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
![Two-Factor Authentication](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/itGP3vntfJEhvgACTxKKha-320-80.jpg)
The definitive ranking of two-factor authentication methods
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
You should be using two-factor authentication, and you already know this. But you also need to know which method of 2FA is right for you.
![USB 2FA key](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zombUJnUsXnwjQ77weoNNA-320-80.jpg)
How to add a security key to your Google account without activating Advanced Security
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Two-factor authentication can protect your account, and a USB Security Key makes for a great backup if you lose your phone. It's cheap peace of mind and beats the heck out of calling Google.
![Nokia 2780 Flip and a Chromebook](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eKyquLMBDb5DbHu2XPCrPg-320-80.jpg)
The KaiOS-powered Nokia 2780 Flip is the phone I wish I could use
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
KaiOS on your phone and a Chromebook (or tablet) gives you the best of two worlds.
![TikTok app logo on Android](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/grNeVRDB3Cyt4cKWUcd9QL-320-80.jpg)
A TikTok ban isn't about privacy, it's about politics
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Banning TikTok is on the table and will probably happen. That doesn't address the real problem.
![Chromebox connected to dual monitors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2d7fUW8eLjKfvGx8y6iok3-320-80.jpg)
Should you buy a Chromebox in 2023?
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
New Chromeboxes are always coming, but what's out there right now makes for a great purchase, too.
![Amazon Sidewalk opt-in screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8NbA4zL4PXEkD9L6BS7BaM-320-80.jpg)
On by default: your apps are sharing more than you think
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Google and Apple need to crack down on apps that set anything on by default because developers are never going to stop.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gVJo6vLmxLqELBJhbW3NrR-320-80.jpg)
How (and when) to clear app cache or data on Android
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Apps sometimes can misbehave. If it happens to you, here's something to try.
![Android 11 Device Location Permission](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7SqEFYUnFvPHJaJnZtRnsR-320-80.jpg)
Your user data can be the prosecution's star witness
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Meta has provided police with data from a woman seeking an abortion because it's the law.
![Pixel 6 Pro lockscreen Material You Music widget](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XDL3vvE2Nh83a8mVBdDUfn-320-80.jpg)
Phone security begins - and ends - with your lock screen
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Once someone else is in your phone they can do everything you can do.
![The Google logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cjva6zyZNTbzqvkvaDXNYR-320-80.jpg)
Google and Canada prove that doing the right thing sometimes sucks for everyone
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Around 4% of Canadians have limited access to news content as Google tests product responses to the new C-18 bill.
![Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Apple iPhone 14 Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L5brMAnwobsposKWuB946a-320-80.jpg)
Phone fandom is alive and well (and foolish)
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
My phone is better than yours and my dad can beat up your dad.
![Pipi, the author's parrot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t8Au5JjVVph9nP7Q9uTDfn-320-80.jpg)
BingGPT is as bad as I thought it would be
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Microsoft's error-fueled experiment in AI search is a complete mess, We shouldn't be surprised.
![Bard's Tale](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CrYvG3C3dHeeLizYfaTWp3-320-80.jpg)
Now is the wrong time for Google Bard
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
No one will sing Bard’s praises with ChatGPT in the picture.
![A OnePlus 9 Pro on the OnePlus Warp Charge wireless charger](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NVZcecvwYGwFcujFKEroRj-320-80.jpg)
Is it safe to charge your phone all the way to 100%?
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Some say it's fine, but others suggest not going all the way. Is it really okay to charge your phone to 100%?
![Close-up of the camera sensors on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uDHowqYH7jejmVs4GtNFhL-320-80.jpeg)
Galaxy S23 cameras explained: 200MP and why the other sensors are unchanged
By Michael L Hicks, Jerry Hildenbrand published
Did you miss Samsung Unpacked, or just need a refresher on what makes the Galaxy S23 Ultra so special for photography? We have the breakdown you need.
![Fairphone 4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YPwYeoxjxCQyCkDUs6JzXL-320-80.jpg)
Fairphone 4 review: Sustainable, repairable, and ethical
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
The Fairphone 4 doesn't boast the best specs or a unique design. But it does offer a few meaningful things you just can't get from any other phone maker.
![Google Io 2021 Keynote Lamda](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KPgoTMUKHNzsHduyUJBm4P-320-80.jpg)
Google is working on a new AI tool to counter ChatGPT, but you can't have it yet
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Google is finally releasing one of its LaMDA-based AI products. Sort of.
![Close-up of the Samsung Galaxy S23+ camera sensors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BxUj8kKAkR7EdfPcBkLZM7-320-80.jpeg)
Samsung Galaxy S23: I just can't
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
I'm sure the S23 is a fine phone but it's not worth upgrading my current fine phone.
![Samsung Unpacked Feb 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m5aPHdMG9dLog6P6zkFM47-320-80.jpg)
Can we stop pretending we still need tech events?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The only thing worse than watching a tech event is having to pretend you care about a tech event.
![Jumbo Privacy app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UYyj5MDV4uVwgp85aDEH35-320-80.jpg)
Jumbo has all the tools you need to protect your online footprint
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Jumbo can help you maintain a safer presence on the internet once you figure out all the settings.
![A Monopoly board on the Galaxy Z Fold 4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4z6z9SUSBWwG7nJ3LwFLk7-320-80.jpg)
Apple search would be Google's 'get out of jail free' card
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
If 1.5 billion iPhones have Apple search as the default it'll mean Google no longer has the dreaded monopoly status.
![Galaxy Chromebook Plus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwjdeuDwdSnQ7EACdtakb3-320-80.jpg)
How to factory reset your Chromebook and when you should do it
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
If you're going to sell your Chromebook, give it to someone, or just want to switch the primary account, you'll want to reset it and wipe away all your user settings and data.
![Google Cloud TPU machine learning demonstration](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iVvqp9m2aCBB4aVT73VW7N-320-80.jpg)
Google made the right choice not diving into consumer AI bots
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Regardless of the real reasons, Google not releasing its own advanced AI as a chatbot is a good thing.