Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Garmin launches new Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 while retiring Epix — these are the key upgrades and new tools
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?
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
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.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: Which takes the Wear OS battery crown?
Charging deferred The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro matches the twice-as-expensive Ultra in many ways, if you can accept delayed software and a plainer design.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review: Stronger than expected
Fully revamped The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a bright display, fast performance, surprisingly accurate tracking, and respectable battery life. If only it didn't cost so much!
Is the Google Pixel Watch 3 waterproof?
Swimming-ready We break down every watery activity you can or can't safely use the Google Pixel Watch 3 with.
Batman: Arkham Shadow first gameplay trailer pays tribute to Asylum fans
You are the Dark Knight Batman: Arkham Shadow lets you experience combat, Predator mode, and detective work in a whole new light — if you have a Meta Quest 3.
The Pixel Watch 3 should have runners both excited and depressed
Sunday Runday A Fitbit interview during Made by Google makes it clear that the Fitbit brand is better — and less accessible — than ever.
Best Samsung tablet 2024
Options galore Samsung makes the best Android tablets, and these models are the best of the best.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: Subtle fixes, a new size, and a ton of similarities
What's new? Aside from the new display size, the Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2 comparison has more in common than it has differences.
Made by Google event 2024 live blog: Every major announcement, from Pixel 9 Pro Fold to Pixel Watch 3
LIVE NEWS Follow along with the Android Central staff as we cover the biggest Google product launch of the year! Here’s everything you need to know from the Pixel fall event 2024.
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.
Smart rings are shockingly good at step counting, with one critical flaw
Sunday Runday Our favorite smart rings are near-perfect at step counts when you're walking. When you're sitting still, they're much iffier.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: Mostly unchanged, with nine key differences
Annual upgrade Key Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs. 6 upgrades make it clear who should upgrade and who should stick with their 2023 watch.
Garmin watch faces and apps are about to get more fun — and more expensive
Goin' mainstream Garmin announced new watch faces from Disney, GoPro, Porsche, NASA, and others in the Connect IQ app, with a recommended $4.99 price tag.
How to find your lost Samsung Galaxy Ring
Track it down You need to set up the Galaxy Ring's "find my ring" features before you lose it, and most won't work on non-Samsung phones.
Racing Olympians at home is hilariously impossible. Everyone should try it at least once
Sunday Runday You know objectively how fast the Olympic track and field athletes are, but you won't *really* understand until you hit the track yourself.
The SF Half Marathon controversy is exactly why a good running watch matters
SF City Half marathoners only ran 12.6 miles, but two dual-band GPS watches warned me that my SF Bridge Half Marathon was short, too.
Meta Q2 2024 earnings call highlights AI successes and a $50 billion problem
AI + VR investments Here's everything we learned about Meta's AI plans, its Reality Labs losses, and more.
OnePlus Watch 2R review: Budget substance over style
Wear OS for less The OnePlus Watch 2R keeps the powerful guts of the Watch 2 while trimming the steel style, making it plainer but more comfortable.
How to use the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Quick Button
Simple shortcut The Galaxy Watch Ultra's Quick Button is (unfortunately) pretty limited in what it can do, but it does have a few customizable shortcuts you can set up in the settings. Here's how.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Watch 5 Pro: Should you upgrade?
Two battery behemoths Samsung gave the Watch Ultra and 5 Pro the same battery capacity, but they're very different in many other respects like performance, display, and sensors.
The OnePlus Watch 2R blew my low fitness expectations out of the water
Sunday Runday Both of our OnePlus Watch 2 reviewers had problems with its fitness data; so far, the Watch 2R doesn't have those same issues.
