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
![Google Maps aerial view of a street](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iE6qwLnLK8E8vWx5LtiQcc-320-80.jpg)
Google Maps is getting infused with even more AI
By Andrew Myrick published
More AI in Maps Google Maps is slated to get a slew of updates in the coming weeks and months. Many of which are powered by Google's AI efforts in order to provide an even better experience.
![Google Pixel Watch 2 review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QegdLVf5mDVsZkeK2q2oXN-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel Watch 2 vs. Fitbit Sense 2: Which should you buy?
By Andrew Myrick published
Pixel vs. Fitbit It's pretty obvious which is better, right?
![Xreal Air 2 Pro adjustments](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YUsnxFtw5pL2x2WuL73MHQ-320-80.png)
Xreal debuts its Air 2 and Air 2 Pro AR Glasses with brighter displays and a lighter frame
By Andrew Myrick published
Even better A different way to use your tech.
![Hands-on with the Google Pixel 8](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/boVf4p3mcjQvLY347xzgna-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Which should you buy?
By Andrew Myrick published
Pro vs. Max Trying to decide between the latest flagships from Google and Apple? Choosing the "right" phone has never been more difficult.
![Chromebook Plus upgrade on the Framework Laptop Chromebook](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V6RYcJF9T2zXqpCzTiZ9z-320-80.jpg)
ChromeOS 118 is rolling out, bringing the new Chromebook Plus features with it
By Andrew Myrick published
Update incoming As long as you have a compatible Chromebook, you'll notice a bunch of new features with the release of ChromeOS 118.
![Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sWyrSUNF7wKPKig23o6kLJ-320-80.jpg)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) review: Setting the standard, again
By Andrew Myrick published
TV on Fire It might not be the flashiest device, but the Fire TV Stick 4K Max gets a lot right. Provided that you're willing to put up with Amazon's onslaught of ads.
![OnePlus Open review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/83iheaAkBwLNh7UVsxPcdC-320-80.jpg)
I want everyone to love the OnePlus Open as much as I do, but you won't
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet The Open is actually almost the perfect foldable phone.
![ChromeOS Flex loading screen on 2015 MacBook Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zaKXEWym56xopw9iGi7uSN-320-80.jpg)
ChromeOS Flex may soon be able to breathe new life into your Chromebook
By Andrew Myrick published
Flex everywhere? Honestly, this is long overdue.
![Pixelbook Go Review.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GCCZ9UgPoJQ7wi9ThCbxJb-320-80.jpg)
Hear me out (again): Google should release a Pixelbook 2
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet I'm beyond excited about Google's Chromebook Plus initiative, but I feel like there's still a void that only a Pixelbook 2 could fill.
![Pixel Buds Pro connected to Chromebook and Pixel 6 Pro at the same time](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QzqLVPg4hdWSWVqh9EaDL6-320-80.png)
Google makes it easy to control your Pixel Buds with a Chromebook
By Andrew Myrick published
Better controls If you've been wanting a better way to control your Pixel Buds from your Chromebook, the wait is over as there's a new PWA available for download.
![Chromebook Plus upgrade on the Framework Laptop Chromebook](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V6RYcJF9T2zXqpCzTiZ9z-320-80.jpg)
You can try the new Chromebook Plus features without buying new hardware
By Andrew Myrick published
New features If you don't want to wait or buy a new Chromebook, chances are that you can already enjoy everything that Chromebook Plus has to offer.
![Acer Chromebook Plus 515 lid](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hGPjTPWQNfHgFYy5ZDozKb-320-80.jpg)
Dive into the future of ChromeOS with the all-new Chromebook Plus lineup
By Andrew Myrick published
New Chromebooks With the unveiling out of the way, Google's partners have now released the various Chromebook Plus models, each of which offer just a little something different.
![Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook Plus lifestyle render](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LMqahKfHZxyyJRAykx8THB-320-80.jpg)
Save $150 on this Lenovo Chromebook and enjoy all of the new Chromebook Plus features
By Andrew Myrick published
Incredible deal Lenovo's Slim 3i Chromebook won't turn any heads, but it'll be quite a bit more performant than you might think. And Lenovo has discounted it by $150 just in time for the rebranded model to launch.
![The Legend of Zelda wallpapers on a Pixel 7 Pro and a Pixel Watch](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m876z8etQpRJ3fpH2Lf8sm-320-80.jpg)
Prime Day deals that the Android Central team couldn't pass up
By Andrew Myrick published
What we bought Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is here and we've rounded up a few of the deals that the team here actually picked up!
![AirPods Pro 2 in front of iPhone 14 Pro Max on porch ledge](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yyKaaova9Ngor7rmFSKTCQ-320-80.jpg)
This Prime Day deal is making me ditch my AirPods Pro, for new AirPods Pro
By Andrew Myrick published
The best Apple recently refreshed the AirPods Pro to bring better compatibility with the Vision Pro headset and USB-C. And you can get these excellent headphones for $60 off.
![Samsung 990 Pro m.2 SSD](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2W3VjeviGsnFnzGeQZrWpd-320-80.jpg)
I just upgraded my desktop for under $300 with this 4TB Samsung 990 Pro SSD deal
By Andrew Myrick published
All the storage If you need to upgrade the storage in your PS5, desktop computer, or even NAS, there's a deal for the Samsung 990 PRO that is too good to pass up on.
![Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) lifestyle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PyU2GKgSsctTYqHo5S8wuH-320-80.jpg)
I test Chromebooks for a living and this is the one I'm buying for myself
By Andrew Myrick published
Best Chromebook Acer's Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) has everything you could want in a Chromebook, and then some. But now's your chance to get it for yourself, thanks to an incredible deal at Best Buy.
![Amazon Prime Day 2023 hero](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yfzuY2gmpMb3pA4ypWAzFY-320-80.jpg)
Prime Day deals under $100 — this is what I'd buy
By Andrew Myrick published
Cheap deals Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is underway, and we've rounded up some of our favorite deals that can be had for under $100!
![Acer Chromebook Plus 515 21x9 review hero](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mQLJJji66UBNeFNdwgn7ne-320-80.jpg)
Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review: The Chromebook I'll recommend for most
By Andrew Myrick published
Acer Plus 515 If you want a Chromebook that has enough power for more demanding tasks, a big screen and doesn't break the bank, then the Chromebook Plus 515 from Acer is probably the one.
![Hands-on with the Google Pixel 8](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vt97pxBHJwXmDbHifuetVa-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 8 vs iPhone 15: Which should you buy
By Andrew Myrick published
8 > 15 The Pixel 8 and iPhone 15 are great phones in their own regard, but Google definitely does more to provide an intriguing upgrade compared to what we've seen on Apple's side of the fence.
![Amazon Echo Pop review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/faeL8H5odjtrtfYQU2M8f-320-80.jpg)
Best Alexa speaker 2024
By Andrew Myrick last updated
Alexa is one of the most popular digital assistants in the world, and these are the best speakers to experience it on.
![Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in flex mode](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HLFPHPFELbhJrMTQGpgmjU-320-80.jpg)
Samsung rolls out One UI 6 Beta with Android 14 for the Galaxy Z Fold 5
By Andrew Myrick published
Coming soon A day after Google rolled out Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2 to Pixel owners, Samsung is bringing the One UI 6 Beta with Android 14 to the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
![Assistant with Bard at Made by Google event](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/P5dYV2wcotSynjcC8VBvSB-320-80.jpg)
I'm all aboard the Google Assistant with Bard hype train, and you should be too
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet I would argue that the Assistant with Bard announcement is even more important than the Pixel 8 and Google's "commitment" to 7 years of OS updates.