A Solid Enhancement for Apple’s Most Basic Device
Hey gamers! Welcome to Installer No. 114, your go-to source for the coolest and quirkiest tech in the gaming universe. If you’re new here, welcome aboard! Feel free to share your Arc Raiders tips, and you can catch up on all the previous editions at the Installer homepage.
This week, I’ve been diving into a mix of topics, from wind turbines to phishing scams, and even the oboe. I’ve been keeping things organized with the sleek Attn app, testing out the Aeronaut Bluesky client, and spending way too much time researching electric snow shovels. I finally upgraded my podcast headphones to a new Beyerdynamic pair, started yet another rewatch of Superstore, and I’m torn between sticking with my iPhone 16 or jumping to an iPhone 17 or Pixel 10. I’m leaning towards Pixel.
I’ve got some exciting updates for you, including a cool upgrade for an Apple gadget, a fantastic new AI search tool, a couple of must-watch shows, fresh Sonos gear, and more.
Now, I want to hear from you: What’s your favorite piece of tech that isn’t from the big players like Google or Apple? I’ve been hearing from many folks looking to move away from those brands for various reasons. If you’ve found something awesome, drop me a line! You can reach me at installer@theverge.com or @davidpierce.11 on Signal. Let’s dive in!
The Drop
* Apple AirTags. Perfect timing, as my AirTag batteries are running low. I’m particularly excited about the new model’s louder speaker, along with several upgrades that enhance this already handy gadget.
* Yahoo Scout. This has quickly become my favorite AI search tool online. It’s straightforward, with plenty of links, and feels like an auto-generating Wikipedia page for any topic you choose. Just remember to click the links instead of taking the bot’s word for it!
* Crushable. Yahoo is on a roll! This game combines elements of Wordle and Candy Crush, which is a fun twist. I appreciate the idea of a limited-time game that encourages short daily play sessions. Also, I just learned the Yahoo Games app exists, and it’s surprisingly good.
* OpenClaw. Forget the old names like Moltbot or Clawdbot — it’s now OpenClaw. This tool for controlling devices with AI and messaging apps has taken the internet by storm. Use it wisely; it’s incredibly powerful.
* Wonder Man. I just discovered Wonder Man exists! Despite my skepticism about new Marvel content, the reviews for this series have been positive, and it seems to stray from the typical superhero formula.
* Shrinking season 3. This show keeps impressing me, and I’ve reached the point where I hope they produce countless episodes. Plus, this season features even more star power!
* Halide Mark III. A significant upgrade (still in preview) to one of the top iOS camera apps. Process Zero is a fantastic way to capture photos, and I’m already enjoying the new film-simulation preset.
* The Sonos Amp Multi. The first new Sonos hardware in a while, designed for those creating large, complex systems. If that’s your area, this could be a game-changer.
* Chrome auto browse. AI agents are becoming essential for web browsers, even if they don’t always perform well. If anyone can make it work seamlessly, it’s Google. I’ll be putting this one through its paces.
Screen share
Christopher Mims, who I’ve always referred to as “Mims,” once gave me some of the best writing advice I’ve ever received. Back when we worked together, he taught me how to be clear and concise, emphasizing the importance of stating your point right away.
Take his new book, How to AI, which just released this week. I’m almost finished, and it’s fantastic — simple, thorough, and easy to understand, without being overly optimistic or critical about AI. It’s exactly what the title promises.
I asked Mims to share his homescreen and some of his current interests to see if he’s fully embraced AI. Here’s what he shared:
The phone: It’s an iPhone 15, courtesy of work. Honestly, I don’t think it matters much these days; most people don’t care if their phone is a couple of generations old unless they’re using it for photography or video.
The wallpaper: Apple’s standard “Earth from space” image. It’s a nice reminder of our place in the universe, as Carl Sagan would say.
The apps: Google Keep, Google Tasks, Chrome, Hark, Google Maps, Spotify, Overcast, BitCam, Camera, Phone, Messages.
In the lower-left corner is BitCam, perfect for those who love the classic black-and-white dithering effect. On the right is Hark, my favorite podcast clipper and aggregator with excellent editorial judgment.
I also asked Mims to share a few things he’s currently into:
* Bluesky is solid now, but keep it under wraps.
* The BBC has been posting some incredible archival content, including a stunning documentary about windmills.
* I’m still addicted to Polytopia; it’s so calming.
* I’ve recently started recording my calls while taking handwritten notes, which has improved my recall and comprehension. Maria Konnikova has a great newsletter item on the science behind this technique.
Crowdsourced
Here’s what the Installer community is enjoying this week. I want to know what you’re into as well! Shoot me an email at installer@theverge.com or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your recommendations, and we’ll feature some of our favorites here each week. For even more great suggestions, check out the replies to this post on Threads and Bluesky.
“I’ve been hooked on The Roottrees are Dead, a game where you play an investigator in 1998 piecing together a family tree using period-appropriate internet search engines and a corkboard with string. The soundtrack is perfect!” — Jonathan
“I use Apple’s Home app to manage all my smart home devices. I installed Wemo light switches six years ago, but they were unreliable. I recently switched to Matter-enabled Tapo switches, and they’ve been rock solid!” — Ryan
“I’m in love with the Mecha Comet, a modular Linux handheld!” — @trainsandinternet
“I’m playing through Halo: The Master Chief Collection and lamenting how Microsoft has mishandled this iconic franchise. Cortana could have been a fantastic AI assistant, but they dropped the ball!” — Anshuman
“I just watched Send Help, the third gory horror movie I’ve seen in theaters this month.” — Kev
“I discovered FocusFlight, and it’s my go-to app for focused work. It’s a unique blend of ideas, and as an aviation enthusiast, I love using it while I work. It could use fewer taps to start a session, but it’s a solid concept with a new mode that lets you watch clouds fly by while you focus.” — Adam
“My Fiio Snowsky Disc DAP from AliExpress arrived last weekend, and I’ve been having a blast with it. It’s designed to resemble older music players, like a minidisc unit, and it’s tiny, palm-sized, with great sound quality.” — Brian
“The latest Pokémon TCG Pocket update just dropped, so I’ll be ripping packs and building new decks. Excited about the new Stadium cards!” — Bob
“I want to recommend Blood on the Clocktower! It’s a social deduction game similar to Mafia or Werewolf, but every role is useful, and players can still participate after they’re out. It’s gaining popularity, thanks to No Rolls Barred and Good Time Society featuring the Dropout cast in their games. I love watching showcases of how it can be played, and I hope to find a group to play with soon!” — Jack
Signing off
I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m really into the idea of local-first software. The concept is simple: software should be designed to work with the data already on your device, rather than relying on cloud access. It should still have all the features you want, be accessible everywhere, and be collaborative, but with the speed and security of local files. Loading screens are the enemy.
The team at Ink & Switch wrote a great essay on local-first software, and I recently found a 10-minute YouTube doc from CultRepo that dives deeper into the concept. It resonates with me, and the principles of local-first software are changing how I search for and use applications. Files for the win.
Catch you next week!
