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
![Using the AI portraits feature on the Galaxy Z Fold 6](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8NuN7dJsWVNjdE8SAht7Zc-320-80.jpg)
The battle for your next dollar will be fought with software
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
ones and zeros Hardware innovation isn't dead, but it's not growing in ways we can see. Software, though, is going to come at you like never before.
![Android statues](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HrmCzNcQDgwjg2sArrBf7S-320-80.jpg)
Ask Jerry: Why does Google push out updates and new features so slowly?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
![The Microsoft logo at MWC 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8wNc88sFgWN2ay2k6stBCo-320-80.jpg)
That huge 'Microsoft outage' probably didn't affect you, but the next one might
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Software outages are messy and expensive. They can also be a great learning opportunity.
![Shure SE215 Pro earbuds](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rRoBZGypk4rLExa6CiMsa5-320-80.jpg)
I love this Prime Day deal on great wired earbuds for regular people
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Good cheap sound Diving into the world of high-end audio can be ridiculous. Or you can just start here and love what you hear.
![Hisense H9G](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kS2FHsdcDbVQXnw4aCXZfU-320-80.jpg)
Best Android TVs 2024
By Ted Kritsonis, Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Android TV 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!
![The bright display and square corners of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QN85g8fzg98oeUSwRzFWFK-320-80.jpg)
Samsung must think foldables are for suckers
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill The base-spec Galaxy Z Fold 6 costs $1900, and Samsung thinks that's just fine. You shouldn't.
![The Amber Yellow Samsung Galaxy S24 colorway and its vibrant display](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H7pxJnSUSSLBy3dNadjs7M-320-80.jpg)
What is Lockdown mode, and why would you need it?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
No thanks Lockdown mode requires a PIN or password to unlock your phone the next time it's used. Know how to do it and why you might want to before you need it.
![Android statues](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HrmCzNcQDgwjg2sArrBf7S-320-80.jpg)
Ask Jerry: Can my phone give me cancer?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
![iPhone 15 Pro Max review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mYCE6S2hY4fZLdyTmoHtf5-320-80.jpg)
Apple's outsourcing to OpenAI is a very 'un-Appley' move, but it works
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Apple could have built its own version of ChatGPT but it didn't. Now it has to rely on the competition for it.
![5G icon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oNDxSFD4PGf89pXaFeweb5-320-80.jpg)
What is a 'spatial audio' phone call, and do we need this?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
3D sound 5G Advanced is the next overhaul of cellular communications, and one thing included is a means for spatial audio over voice and video calls. What?
![Android statues](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HrmCzNcQDgwjg2sArrBf7S-320-80.jpg)
Ask Jerry: Does fast charging hurt my battery?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
![Acer Chromebook 514 Lightroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pb8iQydoif8HbLa9cgJXbE-320-80.jpg)
Overreacting is easy, but it will never fix any real problems
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill It's fine to hate what companies like Adobe and Meta do with your information, but you still have some control over it all.
![Chromebox](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YmFQ3a9v2FhTZinSLaNMiM-320-80.jpg)
Best Chromebox 2024
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Pick the best Chromebox The Chromebox you should buy.
![Google Tensor Official](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v4UfhEAHRKweSbNVbN9Y98-320-80.jpg)
The Tensor G4 is a key piece of Google's smartphone vision
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Not like other phones When it comes to phones, Google thinks it can do better than others and the tensor G4 is proof of it. Will consumers agree?
![Android statues](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HrmCzNcQDgwjg2sArrBf7S-320-80.jpg)
Ask Jerry: Making sense of Android's Location Settings
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
![AI count of 121 at Google I/O 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bfrvFTcdoqM8oi9GxXUidB-320-80.jpg)
I'm sick of AI
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill AI has moved away from being a useful addition and entered the realm of stupidity. Is this ever going to end?
![Google Pixel 6 Pro on a Belkin wireless charger](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A3A8PLG9ZMfaBbHGY3d9aF-320-80.jpg)
These Android phones support wireless charging
By Jerry Hildenbrand, Namerah Saud Fatmi last updated
No cables needed! Wireless charging has been around for quite some time, and this feature is finally trickling down to more mid-range phones too. Here are some of the Android phones that support wireless charging.
![Aopen Chromebox Mini 2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TuA4WNUQqCYmLefdjPLZ6G-320-80.jpg)
Aopen Chromebox Mini 2: What is an 'Enterprise' Chromebox?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Enterprise grade The Aopen Chromebox Mini 2 does everything a Chromebox should but is built for reliability. It's perfect for commercial use.
![Android statues](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HrmCzNcQDgwjg2sArrBf7S-320-80.jpg)
Ask Jerry: Why does iMessage need to support RCS?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra charging via a USB-C cable.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F8mpTGiehzRDJnGPfADT9Q-320-80.jpg)
Best tips for extending the life of your phone's battery
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Battery care How do I make sure my phone's battery lasts as long as possible?
![Using Google Search and camera AI to answer question about a record player at Google I/O 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tg7sQBSnzSB6SqsfEGTNcg-320-80.jpg)
Google Search AI Overview sucks because you love to shitpost
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill If Google wants to fix its AI Search, it has to teach it to be an expert at everything.
![Razr+ cover screen wallpapers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2qcQqRRsVcXdKpB2xt2ktJ-320-80.jpg)
The Google Gemini app still isn't available for some phones. Why not?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Mixed messages Google makes a lot of fuss about how great its new products are but leaves many people waiting for their chance to try them.
![Android statues](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HrmCzNcQDgwjg2sArrBf7S-320-80.jpg)
Ask Jerry: Why doesn't Apple sell iOS to other companies?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!