Michael L Hicks

Michael L Hicks

Senior Editor, VR/AR and fitness

Michael spent years freelancing on every tech topic under the sun before settling down on the real exciting stuff: virtual reality, fitness wearables, gaming, and how tech intersects with our world. He's a semi-reformed Apple-to-Android user who loves running, D&D, and Star Wars. Find him on Twitter at @Michael_L_Hicks.

Latest articles by Michael L Hicks

Pistol Whip Pistol Mix logo

Pistol Whip modding tool adds fanmade gun-fu levels with custom music on Quest

By Michael L Hicks published

If you haven't bought Pistol Whip for your VR headset yet, this latest free update will make the best action-rhythm game we've played even better.

Google One VPN on Pixel 7 Pro - angled view

Google One VPN vs. Apple iCloud Private Relay

By Michael L Hicks published

Apple and Google each have their own ways to keep your browsing private, but without some of the perks that many VPNs offer.

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar sitting on a desk in the dark

Garmin Instinct 2X shines a light on your health, training, and the night

By Michael L Hicks published

Designed with military-grade protection and a solar-recharging panel, the Instinct 2X Solar also adds a built-in light that'll be useful for campers or night runners.

Screenshots showing the Spotify sync into the Strava app's record screen

Strava and Spotify partner to bring music controls directly into your workout screen

By Michael L Hicks published

Strava is our favorite running app, and the addition of music controls without having to switch to another app is a significant perk that athletes will appreciate.

The PlayStation VR2 headset with the Pulse 3D wireless headphones placed on top of it.

Do wireless headphones work with PSVR 2?

By Michael L Hicks published

While the PS5 doesn't support native Bluetooth headphones, you can find a workaround for that. Still, your best bet is to use the Pulse 3D Wireless or just stick to wired.

Nicholas Sutrich using a Meta Quest Pro at the hands-on event at Meta HQ in NYC

Best Quest Pro accessories: What's in the box and what else you need

By Michael L Hicks last updated

The $1,500 Meta Quest Pro doesn't require mods and has several useful accessories out of the box, but you may still want to buy a case, blockers, headphones, and other tools.

Lifestyle photo of Training Status on the new Garmin Edge 540

New Garmin Edge 540 and 840 add solar, multi-band, stamina, and coaching

By Michael L Hicks published

Garmin is greatly improving its bike computers with features made popular on Garmin running watches, from real-time stamina to daily suggested workouts.

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

Best Android phones under $400 in 2023

By Michael L Hicks last updated

It seems like great Android phones just keep getting cheaper and cheaper. Here's a list of our favorites under $400.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 hands-on with S Pen

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 may get the one upgrade we never expected

By Michael L Hicks published

The Galaxy Tab S7 and S8 stuck to an LCD display, a visual downgrade from the pricier models. But DSCC lead Ross Young claims Samsung isn't upselling us this time around.

The Violet Samsung Galaxy S23+ held in hand

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: Which Plus-sized phone is best?

By Michael L Hicks last updated

Both of these mid-level phones give you a large display and excellent performance in the $1,000 price range, but we'd only recommend you buy one of them.

Google Maps Live View setup

How to use Google Maps Live View features

By Michael L Hicks published

Live View has come a long way in the past few years, adding new tricks like calibrating your location and getting directions in indoor locations like malls and airports.

Menu to add a payment card, transit pass, loyalty card, or gift card to Google Wallet on an Android phone

Google Wallet explained: How it works vs. Google Pay

By Michael L Hicks last updated

Google Wallet replaced the Google Pay app, but GPay still exists in some places. How do the two services compare? We'll help you figure out Google's latest confusing rebranding.

Home screen of Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus against white background

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Which should you buy?

By Michael L Hicks last updated

Samsung's mid-tier S23 phone costs more than Google's flagship. Do its latest-gen upgrades make it a better value than the excellent Pixel 7 Pro?

iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island timer view

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Which should you buy?

By Michael L Hicks last updated

The Galaxy S23+ has closed the gap on the iPhone 14 Pro in several areas, compared to previous generations.

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ and the Galaxy S22+ side-by-side

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs. S22 Plus: Should you upgrade?

By Michael L Hicks last updated

The Galaxy S23+ looks and feels pretty darn similar to the S22+, but Samsung did give the newer model a few key upgrades that you'll appreciate.

Samsung DeX on Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra alt

How to use new tools for Google Chrome on Android tablets

By Michael L Hicks published

You can now access features like tab groups and desktop view on Android tablets, though some require Flags to work.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE homescreen

What does 'Fan Edition' even mean, Samsung?

By Michael L Hicks published

Ever since the Galaxy S20 FE wowed everyone, other Fan Edition phones haven't made much of an impact, and the leaked S23 FE and Tab S8 FE probably won't buck that trend.

The PS VR2 and Sense Controllers sitting next to some PS5 game boxes

Best PSVR 2 games 2023

By Nicholas Sutrich, Michael L Hicks last updated

Headliners like Resident Evil Village, Gran Turismo 7, and Horizon Call of the Mountain only scratch the surface of this epic VR gaming library.

Opening the case of the Soundcore VR P10 earbuds for Meta Quest

Best Oculus Quest 2 headphones 2023

By Michael L Hicks, Nicholas Sutrich last updated

While the Oculus Quest 2 has its own audio solution built-in, many people prefer headphones a little more tailored to their preferences. Here are the best headphones for the Oculus Quest 2.

Tracking workout performance with the Galaxy Watch 5 connected to Peloton equipment

How to connect your Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 or 4 to Peleton

By Michael L Hicks published

You can use your Galaxy Watch 5 or 4 as a HRM with just a tap, but you'll need to set things up first with Wear OS.

Holding the Meta Quest 2 controller while wearing the headset

Best Oculus Quest 2 exercise games 2023

By Michael L Hicks last updated

VR is a fantastic way to burn calories while losing yourself in virtual environments. Here are some of our favorite games and apps to break a sweat.

Strava run tracking

How to control your privacy settings on Strava

By Michael L Hicks published

You need location tracking to use Strava (or a connected fitness watch) properly, but don't let that cause you to be unsafe with your location data.

A mockup of the Google Pixel Fold using an OPPO Find N

Google Pixel Fold: Everything we know about the 2023 foldable

By Michael L Hicks last updated

Google is working on a foldable Pixel phone with Google Tensor hardware. Here's everything we know about the rumored phone, including leaked renders and rumored release date.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus

Leaked Galaxy Tab S9 Plus renders show a Tab S8 Plus twin that borrows from the S23

By Michael L Hicks published

If you're hoping the Galaxy Tab S9 series will get a redesign from the Tab S8, think again. Leakers show a remarkably similar look for Samsung's 2023 Plus-sized tablet.

A Meta Quest 2 next to a docked Meta Quest Pro

Augmented vs. virtual vs. mixed reality explained

By Michael L Hicks published

A simple breakdown showing how these three related but distinct technologies compare to one another.

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