Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
OnePlus set an interesting standard with Watch 3 and Wear OS 5
Wear OS Weekly We couldn't be sure how OnePlus would handle Wear OS updates, given the platform's history. Now we have good and bad news about what to expect.
Meta announces its next Connect — and a Llama AI surprise
Mark your calendars Meta Connect 2025 begins this September. Here's what we know (and hope to see) at the next Meta developer event.
Garmin added the rucking tool I'd craved, but I already want more
Rucking cool Garmin gave the new Tactix 8 first dibs on a new pack weight feature that all Garmin watches need. And I have ideas for where this feature goes next.
OnePlus Watch 3 vs. Watch 2: A massive generational gap
OnePlus 2 ≠ 3 The OnePlus Watch 3 makes significant upgrades for almost every complaint we had with the Watch 2 while improving on its strengths.
We're entering the medical era of wearables
Sunday Runday Smartwatches do well selling to consumers, but future devices will focus on medical-grade accuracy to court B2B healthcare sales.
Garmin Instinct 3 vs. 2X vs. 2: Every key upgrade
Battery life battle The Garmin Instinct 3 vs. 2 has major differences in battery life, accuracy, smarts, display quality, and memory, but the Instinct 2X is surprisingly similar.
Fitbit freefall! Snag a Charge 6 for its lowest price in months during Amazon's Presidents' Day sale
Presidents' Day steal The top-rated Fitbit Charge 6 just scored its first real discount of 2025 during Amazon's Presidents' Day sale.
Best Link Cable alternatives for Meta Quest in 2025
No weak link Meta's official Link Cable is pricey, but these alternatives won't break the bank.
The OnePlus Watch 3 is a bigger deal than you think — here's why
Wear OS Weekly Even if the OnePlus Watch 3 can't match Apple or Samsung for sales, it drew first blood in the upcoming battle for battery life supremacy.
Android XR headsets will take a vital camera option from Android phones
Permission to peep As details slowly trickle in about Android XR, a VR veteran has revealed official Google info about how mixed-reality apps will access your living room space.
ChatGPT and Google won battle for best tech Super Bowl ads — and Meta lost
Super Bowl Meta's confusing smart glasses ad traded too heavily on star power and bad humor, while Gemini and ChatGPT focused on AI's potential and heart.
I can't decide if the Garmin Instinct 3 is a winner or a flop
Sunday Runday After a week with the Instinct 3, I'm struggling to decide if I should be content with more of the same, or if Garmin should have done more.
Galaxy S25 phones help drive record Qualcomm Q1 2025 revenue to $11.6 billion
Qualcomm earnings Qualcomm's earnings call was optimistic about smart glasses and automotive AI, but warned about flagging Android phone sales hurting business in 2025.
Reminder: Android watches don't need sideloading gimmicks for gaming
Wear OS Weekly People love hacking Android watches to play "real" video games, but don't forget there are actual Wear OS games you can play.
Apple is making Samsung look good without even trying
No guts no glory Foldable phones. Smart rings. Will smart glasses be the next category Apple decides isn't worth the trouble, while Samsung takes advantage?
Android smartwatches should soon get better charging options
Save your battery An APK teardown of the Pixel Watch system app shows plans for adaptive charging.
Huawei follows Apple, Samsung with intriguing fingerprint smartwatch idea
Patently interesting Samsung and Apple patented plans for a smartwatch fingerprint sensor years ago, but never used one. Now Huawei has its own plans.
Shokz OpenFit 2 review: Wow, do I love these
Shokzingly good The first Shokz OpenFit were on the right track, but the OpenFit 2 are almost perfect for runners — and fun to wear outside of workouts, too.
Zuckerberg wants 'billions of AI glasses' to overtake phones; is it possible?
Another 'Metaverse'? Zuckerberg suggested we'll see "billions of AI glasses" by the next decade during a recent Meta earnings call. That's a tough hill to climb.
Garmin has pushed a blue triangle fix for its watches; here's what you should know
Garmin crashing? Garmin watches crashed when you started an activity due to issues with the satellite packet. Here's what to try if your watch is showing a blue triangle.
Android smartwatches have a design problem. Hybrids could be the answer.
Wear OS Weekly Samsung and Google should try their hand at hybrid watches and fill the void left behind by Fossil. Gemini AI will be the key.
This Xiaomi-PlayStation fitness tracker is a gimmick. I want more like it.
Brand synergy Probably no one in the U.S. will ever get this PlayStation-branded Xiaomi tracker, but I want more limited-edition bands like this.
Hell yeah, they're bringing Pebble watches back
Blast from the past The original Pebble founder and a small team are making a "new Pebble-like smartwatch that runs open source PebbleOS."
