Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
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."
COROS PACE Pro review: AMOLED is just the start
Sprint to get one After months testing the COROS PACE Pro, I'm comfortable calling this one of the best running watches if you're serious about hitting PRs.
Best Apple Watch alternatives 2025
A new start Whether you're switching from iPhone to Android but want a comparable experience to Apple Watch, or if you own an iPhone but want something new, we're here to help you choose!
Best Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 games
Immerse yourself We've selected the best Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest 3 games in every category: shooters, rhythm, exercise, puzzle, action, horror, and more!
I'm more excited about Samsung's vague AI health plans than the Galaxy S25
Unpacked 2025 Samsung hinted at new 2025 features for Samsung Health, from "vascular load" to AI coaching, and it has me intrigued.
Google just turned the Galaxy Watch 7 into a brand new watch
Wear OS for kids Google has brought Family Link to Galaxy Watches, enabling you to monitor your kid's location, communication, and health.
Samsung Galaxy Ring 2: Rumors and everything we want to see
Getting smarter Samsung could show off the Galaxy Ring 2 at Galaxy Unpacked. Here's everything we know, and what we want Samsung to fix with this generation.
I held a smartwatch 'beauty pageant.' The winners and losers will surprise you
Sunday Runday I asked 21 family members across generations to rank 13 smartwatches based solely on their looks, from Apple and Samsung to Google and Garmin.
We saw three potential futures for smart rings at CES
CES 2025 From medical B2B sales to jewelry stores, smart rings may find new avenues to attracting consumer interest beyond the niche tech sphere.
Withings ScanWatch 2 review: A good-looking 'smartwatch' and not much else
Hybrid imbalance This attractive hybrid smartwatch offers reliable health data and decent sleep and fitness tools, along with notifications and excellent battery life.
Best smart thermostats that don't require a C wire 2025
Smart sensing Not in the mood to rewire your home for a smart thermostat? These are the best options that don't need a C wire.
Is your smartwatch band secretly toxic? I asked Apple, Samsung, & Google
Toss or keep? A scientific study said fluoroelastomer smartwatch straps "across numerous brands" have unhealthy PFAS compounds. Apple and Google say not to worry.
Android XR needs to copy Android smartwatches to survive
Wear OS Weekly Google has a long history of (abandoned) VR & AR projects. If Android XR is to succeed, it'll depend on Samsung, the savior of Google's wearable plans.
