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
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What does Qualcomm and Google's 8 years of Android support promise mean for us?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Download and install There are different types of updates for your phone. Which ones do this promise cover?
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Ask Jerry: Why aren't smartphones getting better?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
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Amazon abandoning its Appstore only makes Google's lock stronger
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Healthy Competition Amazon is not your friend. They aren't Google's, either.
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You shouldn't steal eBooks unless you have good lawyers
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Shiver me timbers You shouldn't steal eBooks. It looks like Meta didn't get that memo.
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The iPhone 16e proves we do need Qualcomm for 5G in North America
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
GGGGG Even Apple can't break Qualcomm's stranglehold on North American airwaves.
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Everyone is talking about Google I/O but what exactly is it and who is it for?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
More than a keynote Google I/O has changed over the years but one thing remains the same: it's probably not for you.
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Ask Jerry: Will my phone work outside of the US?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
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7 years of updates aren't what you think they are and Samsung just proved it
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill The Galaxy S24 will miss out on features the hardware can't support.
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Best Chromebox 2025
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Mini wonders Chromeboxes are great for basic tasks or daily work. These are the best mini PCs that pack a punch, without the bloat of Windows.
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra retails for $1,300. Penny-pinching over the S Pen just looks bad
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Nickels and Dimes Pissing off your most loyal users to save a few dollars to piss off your most loyal fans is a dumb move.
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra shows why your next phone needs to have a battery that's easy to change
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Live forever? Your phone will outlast its battery's lifespan. Make sure you can refresh it.
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Ask Jerry: Are tariffs going to make my next phone cost more?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
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Google just opened the door for people to do evil with AI
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Being evil Don't Be Evil has flown the coop for good.
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Hey Motorola, there's a time and a place for ads. A severe weather warning is neither.
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Time and Place Motorola shouldn't force you to click through an ad to see if an ice storm is in your path.
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Samsung might launch real Hi-Fi wireless earbuds using UWB. Here's why that is a great idea.
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
More data means better sound UWB carries a lot more data than Bluetooth, and its limitations won't affect using it for headphones. Do it, Samsung!
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Google remembered it is a search company and made the Search widget a lot better
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Options are good The new Search widget settings add handy shortcuts to change how you'll use it.
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Ask Jerry: What can I do about dishonest app developers?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
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For me, the right time to buy a Galaxy S25 is next year
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill With new hardware and software, I'd wait to buy an S25. You'll save a lot of money, too!
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Of course Gemini is being used for crimes
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
No surprises here Criminals are early adopters of anything that makes it easier. Like AI.
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What you need to know about DeepSeek
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Good. Bad. Ugly. You need to read this before you let the hype around DeepSeek AI lure you in.
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Ask Jerry: What is the deal with Qi2 and the Galaxy S25?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The Galaxy S25 supports Qi2 — just not the part you want it to support.
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Is the partnership between Samsung and Google ruining the Android ecosystem?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Are Samsung and Google working together making Android worse?
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The Galaxy S25 shows me that it's time for Samsung to build its own Snapdragon clone
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
DIY Samsung has the foundry, and Qualcomm can provide the licenses.
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