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
Meta Orion hands-on: This is the future of AR glasses
By Michael L Hicks, Nicholas Sutrich published
Meta Connect 2024 We had the chance to test out Meta's Orion AR glasses at Meta Connect prior to Mark Zuckerberg's on-stage reveal. Here's how they work, what we loved about them, and what still needs work.
How to use the Google Pixel Watch 3 run coaching features
By Michael L Hicks published
Couch-to-5K Some Google Pixel Watch 3 run coaching tools require Fitbit Premium, while others are free. Here's how to use them all.
Massive COROS update fixes its new bike computer, ends support for one of its best watches
By Michael L Hicks last updated
RIP PACE 2 The COROS September update, which adds gear tracking, nap detection, and more, is the last for the PACE 2, one of our favorite cheap running watches.
Best GPS smartwatches and fitness trackers 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Accurate positioning We round up the best GPS watches with all-systems or dual-frequency satellite data, plus the fitness trackers with built-in GPS.
Best Samsung watch 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
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.
Suunto Race review: Near the finish line
By Michael L Hicks published
Marathoner AMOLED The Suunto Race just needs a few key software add-ons and HR/ GPS accuracy tweaks to nail the formula for an excellent mid-range running watch.
Deal hunting for smartwatches is annoying, but there's an easy life hack
By Michael L Hicks published
It may feel premature to worry about Black Friday (and it is), but you already have the information you need to decide which smartwatch you're going to buy. A little research is all you need.
Garmin makes satellite messaging more useful with InReach Messenger Plus
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Satellite 2.0 The Garmin InReach Messenger is an expensive satellite relay that lets you send texts, photos, or voice messages to family in areas with no cell signal.
New Sarah's Scribbles mobile game is an 'infinite' find-the-cat game with no GenAI
By Michael L Hicks published
"After Owning a Cat" will delight long-time Scribbles fans, while the Infinite Story tech is bound to take off for mobile gaming.
These Samsung Galaxy Tab models support the S Pen
By Michael L Hicks, Andrew Myrick last updated
Putting pen to screen Which Galaxy Tab S, A, FE, and Active tablets work with Samsung's best stylus?
Choosing the best smartwatch for keeping off that Freshman 15
By Michael L Hicks published
Back to school We suggest great back-to-school options for fitness trackers, from the Pixel Watch 3 to the Oura Ring.
Fitness watches should stop treating dehydration and sweat loss as an afterthought
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday You can log cups of water or set hourly reminders to drink, but Samsung, Google, Apple and the rest should be doing more.
My two favorite running watches are both at all-time lows
By Michael L Hicks published
Sprint to buy Garmin rarely discounts its newer watches more than $50, which makes this $100-off deal on two of our favorite running watches — the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 — such a rare opportunity.
I depend on this Garmin training tool to improve, but it needs one obvious fix
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday More fitness watches are offering basic training load stats. Garmin goes one step further with training load focus, but not quite far enough.
Looking for the perfect back-to-school kids' watch? You don't need an Apple Watch SE.
By Michael L Hicks published
Back to school Plenty of parents buy their kids an Apple Watch SE in lieu of a smartphone, but we'll point those parents towards the Fitbit Ace LTE (or Garmin Bounce, if you need geofencing) instead.
What do Fitbit Cardio Load and Target Load mean?
By Michael L Hicks published
Long-term progress Fitbit Cardio Load is coming to the Pixel Watch 3 and other Fitbit-branded watches. Here's how it'll work.
First 11 things to do with your Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Make sure you get the most out of your Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra by diving straight into the settings and activating little-known or hidden features.
Best Garmin Forerunner: choosing the right watch for each runner
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Best running watches When you're a runner, it's important to find a watch that can keep up. We're here to help you decide which Garmin Forerunner is right for your needs.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Different takes, same goal
By Michael L Hicks published
Flagship wear off These are two fitness-focused watches, each with a valid approach to targeting athletes, but only one will probably appeal to you.
Batman: Arkham Shadow hands-on: A fantastic Batman LARP without open-world fluff
By Michael L Hicks published
I am the Knight If you loved the Batman Arkham series but got worn out by the size and bloat of games like Knight, then Arkham Shadow will be the game for you.
Garmin launches new Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 while retiring Epix — these are the key upgrades and new tools
By Michael L Hicks published
New flagships The Fenix 8 will be available in AMOLED or MIP Solar, with a new, twice-as-powerful solar panel for up to 48 days of battery.
OnePlus Pad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Dethroning the tablet champion?
By Michael L Hicks published
Slab power We compare the OnePlus Pad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, with OnePlus' newer tablet actually beating the twice-as-expensive Ultra in key areas.
I'm done with heart rate monitor chest straps
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday I used to use the Polar H10 chest strap for testing smartwatches' OHR accuracy. Here's why I'm switching to an arm strap.
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