Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Wear OS finally achieved its potential in 2024
Wear OS Weekly I look back on Wear OS' path in 2024, from messy updates and a major brand lost to new partnerships and promising developments.
Oura's 2024 Year in Review praises Kiwis and Scandinavia, roasts the US lifestyle
Oura has released its annual Year in Review and its Global Community Data report for 2024. Here's what we learned (spoiler: U.S. users didn't do great).
Meta Quest 3S vs. Quest 2: New brain and eyes, old tricks
New gen, old tricks The Quest 3S is the affordable, wireless VR headset that most Quest 2 owners will want to buy. But is it different enough to upgrade? We break it down!
Ray-Ban Meta glasses just got their most futuristic AI update yet
AI tricks Your Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses just got the live translate demo Zuckerberg showed off at Connect, plus another major AI trick.
Why don't more smartwatches use this smart ring's seemingly obvious trick?
Sunday Runday Ultrahuman is adding a new Smart Alarm feature reminiscent of Fitbit's Smart Wake feature, and I'd love to see it spread to more watches.
I love Garmin watches, but they could learn a thing or two from Android smartwatches
Wear OS Weekly Even as Samsung and Google play catch-up with Garmin on fitness, Garmin itself could learn a thing or two from Wear OS watches to keep customers happy.
First 11 things to do with your new Google Pixel Watch 3
Unbox and go nuts We run through everything you need to know after unboxing your Pixel Watch 3, from Fitbit tricks and Pixel exclusives to developer options.
Apple dethroned Garmin on Strava in 2024; there are two main reasons why
Apple v Garmin The old Garmin Forerunner 235 and 245 topped Strava's charts last year, but Apple has swooped in thanks to its renewed focus on running, among other reasons.
One of our favorite running watch brands is adding Strava Live Segments
Beat your rivals Strava Live Segments let you check if you're on pace to beat your PR or neighborhood rivals on a particular stretch, and this brand is finally getting them.
The OnePlus Watch 3 should arrive soon; it has a lot of Watch 2 problems to fix
Wear OS Weekly The OnePlus Watch 3 is expected to arrive in January alongside the new flagship; here is every new feature or upgrade it needs to fix the Watch 2's drawbacks.
Xreal beats Meta to the punch with its next-gen spatial AR glasses
AR glasses One of our favorite AR brands, Xreal has made new glasses with wider FoV, spatial tracking, multimodal AI, Bose sound, and more upgrades.
Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu 2: Every key upgrade
Versus Garmin Venu 2 owners have a ton of reasons to upgrade. For Venu 2 Plus owners, it's a tougher decision.
The ONLY workout earbuds I'll ever wear are 31% off for Cyber Monday (for now!)
Cyber Monday If you're an athlete who needs situational awareness but can't stand bone conduction, this is the best (only) solution I recommend, and it has a major discount.
SPRINT to grab our #1 running watch pick before the Cyber Monday deal's gone for good
Cyber Monday Garmin's Forerunners all offer excellent training tools and accuracy; our recommendation is the $100-off Forerunner 265, but its siblings also have great discounts.
Need a cheap Android watch with multi-day battery life? Skip the Galaxy Watch Ultra and start with these two!
Cyber Monday 2024 The Galaxy Watch Ultra may be $160 off, but you can still spend less by choosing these Wear OS watches with 3+ days of battery life.
Gollum would murder hobbitses to get this 43% OFF smart ring lightning deal before Cyber Monday ends
My precious... The RingConn Gen 1 smart ring is on our "Best smart rings" list, and it's currently 43% ($120) off thanks to a Cyber Monday lightning deal.
Save 40% on most Quest 3 games through Cyber Monday; start with these 25 VR greats
Cyber Monday 2024 About 300 Quest 3 games have a 40% discount, and we've chosen the best games from that huge list to help you build your library.
This 40%-off Cyber Monday deal makes this Amazfit running watch MUCH more compelling
Cyber Monday 2024 I gave the Amazfit Cheetah Pro a positive review, but I wasn't sure it really justified a $299 price tag. Now it's 40% off, and it's much easier to recommend!
How to use your new Cyber Monday smartwatch to shed Thanksgiving pounds
Sunday Runday I run through all the specific smartwatches and tools that'll actively help you lose weight, including those discounted for Cyber Monday.
These are my favorite Black Friday Garmin smartwatch deals still in stock (for now!)
Grab some Garmin Garmin's holiday sale is LIVE, and retailers all over the web are dropping major discounts on some of our favorite smartwatches.
Make your phone-addicted kids read with these major Black Friday Kindle Kids deals
Black Friday 2024 Both the Kindle Paperwhite Kids and Kindle Kids have significant discounts courtesy of Black Friday 2024.
Get $70 off (plus a free $100 upgrade on) my favorite Android watch of 2024
Black Friday 2024 The Pixel Watch 3 is my favorite Android watch of the year, and the 45mm LTE model is $170 off right NOW!
Black Friday is live, but this 52%-off Galaxy Watch 6 deal won't last until Cyber Monday
Black Friday 2024 Samsung won't make any more Galaxy Watch 6s, and they've begun to sell out for good thanks to their insane Black Friday price.
Black Friday Fitbit frenzy: Save tons of cash on Charge, Inspire, Sense, Versa, and Pixel watches
Black Friday 2024 Whether you want a tiny inspire 3, feature-packed Charge 6, health-focused Sense 2, or Wear OS-ready Pixel Watch 3, there are some great Black Friday deals for all of them.
