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
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.
This Creality 3D printer is $130 off and works from my phone so I'm buying it
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
My no fuss hobby I love to tinker with things but can appreciate stuff when it just works, too.
Google opening the Play Store to Epic won't go the way Judge Donato seems to think
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Monopoly power The Judge for Epic v Google round 1 has ruled that Google has to "open the Google Play store" and Google is already working on the appeal.
Ask Jerry: What's the difference between cheap earbuds and expensive earbuds?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
How to shop wisely on Prime Day
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Prime Day means it's time to fire up your wallet and buy a ton of stuff. You probably shouldn't.
In the fight between Epic and Google, there are no 'good guys'
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Pot meet kettle Epic Games isn't fighting for you. It is fighting because it doesn't want to pay Google's payment processing fees.
Best Android TVs 2024
By Ted Kritsonis, Jerry Hildenbrand, Namerah Saud Fatmi last updated
Feast your eyes Android TV is a sleek and powerful smart TV operating system, and these TVs ship with it built right in. Here are the best Android TVs you should consider and why they're so great!
Your smartphone is more of a collaborative effort than you think
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Who and what Your phone uses technology from plenty of sources. Getting it all to play well together is only half the battle; doing it legally is equally important.
The Verizon outage showcases why satellite connections and 'disaster roaming' are important
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Look to the sky Verizon has gone down for millions, including people in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. It couldn't happen at a worse time.
Ask Jerry: Why is Bluetooth still so bad?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
The FTC is finally going after AI scammers
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Some reasonable regulations need to be placed on AI companies. Meanwhile, using current laws to go after the bad guys sounds good to me.
Meta's new AI features are only a privacy nightmare if you let them be
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Just say no Meta has introduced new AI features with the potential to collect, and potentially abuse, even more of your data if you say they are allowed to.
Sometimes your smartwatch is best off your wrist
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Oops A smartwatch isn't exactly delicate, but they're not as tough as that cheap Timex your dad wore.
There's nothing wrong with your new phone if it overheats on day one
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Let it be A lot of people worry because their brand-new phone warns them it's too hot right as they start using it. There's nothing to worry about and things are working as intended.
Ask Jerry: Where can I recycle my old phone or tablet?
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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