Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Google ignored Android XR at GDC 2025, and indie VR devs are concerned
GDC 2025 Google was a huge presence at GDC, pushing Gemini for video games and new mobile gaming tech. The one blatant no-show? Any Android XR discussion.
Quest developers are joining forces to solve the 'VR visibility crisis'
GDC 2025 VR devs are seeing their games buried under Gorilla Tag clones. With Meta and Sony not helping, they're finding new ways to make VR profitable again.
Meta's head of Oculus Publishing debunked Quest Store 'theories' and hinted at their Quest 4 audience at GDC
GDC 2025 Chris Pruett went on stage at GDC 2025 to counter criticisms that Meta has abandoned devs to focus on Horizon and F2P games — and hint at a Quest 4 demographic.
Google's clinical sleep lead has cool ideas for the future of smartwatch sleep data
Wear OS Weekly Sleep tracking on smartwatches keeps getting more complicated, but Google's sleep lead has even more ambitious dreams of what comes next.
Here's why the Google Pixel 9a ditched the camera bar
A new 'personality' Google explained to us why it needed to remove the Pixel series' signature look; it may not be a reason you'd expect.
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a: More than a facelift
Stepping it up The Google Pixel 9a will wow you with its larger, brighter display and excellent battery life, but 8a owners may not have enough reason to upgrade.
Google Pixel 9a hands-on: Extreme makeover, phone edition
Debate time I got up close to Google's new "personality" for the A-series, designed to set it apart from the flagships.
Oura Ring 5: Everything we want to see
Smarts & tricks Oura's Ring 4 was a traditional smart ring, but Oura's patents show some incredible ideas that could pay off in the Ring 5.
Samsung Project Moohan: Everything we know about Samsung's Android XR headset
A new contender Samsung Project Moohan will be the first Android XR headset to make its debut in 2025. Here's everything we know so far.
The Forerunner 975 and 275 will show how much gas Garmin has left in the tank
Sunday Runday Our two favorite running watches should get new models in the next couple of months, but how many new ideas does Garmin have left?
Best smartwatch with LTE 2025
Always connected If you depend on your wearable for just about everything, you may benefit from an LTE smartwatch. So, we've rounded up some of the best options.
Wear OS 5: New features, One UI 6 Watch, & eligible watches
Wear tools We break down every new Wear OS 5 feature, which watches will receive it (and when), what's different with OS 5.1, and everything else you should know!
YouTube Premium: Everything you need to know
Watch it all YouTube Premium is essentially ad-free YouTube, right? Yes, but there are other benefits to using it.
Best VR headsets 2025
Extend your reality Whether you have a gaming PC, a PC, or nothing at all, we show you which headset is best, and what you should be putting your money towards for VR.
Wear OS 5.1 represents a new class of slow, substantial Pixel Watch updates
Wear OS Weekly Google used to release Pixel Watch updates without fail, but now it wants to slow the releases down. Here's why that could be a good thing.
Google Pixel Watch 4: Everything we know and want from the Pixel Watch 3 successor
Necessary upgrades The Pixel Watch 4 should have a new chipset and a key design change. Here's what else we want fixed based on the Watch 3's shortcomings.
Facer hired Fossil's old Wear OS exec, and it sounds like a perfect match
Unfinished business Former Fossil VP of Product Brook Eaton is joining Facer as CPO to 'expand OEM partnerships,' and I hope Google is the first.
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.
Best Samsung watch 2025
Galactic greatness The best Samsung watch is normally the Galaxy Watch 7, but you may want a Classic bezel, Ultra battery, or last-gen prices.
I grilled Strava's execs about the app's future and how Athlete Intelligence will improve
Sunday Runday Athlete Intelligence just left its beta testing, but Strava's CTO and CPO told me that they're "not done" making it better.
Meta is letting its engineers brag openly about its AR glasses, and I love it
Refreshing transparency Meta's offices keep leaking about future projects; now it seems they're leaning into it and just telling us what they're working on.
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 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.
