiography patch they would have to wear for a whole week to record the rhythms of their heart, which would then be matched up against the readings from the Apple Watch.

The goal of the study was to ultimately see how accurate the Apple Watch was at identifying atrial fibrillation. Researchers wanted to see if participants who received notifications ended up being found to have AFib with the ECG patch, whether they ended up getting medical attention after receiving a notification and to see how accurate the Apple Watch's irregular pulse detection was compared to the ECG patch.

Apple submitted a subset of the data to the FDA for regulatory clearance, data that said the Apple Watch Series 4 is 98% accurate in detecting AFib. Stanford researchers were aware of the data submitted to the FDA, but did not see the data beforehand. In September, the FDA announced it approved two separate apps to read pulse data. One was for the new Apple Watch Series 4, which has an ECG on the device, and one was for previous Apple Watches.

While Apple and Stanford's study is large, there are some caveats. In an interview with Wired, Seth Landefeld, the chair of department of medicine at the University of Alabama and member of the US Preventative Services Task Force, a volunteer panel of experts in disease prevention, said more questions need to be asked.

The biggest question is to find out whether people who get screened for atrial fibrillation have fewer strokes long term. Additionally, Mintu Turakhia, cardiologist and lead author on the study, tells Wired that AFib is an indicator for more than just strokes, and can also be associated with other conditions from shortness of breath to heart failure.

Thus, it seems like Apple and Stanford will need to perform additional follow-up studies to see how effective Apple Watch AFib alerts are at helping people live healthier lives in the long term.

There's also an inconsistency. Apple and Stanford's study is set to finalize results in early 2019, and Apple is prepping to release irregular heart rate notifications and ECG on the Series 4 by the end of 2018. It's possible Apple feels comfortable enough with the results of the study thus far to introduce the health features to a mass audience, but there's also the chance that it's not ready, which could lead to misdiagnosis and over treatment.

Luckily for Apple, it has one of the largest data pools in medical research to draw from. Hopefully it can extend the data pool for additional research to help make the Apple Watch an even better health tool.

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