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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How to update the software on your Google Pixel phone
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Easy updates One of the best parts of owning a Google Pixel is its regular software updates. Here's how you can make sure you never miss one.
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Taking photos of the eclipse with your phone is easier than you think
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill A few cheap tools and these simple directions is all you really need.
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What is a SIM PIN code and can you unlock a SIM card with a PIN?
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Sim pin Add a SIM PIN to your SIM card and get an extra layer of protection.
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What you need to know about data breaches and how to protect yourself
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Protecting yourself You can't control how other companies treat your data. Here's what you need to know when it ends up in the wrong hands.
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Bluetooth audio terms and codecs explained: aptX, LDAC, LC3, and everything else
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Bluetooth codecs explained! There's a lot of science and tech inside your phone that makes the sound enjoyable. We explain Bluetooth audio codecs so you know what's happening when you connect!
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Ask Jerry: What data survives a factory reset?
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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Global AI resolution is a step forward, but there is a long road ahead
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill The United Nation's Global Resolution on AI is a good first step towards responsible and ethical AI, but it needs to be more than a suggestion.
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Samsung One UI 6.1: Release date, eligible devices, new features, and much more
By Harish Jonnalagadda, Jerry Hildenbrand published
The latest One UI Samsung's Android 14-based One UI 6.1 is rolling out, and we have all the details.
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Bluetooth LE Audio FAQ: Four years later, here’s what you need to know
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
All you need to know Bluetooth LE Audio was announced at CES in 2020, and its spec was completed in 2022, so where are we now? We'll show you.
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How a smart ring works
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Mini Marvels Smart rings may be the future of wearables, or maybe they're not. Either way, an amazing amount of functionality is packed into a tiny space.
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Ask Jerry: How do I remove malware?
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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What the Apple antitrust case means for Google and Android
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill The U.S. Department of Justice says Apple maintains an illegal monopoly. Here's what that means.
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What is computational photography? It's the magic behind your phone's camera
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
The magic eye The quality of your photos is defined by more than just the MP in your sensors.
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What is on-device AI processing, and why is it important?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Power in your hands You read a lot of words about on-device AI, but what do they all mean?
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What is the Android Open Source project?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Free and open Google makes money from Android by giving it away to everyone else as the AOSP. It sounds crazy, but it fits perfectly into Google's business model.
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Ask Jerry: What's that app, what does it do, and do I need it?
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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Your phone's camera is even better than you thought
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Phone cameras have gotten so much better in the past few years that it seems like they can get a good picture of anything.
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Why US lawmakers want TikTok banned
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Uncertain future The U.S. government is pushing to ban TikTok nationwide, but why is the app such a huge concern for lawmakers?
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Ask Jerry: Why are new phones so difficult to set up?
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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The tech hype train is going off the rails
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill A never-ending parade of products that never were and nobody would even buy.
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What will the Pixel 8 look like with Android 21?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
A long and happy(?) life Assuming Android is still around seven years from now, the Pixel 8 will get its last update. Will it still be worth using?
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Ask Jerry: What happened to laser autofocus?
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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Gemini’s fiasco proves AI is moving too fast for Google...so what's next?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Conversational AI is tough to get right. It's easy to go wrong though, and Google Gemini's image generation had a rocky start.
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