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
![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
Chromeboxes 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
Chrome Desktops 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.
![OSOM Privacy Cable](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9gUxVk37mPwx6NokKUgrpm-320-80.jpg)
Don't leave home without grabbing the OSOM Privacy Cable
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Privacy You never know what kind of device is hidden inside a charging kiosk. With an OSOM privacy cable, you don't need to care.
![S23 Ultra camera at Galaxy Unpacked Feb 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C4xSR2HiAUfoLc3foNjLV8-320-80.jpg)
What it takes for a successful phone launch in North America
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill The North American phone market is competitive in a weird way. It's tough for a company to find success.
![Close-up on Acer logo on Acer Chromebook 516 GE](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4Q7hL2kzzswt8jLXtMqti3-320-80.jpg)
Don't buy the Samsung Chromebook Go on Prime Day, buy this one from Acer instead
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Prime Day If you're looking for a lightweight Chromebook with a big display don't go for the one Amazon recommends. The Acer 514 is what you really want.
![OSOM Privacy Cable](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9gUxVk37mPwx6NokKUgrpm-320-80.jpg)
Don't leave home without grabbing the OSOM Privacy Cable
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Privacy You never know what kind of device is hidden inside a charging kiosk. With an OSOM privacy cable, you don't need to care.
![Lenovo 3i Chromebook](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QrfkgcJGiNc9sUGRAthwGC-320-80.jpg)
Get this Lenovo 3i Chromebook at a great price on Prime Day
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Prime Day The Lenovo 3i Chromebook isn't flashy or dazzling, but it's dependable and cheap.
![Taking a look at the Google Nest WiFi Pro at the Google Fall 2022 event](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/py47hM8FGSwjmPheFtkpNX-320-80.jpg)
Blanket your house with Wi-Fi and your wallet with savings with a Prime Day deal on Google Nest WiFi Pro
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Prime Wi-Fi Amazon has cut the price of Google Nest WiFi bundles by 25% for Prime Day.
![A phone showing Amazon packaging tracking data sits on top of an Amazon package box](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YHeJQ6YZag3cErWo4pCjFY-320-80.jpeg)
Spend your money wisely on Prime Day
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Prime Day means everything is on sale, and that includes plenty of things you don't really need or want.
![Gmail spam folder on desktop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PAdAkSQQjLHtyczY2d6w2M-320-80.jpg)
Gmail spammers are winning the war on your inbox
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill There has been a surge in spam mail finding its way into our inboxes and it seems like Google can't keep up.