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

Wear OS will eventually gobble up the market share, but watchOS will keep most of the profit
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill Fifty watchmakers will sell more than one, but Apple will find a way to make a ton of cash.

The Pixel 8a is still a great smartphone choice, and here's why
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Last year's model If I needed a new phone, I'd buy another Pixel 8a, and the release of the Pixel 9a won't change that.

How can a tech giant 'build' a smartphone chip without its own foundry?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
How its made Fabless design isn't a new idea but companies like Apple and Google are making it an art form.

AI will never be able to replace the human experience
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Programmed ignorance AI may take our jobs, but it will never be good at doing it.

Ask Jerry: Is Gemini Advanced worth buying?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!

Encrypted RCS messages between platforms are coming, but this won't end the messaging wars
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill It was never about encryption; it was about locking you in.

Are 3nm or 4nm chips better than 5nm chips? Does size really matter?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Nano-improvements When it comes to electronics, smaller is usually better.

The Clicks Keyboard for my Motorola Razr can turn my phone into what I've been missing
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill I cut my teeth on a BlackBerry, and this might be the best way to return to what I love.

Google is trying, but authentication is still terrible
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
WHO AM I? We need to prove we are who we say we are, but we want it to be more streamlined.

What does Qualcomm and Google's 8-year Android support promise mean for us?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Download and install There are different types of updates for your phone. Which ones do this promise cover?

Ask Jerry: Why aren't smartphones getting better?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!

Amazon abandoning its Appstore only makes Google's lock stronger
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Healthy Competition Amazon is not your friend. They aren't Google's, either.

You shouldn't steal eBooks unless you have good lawyers
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Shiver me timbers You shouldn't steal eBooks. It looks like Meta didn't get that memo.

The iPhone 16e proves we do need Qualcomm for 5G in North America
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
GGGGG Even Apple can't break Qualcomm's stranglehold on North American airwaves.

Everyone is talking about Google I/O but what exactly is it and who is it for?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
More than a keynote Google I/O has changed over the years but one thing remains the same: it's probably not for you.

Ask Jerry: Will my phone work outside of the US?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!

7 years of updates aren't what you think they are and Samsung just proved it
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill The Galaxy S24 will miss out on features the hardware can't support.

Best Chromebox 2025
By Jerry Hildenbrand last updated
Mini wonders Chromeboxes are great for basic tasks or daily work. These are the best mini PCs that pack a punch, without the bloat of Windows.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra retails for $1,300. Penny-pinching over the S Pen just looks bad
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Nickels and Dimes Pissing off your most loyal users to save a few dollars to piss off your most loyal fans is a dumb move.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra shows why your next phone needs to have a battery that's easy to change
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Live forever? Your phone will outlast its battery's lifespan. Make sure you can refresh it.

Ask Jerry: Are tariffs going to make my next phone cost more?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Ask Jerry Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered!

Google just opened the door for people to do evil with AI
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Being evil Don't Be Evil has flown the coop for good.

Hey Motorola, there's a time and a place for ads. A severe weather warning is neither.
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Time and Place Motorola shouldn't force you to click through an ad to see if an ice storm is in your path.
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