Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Best Wear OS watch 2025
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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'
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
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.
Google's clinical sleep lead has cool ideas for the future of smartwatch sleep data
Wear OS Weekly Sleep tracking on smartwatches keeps getting more complicated, but Google's sleep lead has even more ambitious dreams of what comes next.
