Andrew Myrick
Andrew's way into tech started all the way back with the Atari 2600, progressing his way through various consoles throughout the years. Everything changed for him when he got his hands on the iPhone 3G before switching over to Android with the HTC Evo 4G. Since then, he's tried almost every kind of tech that he can get his hands on. Little has changed over the years, as much of his time is spent with different gaming handhelds, foldable phones, Chromebooks, tablets, and even a bit of VR sprinkled in. With more than a decade of time spent writing about tech, he takes a "Jack of all trades" approach to whatever he can get his hands on. His weekly column, Beyond the Alphabet, attempts to look at the world of tech both within and beyond the confines of Google's Mountain View campus. That includes figuring out new ways to get work done with various devices, along with deciphering the impact of the hardware and software that we rely on every day. You can always count on him to have at least two phones on him and there's a good chance he'll have a charger for you to use if your phone is running out of juice.
Latest articles by Andrew Myrick
![Andrew's Home Office Smart Lighting Nanoleaf Setup](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M5JbctvYxGJ2fenmEisgE4-320-80.jpg)
Andrew Myrick's Top 10 of 2023
By Andrew Myrick published
Looking to the future This was a year that I'll never forget.
![ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus hands-on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TRJzBEYdqfooZN4b7QepQi-320-80.jpg)
ASUS brings Intel's new Core Ultra 7 processor to its latest Chromebook
By Andrew Myrick published
Ultra Chromebook If you were hoping for 2024 to bring more exciting Chromebooks, you're in luck as ASUS is already swinging for the fences.
![Acer Chromebook Spin 714](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mctdsYnAEAMHrixPmGSYgQ-320-80.jpg)
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) review: The very definition of Chromebook Plus
By Andrew Myrick published
The best? It's the flagship Chromebook Plus model in everything but its name.
![Zelda running on Pimax Portal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yyDZy7oTgmjq3QRSTczWRh-320-80.jpg)
Pimax Portal review: A Nintendo Switch with VR aspirations
By Andrew Myrick published
Promises Gaming handhelds have exploded in popularity, and the market is quickly getting saturated. Pimax looks to stand above the crowd with its Portal handset, but, it's not that simple.
![Framework Chromebox](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zTec8yjTFLomC55aYNdwmR-320-80.jpg)
I built a Frankenstein Framework Chromebox 'for science,' but it wasn't easy
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet Framework helped me rediscover my love for tinkering around with things, even if it took me months to actually get things working.
![Retroid Pocket 4 and Pocket 4 Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JAowRivNyqvhRUK5Rtg3SX-320-80.jpg)
Retroid announces the Pocket 4 and Pocket 4 Pro, but you'll have to wait to get one
By Andrew Myrick published
Looking good With the Retroid Pocket 4 and Pocket 4 Pro, we're looking at two rather impressive gaming handhelds for under $200.
![Different messaging apps to replace iMessage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xvBjXJZRFFDfRaaKzzb25G-320-80.jpg)
Beeper Mini is up and running again, with a couple of key changes
By Andrew Myrick published
It's back, for now The cat-and-mouse game has begun.
![Hub Mode on Pixel Tablet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Srb9Wz3VZgFWAJCHv84f3F-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel Tablet 2: Specs, rumors, and what we want to see
By Andrew Myrick published
On deck Let's just hope that Google isn't "one and done" with the Pixel Tablet.
![AI at Google IO 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hsthSTPq6sF6tiAdDoCWR7-320-80.jpg)
Google's Gemini is still playing catchup, but it promises a bright future
By Andrew Myrick published
With the Gemini launch under its belt, Google can now set its sights on closing the gap to ChatGPT and Microsoft.
![Beeper Mini app on OnePlus Open Home Screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7PHSHKgTneXCZo78APxUB3-320-80.jpg)
iMessage app for Android has seemingly already been killed by Apple
By Andrew Myrick published
True colors There was hope for those who want to enjoy what iMessage has to offer without leaving Android. But, Apple just slammed the door shut.
![Beeper Mini app on OnePlus Open Home Screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6q9L2bnAY9rBtPXfQnoWxn-320-80.jpg)
Beeper Mini is 'several magnitudes better than all competitors,' says CEO
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet This app provides a genuine and secure solution.
![Beeper Mini app on OnePlus Open Home Screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7PHSHKgTneXCZo78APxUB3-320-80.jpg)
How to use iMessage on Android with Beeper Mini
By Andrew Myrick published
This is the way Beeper Mini is now the easiest way to use iMessage on Android. It's fast, simple, and is your best option if you want to get blue bubbles without switching to an iPhone.
![Google Gemini multimodal hero render](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8aChZqAZWmf8mrzHiq8tPT-320-80.png)
Google Gemini is here to set the stage for AI models in 2024 and beyond
By Andrew Myrick published
Gemini is here After being announced at I/O 2023, Google Gemini has officially been unveiled. It's comprised of three different versions, and you can start using Gemini Pro today!
![Google Messages on an Android phone and iMessage on an iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GB5TtmLRcpbMih8aXYemjj-320-80.jpg)
Beeper Mini turns your Android phone into an iPhone for iMessage
By Andrew Myrick published
A simple solution This might be "the one," even with RCS on iOS support coming next year.
![Google generative AI in Search](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H668jKUNrYyRWCJvQL4z3D-320-80.jpg)
Google's 'most important product launch of the year' reportedly delayed until January
By Andrew Myrick published
Better late than never It's so close, yet, so far away.
![Lenovo Chromebox Micro 16x9 render](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vM9kqN2iBYuLpet8wUC2y6-320-80.jpg)
Lenovo's Chromebox Micro is a mini-PC running ChromeOS
By Andrew Myrick published
Mini Chromebox Mini-PCs have been taking the world by storm over the past couple of years. But, Lenovo's latest Chromebox gives us hope that we'll see ChromeOS come to more compact computers.
![Ayaneo Pocket S in white front-facing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zbtqjVXX5SsCLieWo7GLzM-320-80.png)
The Ayaneo Pocket S might just be the Android-powered Nintendo Switch of your dreams
By Andrew Myrick published
Just a tease It looks great, but who knows when it's coming?
![Spotify widget in StandBy Mode Pro on Z Fold 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rvDyPkPKiZWV9mStJXt34D-320-80.jpg)
How to find your Spotify Wrapped 2023, YouTube Music Recap, or Apple Music Replay
By Andrew Myrick last updated
Wrapped! Re-live the year through music.
![ChatGPT conversation screen on a smartphone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxkEjFyJ7VMwPGcRaYjtgP-320-80.jpg)
A year ago, OpenAI and ChatGPT changed the world, but it's too soon to tell if it's for the better
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet It's been a year since ChatGPT was introduced, turning AI into a "dirty word" while sparking innovation in the tech space. We still have a long way to go, and there's still a lot to learn.
![Mobile web browser apps on Android](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K8Ac4X4cRe3hvcrhdfULb-320-80.jpg)
This might make me switch from Chrome to Firefox
By Andrew Myrick published
Mobile extensions Extensions are an essential part of the browsing experience on our computers. Mozilla recognized this and has announced that extension support is coming to Firefox for Android on December 14.
![Google News app showcasing the For You tab on a Google Pixel 6 held up in one hand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D4gzNpEdG9ZyVK2tBvdR5W-320-80.jpg)
Google reaches deal with Canadian government, agrees to pay C$100 million to news companies
By Andrew Myrick last updated
Cutting it close Google and the Canadian government have reportedly come to an agreement to pay publishers ahead of Bill C-18 going into effect.
![Chromebook Plus upgrade on the Framework Laptop Chromebook](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V6RYcJF9T2zXqpCzTiZ9z-320-80.jpg)
Still waiting for ChromeOS 119? You're not alone
By Andrew Myrick published
Where'd it go? Despite already rolling out for some users, it appears as though the ChromeOS 119 update has been pulled. Now, we're just waiting to find out what happened and what's next.
![Andrew's Home Office Smart Lighting Nanoleaf Setup](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YjxeVhnRxf33YZFw7VqBs5-320-80.jpg)
Looking for last-minute Cyber Monday deals? Here's everything I actually bought
By Andrew Myrick published
Need ideas? Don't judge me.