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
![Chrome logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RkrUUZFJJp44v7GayhjbyV-320-80.png)
How to install and run Linux apps on a Chromebook
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Installing Linux programs on your Chromebook is a whole lot easier than it used to be. Here's how you do it.
![The back of the Nothing Phone (1)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JhYBbLnYcxsiymP4sFg4MS-320-80.jpg)
The Nothing Phone (1) Beta Membership program is your chance to buy a really cool broken product
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Nothing is worse than using a beta program as a shield except charging people for the experience.
![Snapdragon Satellite press slide](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kEP2hDq5YtKYGH3zDbFpc6-320-80.jpg)
What we can expect from Android satellite phones and why we should all want one
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Qualcomm's deal with Iridium leaves most details up to phone makers, but we have enough to set our expectations.
![Phone Hub](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eWWma8uMgbQa6cLyqikVFU-320-80.png)
How to set up and use Phone Hub with your Chromebook and Android phone
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Connecting your Android phone to your Chromebook is easy and you can do some cool stuff with it.
![Acer Chromebook Spin 714 connected to dock on desk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dUjB4g7eAD8BFzerVhxAh5-320-80.jpg)
How to use Google Chrome Task Manager
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Chrome has its own task manager and it's full of things you should never turn off.
![Chrome logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RkrUUZFJJp44v7GayhjbyV-320-80.png)
How to enable Spell Check on Chromebooks
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
You could use a service like Grammarly or you can take a minute and enable the built-in spelling and grammar tools. I suggest the latter.
![Nothing phone (1) vs. Google Pixel 6a](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RErBt6EQx9WxWmtzGH5CnS-320-80.jpg)
What to do if you're locked out of your phone after resetting it
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
While it's for our own good, Factory Reset Protection can trip you up when you reset your phone. These tips can help.
![A broken phone screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/69tqNeDXNUnFusUCFuzagB-320-80.jpg)
Sideloading on iOS is not the biggest issue of the EU's Digital Markets Act
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The internet is worried about sideloading on the iPhone but there is a much bigger problem: uninstalling any app you want.
![Accessibility menu](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f9V76JtcKDTfQhcNtrKQf3-320-80.jpg)
How to find and enable Android accessibility features
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android has some great accessibility features and here is how to find them.
![Ultraloq UL3 Smart Lock](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LZbp3WoBwBxGY5XJCUjdh3-320-80.jpg)
It's finally time to buy myself a smart lock
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
I'm cold and wet and feel like an idiot. A smart lock would have prevented two of those things.
![Galaxy Chromebook Plus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwjdeuDwdSnQ7EACdtakb3-320-80.jpg)
How to reopen Virtual Desk on Chromebooks
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
You can save a virtual desktop on your Chromebook and open it up later just as you left it.
![A eufyCam 3 with ice on top](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ipnvHq3EDWGLRDGVhWmEjC-320-80.jpg)
All tech has flaws so the important thing is how they are handled
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Nothing that's connected is flawless. When those flaws come to light, companies need to do the right thing.
![HELM Audio Bolt](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HdLakMUBm6hDGGAVq86FE9-320-80.jpg)
Cyber Monday is the right time to buy the HELM Audio Bolt - my favorite smartphone DAC/Amp combo
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
If you want to use wired headphones like some sort of crazy audiophile, you need a DAC/Amp combo for your phone. You should buy this one.
![ASUS Chromebox 4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bjJnLv5wQKAHnwVbbCZ7AC-320-80.png)
Grab the ASUS Chromebox 4 while it's on sale for Cyber Monday and build the best streaming device ever
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
If you want to stream all content at 4K plus have a full desktop web experience from your couch, get this.
![APC UPS](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/84ueErzhfypYcG4LwHWAKb-320-80.jpg)
This APC battery backup deal brings you peace of mind and saves you $100
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
You need a UPS as part of any desktop computer setup. It's great for console gaming, too.
![Galaxy Chromebook Plus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwjdeuDwdSnQ7EACdtakb3-320-80.jpg)
Save $210 on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus with this Cyber Monday deal
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The Galaxy Chromebook Plus is 42% off and that means you should take a look at it.
![Galaxy Chromebook Go](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kBUQY4hta6wYGUByMrAjQQ-320-80.jpg)
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go is the one I would buy this Cyber Monday
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
If i were buying a Chromebook for the holidays, I'd pick the light and portable Galaxy Chromebook Go.
![Acer Chromebook 512 C851 Lifestyle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FtNdKVbWiVZt62XjW9wTZ7-320-80.jpg)
The Acer Chromebook 512 is the $100 Chromebook you should buy this Black Friday
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Black Friday is the day to buy a Chromebook. If you're looking for a cheap one you should look at the Acer 512
![ASUS Chromebook C203XA](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KmHaQQmmEQbeNCtVtQnfpV-320-80.jpg)
Save $100 on a Chromebook even your kid won't break
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
The ASUS C203XA has a horrible name but it's a tough Chromebook. It's perfect for the kids.
![Sennheiser HD 650 headphones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FqAAeuaxEZQGRYKRr8E4hW-320-80.jpg)
This is the best price you'll find on a pair of incredible Sennheiser HD 650 headphones
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
While not for everyone, Sennheiser HD 650 headphones are perfect if you want to hear music the way it is supposed to sound.
![ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3B7QBYiKNNY9Rwkp74742R-320-80.jpg)
The ASUS Chromebook Flip M3 is a smart Black Friday buy
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
You can buy a Chromebook you actually want to use for less than $200
![Amazon Fire TV Cube in front of TV](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wPjc3wXkQLXZFT6h9FEGZc-320-80.jpg)
Which Amazon Fire TV devices work with hearing aids?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Amazon's 2nd gen. Fire TV Cube and the Fire TV Omni series devices can pair with compatible hearing aids via Bluetooth.
![ASUS Chromebox 4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Mf9WrZhhKyRwAPVRbNtum4-320-80.jpg)
Best external hard drives & SSDs for Chromebox 2024
By Jerry Hildenbrand, Harish Jonnalagadda, Samuel Contreras published
Why try to get by when adding storage is as easy as plugging it in? Here are some of the best external hard drives and SSDs for Chromebox.