Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
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 smartwatches that can measure blood oxygen saturation levels 2025
SPO2 monitor If you want a watch that measures your blood oxygen saturation levels with plenty of other great perks, these are the best ones you can buy right now.
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.
You've quit your New Year's resolutions already; here's how to get back on track
Sunday Runday "Quitters Day" for New Year's resolutions has passed, but there's no reason TO quit if you set goals that are actually attainable (and fun)!
My favorite (flawed) workout earbuds got a much-needed upgrade at CES 2025
CES 2025 The Shokz OpenFit 2 will be a favorite of athletes who dislike bone conduction earbuds but want an open-ear design, and the new version has key upgrades.
Best Wear OS watch 2025
Wear this If you want a feature-packed and stylish Wear OS watch, you have plenty of options from manufacturers such as Samsung, Google, Mobvoi, and more.
I don't know how Google pulls Gemini off on Wear OS, but I'm intrigued
Wear OS Weekly We know Gemini is coming to Wear OS, but it's hard to know how Google will shrink its AI to work in wearable form.
Best Android smartwatch 2025
The best There's no shortage of outstanding Android smartwatches nowadays. Here are our top picks!
Google and MediaTek teamed up on a Google Home-ready chipset
CES 2025 MediaTek announced the new MT7903 Wi-Fi chip, designed for speedy Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for Thread and Matter smart home tech.
Ultrahuman Rare kicks off the luxury smart ring era with massive price
CES 2025 Ultrahuman is selling Rare rings that are about 5X more expensive than a traditional smart ring. Here's what we know about them.
New Amazfit Active 2 adds blazingly bright display, enhanced sensors for under $100
CES 2025 The new Amazfit Active 2 adds new and improved sensors, a far more readable display, and almost 40 new sports modes compared to the first Active.
The Garmin Instinct 3 went AMOLED (sort of); here's every new trick and tool
CES 2025 The Garmin Instinct 3 makes you choose between a much-needed visual facelift and the lineup's signature "unlimited" battery life.
Best fitness watch of 2025
Time to get fit There are fitness bands — and then there are smartwatches. But some smartwatches can pull double duty in the fitness space too. These are the best ones.
HMD is challenging Motorola with its own OffGrid satellite gadget
Go off-grid safely HMD's satellite dongle has a 3-day battery life and lets you message or share your location with family in dead zones, or signal an SOS as needed.
Circular Ring 2 will add ECG readings and 8-day battery life — at a cost
CES 2025 Circular is adding the first FDA-approved ECG into its next-gen smart ring, but it had to cut a signature tool to make it fit.
Best Samsung tablet 2025
Options galore Samsung makes the best Android tablets, and these models are the best of the best.
Fitbit Charge 6 vs. Charge 5: Should you upgrade?
Fitbit standoff The Charge 6 offers a few key upgrades over the Charge 5, but if they're enough for you will depend on whether or not you liked the last-gen fitness tracker — because they're basically twins.
Best Garmin watch 2025
Best for fitness training These are the best Garmin watches across the Venu, Forerunner, Instinct, Fenix, and other Garmin lineups, for every type of athlete.
Best cheap smartwatch for Android 2025
Affordable wearables If you want a solid smartwatch to pair with your Android phone without breaking the bank, be sure to check out these options!
Samsung's budget 1.6-inch tracker finally comes to the US
New year, new Fit The Galaxy Fit 3 launched nearly a year ago around the world, but Samsung skipped the U.S. for this 13-day tracker.
What we expect from Wear OS smartwatches in 2025
Wear OS Weekly We already know what to expect from Android smartwatches in 2025, from a major hardware upgrade to an inevitable AI focus. Let's run through the list!
