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
![Rockley Bioptx Biosensing Band press image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kJwgMtQLhizgBbsKdUYWJC-320-80.jpg)
Rockley has a skin-penetrating IR sensor that your next smartwatch could borrow
By Michael L Hicks published
More than skin-deep Most smartwatches use IR sensors for heart rate and blood oxygen readings, but Rockley claims its new multiband spectrophotometer goes deeper than ever before.
![An ECG summary page on the Garmin Venu 3 saying the author's sinus rhythm is normal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ySjxwMw9LpmNoqkiNjv3en-320-80.jpeg)
Beefy Garmin Venu 3 update adds skin temperature, glucose watch face, and more
By Michael L Hicks published
Skin temperature The Venu 3 steals some useful Forerunner running metrics and gets the sleep temperature readings we've waited months for.
![Withings ScanWatch Nova press photo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GVmCtt8AGjyFTU2VxA6QXH-320-80.jpg)
Withings combines its two best watches into one with the luxury ScanWatch Nova
By Michael L Hicks published
Luxury health tracking Withings took its robust health sensors from the ScanWatch 2 and shoved them in the rugged ScanWatch Horizon with its stainless steel design.
![Strava Messaging official mock-up in front of an orange Strava logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xztuv8QymLyX3ggCjUkCHD-320-80.jpeg)
Strava Messaging will help you connect with friends and local athletes
By Michael L Hicks published
Gym gabbing The popular fitness app will now let you coordinate with your Mutuals or Followers, planning runs or rides or just praising them for a PR.
![Performance Condition metric on the Garmin Forerunner 965](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rynHmAuGYvtvy62YkUwm4Y-320-80.jpeg)
One of Garmin's oldest metrics needs a serious revamp
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Performance Condition tries to determine your current fitness level or race condition in six minutes. That's not enough time!
![The nap-tracking Glance on the Garmin Forerunner 965](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L48ou4poTSSqCoZRtS25CJ-320-80.jpeg)
The latest Garmin Forerunner update is a boon to sleepy, stressed runners
By Michael L Hicks published
Nap time! You no longer need to download beta software to get the coolest Venu 3 tricks on your new Forerunner watch.
![The COROS Heart Rate Monitor sitting on a table outside. The name and "water resistance 3ATM" are visible around the optical HR sensor.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gHtfmmA6Z4J76gsspmXN8m-320-80.jpeg)
COROS Heart Rate Monitor review: A seamless band I didn't know I needed
By Michael L Hicks published
Casual quality The COROS HRM arm strap gives you accurate heart rate data for your gym workouts, runs, and bike rides. It's a simple purpose, but COROS handles it very well.
![A 31-day walk streak graph on the Garmin Forerunner 965](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nscnS29GJni7WyKUPAeLU3-320-80.jpeg)
Why I'm not waiting until New Year's to start my fitness resolutions
By Michael L Hicks published
January 1 sucks I can't think of a worse time to start your body's self-improvement than January 1. That is, unless you've already spent December getting a running start on your fitness goals.
![Threads in portrait mode on Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/APaFGFG9bAk7AT4uJdKVkR-320-80.jpg)
Threads reportedly plans major expansion as Elon Musk's X struggles
By Michael L Hicks published
Ready to grow Threads will reportedly add another 40 million users by expanding to the EU in December, though it'll still fall short of Twitter/X...for now.
![A Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 in front of a Meta Quest Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gAb4fXVQqV3jwZ4xTDtn2N-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Glasses: Rumors and leaks about Samsung's XR headset
By Michael L Hicks published
Mixed reality Samsung's mixed-reality headset will challenge Apple with Google's own software. Here's what we know, from its specs to its design.
![The Meta Quest 3 Elite Strap accessory](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HrAnEBAMYmqYdHYX7sEt3-320-80.jpg)
Here we go again: Quest 3 Elite Strap with Battery has serious charging issues
By Michael L Hicks published
Déjà vu This is the second generation in a row that Meta has sold a defective, expensive accessory out of the gate, and it's frustrating to see.
![Gmail app on Pixel Tablet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GUs6ZKiyd2bJdRk2rFiemA-320-80.jpg)
Google starts deleting old accounts very soon, but there are plenty of loopholes
By Michael L Hicks published
🎵 Stayin' alive 🎵 Certain account actions like downloading a digital book or uploading a YouTube video will make your Google account permanently safe from deletion, according to its current policies.
![The Meta Quest 3 alongside a bunch of accessories](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sZSNL5VKQxnHxkeJPKTkLe-320-80.jpg)
The Quest 3 skipped the Cyber Monday party, but these cheap accessory deals didn't
By Michael L Hicks last updated
VR savings! Meta's Quest 3 accessories are overpriced, when you can get 3rd-party options that are arguably as good, if not better, for about half the price. And during Cyber Monday, the prices are even better.
![Echo Show 8 2nd Gen 2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aZuxosC8Pf8gg9h9mCrYHE-320-80.jpg)
It's your last chance at a cheap Echo Show 8 (in more ways than one)
By Michael L Hicks published
Cyber Monday You can grab the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) for just $54 thanks to this great deal. And since Amazon is probably going to stop selling the 2nd-gen smart display soon, now could be your last chance.
![The author's 1 by One all-in-one turntable with built-in speakers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZN9oS8u3B3WkUJG3BDHBgC-320-80.jpeg)
This 30%-off Cyber Monday record player deal is perfect for beginner vinyl nerds (like me)
By Michael L Hicks published
All-in-one Intimidated by turntables, amplifiers, and other vinyl necessities? This 1 by One record player is a great all-in-one option for playing LPs or streaming music from your Android phone.
![Shokz OpenFit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kZMhyt5BQKzinaVZchV3zi-320-80.jpeg)
My favorite running earbuds dipped to a new low, thanks to Cyber Monday
By Michael L Hicks published
Cyber Monday The Shokz OpenFit ($30 off) and OpenRun Pro ($55 off) are two great outdoor workout options that'll keep your ears unencumbered.
![Garmin Forerunner 745](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EQatt6GRXriFkKaCfkRpZL-320-80.jpeg)
Garmin's Forerunner 255 and 745 are the same cheap Cyber Monday price; there's one obvious choice
By Michael L Hicks published
Cyber Monday Don't assume the higher-numbered watch is the better one; you're better off with the Forerunner 255.
![A screen showing an 8-day walking streak on the Garmin Forerunner 965](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V5d2egrp39jrjfqQU3nHHE-320-80.jpeg)
Cyber Monday's your last chance on the best Garmin deals of the year
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Sweet Garmin savings If you want a Garmin watch, you have no reason to wait, with deals across the board like $350 off the Epix Gen 2 or $100 off most popular running models.
![A close up of the Garmin Venu 3 showing a custom watch face](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JxUb9xDNrvsf3r5TjZdaDi-320-80.jpeg)
The best fitness smartwatch of 2023 just hit a new low, thanks to this leftover Black Friday deal
By Michael L Hicks published
Black Friday The Garmin Venu 3 is $50 off, the lowest price we've seen on a watch that's less than 3 months old.
![A side view of the Garmin Forerunner 965 and its Amp Yellow silicone watch band.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yv3PyjMXAanVYfMJNTGqjD-320-80.jpeg)
Give your Garmin watch a comfort upgrade for $12 this Black Friday
By Michael L Hicks published
Black Friday deal Official Garmin watch band replacements cost $40 apiece, and there's no good nylon option for a lighter, more comfortable fit. That's where the Abanen Hook and Loop comes in.
![A route to the Lafayette Ridge on the Garmin GPSMAP 67i](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hGqNRcZwJZ4FGctG5vhDha-320-80.jpeg)
This Garmin hiking tool will save your life, and it's $200 off for Black Friday
By Michael L Hicks published
Garmin GPSMAP Garmin's handheld GPS devices will keep you on the right trail, your family apprised of where you are at all times, and emergency services notified if there's a problem.
![A close up of the Garmin Forerunner 965 display](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xyEAcH9JFCgHUyYQ6W7hYJ-320-80.jpeg)
I wear the Garmin Forerunner 965 every day, and it's finally discounted thanks to Black Friday
By Michael L Hicks published
Black Friday Either save $50 on the best running watch of 2023, or choose a better deal on the Forerunner 955 or Epix Gen 2 (with some compromises).
![Dialing a phone number on the Garmin Venu 3](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gPG6UCAuHUKqzvf9LchGPV-320-80.jpeg)
The Venu 2S is ridiculously cheap for Black Friday; buy the Venu 3S instead
By Michael L Hicks published
Black Friday The Venu 2S costs $199, the lowest price we've seen on that series. It's a great deal, but you should decide whether or not you can give up what the Venu 3 has to offer.