The unexpected summer blockbuster you can’t miss

Hey gamers! Welcome to Installer No. 140, your go-to source for the coolest and quirkiest in the gaming world. If you’re new here, glad to have you! Don’t forget to stay hydrated, and you can catch up on past editions at the Installer homepage.

This week, I’ve been diving into the worlds of Will Ferrell, Fabrizio Romano, and Heather Cox Richardson, scrolling through Ordinary Abundance, enjoying Avatar Aang (it’s as awesome as everyone said), getting the hang of CapCut, and obsessing over the latest drama from PTFO. I’ve also been rewatching Tires now that the third season is out, experimenting with Spark’s AI tools to tackle my overflowing inbox (results so far? Meh), revisiting Reply All after that great Hyperfixed episode about its conclusion, and trying to squeeze in all my dentist, doctor, and haircut appointments before the little one arrives.

This is my last Installer before I head off on parental leave! Huge thanks to everyone who’s sent well wishes and sleep tips—I’ll take all the help I can get. For the next few weeks, Jay Peters will be taking the reins, and I’ll be back in early October. But before I go, I’ve got some exciting updates for you, including the latest from Google, a surprisingly good dinosaur flick, insights into the Chinese tech scene, and more. Let’s jump in!

The Drop
* The End of Oak Street. Imagine a mix of Wizard of Oz and Jurassic Park—this unexpected premise is turning heads and is being hailed as the surprise hit of the summer. I can’t wait to check it out!
* Unforgetful. Marco Arment has crafted a superior alternative to the Apple Reminders app, and it’s a game changer. With improved notifications and a design I prefer, this could be the ultimate to-do list app for many.
* The Google Pixel 11. While this year might not be the most thrilling for Pixel fans (the Galaxy Z Fold 8 still reigns supreme), Google continues to offer the best Android experience, useful AI tools, and thoughtful smartphone camera innovations. If you’re going for a Pixel, I’d recommend starting with the base model.
* Lanterns. Talk about a surprise! A gritty buddy-cop drama featuring Green Lantern is just what this franchise needed. I’m usually hard to impress with superhero stories, but I’m definitely on board for this one.
* “What I found in China’s city of the future.” Tom from Byte Review and Isaac from Canoopsy explored Shenzhen and returned with intriguing footage and insights into China’s tech embrace. The reasons behind this are complex and extend beyond just the tech industry, but the products showcased are fascinating.
* The Commodore TAC-2. This legendary joystick controller is back, boasting the same features and attention to detail as the original, plus added durability. Retro gamers still love the original model, and the new team at Commodore is doing justice to its legacy.
* Matic Cues. Matic was already a top-tier robot vacuum, and this update might solidify its status. Voice commands and point-and-clean features are the kind of smart tech we love.
* Bingers. How did I miss this last week? A new media-tracking app from the creator of TV Time, focusing on discovery and reviews. It has a Letterboxd vibe that’s really appealing.
* Finalist 4. This app has evolved into one of the most comprehensive planner/to-do apps available. The latest update introduces a note-taking feature I really like, and while the design is a bit busy, it effectively manages your tasks all in one place.

Screen share
I’ve been binge-watching Silo lately—it took a couple of episodes to hook me, but by episode three, I was all in. The show has also led me to the books by Hugh Howey, whose work I’ve followed for years. Interestingly, I discovered he’s also a product guy!

After nearly a decade of development, Hugh just launched Neo, a writing tool he created for himself. It’s specifically designed for writing books in his unique style, and I find it fascinating as a glimpse into his creative process. I asked Hugh to share his homescreen with us, along with details about the apps he uses:

The phone: A Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. I feel a bit guilty since there’s a show on Apple TV right now, but Android just works better for me. I also use a MacBook Air and iPad to balance things out.

The wallpaper: A photo of my wife, Shay, and me on a friend’s boat—one of the rare occasions we were fully clothed on a boat, so I wanted to capture the moment.

The apps: Orca, Windy, SmartLife, Smart Fittings, Navily, Threads, Instagram, Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, Clock, QRme, Board Game Arena, Pocket Casts, Stellarium, Moon Phase Calendar, Chase, Gmail, Calendar, Play Store, Photos, Phone, Messages, Google Maps, Chrome.

The top row is essential for life on a sailboat. Orca is for navigation, Smart Fittings tracks the load on the main shrouds, SmartLife controls the hot water heaters, and Navily provides reviews of anchorages. Board Game Arena is a must-have for entertainment (Ark Nova is my favorite), and Pocket Casts is the best podcast app out there.

I also asked Hugh to share some of his current favorites:
* We recently binged Widow’s Bay for the second time—such a flawless show.
* My long-time podcast obsession is Omnibus, where Ken Jennings and John Roderick dive into esoteric topics but often veer off into delightful tangents.
* An app keeping me busy these days is Neo, the novel-writing software I created, which I’m constantly using.

Crowdsourced
Here’s what the Installer community is into this week. I want to hear your recommendations too! Email installer@theverge.com or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your favorite finds, and we’ll feature some highlights here each week. For even more great suggestions, check out the replies to this post on Threads and Bluesky.

“I’ve been chatting with my coworker about the Tin Can phone for kids. It looks retro cool.” — Bart
“Guildrun is the best demo for a game I’ve ever played.” — Adam
“I’m training for the Berlin Marathon next month and downloaded CheerMyRun. My family and friends can send me audio messages at specific miles during the race. I told them to be encouraging or just shout expletives at me. Should be fun!” — Brian
“After a three-year break, I’m finally watching the last season of Servant. Just hit the penultimate episode.” — Simon
“Big Walk is a game that naturally turns into just hanging out with friends. I’d use it instead of Zoom if I could.” — BTTK
“Shoutout to the new 8BitDo FlipPad! Carrying classic games on your phone is amazing, but on-screen controls can be a nightmare. This little device is super compact, clips on easily, and feels almost like the original controls. I went for the Nintendo-inspired color version.” — Ryan
“Watching Spider-Noir. In black & white, of course.” — DHRME
“I’ve been enjoying Standard Reader as a reading app for blogs on the ATmosphere.” — Tynan
“Just read The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami, set in a near-future where people can have ‘dreamsaver’ tech implanted. Upside: better sleep in less time. Downside: the government surveils dreams to identify ‘risky’ citizens.” — Jennifer
“Games like Truxton Extreme don’t always get the spotlight, but as a shmup fan, I can say it’s a solid tribute to its predecessors. Shmups are alive and well—both retro and modern—and we welcome all gamers to the arcade philosophy!” — Vin

Signing off
So, all the buzz around The Social Reckoning suggests it might not be a great film. That’s fine! It has already given us two gems: a Jeremy Strong press tour that’s bound to be legendary and a fantastic interview with Aaron Sorkin discussing writing, humanity, social networks, AI, and more.

I know, saying “Aaron Sorkin is a good writer” is a hot take, right? Here’s a spicier one: Sports Night is his best show. If you can find it streaming, watch it ASAP.

I’ll be back in a few weeks—Jay’s got you covered in the meantime. See you soon!