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
![Home Assistant Dashboard on Pixel Tablet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3HPQpanRc6kHcuRNCZodKP-320-80.jpg)
How a Raspberry Pi and the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus can fix your smart home woes this Black Friday
By Andrew Myrick published
Working together The current state of smart home accessories is still a mess, even though Matter was supposed to fix it. Instead of waiting around, I took matters into my own hands.
![A close look at the design of the Nothing Phone (2)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZUaagGyhm78yoJHQ3dDY2F-320-80.jpg)
Nothing Chats pulled from Play Store amidst privacy blunder
By Andrew Myrick published
Just don't Following a turbulent week of surprises, it's been discovered that Nothing Chats isn't as great of a solution as it seemed.
![Andrew's Home Office Smart Lighting Nanoleaf Setup](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y6Uig5QD2GbGnqJjt2r2CD-320-80.jpg)
I love smart lights and these are the ones I'm buying on Black Friday
By Andrew Myrick published
All of the lights There are so many different smart lights to pick from, but Nanoleaf's ever-growing lineup continues to be my default choice. And for good reason as they are simply some of the best.
![Windows 11 vs ChromeOS](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t2teKxiZzSG7bajEi3rGkH-320-80.jpg)
Microsoft's 'Windows App' lets you stream Windows from everything but Android and Chromebooks
By Andrew Myrick published
Dashed hopes During Ignite 2023, Microsoft announced an all-new 'Windows App' which makes it easy to access cloud and remote PCs. Unfortunately, if you use Android or Chromebooks, you're out of luck.
![Google Messages on iPhone 15 Pro Max surrounded by different Android phones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KratWyJjKLSwCZFK2DqRVP-320-80.jpg)
Not for Nothing, Apple finally made a decision with RCS that benefits everyone else
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet Much of the Android world has been begging Apple to adopt RCS, and we're finally getting what we've wanted.
![2023 Google Titan Security Keys 16x9 render](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8eWuCpSC4nPEAaYDVekhjk-320-80.jpg)
Google updates its Titan Security Key with support for passkeys
By Andrew Myrick published
Get one now Managing and using passkeys can be kind of frustrating, but Google is hoping to solve that with its new Titan Security Keys.
![Android Central website on Acer Chromebook Plus 515](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DFfVAh6f3xGMJwFSg7FmJc-320-80.jpg)
Chromebook multitasking is about to get even better with 'Snap Groups'
By Andrew Myrick published
Organize your windows Multitasking on ChromeOS is already pretty great, and Snap Groups are an interesting way to keep your app windows together.
![Xbox Game Pass on Acer Chromebook Plus 515](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eLG4GB8HiCe9Mb5MTuECQe-320-80.jpg)
Cyberpunk 2077 and Chromebook Plus are about to take over Times Square
By Andrew Myrick published
City of Dreams Ever since the Chromebook Plus branding was unveiled, it opened the door for better marketing. In a few days, Google, NVIDIA, and CD Projekt Red have something mysterious and exciting to show off.
![Fitbit Versa 4 vs Google Pixel Watch step tracking](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DR7P6TLci8AS6uGkRNSFEG-320-80.jpg)
Fitbit should drop the Versa 5; here's why
By Andrew Myrick published
Time to move on The existing Versa 4 is already in no man's land, and we don't need a new one.
![Oppo Pen and OnePlus Open](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vkfdswCPCvZZKWQcWVmQ3e-320-80.jpg)
How to pair the OPPO Pen to the OnePlus Open
By Andrew Myrick published
Pair 'em up OnePlus might not have released its own stylus for the company's first foldable phone. But as long as you're willing to wait, you can use the OPPO Pen with the OnePlus Open.
![Anbernic RG ARC-D and RG ARC-S promo render hero](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gGHWZaoM4WYqj85JKh7ncZ-320-80.png)
This Android-powered retro handheld gives us major Sega Genesis vibes
By Andrew Myrick published
SEGGGAAAAA New gaming handhelds are cropping up all of the time, but the Anbernic RG ARC-D is coming to make all of those SEGA fans happy.
![Oppo Pen on OnePlus keyboard with OnePlus Open in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SB7VDab4zhbGo8ppQfv677-320-80.jpg)
The OnePlus Open and OPPO Pen put the Galaxy Z Fold 5 to shame
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet After managing to get ahold of the OPPO Pen, it's further cemented the OnePlus Open as the best phone of the year. It's just disappointing that there isn't a dedicated OnePlus Pen.
![S Pen Creator Edition on Tab S9 Ultra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3BbVhZUKSHjvBSX6PpPENg-320-80.jpg)
The Samsung Galaxy S Pen 'Creator Edition' finally arrives, with a few caveats
By Andrew Myrick published
For creators After being announced alongside the Galaxy Tab S9 lineup, Samsung has released the S Pen Creator Edition. While there are a few upgrades, it's definitely not for everybody.
![Amazon Echo Pop review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f7iag9rDpJgm2GkiLG9eAo-320-80.jpg)
Celebrate Amazon Alexa's birthday with these crazy Black Friday deals
By Andrew Myrick published
Happy Birthday! Have you been looking to upgrade your smart home? These deals have you covered, all thanks to Amazon Alexa's 9th birthday.
![Amazon Fire Max 11 angled on desk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5u7PvfLsW36WLz8JnqYM7Y-320-80.jpg)
I've used dozens of tablets and these are the ones I'd consider buying this Black Friday
By Andrew Myrick published
Pick the right tablet Tablets are a hot commodity during the holiday season, but there are only a few that I would actually recommend considering.
![ASUS Chromebook CM30 Detachable promo images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vNFB9rShw5kU8YpccMoTgg-320-80.jpg)
New ASUS Chromebook CM30 Detachable looks like it'll be perfect for students
By Andrew Myrick published
New ChromeOS tablet With the announcement of the Chromebook CM30 Detachable from ASUS, we're getting even more excited for new ChromeOS tablets to hit the market.
![Apple Watch Ultra in gravel](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YenYGQ6a6FyYWe3wZyZWen-320-80.jpg)
Apple made the wrong decision not bringing the Apple Watch to Android
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet Apple was reportedly working on making the Apple Watch compatible with Android phones. The project was then canceled, but Apple made a mistake in doing so.
![Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QJV8FBZh6NJifKTL9LD6qE-320-80.jpg)
A new Chromebook tablet could finally be around the corner
By Andrew Myrick published
Please be true The wait might soon be over for a new ChromeOS tablet.
![Google Pixel Watch 2 review hero alt 16x9](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e43qQdPRHPtyizdhunjdN8-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel Watch 2 review: The Apple Watch for Android
By Andrew Myrick published
Refined elegance There were enough problems with the original Pixel Watch that warranted a second attempt. Google seemingly followed through, and the Pixel Watch 2 is arguably the best Android smartwatch to date.
![OnePlus Open review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GkuiDi9EL2qQjKaytP7bEC-320-80.jpg)
OnePlus confirms Open stylus compatibility, with a catch
By Andrew Myrick published
Surprise Time to find and import a stylus.
![Google Pixel Watch 2 review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ch8r3LoourTAwtrbmfTrsm-320-80.jpg)
Can you charge the Pixel Watch 2 with a Fitbit charger?
By Andrew Myrick published
New charger Having options is never a bad thing.
![HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xHEfE9ui9htuas5KM8PFJ5-320-80.jpg)
Best USB-C hubs for Chromebooks 2024
By Andrew Myrick last updated
Need more ports? USB-C is here, but since your Chromebook is likely lacking in many port types, grab a USB-C hub and get back the ports you need.
![Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 lid](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wrgisGuSSNoUgtEWJx9qTL-320-80.jpg)
We could see a new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook in the near future
By Andrew Myrick published
New Galaxy Chromebook? Not only is there a new Samsung Chromebook in the works, but it's likely to slot in rather nicely amongst the recently-announced Chromebook Plus models.