Michael L Hicks

Michael L Hicks

Senior Editor, VR/AR and fitness

Michael spent years freelancing on every tech topic under the sun before settling down on the real exciting stuff: virtual reality, fitness wearables, gaming, and how tech intersects with our world. He's a semi-reformed Apple-to-Android user who loves running, D&D, and Star Wars. Find him on Twitter at @Michael_L_Hicks.

Latest articles by Michael L Hicks

The Galaxy Tab S8 Plus with keyboard

Our favorite Android tablet is $170 off for Prime Day

By Michael L Hicks last updated

DEAL Save up to 20% off the latest Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series for Prime Day 2022, if you're looking for a premium tablet experience.

DEAL
Among Us VR screenshot

Among Us VR launch trailer finally shows off imposter kills

By Michael L Hicks published

The once mega-popular social multiplayer game is making the jump to the Meta Quest this November, as announced during Meta Connect.

Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen, 3rd Gen, and 4th Gen with Clock

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

By Michael L Hicks published

The 4th Gen Echo Dot device made some significant improvements to its Alexa processing speeds, and a distinct change to its design that made it prettier but less versatile than the 3rd Gen Echo Dot.

Taking a look at the Google Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel Watch at Google's Fall 2022 event

Why Google got away with such a boring Pixel Watch & Pixel 7 reveal

By Michael L Hicks last updated

Google spent just as long on VPNs and call quality as it did on the Pixel Watch. Should Google have emulated Apple and tried to sell itself harder? Or will an understated approach pay off?

Google Nest Audio

Nest Audio vs. Amazon Echo (4th Gen): Which should you buy?

By Michael L Hicks last updated

Choosing between the best smart speakers on the market.

Google Pixel Watch

Google Pixel Watch: Everything we know so far

By Michael L Hicks last updated

Google's long-awaited smartwatch will arrive alongside the Pixel 7. Leaked specs will help you decide if it's worth waiting for.

Screenshot of a Lizzo song in Beat Saber

New Beat Saber Lizzo DLC pack out today, is a fantastic must-buy

By Michael L Hicks published

Meta announced a new Beat Saber Lizzo Music Pack, and it's a major step up from the simple beat maps of earlier songs.

Chromecast with Google TV on top of Stadia Controller

How to get your Stadia refund from Google

By Michael L Hicks published

Stadia shuts down on January 18, 2023. Before then, you'll be able to get your money back on all software and most hardware.

Echo Show 10 (right) and Nest Hub Max (left)

Amazon Echo Show 10 vs. Nest Hub Max: Which smart display is better?

By Michael L Hicks published

Amazon's display stays on a swivel, while Google's display knows who you are and adjusts accordingly.

Google Stadia controller orange colorway

Google will never recover from its Stadia debacle

By Michael L Hicks published

Editor's Desk Google's executives are pushing for a "Simplicity Sprint" and clamping down on experimentation and unprofitable projects. Stadia is just one casualty, and Google's brand will suffer for it.

Editor's Desk
Google campus logo

Everything we hope to see at Google's Pixel 7 event

By Michael L Hicks published

From acknowledging past mistakes to highlighting new AI tricks, Google has plenty to reveal on stage besides Pixel Watch specs.

Prime TV on the Echo Show 15

Amazon turns an Echo Show into a Fire TV, launches QLED TV that's also a giant Echo Show

By Michael L Hicks last updated

The Echo Show 15 will receive the Fire OS to watch content more easily, while Amazon launches a QLED Fire TV with all the usual Alexa and Echo tools.

Project Cambria Oculus Teaser

Oculus Quest Pro: Everything we know about Project Cambria

By Michael L Hicks published

It's a "Chromebook for your face," it'll cost well over $800, and it'll offer both work features and Quest games — but it's not the "Quest 3."

Combat in Ancient Dungeon VR

Voxel roguelite Ancient Dungeon VR is my new favorite Quest game

By Michael L Hicks published

Minecraft meets Hades in this procedurally generated, hack-and-slash dungeon crawler for the Meta Quest 2.

GPX map turn-by-turn navigation on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

How to use GPX maps and trackback on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Route tile

By Michael L Hicks published

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has one exclusive feature over the stock Galaxy Watch 5: GPX mapping. Here's how to use it.

Oculus app library with Quest 2

How to use multiple accounts and app sharing on the Oculus Quest 2

By Michael L Hicks published

Have a family of VR lovers fighting over the Oculus Quest 2? Make sharing easier by enabling multiple Quest 2 accounts, so everyone has their own save files while still sharing the same purchases.

The Fitbit Sense (left) and Garmin Venu 2 (right) held in one hand

How to sync Fitbit with Garmin Connect

By Michael L Hicks published

If you're switching over from a Fitbit tracker to a Garmin watch, you can ensure Garmin gives you better recommendations by bringing in your past data workouts up to this point.

A Meta Quest 2 with the Facebook logo as its shadow

How to create a Meta account for Oculus Quest 2

By Michael L Hicks published

Quest 2 owners should be able to switch to a new account in just a few minutes, then build their new account.

Using the bottom-half of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4's display as a track pad in Flex Mode

Best iPad mini 6 alternatives 2023

By Michael L Hicks published

Small tablets for the win.

Garmin Venu 2 Plus (left) and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (right)

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs. Garmin Venu 2 Plus: Which fitness smartwatch is best?

By Michael L Hicks published

A premium Android watch with fitness tools versus a premium fitness watch compatible with Android (and iOS).

A render of the Pico 4 headset and controllers on a gradient background

Pico 4 announced: 11 things you need to know about the Quest 2 killer

By Michael L Hicks published

The Pico 4, Pico 4 Pro, and Pico 4 Enterprise are all in the works, with upgrades that we expect to see on the more expensive Quest Pro headset. Here's what you need to know.

Facebook account removal from Oculus Quest 2

RIP Facebook accounts: Quest 2 Meta accounts begin rolling out globally

By Michael L Hicks last updated

After a ten-month wait, the Meta Quest 2 has lost its obsolete, frustrating Facebook requirement. Here's how to create a new account.

Samsung Galaxy S22 review

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Apple iPhone 14: Which should you buy?

By Michael L Hicks published

Samsung's compact Galaxy came out in February, but Apple's "new" iPhone uses the same processor as the iPhone 13.

The Garmin Venu 2 Plus (left) and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (right) on a computer desk next to a Funko figurine

Garmin Venu 2 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

By Michael L Hicks last updated

Which stylish fitness watch with a bright touchscreen, tons of sensors, and plenty of smarts should you pick?

Google Nest Cam Battery mounted outside

Best Ring camera alternatives 2023

By Jeramy Johnson, Michael L Hicks published

If you are looking to add a smart video camera to your home security setup but are put off by Ring's business practices, there are plenty of great alternatives.

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