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
Google works hard to make sure AI isn't evil
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill AI is going to be an even bigger part of our tech future. The companies developing it need to be both responsible and ethical.
What is a privacy-focused Android phone?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Spyware-free You can buy a "privacy-focused" Android phone that attempts to stop big tech from spying on you. Should you?
Drake's music label could get richer because YouTube uses your data as digital currency
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Alphabet's next AI trick might let you record a song using the voice of your favorite artist to make terrible videos better somehow.
What is RISC-V and what does it mean for Android and Wear OS?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
RISC vs Reward Qualcomm and Google are developing a RISC-V Snapdragon Wear platform to power future devices. Why is this important, and what does it mean for you?
With the Pixel 8 series, there is now a clear divide between Google's Android and Google Pixel
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill The Pixel 8 showcases everything Google has to offer in ways no other phone ever will — or can.
The Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 is the best phone chip today
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The right stuff Google's Tensor G3 is designed to do a few things better than any others. Those things happen to be the best parts of a Pixel phone.
You need this 90-degree charging cable even if you don't know you need it
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Get sideways Using your phone while it's plugged in is a good way to bust the USB port. A 90-degree cable can help.
The Google Nest Thermostat is what I use and recommend, and you can save $40 if you buy it today
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Hot Deal If you want a simple but functional smart thermostat for your home and want to save a lot of money this is the one to buy.
The five Raspberry Pi accessories I'm buying on Prime Day
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Raspberry Pi Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days means it's time to grab some of the things that make a Raspberry Pi extra cool.
With the Pixel 8, Google just won the AI war
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill AI is everywhere now, but it's best showcased in those small ways where it's quietly working in the background.
How does your phone's OLED display work?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Looking good Your phone probably has an OLED display. It's not easy to make one that looks great, but it's a really cool process.
FedEx can make your phone trade-in disappear, but you don't have to make it easy
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Stealing the phone out of a FedEx box is a real thing that happens every day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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 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.
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