
Michael L Hicks
Michael is Android Central's resident expert on wearables and fitness. He's reviewed or tested dozens of smartwatches, fitness bands, VR headsets, smart rings, earbuds, and other wearable tech from brands like Amazfit, Apple, COROS, Fitbit, Garmin, Google, Meta, Polar, Shokz, Suunto, Ultrahuman, Withings, and more. After earning a degree in English and an MA in Publishing & Writing, he started as a tech freelancer in 2015, covering emerging tech news for Techradar and VR films and games for Wareable in off-hours while working full-time at an educational publisher, coding e-books. Eventually he discovered he had more passion for tech writing than publishing and became a full-time freelancer in 2020, writing for Android Central, Windows Central, Digital Trends, and other sites. AC hired him as Senior Editor by the end of 2020 in a "jack-of-all-trades" tech role, but he channeled his passion for running into a set role covering Wearables and VR in 2022. his trademark is to thoroughly test every fitness smartwatch he reviews, checking its steps, heart rate, GPS, and elevation accuracy against other brands so that athletes know whether they can trust that data. In his free time, Michael has run marathons in NYC, SF, DC, Sacramento, and Big Sir.
Latest articles by Michael L Hicks

Google Gemini AI: 2.0, Live, features, connected apps, and more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Google AI From Gemini 2.0 to Nano and Live, this guide will break down every Gemini version and how to best use them.

Best Android smartwatch 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
The best There's no shortage of outstanding Android smartwatches nowadays. Here are our top picks!

Polar follows Garmin's lead as 'optional' subscriptions becomes the new normal
By Michael L Hicks published
Another day, another sub Polar is the latest expensive fitness watch brand to add a subscription, and we probably won't have any sub-free smartwatches soon.

Best Wear OS watch 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Wear this If you want a feature-packed and stylish Wear OS watch, you have plenty of options from manufacturers such as Samsung, Google, Mobvoi, and more.

The Wear OS 5.1 update mess has me annoyed and looking for solutions
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly It's frustrating to be told to expect a major Wear OS update, wait weeks, then find out you were never going to receive it.

Google Pixel 9a launch live blog: review, camera comparisons, deals, and more
By Nicholas Sutrich, Michael L Hicks last updated
It's finally here The Google Pixel 9a is here and we're reacting to all the reviews and telling you everything we think about the phone. Follow along!

Google Pixel 9a review: The Energizer Pixel
By Michael L Hicks published
It keeps going... The Pixel 9a has cutbacks to on-device AI, cameras, and charging that you'll gladly accept in exchange for its epic battery life and $300 discount.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Specs, upgrades, deals, and more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Galaxy AI watch Watch Ultra aside, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the best Android watch available. But should you keep your Watch 6, upgrade to the Ultra, or wait for the Watch 8?

Testing the Garmin HRM 200 and Polar H10 convinced me I was (mostly) too harsh on chest straps
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday If you're not hypersensitive to tight devices, a chest strap is unquestionably better than your current smartwatch.

UNA and Pebble represent a new wave of open-source smartwatches, and I'm on board
By Michael L Hicks published
Totally modular We're seeing a rise of modular, open-source smartwatches for enthusiasts who want to step away from AI-focused, subscription-backed watches.

Galaxy Ring 2 'dream battery' tech would only partially solve the smart ring problem
By Michael L Hicks published
Battery fixes Samsung wants to make its next smart ring last longer, but there's more to longevity than a denser battery.

Rumored Galaxy Watch 8 Classic would need to channel Samsung's 'Pro' legacy to stay relevant
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly It looks all but certain a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is coming, but Samsung's alternating schedule leaves a gap that it should fix.

The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a bit too similar to its predecessor, despite some cool updates
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Get active The Garmin Vivoactive 6 should arrive soon with a few key upgrades, but perhaps not the one you'd most want to see.

Best cheap smartwatch for Android 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Affordable wearables If you want a solid smartwatch to pair with your Android phone without breaking the bank, be sure to check out these options!

Samsung Galaxy AI: Features, One UI 7 exclusives, and more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
New tricks We break down Samsung phones have Galaxy AI, how the features compare to Gemini, Agentic AI, and everything else you should know!

Garmin Connect Plus in-depth hands-on: Much more than an AI, unfortunately
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday The Garmin Connect Plus AI is a harmless novelty, but there are some vital tools behind the paywall that will upset long-time Garmin fans used to free software.

Samsung's lawsuit against Oura failed. What happens next could reshape the smart ring market
By Michael L Hicks published
Samsung v. Oura A federal judge ruled that Samsung can't prove Oura will sue them, clearing the way for Oura to do just that (barring an appeal).

Forget the Fenix 8 — save hundreds on Garmin watches during Amazon's Big Spring Sale
By Michael L Hicks published
Big Spring Deals From the Vivoactive 5 and Venu 3S for mainstream buyers to the Epix Pro and Fenix 7X Pro for power users, all of our favorite Garmin watches have good deals.

Garmin Connect Plus subscription adds Active Intelligence, new workouts and coaching
By Michael L Hicks published
Another AI Garmin Connect Plus is a new subscription, adding AI insights and premium perks while keeping old features free. Will Garmin users pay for it?

Wear OS is still missing a major player, and now's the perfect time for a comeback
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly It's high time Motorola rejoined the Wear OS fold and revived that classic Moto 360 look instead of sticking to cheap squircle Moto Watches.

Best fitness trackers 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Time to get fit! There are a lot of fitness trackers out there, from regular ol' fitness trackers to full-fledged smartwatches. If you're trying to figure out which one to buy, we're here to help.

Force Apple to make its Watch less exclusive, and the entire smartwatch industry changes
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday As unlikely as it is for Apple to open up messaging to non-Apple Watches, it could reshape the entire wearable market, including Android watches.

Google ignored Android XR at GDC 2025, and indie VR devs are concerned
By Michael L Hicks published
GDC 2025 Google was a huge presence at GDC, pushing Gemini for video games and new mobile gaming tech. The one blatant no-show? Any Android XR discussion.

Quest developers are joining forces to solve the 'VR visibility crisis'
By Michael L Hicks published
GDC 2025 VR devs are seeing their games buried under Gorilla Tag clones. With Meta and Sony not helping, they're finding new ways to make VR profitable again.

Meta's head of Oculus Publishing debunked Quest Store 'theories' and hinted at their Quest 4 audience at GDC
By Michael L Hicks published
GDC 2025 Chris Pruett went on stage at GDC 2025 to counter criticisms that Meta has abandoned devs to focus on Horizon and F2P games — and hint at a Quest 4 demographic.
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