Michael L Hicks
Michael is Android Central's resident expert on fitness tech and wearables, with an enthusiast's love of VR tech on the side. After years freelancing for Techradar, Wareable, Windows Central, Digital Trends, and other sites on a variety of tech topics, AC has given him the chance to really dive into the topics he's passionate about. He's also a semi-reformed Apple-to-Android user who loves D&D, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings.
For wearables, Michael has tested dozens of smartwatches from Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, Apple, COROS, Polar, Amazfit, and other brands, and will always focus on recommending the best product over the best brand. He's also completed marathons like NYC, SF, Marine Corps, Big Sur, and California International — though he's still trying to break that 4-hour barrier.
Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 6: Major fixes and unresolved issues
By Michael L Hicks published
The Pixel 6 was a promising phone hampered by software issues. Does the Pixel 8 do enough two years later to justify an early switch?
Garmin SOS report details all the times its InReach satellites saved people's lives last year
By Michael L Hicks published
SOS Garmin reports that its InReach SOS program is used almost as often for auto and motorcycle accidents as for hiking emergencies.
Meta Quest Plus' new 'catalog' of games comes with a $25 store credit incentive
By Michael L Hicks published
Expand your Quest library Meta is making its monthly subscription a combination of Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, with both a set games catalog and two new monthly games.
Future Games Show 2024 will be hosted by Baldur's Gate 3, Final Fantasy XVI stars
By Michael L Hicks published
March 21 Get ready for over 40 new game announcements on March 21, hosted by Samantha Béart (Karlach) and Ben Starr (Clive Rosfield) at Future Games Show 2024.
Take two: Meta and LG will team up for Quest Pro 2 'alliance' in 2025
By Michael L Hicks published
Challenging the Vision Pro After the failure of the Quest Pro to resonate with productivity users, Meta is teaming up with LG to try and go back to that form factor now that the Apple Vision Pro is making a splash.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Pixel Watch 2: A new Android watch rivalry
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS battle The OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Pixel Watch 2 is the latest Wear OS battle with no clear winner, as OnePlus dominates for battery life but Google offers better health and fitness tools.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. OnePlus Watch: A massive improvement
By Michael L Hicks published
Major upgrade By nearly every metric, the OnePlus Watch 2 is a major upgrade over the original, mediocre OnePlus Watch. They look very similar, but there's a lot changed underneath the surface.
Google's new 'hybrid' Wear OS will enhance other watches besides the OnePlus Watch 2
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS 4, enhanced Alongside the announcement of the OnePlus Watch 2 launch, Google revealed the new version of Wear OS 4 designed to work with dual-chipset architecture that helps both chips "work better in tandem."
Garmin Instinct vs. Instinct 2: Should you upgrade?
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Built for battle The Garmin Instinct 2 is a fantastic rugged smartwatch with durable battery life. But if you own the Garmin Instinct, should you upgrade? We'll help you decide.
The Galaxy Ring's best chance of success is to steal the Apple Ring's customers
By Michael L Hicks published
Turning the tables Apple will have a much harder time making its Apple Ring as essential as its Apple Watch, leaving a gap for Samsung to strike.
Best Link Cable alternatives for Meta Quest in 2024
By Michael L Hicks, Nicholas Sutrich last updated
No weak link Meta's official Link Cable is pricey, but these alternatives won't break the bank.
How to set up and use the Now Playing feature on a Google Pixel phone
By Derrek Lee, Michael L Hicks last updated
Now Playing With the Now Playing feature on Pixel phones, you can easily find the music that was playing while you were out and about. Here's what else this helpful feature can do!
The Galaxy Fit 3 isn't coming to the US, and here's why
By Michael L Hicks published
Fitness band famine We asked both Samsung and industry analysts why the Fit 3 won't come to the United States. Here's what they said.
Happy birthday to the PSVR 2, which has utterly failed to live up to its potential
By Michael L Hicks published
Happy birthday? The PSVR 2 is a very good device, but it's overshadowed by the wireless Quest 3 and a lack of well-known IPs compared to the original PSVR.
Strava is adding dog step counts and fitness rankings to its app
By Michael L Hicks published
Doggo fitness Strava is partnering with Fi dog collars to gamify your dog walks, showing whether you're giving your best friend enough exercise.
Zuckerberg says brain signal-reading wearable is 'kind of close' to product-ready
By Michael L Hicks published
Mental controls Appearing on a podcast, Zuckerberg talked about his Vision Pro roast and described how his new neural band will exhibit the "power of AI" when it launches in a "few years."
How the new Garmin Forerunner 165 compares to the Forerunner 55 and 265
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Running watches We break down all the ways the Forerunner 165 beats the 55 in features — and how it falls short of the Forerunner 265.
Best Oculus Quest 3 SteamVR Games to Play with Oculus Link 2024
By Michael L Hicks, Nick Ransbottom published
Quest 3 PC VR Expand your Quest 3 library beyond the Meta store.
These are the most important features hikers need on their smartwatch
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Hikers need a watch that ensures you'll never get lost, or you can call for help if you do. These are my favorite brands and the things they do better than their rivals.
Apple just patented a sweaty trick every fitness watch could benefit from
By Michael L Hicks published
Useful sweat Apple's patent shows plans for a sensor that would detect "average sweat rate or total fluid loss" over the course of a workout, integrated into the Apple Watch.
Google's pre-Pixel Fold 'Jumbojack' prototype just popped up for sale
By Michael L Hicks published
Blast from the past In the early days of Pixel Fold rumors, we heard about two Google prototypes: "Passport" and "Jumbojack." This week, someone with access to a Jumbojack foldable but the device up for sale.
Apple Vision Pro vs. Meta Quest 3: Not as one-sided as you might think
By Michael L Hicks last updated
VR wars Apple and Meta are the two major players in mixed reality, and both are selling "competing" products within the next year — though at completely opposite price points.
Google Gemini AI explained: Cost, features, availability, and controversies
By Michael L Hicks published
Generative AI Google has rebranded its Bard AI as Gemini AI, but it's more than a name change. Here's what's new and whether you'll need to pay for it.