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ExtraBITS for 4 May 2015

In ExtraBITS this week, Adam Engst discusses the Apple Watch on the Tech Night Owl Live, Apple confirms that tattoos can interfere with the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensors, and the company offers an unexpected recommendation for Apple Watch owners suffering from sticky digital crowns.

Cleaning a Sticky Digital Crown on the Apple Watch — Some users have reported that the Apple Watch’s digital crown has become “sticky.” If your digital crown isn’t operating smoothly, Apple recommends rinsing the Apple Watch under running water for 10 to 15 seconds, turning and pressing the digital crown to free it up. If you have a leather band, be sure to remove it first, and don’t use any cleaning products on the Apple Watch.

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Apple Confirms that Tattoos Block Apple Watch Sensors — Apple has released a new support document about the heart rate sensors in the Apple Watch, confirming what many had suspected: that some tattoos can interfere with the watch’s light-based sensors. If this affects you, is a significant problem, and can’t be solved by moving the watch to your other wrist, Apple recommends connecting the Apple Watch to a Bluetooth-based chest strap monitor instead.

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Adam Engst Runs Down the Apple Watch on the Tech Night Owl Live — You knew this was coming, didn’t you? With a week of experience under his wristband, Adam Engst joined Tech Night Owl host Gene Steinberg to talk about what works well and what doesn’t, with a focus on fitness. Put simply, Garmin and Fitbit don’t have much to worry about yet.

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