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
![The Google Pixel 8 Pro official teaser](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cESWspbk46hvS7D4BrBkfJ-320-80.jpg)
The Pixel 8 needs to avoid the heat problems plaguing the iPhone 15
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
That's hawt There are plenty of reasons a phone gets too hot. None of them are good reasons.
![Garmin Venu 3 push tracker](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZyoCdfDsYxkEMwu5CmwMSK-320-80.jpg)
Forget Apple and Samsung - the Garmin Venu 3 is the best wearable if you're in a wheelchair
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Garmin's Venu 3 is the first wearable that doesn't treat people in a wheelchair as an afterthought.
![The Apple Watch Ultra 2 on a wrist, while the hand uses a gesture control](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j4Ytu5SuxWhW4wTu79PDQR-320-80.jpeg)
It took Apple to make accessibility features look cool
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Pinch, knock, and tap The Apple Watch Double Tap feature isn't new or unique. It's also handy for people who actually need it.
![The home screen of the Google Pixel 7](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RppCwSnNihrBDDnz4EPSfQ-320-80.jpg)
Android security updates: Everything you need to know
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
stay safe! The September 2023 security patch has arrived! Here's what to keep an eye out for.
![Assassin's Creed Mirage on the iPhone 15 Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C3Ynn5Hasw7aqyhheyESvK-320-80.jpg)
Playing Assassin's Creed on an iPhone sounds fun, but I'd rather have better battery life
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Putting a powerful chip in our phone is fine and can be fun. I wish as much attention was given to making them use less power though.
![Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 blue light filter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QVuJKouNo4zajciDidqiG6-320-80.jpg)
How do blue light-filtering screen protectors work and should you buy one?
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Bright Light Block the light that can be irritating at bedtime with a blue light filtering screen protector.
![Google Logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4TPzihga6W989NvTvMFhqP-320-80.jpg)
Here’s what the Google trial is about and why you should care
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Google in hot water U.S. v. Google (part one) is a go. Did Google break any laws, or is the Justice Department looking at the wrong things?
![The Galaxy S22 Ultra USB-C port](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Vn9jg4YrazTQ2RWpkB6zqG-320-80.jpg)
USB-C on the iPhone 15 might not be what you think
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill The E.U. common-charger mandate means that Apple will finally release an iPhone that has a USB-C port. It probably will still be as Appley as ever, though.
![Fairphone 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D9quV6Qd8pujbDdxT5ks98-320-80.jpg)
The Fairphone 5 isn't headed to the US, and I really wish it was
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
It's Not Fair The Fairphone 5 is the phone I would buy if it were sold in the U.S.
![Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L V2 in Midnight Blue on a table in a café outdoors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SQiaBYskhmNwweBYb5MoJE-320-80.jpg)
Protect your privacy as you head back to school
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Heading off to college is both fun and stressful. Don't let it be less of the fun and more of the stress because of your online presence.
![ASUS Chromebox 4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Q5i2HASYdqJ8J5yDCpLV4o-320-80.jpg)
ASUS Chromebox 4 vs. ASUS Fanless Chromebox: Which one should you get?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Versus Choices are slim when buying a Chromebox. See if either of these options is right for you.
![Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 on a pile of rocks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZpKAs7HD39TJNq34VDzFK5-320-80.jpg)
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has me almost ready for a foldable
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill As someone who has never been interested in foldable phones, I didn't think I'd like the Galaxy Z Flip 5 as much as I do.
![SIM cards](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/587cj4RBkJkGJJcokYbufR-320-80.jpeg)
Even if Android is ready for eSIM tech your carrier probably isn't
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Not There Yet Using an eSIM is supposed to be easier but phone carriers have a unique ability to ruin everything.
![HP Chromebase](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5TFLKYT9tvmi77EvnVtUzc-320-80.jpg)
HP Chromebox G3 vs. HP Chromebase
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Versus A Chrome OS desktop option is great, but you need to buy the right one.
![Looking at the camera viewfinder on a Google Pixel 7](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xq9gi7uZNXuwyGqgGvVhjL-320-80.jpg)
Why don't Google Pixel phones take great video?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill the Google Pixel is the king when it comes to taking photos. Why is it behind when it comes to video?
![Acer Chromebook Spin 513 (2022) close-up on trackpad and keyboard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6Tjh2SnGRFiqPQa24Ph8PG-320-80.jpg)
20 Chromebook keyboard shortcuts every student should know
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Keyboard shortcuts can make your life easier once you find them. Here are our favorites that you'll want to memorize for your classwork.
![Acer Chromebox with keyboard and mouse](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XkTkEQng8tZVtnUKmbxp4b-320-80.jpg)
Don't buy a Chromebox in 2023 — buy a Chromebook instead
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The right stuff Chromeboxes are great easy-to-use desktops. A Chromebook can be too, and it's a better choice right now.
![Nothing Phone software update](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/52GZNQyKTrDjSDKxmpjiSf-320-80.jpg)
Is it safe to use your phone after it stops getting security updates?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Once your phone reaches its end of life and it stops getting updates from the company that made it. should you stop using it?
![Google Search bar on the home screen of the Google Pixel 6a](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WMab7m8CVng8rUHffk5bgR-320-80.jpg)
I expected more from Google Search's new privacy features
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Google has improved some of its search features but there is plenty of room for improvement.
![Official lifestyle images of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gjRVL5tVZewpUfvg7xdfn5-320-80.jpg)
The most important feature of a folding phone is durability
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Sustainability Folding and flipping a phone brings a new set of potential problems. If anyone can figure them out, it's Samsung.
![Galaxy Unpacked 2023 teaser](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mB9houHPsWu38pXbpHhvHG-320-80.jpg)
Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked 2023 was bigger, better, and boringer
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Samsung's big shindig in Seoul told us a lot of nothing. But the company had to do it.
![The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra home screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4hQSUowGGVo2sp7twKutz6-320-80.jpg)
Imagine paying $1,200 for a tablet without an included keyboard
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Why? If I'm going to spend laptop-levels of cash on a mobile device it has to at least have a keyboard.
![Bard at Google IO 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PuhJiCYzTquDbgBqUe4kLZ-320-80.jpg)
Google knows you can't trust news written by AI but is making it easier to do anyway
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill AI has its place in any newsroom, but fact-checking and writing articles isn't it.
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