Jerry Hildenbrand
Jerry has been a smartphone user since the BlackBerry days, having moved through the tech’s progression from Palm to Nokia to Apple and Android. He even waited in line at a Washington, DC T-Mobile store to buy the first Android phone. Combined with an Electrical Engineering degree and years of experience working with machine vision and learning equipment all over the world he has a passion for knowing how tech products work and what matters to the people buying them. He’s been in this industry longer than most of the companies we cover. With 15 years of experience writing about tech he has seen how smart devices have morphed from a luxury to a necessity and offers a unique perspective on both the good and bad consequences of it all. Currently covering the broader ecosystems of hardware and software products, his industry contacts and experience help break down the decisions tech giants make and the products they offer into the most important thing: how this affects us, the consumers and end-users of the products and services. With no affinity to one company Jerry can help you find the tech that’s right for you and help you understand what it can do for you. When things go south, he can also help you fix it or point you in the right direction for help. In his personal life Jerry loves to tinker in his workshop and work on his antique truck.
Latest articles by Jerry Hildenbrand
What is RCS messaging?
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
RCS RCS is the thing that makes your texts act more like popular third-party messaging apps — and now everyone is on board.
Ask Jerry: How can I get more battery life from my smartwatch?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry You're probably using your watch's battery to do things you don't even want or need. Here's what to look at.
What the heck is going on at TSMC?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill TSMC got caught up in the U.S. battle with China and it appears to have done nothing wrong.
When it comes to Canada's Online News Act, Google wins even when it's losing
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Google wins again Google is getting off easy this time.
It's time for Samsung to step up its support game
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Service sells Samsung needs to offer the same type of support its biggest competitor does.
Bluetooth 6: Everything you need to know
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Better stronger faster Changes to the core Bluetooth specifications will bring improvements with real benefits.
Google needs to get serious about selling refurbished Pixel phones
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Not like this If Google really wanted to sell refurbished phones, it wouldn't price them like this.
Ask Jerry: Is my phone really spying on me?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
Raspberry Pi: What is it, how to get started & the best Raspberry Pi available
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Slice of Pi If you've heard all the fuss about the popularity surrounding the Raspberry Pi, this is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know.
When is a photo not a photo?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Google will add metadata that says AI was used whenever you do any of its fancy tricks on your Pixel phone. That's a good thing.
Arm is giving Qualcomm the wake-up call it needs
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
All that and a bag of chips Qualcomm and Arm will surely settle but Arm is going to play hardball.
Qualcomm offers eight years of support for the new Snapdragon 8 Elite. What does that mean for you?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
A long time Offering eight years of chip support benefits phone makers but it probably won't trickle down to us.
Ask Jerry: Looking for an automatic smart light solution
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
Making sense of the Google Chrome and ad blocker extensions mess
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Changes made for extensions mean plenty need to be updated and can't have the same access they used to. And everyone hates it.
Not everything has to be so scandalous. Or does it?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
OUTRAGEOUS! It's easy to get caught up in the internet's collective outrage. But it's often not very productive.
Should I update Android on my phone?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Download & Install When your phone tells you there's an update for the software you should probably say yes and let it do its thing.
The new Remote Lock tool does more for security than any other feature from Google
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Easy Tools The new Remote Lock feature means you can lock a lost phone without the hassle of trying to sign in to anything.
If Android is split away from Google it will die
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill The DoJ is considering splitting Android away from Google over antitrust concerns. If that happens you should probably buy an iPhone.
MicroLED smartwatches and why Apple isn't selling a folding phone
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
MicroLED Apple isn't selling a foldable phone for the same reason we haven't seen MicroLED take off.
What the AC staff bought on Prime Day
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Shopping list We love writing about tech and we love buying it, too!
Buying a Galaxy S23 FE on Prime Day is the wrong move - better deals are out there
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Choose wisely Don't buy a Galaxy S23 FE just because it's on sale. Spend your money on a OnePlus 12R or Google Pixel 8 instead.
These are the headphones you should buy to start your premium audio adventure
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Cheap audiophile Built for people who love music but hate high-priced gear.
The Pixel 8a was already the value champ, and now you can save 120 bucks during Prime Day
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
the one At $399 this is the pound-for-pound champ of the Android world.
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