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
![Xulu XR1 Max](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/46iveTo9ypk5dwDVD6n6tn-320-80.png)
Xulu XR1 micro PC review
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Chromebox Competitor The Xulu XR1 Max is a Ryzen 7 micro form factor PC that runs Photoshop and plays your games.
![Enabling Fall Detection on a Google Pixel Watch](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GeTNxpRB7RFEtipPpZa8XW-320-80.jpg)
Smartwatch makers need to get health features right or not add them at all
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill New health features like overnight blood oxygen readings or AFib detection are great as long as they work.
![Google Nest Hub Max](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TmFbPbKLJekiv9PzqKtu2i-320-80.jpg)
What is the Home Automation Script Editor for Google Home?
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
A new tool is coming that will allow you to make awesome automation for Google Assistant and its compatible devices.
![ASUS Chromebox 4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Q5i2HASYdqJ8J5yDCpLV4o-320-80.jpg)
ASUS Chromebox 4 vs. HP Chromebox G3
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Chromebox battle Chromeboxes aren't as popular as Chromebooks, and it's important to know what you want before you buy one.
![Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro sitting on a bike. It has a custom watch face with complications.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nougart6JNp9bxXvm9e7G5-320-80.jpeg)
Everything Apple Watch does for bicycles could be built for wheelchairs but it isn't
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android &Chill The biggest players in the wearable fitness game don't seem to care about people in wheelchairs.
![Bard at Google IO 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8E5DW9iESXdjPbaXZMUUR5-320-80.jpg)
AI probably won't drive mankind to extinction but it can be harmful
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Some experts warn that AI poses the risk of killing us all. If so, it's off to a good start.
![Anker 767 PowerHouse](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zb5nZbsAHATedAdMRZQH2k-320-80.jpg)
Anker 767 PowerHouse review: At home in your RV and perfect for home backup power
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The Anker 767 PowerHouse is at home in your RV or van and the UPS-style backup means it's great inside your home, too. Renters rejoice!
![The Gmail logo on a Pixel 6 Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tX2oBaZPRugXdmgGbvUuJ7-320-80.jpg)
How to encrypt your Gmail messages
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
You can use encryption with Gmail, but it's not a straightforward process.
![Arm TCS23](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qyhVkEVUZPGLWP4w2stSh5-320-80.jpg)
Arm's new Total Compute Solution means your next phone will be stronger while using less battery
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Arm introduces three new processor arrangements and the next-gen Immortalis GPU.
![Google Passkey on a Windows 11 PC](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o2in9iK6eDrPYA6kUdTRtN-320-80.jpg)
The problem with Passkeys
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The Passkey concept is a fine way to approach online security but there are plenty of issues to work out.
![Chromebook Diagnostics App Lifestyle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iEeeMS6oJqTNStQcUjdnkV-320-80.jpg)
How to use the Diagnostics app to troubleshoot Chromebook problems
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
If you're experiencing problems with your Chromebook, you might be interested to learn about the new Diagnostics app.
![The Google sign-in page](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mm3UtMVWwLj5Vr4S9KmPfg-320-80.jpg)
How to secure your Google account so you're not locked out
By Brittany Vincent, Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
If you're like many internet users, a secure Google account is one of your most important assets. Secure it and your online life by following these simple steps.
![Google Pixel Tablet specs launch at Google I/O 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HUQDqvwpkTbGmKFm6Ld3hg-320-80.jpg)
The Pixel Tablet isn't going to fix what's wrong with Android tablets on its own
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Hardware is only half the problem. Not even the important half.
![Google Tensor server backdrop on stage at Google I/O 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sWYNyURt2PjsWsE7DxmVHB-320-80.jpg)
Google is still being slow and careful with AI and that's still a good thing
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Google is the pioneer of all the generative AI you're seeing yet is being cautious.
![Example of spatial audio with someone sitting viewing content.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RjAa4LQJNktrY8MfdJLsqG-320-80.jpg)
What Android users need to know about spatial audio
By Jerry Hildenbrand, Ted Kritsonis last updated
Getting spatial audio on your Android phone is as easy! You just need good headphones and the right app.
![Google Pixel Fold open at an angle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NBDRtemeXnVQBhjhDXAeog-320-80.jpg)
Google will need some special sauce to sell a folding phone
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
In a world where Samsung sells millions of folding and flipping phones, Google needs to do more than just show up.
![Lenovo Chromebook 14e on AC home page](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4hKyNRhbBBihduYXUcCKY7-320-80.jpg)
How to use Virtual Desks on a Chromebook
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
It's easy to enable multiple virtual desktops on Chrome OS — we'll show you how!
![Google My Activity](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CJZ6LGhMqDYiAvaeJL8PCa-320-80.jpg)
How to protect your Google activity history with a password
By Jeramy Johnson, Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Did you know that you can password-protect your Google activity access? It's easy, and we'll show you how it's done.
![Android malware on a Sony smartphone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SW7Xj2Utm6syCa5478m9ff-320-80.jpg)
Google fought a mountain of malware in 2022
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Google blocked bad apps, prevented $2 billion in fraud, and kicked over 173,000 developer accounts out of Gogole Play.
![HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KxTkLLTUJNUuM7rDaQuoG6-320-80.jpg)
How to enable flags in Chrome
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Chrome allows you to experiment with all kinds of new features or little-used tweaks if you want, and they're all kept in one easy-to-search page to keep them straight as you tinker.
![Fairphone 4 disassembled](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cxpHRVBqYoLbDwGGzUL93i-320-80.jpg)
Fairphone does what tech giants refuse to do
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Fair for the planet, fair for the workers, and fair for consumers.
![Side view of Stuffcool 85W Power Bank showing three USB ports](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XarfVfrw5KDNKegQAG755Z-320-80.jpg)
How should I store my power bank?
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
A portable battery is only useful if it works. Here's how to store yours and keep it in working condition.
![OnePlus 8 being updated](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wGutKSqLHP8muNBeVYTPdV-320-80.jpg)
I spent hours updating my old phone only to make it worse
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Older phones are a great value but the update process can be terrible.