Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Samsung is suing Oura, and the outcome will decide the future of smart rings
Preemptive strike I predicted months ago that Oura would sue Samsung over the Galaxy Ring. Well, so did Samsung's lawyers.
Quest fans, mark your calendars for a jam-packed Meta Connect on September 25
Meta Connect 2024 Meta Connect 2024 will take place on September 25 and 26; here's what we expect from the showcase, from a new Quest headset to an AR glasses demo.
Smart rings will stay niche until they add these missing features
Sunday Runday Smart rings are getting more popular by the year, but there are a few things keeping them from really breaking into the mainstream. Here's my wishlist for what these smart rings could really use.
Google Gemini AI explained: Cost, features, availability, and controversies
Generative AI From Gemini 1.5 Flash to Pro, Gemini Advanced to Gemma and Vertix, here's every Gemini AI feature and version you need to know about.
Samsung could leapfrog Apple and Google with new Galaxy AI fitness tools for Galaxy Watch 7
Game changer Galaxy Watch 7 owners will get a personalized fitness coach via Galaxy AI, helping Samsung catch up to (or surpass) the competition.
How to move passwords from iOS to Android
Moving to Android Leaving your iPhone behind without losing all your old data can be a challenge. Here's how to export your iPhone passwords to Android.
Best smart thermostats that don't require a C wire 2024
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.
Meta Quest 3 128GB vs. 512GB: Which storage size do you need?
Savings or space? Meta charges an extra $150 for quadruple the storage, but do you need it? We've checked game sizes for the most popular Quest titles to help you decide if it's worth the extra cost.
I used to think I wanted an LTE smartwatch. Now I know better
Sunday Runday Plenty of athletes love LTE smartwatches. But they're fated to stay a niche product, the same way satellite phones are.
Month-long Garmin Venu bug represents a worrying trend across fitness watches
More updates, more problems It's hard to catch every bug from a software update if you're testing a feature across dozens of different products.
Qualcomm is spitting out XR2 chips faster than VR headsets can use them
Even though we've yet to see XR2+ Gen 2 headsets, Qualcomm is hard at work at the next generation of chipsets.
Google made a mistake with YouTube Premium
Bundles suck Google canned its Premium Lite option, tying YouTube Music to an ad-free streaming experience. It's still disappointing.
Leaked Meta Quest 3s looks like a Quest 2 with a new brain and eyeballs
Quest 2.5 A new Quest 3 Lite leak gives us a better idea of what to expect from Meta's 2024 headset, including performance, comfort, software, and passthrough.
Smartwatch 'smart straps' died for a reason. I still want them to come back.
Sunday Runday Samsung and Pebble tried and failed to fill watch bands with modular tech. I still love the idea, no matter how impractical it is.
Wear OS 5: New features, One UI 6 Watch, & eligible watches
Battery boost (and more) Wear OS 5 arrived with the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7, but has since rolled out to some older models. Here's what you need to know about its perks and features.
Wear OS 5 will bring major upgrades to battery life, fitness, and watch faces
Google I/O 2024 We run through the key Wear OS 5 upgrades revealed during Day Two of Google I/O 2024.
My only Google I/O excitement was a two-second glimpse of secret Google hardware
Google I/O 2024 Google either showed off its internal AR successor to Google Glass or an actual future product in a blink-and-you-miss-it moment at Google I/O 2024.
One Google I/O announcement would fix the gaping hole in Wear OS
Sunday Runday Google Fit is headed out the door, so now Wear OS needs a new unified fitness app experience, whether it's Fitbit or something else.
Polar Vantage V3 review: The tip of the iceberg
Advantage Polar The Polar Vantage V3 is one of the top fitness watches, alongside the Garmin Forerunner 965 and COROS APEX 2 Pro. Here's what you need to know about it.
Google Pixel Tablet: Everything you need to know
Pixel Tablet Google designed the Pixel Tablet as both a tablet and Google Home hub; here's what you need to know before you decide whether or not to buy one.
Samsung wants to convert your Galaxy Watch heart data into ECGs using GenAI
Galaxy AI Samsung already has passive AFib detection of irregular heart rhythm. This new patent will use generative AI to convert PPG data into ECG graphs — and we're intrigued.
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.
Google Assistant explained: Tricks, devices, and latest updates
Google Assistant From making shopping lists to controlling your smart home gadgets, here's everything you need to know about Google Assistant!
Only one running watch brand admits its VO2 Max and recovery estimates aren't perfect
Sunday Runday Smartwatches take weeks to give you accurate health and fitness data, and even then, they're not always right. One brand lets you take matters into your own hands, and it's all the better for it.
