Introducing Two Exciting New Repairable Gadgets
Hey there, gamers! Welcome to Installer No. 141, your go-to source for the coolest and quirkiest finds in the gaming world. If you’re new here, welcome aboard! You can catch up on all the previous editions at the Installer homepage.
This week, I’ve been diving back into the Installer vibe, testing out some ergonomic grips for the Switch 2 I snagged on Etsy, researching e-bikes since I’m about to get a Velotric, making my way through the fourth book in The Dark Tower series, pondering what’s off about Sonic in the latest Fortnite season, questioning why Mark Zuckerberg needs a castle, and dealing with a few pesky flies that have invaded my space.
I’ve got some exciting stuff lined up for you this week, including a clever daily puzzle game, the latest Jason Statham action flick, Pokémon-themed cameras, and more.
The Drop
* The Fairphone 6 Plus. For the first time, Fairphone is offering one of its ultra-repairable smartphones directly in the US. With an upgraded chip and 12GB of RAM, the 6 Plus is a solid upgrade from last year’s model. iFixit gave it a perfect score for repairability, which is a great sign for its longevity. More phones should follow this lead.
* Framework’s Laptop 12. Framework has launched the second generation of its 12-inch convertible laptop, featuring Intel’s latest Core Series 3 processors, along with options for a fingerprint reader and a backlit keyboard. You can grab a pre-built version with Fedora Linux starting at $699, which is $100 less than the previous-gen Laptop 12. The year of Linux is back!
* Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds. These redesigned wireless earbuds come with user-replaceable batteries and are available in some sleek metallic colors. Apple, take note!
* Dartwords. This new daily puzzle game from the creators of Blaseball challenges you to hit a darts bull’s-eye by guessing the right word. If you’re getting tired of Wordle, Dartwords offers a fun twist on the word game format.
* Mutiny. This Jason Statham action movie set on a cargo ship looks like a big, dumb, and entertaining summer blockbuster that’s sure to be a blast in theaters. If you were quick, you might have caught it on Prime Video earlier this week before it disappeared.
* Mortal Shell II. I missed the first Mortal Shell, but I’m hearing a lot of buzz about this new action RPG. It’s been described as a “third-person doom metal Soulslike,” and honestly, that’s all the convincing I need.
* Polaroid’s Pokémon cameras. A Polaroid camera designed like a Poké Ball? This is the ultimate throwback for my inner 10-year-old, right up there with the Pokédex toy.
Screen Share
It’s been over a year since I last shared my homescreen, so I thought it was time to reintroduce myself and show you how it’s evolved—or perhaps devolved.
Hi, I’m Jay! Like David mentioned last time, I’m into quirky indie games (check out Big Walk, my favorite of the year), exploring iOS betas (iOS 27 is fantastic), and taking my toddler on adventures around Portland, Oregon (the Oregon Zoo, with its new red pandas, is a favorite).
Like many, I’m trying to cut down on phone time, so I recently did a major homescreen cleanup to see how minimal I could go. Here’s what I’ve got—no joke, I’ve been using this setup for a few weeks now.
The phone: Still rocking my iPhone 16 Pro from last year. It’s a bit heavy and bulky, and I miss my iPhone 12 Mini. Next time, I’ll go for the lightest new iPhone available. But for now, this one works great and is overkill for my needs.
The wallpaper: A black gradient I whipped up using the iOS wallpaper tool. I promise it’s different from my last one, but I might have accidentally deleted the old one. I also use iOS’s glassy icons to keep things low-key. Sometimes I switch to grayscale mode, but that’s a hassle when I want to see pictures of my daughter. It’s a 50/50 chance I have it on.
The apps: My homescreen features just the Messages app, which is how I mainly communicate with my wife and family. I find apps by searching or browsing the App Library. I aim to keep only functional apps on my phone, so no social media or browsers.
The goal is to make my phone as boring as possible to avoid picking it up too often. If I need a screen, I’m more inclined to use my laptop for work, the TV for shows or games, or devices like my Steam Deck, Switch 2, or Kindle. I keep my iPhone 12 Mini around for testing apps, but it’s usually tucked away to avoid temptation.
That’s the plan, and it mostly works. However, the App Library is a constant distraction. Even with few interesting apps, the fact that it’s just a swipe away means I often find myself scrolling mindlessly. If only Apple would let me disable it! Occasionally, a social app or browser sneaks back in, or I end up wasting time on Reddit on my computer instead of my phone. I’ve accepted that there’s no perfect solution; it’s all about fostering good habits.
Last year, I mentioned a Days Since widget tracking my alcohol-free days. I stopped drinking to keep up with my active daughter. The widget is gone, but the app is still counting. Last year, it was at 165 days; today, it’s at 630.
Here are a few things I’m into right now:
* Portland’s local libraries. They’re fantastic summer spots for my daughter, and I’m trying to read more physical books. There’s something satisfying about picking up a library hold.
* My favorite recent read is Inside the Box by David Epstein. It explores how constraints can actually enhance creativity, and I’ve been reflecting on its insights in various aspects of my life. I even reread parts of it, which is rare for me.
* The Moon Ball. My wife and I got this bouncy ball for our daughter, but I play with it way more than she does. It bounces SO HIGH. Best toy ever.
Crowdsourced
Here’s what the Installer community is enjoying this week. I want to hear what you’re into as well! Email your recommendations to installer@theverge.com, and we’ll feature some favorites here each week. For even more great suggestions, check out the replies to this post on Bluesky.
“Reading blog posts from the Atmosphere on my XTeink reader and loving it.” — Tynan
“Played / playing three excellent indie mystery games on Steam Deck: The Incident at Galley House, The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow, and The Mermaid Mask.” — Matt (Jay note: I cosign The Mermaid Mask.)
“Still playing Pokopia.” — Joshi
“Just found out that Teenage Engineering has a DIY vinyl kit and basically about to hand over all my money.”
“I’ve been playing an ace wee app called Spaceplan. Simple and small, but tells a big story and is insanely addictive. Plus, it’s cheap with no IAPs.” — Chris
“Lost Weekend, the new Phoebe Bridgers LP. It’s the ‘I’ve nicked your Dad’s copy of Vekatimest’ to Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘I’ve nicked his Head On The Door.’” — Iain
Signing off
It’s been a fantastic week for news about two of my favorite British TV shows. The next series of Taskmaster, a hilarious competition where five comedians tackle ridiculous challenges, premieres on September 3rd. And The Great British Bake Off (or The Great British Baking Show in the US) will also return sometime in September, though the exact date is still under wraps.
It should make for cozy viewing in September and October. With all the anticipated tech news and game launches this fall, I’ll definitely need some laughs and cake.
Catch you next week!
