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
Quest v65 update brings iPhone-only feature as it tries to win over the Vision Pro crown
By Michael L Hicks published
Meta Quest update The Quest v65 update, hot on the heels of v64, gives everyone some vital new tricks, but its fun photography tricks are still iOS only for now.
Coros vs. Garmin vs. Polar fitness test: How the new Vertix 2S compares to the Forerunner 965 and Vantage V3
By Michael L Hicks published
Fitness test I ran, sprinted, and hiked with the top Garmin, Coros, and Polar watches to see which came out on top. Here are the results.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 long-term review: Your move, Samsung
By Michael L Hicks published
Worth getting jealous The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the combination of fitness tools and smarts I've been waiting for — and the gorgeous 1.9-inch display doesn't hurt, either.
How to change and customize Garmin watch faces
By Michael L Hicks published
Add some style Changing a Garmin watch face isn't as easy as it is on most Android watches. We'll show you the steps you'll need, including downloading a second Garmin app for customized faces and data fields.
Will wireless Bluetooth headphones work on Quest 3?
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Latency is a problem Issues with latency and performance mean you shouldn't use Bluetooth headphones wirelessly, but there are alternative methods to consider.
The 46-day COROS VERTIX 2S targets Alex Honnold-esque adventurers; here are our early impressions
By Michael L Hicks published
Adventurers only The COROS VERTIX 2S is a massive watch for mountaineers, XC skiers, climbers, and ultramarathoners, with some minor-yet-significant upgrades over the VERTIX 2.
The Meta Quest just became the Pixel of VR headsets
By Michael L Hicks, Nicholas Sutrich published
Industry changing Meta is becoming the Android of virtual reality, with Meta Horizon OS bringing more varieties of open-source VR gaming headsets.
I asked Garmin how to fix my running form, and the answer will surprise beginners
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday You shouldn't "obsess over" or "monkey with" running dynamics, says a Garmin Forerunner head. But there IS a way to improve your stats.
How to find eco-friendly routes and EV charging stops in Google Maps
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Earth Day Every Earth Day, Google adds new sustainability features for eco-friendly travelers. These are the tools you need to know about.
Google's bullying is predictable, self-defeating, and barely justifiable
By Michael L Hicks published
C'mon Google Google will put California news orgs out of business and lobotomize its AI rather than lose a small fraction of its billions in Search ad revenue.
Google Wallet explained: Licenses, banks, new features, and the Google Pay shutdown
By Michael L Hicks published
Get Paying Google Wallet replaced Google Pay, which will shut down soon. Here's all the latest news and added features you need to know.
How to transfer a Wear OS smartwatch from one phone to another
By Michael L Hicks published
Fresh start We show the steps and screenshots for transferring your Galaxy Watch 6, Pixel Watch 2, or OnePlus Watch 2 to your new Android phone.
Smartwatches would be the perfect place to revive this '90s gaming fad
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Did you own a Tamagotchi or Pikachu pedometer as a kid? Raising a virtual pet on your smartwatch would motivate you to hit your steps and stay fit.
The latest Garmin Forerunner beta update is built for power users and clumsy runners
By Michael L Hicks published
Bug fixes & features Beta update 19.09, the Garmin Forerunner 165's first, adds new widgets for Messenger and Jet Lag Adviser, along with a long-overdue bug fix.
Wi-Fi 7 explained: Key upgrades and how 802.11be works
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Officially known as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7 brings significant upgrades over Wi-Fi 6 and 6E. But what are those improvements and which devices can take advantage of them?
We tested Meta Quest 3's improved passthrough with the Quest v64 update
By Michael L Hicks published
Meta wants to make it easier to read your phone notifications without removing your Quest 3 headset. We tested the feature to see how it compares to the Apple Vision Pro.
Smartwatches got bigger to avoid solving their biggest problem
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday There are three main ways to make a smartwatch battery last longer than a day. Each of them has their problems.
Garmin Forerunner 165 review: Barely a compromise
By Michael L Hicks published
Affordable high-end data Our Garmin Forerunner 165 review shows why it's the best budget running watch, with (almost) all of the core features and accuracy that serious runners need.
Google Photos: Everything you need to know
By Michael L Hicks last updated
AI-powered memories Google Photos can do more than just store your photos and videos. Here's everything you need to know about this powerful app!
These are my favorite running and step-counting apps to keep me motivated
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Sunday Runday Whether you're looking for motivation to run your first 5K, hit a marathon PR pace, or just to walk enough steps every day to stay healthy, these are the apps I'd recommend.
Ultrahuman Ring Air review: Forgettable, in a good way
By Michael L Hicks published
Smart rings The Ultrahuman Ring Air is an excellent sleep-tracking companion and among the best smart rings out there, despite some flaws.
These are my favorite upcoming Quest 3 and Vision Pro games from GDC 2024
By Michael L Hicks published
GDC 2024 From dodging lasers to racing motorcycles, GDC had some impressive VR and MR game demos due out later this year.
I'm never wearing a smartwatch to sleep again
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday The lightest fitness band or watch you'll find can't beat a smart ring for seamless comfort. Seriously, NEVER again.
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