Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Ultrahuman Rare kicks off the luxury smart ring era with massive price
CES 2025 Ultrahuman is selling Rare rings that are about 5X more expensive than a traditional smart ring. Here's what we know about them.
New Amazfit Active 2 adds blazingly bright display, enhanced sensors for under $100
CES 2025 The new Amazfit Active 2 adds new and improved sensors, a far more readable display, and almost 40 new sports modes compared to the first Active.
The Garmin Instinct 3 went AMOLED (sort of); here's every new trick and tool
CES 2025 The Garmin Instinct 3 makes you choose between a much-needed visual facelift and the lineup's signature "unlimited" battery life.
HMD is challenging Motorola with its own OffGrid satellite gadget
Go off-grid safely HMD's satellite dongle has a 3-day battery life and lets you message or share your location with family in dead zones, or signal an SOS as needed.
Circular Ring 2 will add ECG readings and 8-day battery life — at a cost
CES 2025 Circular is adding the first FDA-approved ECG into its next-gen smart ring, but it had to cut a signature tool to make it fit.
Fitbit Charge 6 vs. Charge 5: Should you upgrade?
Fitbit standoff The Charge 6 offers a few key upgrades over the Charge 5, but if they're enough for you will depend on whether or not you liked the last-gen fitness tracker — because they're basically twins.
Samsung's budget 1.6-inch tracker finally comes to the US
New year, new Fit The Galaxy Fit 3 launched nearly a year ago around the world, but Samsung skipped the U.S. for this 13-day tracker.
What we expect from Wear OS smartwatches in 2025
Wear OS Weekly We already know what to expect from Android smartwatches in 2025, from a major hardware upgrade to an inevitable AI focus. Let's run through the list!
Android XR vs. Meta Horizon OS: How Meta Quest and Google tech will stack up
XR showdown We break down how Google's new Android XR will compare against Meta for software, hardware, AI, partnerships, and more.
Meta Quest 3 128GB vs. 512GB: Which storage size do you need?
Savings or space? With 512GB now being the default option for the Quest 3, should you bother hunting down a deal for the 128GB variant anymore? Or, is the Quest 3S the best alternative?
Meta Quest 3S vs. Quest 3: More similar than you'd expect
Affordable or premium? You'll be shocked how alike the Meta Quest 3S is to the costlier Quest 3, though some budget-friendly Quest 2 traits return.
Which Quest 2 & 3 accessories work with Meta Quest 3S?
Save on accessories Just bought a new Quest 3S or upgraded from a Quest 2? You'll probably be looking to get some new accessories too. Here are the best accessories for the Quest 2 and 3 that work with the 3S.
Here's everything we expect and want from wearables and smartwatches in 2025
Sunday Runday I asked two industry analysts and mixed in my own predictions for what 2025 has in store for smartwatches, smart rings, and smart glasses.
I'm kind of shocked at how good smartwatches have gotten
Sunday Runday I tested dozens of smartwatches, trackers, and rings in 2024 — and they were consistently high-quality in a way I'm not used to.
Wear OS finally achieved its potential in 2024
Wear OS Weekly I look back on Wear OS' path in 2024, from messy updates and a major brand lost to new partnerships and promising developments.
Oura's 2024 Year in Review praises Kiwis and Scandinavia, roasts the US lifestyle
Oura has released its annual Year in Review and its Global Community Data report for 2024. Here's what we learned (spoiler: U.S. users didn't do great).
Meta Quest 3S vs. Quest 2: New brain and eyes, old tricks
New gen, old tricks The Quest 3S is the affordable, wireless VR headset that most Quest 2 owners will want to buy. But is it different enough to upgrade? We break it down!
Ray-Ban Meta glasses just got their most futuristic AI update yet
AI tricks Your Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses just got the live translate demo Zuckerberg showed off at Connect, plus another major AI trick.
Why don't more smartwatches use this smart ring's seemingly obvious trick?
Sunday Runday Ultrahuman is adding a new Smart Alarm feature reminiscent of Fitbit's Smart Wake feature, and I'd love to see it spread to more watches.
I love Garmin watches, but they could learn a thing or two from Android smartwatches
Wear OS Weekly Even as Samsung and Google play catch-up with Garmin on fitness, Garmin itself could learn a thing or two from Wear OS watches to keep customers happy.
First 11 things to do with your new Google Pixel Watch 3
Unbox and go nuts We run through everything you need to know after unboxing your Pixel Watch 3, from Fitbit tricks and Pixel exclusives to developer options.
Apple dethroned Garmin on Strava in 2024; there are two main reasons why
Apple v Garmin The old Garmin Forerunner 235 and 245 topped Strava's charts last year, but Apple has swooped in thanks to its renewed focus on running, among other reasons.
One of our favorite running watch brands is adding Strava Live Segments
Beat your rivals Strava Live Segments let you check if you're on pace to beat your PR or neighborhood rivals on a particular stretch, and this brand is finally getting them.
