Michael L Hicks
Michael is Android Central's resident expert on wearables and fitness. He's reviewed or tested dozens of smartwatches, fitness bands, VR headsets, smart rings, earbuds, and other wearable tech from brands like Amazfit, Apple, COROS, Fitbit, Garmin, Google, Meta, Polar, Shokz, Suunto, Ultrahuman, Withings, and more. After earning a degree in English and an MA in Publishing & Writing, he started as a tech freelancer in 2015, covering emerging tech news for Techradar and VR films and games for Wareable in off-hours while working full-time at an educational publisher, coding e-books. Eventually he discovered he had more passion for tech writing than publishing and became a full-time freelancer in 2020, writing for Android Central, Windows Central, Digital Trends, and other sites. AC hired him as Senior Editor by the end of 2020 in a "jack-of-all-trades" tech role, but he channeled his passion for running into a set role covering Wearables and VR in 2022. his trademark is to thoroughly test every fitness smartwatch he reviews, checking its steps, heart rate, GPS, and elevation accuracy against other brands so that athletes know whether they can trust that data. In his free time, Michael has run marathons in NYC, SF, DC, Sacramento, and Big Sir.
Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
![Render of the Ultrahuman Home smart home health tracker](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rPy7W2RrU9weai3bTZU7jg-320-80.jpg)
Ultrahuman is stepping beyond smart rings to warn you if your home is toxic
By Michael L Hicks published
CES 2024 The Ultrahuman Home will tell you if there's something wrong with your home environment, helping you to find the root cause of your poor sleep.
![The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid, with the tablet portion sitting on the Universal Easel Stand and the keyboard underneath.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cj3KainziYehG2MPKvzcmW-320-80.jpeg)
Lenovo combined a Windows laptop and Android tablet into one epic device — and I've tested it
By Michael L Hicks published
Dual OS, one price Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid switches between Windows 11 and Android 13 with a single button press, or by removing or attaching the "tablet."
![Close-up of the Garmin Lily 2 smartwatch](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gTrbS2m8YoKG67RGPuPFVM-320-80.jpg)
Garmin Lily 2 hybrid watches provide a gorgeous, scaled-back alternative to Venu 3
By Michael L Hicks published
Style and substance Though the Garmin Lily 2 and Lily 2 Classic don't make that many changes from the original, they at least bring back the petite, waterproof, and long-lasting design that you liked the first time.
![Screenshot from a press video from CES 2024 showing examples of what the new Garmin Connect app looks like](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sqG6vZx4ZekZHq3sJ2ZBQU-320-80.jpeg)
Garmin revamping its Connect app is my favorite news of CES 2024
By Michael L Hicks published
About time The Garmin Connect app, as it stands today, is an inscrutible labyrinth to navigate. The redesigned Home page puts all of your most important data upfront, so it's easier to find.
![Photo showing a mother taking her son's temperature using the Withings BeamO multiscope](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VZY7FJM57ydfNE9WyYZVui-320-80.jpg)
Withings BeamO is a DIY doctor's check-up wand synced to your phone
By Michael L Hicks published
Your name here, M.D. Announced at CES 2024, this all-in-one device will sync with your other Withings tech and give you a more in-depth look at your body than a smartwatch can offer.
![A custom body weight workout on the Garmin Venu 3, showing specific reps like push-ups and burpees.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YZArwwvKK5b9fWPdS5HWAk-320-80.jpeg)
Garmin needs to make its indoor workouts as compelling as its outdoor ones
By Michael L Hicks published
New year's resolutions Garmin is the only brand we know of that tracks individual exercise moves like push-ups or deadlifts, with thousands of options. But it doesn't do nearly enough with this concept.
![Promo image of the XREAL Air 2 Ultra from CES 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uttRSfVJbp2cx6cP3bh379-320-80.jpeg)
XREAL wants to undercut the Apple Vision Pro with its 'Ultra' AR glasses
By Michael L Hicks published
CES 2024 XREAL is bringing us closer and closer to the futuristic vision of AR glasses that Google Glass hinted at years ago, at least in terms of compact hardware.
![The iPhone 12 Pro (left) and Motorola Razr Plus 2023 (right)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iHE8qo7e8LASLrTRTQ8YLK-320-80.jpeg)
Only one Android phone could tempt my partner to switch from an iPhone
By Michael L Hicks published
Foldable freedom Back in 2021, I switched from iOS to Android to see which I preferred. This December, I gave my partner the one Android foldable that might make her switch too, but it was a more difficult battle.
![A mockup of the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip next to the Google and Samsung logos](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YU2ydNw4HbPihsY7i9hSvc-320-80.jpeg)
New Snapdragon XR2+ will help Samsung outclass the Meta Quest 3
By Michael L Hicks published
Ready for primetime Samsung's new headset will be capable of 4.3K resolution per eye, more cameras, and a major graphical boost compared to Meta's MR headset. Here's what we know so far.
![Starting an activity on the Garmin Forerunner 235, worn in front of a bike visible in the background..](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DAEW5C4VZQE394mWvbKXJ6-320-80.jpeg)
Somehow, an 8-year-old Garmin watch is still most popular
By Michael L Hicks published
Forerunning forever You know how Strava records which smartwatch uploaded your workout data? Turns out a lot of you really like using the Garmin Forerunner 235, which refuses to die.
![pictured: fitbit charge 6 and google pixel watch 2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uM5XgFKkqrfJdNy6giswzb-320-80.jpg)
Fitbit patented a 'Fit Score' trick that every smartwatch could use
By Michael L Hicks published
Watches worn right Fitbit first filed a patent to detect how well your fitness tracker is fitted to your wrist for more accurate results in 2019. More than four years later, it officially owns the concept.
![Oura Ring (Gen 3) next to the Galaxy Watch 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Wb9oyrF5LEDLoYMfLh6SJH-320-80.jpg)
What I want to see from smartwatches and wearables in 2024
By Michael L Hicks published
New year, new tech Get ready for the AI watch wars, an explosion of smart rings and glasses, and a make-or-break moment for brands like Fitbit that need a real win to stay in the wearables game.
![Dialing a phone number on the Garmin Venu 3](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gPG6UCAuHUKqzvf9LchGPV-320-80.jpeg)
Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu Sq 2 Music: Which is the best 'mainstream' Garmin watch?
By Michael L Hicks published
Which Venu to get? The Garmin Venu series tempts first-time users with familiar designs and lifestyle tools. Should you pick the affordable or high-end watch?
![Kiwi Quest 2 face cover](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uK4yuFgv3wVkF3GV5Qp6Rm-320-80.jpg)
Best Oculus Quest 2 face covers 2024
By Michael L Hicks, Nicholas Sutrich last updated
Under cover It's best to invest in a higher-quality face cover for your Quest 2.
![Close up of a custom watch face on the Fitbit Charge 6](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GwgHV2DSRWceMLs3D4hGda-320-80.jpeg)
Fitbit Charge 6 vs. 5: Should you upgrade?
By Michael L Hicks published
Fitbit standoff Fitbit gave the Charge 6 a haptic button, Google apps, and key software upgrades. Are these enough to tempt you away?
![Garmin Forerunner 265 (left) and Forerunner 965 (right) side-by-side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QX2k83MXKaxGcmzmbFPPMJ-320-80.jpeg)
Garmin Forerunner 965 vs. 265: Which running watch do you need?
By Michael L Hicks published
The two best Do you need the 965's maps, battery boost, larger screen, and extra software, or is the excellent 265 enough for your training?
![The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (left), Garmin Venu 3 (middle-left), Fitbit Charge 6 (middle-right), and Apple Watch Ultra 2 (right) on a desk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iXQypKDswFqKzx3byZ2NfJ-320-80.jpeg)
In 2023, smartwatches tried to become fitness watches and vice versa
By Michael L Hicks published
2023 in review Google, Apple, and Samsung all tried to brew the perfect mix of smarts, health tracking, and fitness tools, while dedicated fitness brands tried to add mainstream smarts.
![The Garmin Venu 3 (left) and Forerunner 265 (right) side-by-side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mK2aJq2oB8nghqjQwE7ntU-320-80.jpeg)
Garmin Venu 3 vs. Forerunner 265: Mainline champ or enthusiast's dream?
By Michael L Hicks published
Same price, different focuses Despite identical prices and similar levels of quality, the Venu 3 and Forerunner 265 cater to very different people.
![Michael Hicks and Jeramy Johnson at Google I/O 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BTrzNoqJjCfM8oay3N2KsR-320-80.jpeg)
Michael Hicks' Top 10 of 2023
By Michael L Hicks published
The highlights Our senior wearables editor looks back on the highs and lows of his year with Android Central, from step tests to attempted cat-murder.
![A close-up of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses' logos](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YoKt2xnPSXnFWtgMyswrhZ-320-80.jpeg)
The Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses just got a big AI update, but you should act fast to get access
By Michael L Hicks published
"Hey Meta" We're one step closer to true "smart glasses," but this multimodal AI tool is only in U.S. early access for now.
![A promo image for Xbox Game Pass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JC9AenUKTAcRCWVJ26ViH3-320-80.jpeg)
You can stream Xbox Game Pass on Quest 2 and 3 now; here's what you need
By Michael L Hicks published
Ultimate sub required You can access hundreds of Xbox Game Pass games on your Quest 2, 3, or Pro, but you can't access them without the right software and an Ultimate subscription.
![The Garmin Forerunner 965 with a festive watch face showing a half-built snowman](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RKwCcUwPQqU8LdnarQWBAV-320-80.jpeg)
Garmin's new watch faces make you earn your holiday cheer — download them now for free
By Michael L Hicks published
Holiday watch faces Garmin's four new watch faces in Connect IQ let you build a snowman, golf with Santa, decorate a Christmas tree, or go skiing on the slope.
![A meta Quest 2 headset next to $250](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qSRsAtGkTC2RtY7QHgKwee-320-80.jpg)
That Quest 2 holiday deal made it more popular than the new Quest 3
By Michael L Hicks published
Still sellin' Industry experts report a massive boost in Quest and PSVR 2 headset sales in the week of Black Friday, as the discounted Quest 2 outsold the new Quest 3.