Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Android smartwatches have a design problem. Hybrids could be the answer.
Wear OS Weekly Samsung and Google should try their hand at hybrid watches and fill the void left behind by Fossil. Gemini AI will be the key.
This Xiaomi-PlayStation fitness tracker is a gimmick. I want more like it.
Brand synergy Probably no one in the U.S. will ever get this PlayStation-branded Xiaomi tracker, but I want more limited-edition bands like this.
Hell yeah, they're bringing Pebble watches back
Blast from the past The original Pebble founder and a small team are making a "new Pebble-like smartwatch that runs open source PebbleOS."
COROS PACE Pro review: AMOLED is just the start
Sprint to get one After months testing the COROS PACE Pro, I'm comfortable calling this one of the best running watches if you're serious about hitting PRs.
Best Apple Watch alternatives 2025
A new start Whether you're switching from iPhone to Android but want a comparable experience to Apple Watch, or if you own an iPhone but want something new, we're here to help you choose!
Best Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 games
Immerse yourself We've selected the best Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest 3 games in every category: shooters, rhythm, exercise, puzzle, action, horror, and more!
I'm more excited about Samsung's vague AI health plans than the Galaxy S25
Unpacked 2025 Samsung hinted at new 2025 features for Samsung Health, from "vascular load" to AI coaching, and it has me intrigued.
Google just turned the Galaxy Watch 7 into a brand new watch
Wear OS for kids Google has brought Family Link to Galaxy Watches, enabling you to monitor your kid's location, communication, and health.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Everything we want from the next flagship watch
Beyond Ultra The Galaxy Watch Ultra has some epic upgrades, but it also has some weird design choices. Maybe the Ultra 2 will fix them.
Samsung Galaxy Ring 2: Rumors and everything we want to see
Getting smarter Samsung could show off the Galaxy Ring 2 at Galaxy Unpacked. Here's everything we know, and what we want Samsung to fix with this generation.
I held a smartwatch 'beauty pageant.' The winners and losers will surprise you
Sunday Runday I asked 21 family members across generations to rank 13 smartwatches based solely on their looks, from Apple and Samsung to Google and Garmin.
We saw three potential futures for smart rings at CES
CES 2025 From medical B2B sales to jewelry stores, smart rings may find new avenues to attracting consumer interest beyond the niche tech sphere.
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 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.
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.
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.
