Googlebooks Could Be a Game Changer

Hey there, gamers! Welcome to Installer No. 145, your go-to source for the coolest and most cutting-edge gear in the gaming world. If you’re new here, I’m glad to have you! After some extensive travels, I’m back and ready to dive into the latest tech. You can also catch up on previous editions at the Installer homepage.

This week, I made my way to San Francisco to check out Meta’s latest hardware, including the standout Meta VR Glasses. During my trip, I tuned into Joanna Stern’s chat with Mark Zuckerberg, caught an interview with Apple’s new CEO John Ternus, revisited Steve Jobs’ infamous “Antennagate” press conference, played some games on my Steam Deck with the Xreal One Pro glasses, and squeezed in some reading of Sarah Wynn-Williams’ Careless People whenever I had a moment.

I’ve got more insights on Meta’s glasses, Remedy’s Control sequel, Microsoft’s revamped Surface Mouse, and a few other exciting updates.

The Drop
* Google’s Googlebooks. Google has unveiled a wealth of details about its Googlebook laptops, which look like a fantastic option for anyone wanting a laptop that pairs seamlessly with their Android phone. They’re promising a decade of updates, indicating a solid commitment to the platform. The first five models are from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
* Ray-Ban Meta Audio. Meta is rolling out smart glasses that skip the cameras but still feature microphones and speakers, allowing you to enjoy music and chat with AI. With improved battery life and fresh styles, I’m particularly fond of the Clubmaster design.
* Control Resonant. Remedy’s sequel to Control takes players out of the mind-bending Oldest House and into the streets of Manhattan and other bizarre locations. I’ve completed it, and while I miss the original’s more contained environment, the story’s direction is captivating. If you’re a Remedy enthusiast, this is a must-play.
* Silent Hill: Townfall. Early reviews for Konami’s upcoming horror title, set in a Scottish town, suggest it’s a worthy addition to the franchise. It’s shaping up to be a great pick for the Halloween season.
* Peloton’s Tread Flex. Peloton has introduced a folding treadmill, which is a smart move for those with limited space. It’s also their “most affordable” treadmill, though it still comes in at $2,195.
* Microsoft’s Surface Mouse. The second-gen Surface Mouse features haptic feedback, an action button, and can connect to three devices. Priced at $79.99, it’s a solid choice for anyone in need of a reliable mouse. The Surface Pro and Laptop also received updates.
* Logitech G’s Yeti 2. The successor to the iconic Blue Yeti microphone boasts an LED display and an audio proximity sensor for voice tracking. I recently picked up a budget mic, but if it doesn’t meet my needs, I might just grab a Yeti 2.

Screen share
Today, I’m spotlighting Brad Bourque, who recently joined our commerce team to enhance our deals coverage and has been diving deep into gaming tech. As a fellow Portlander, he’s part of our small but mighty local crew.

I asked Brad to share his homescreen and the apps he values. Here’s what he had to say:

The phone: Pixel 9 Pro XL
The wallpaper: My homescreen features a Pixel wallpaper of plants in soothing green tones. My lockscreen showcases a fan-made Tekken Tag Tournament poster with Armor King and Modelo. It doesn’t have to make sense as long as the vibes are right.

The apps:
* At the top, you’ll find two of my favorite mobile games. First up is Idle Obelisk Miner, an idle game I recently started that’s surprisingly engaging and generous compared to others in the genre. I’ve been playing for about a month and a half and am only at 3.16 percent completion, so I know I have a long journey ahead.
* The second is Nubby’s Number Factory, a quirky roguelike that has consumed dozens of hours of my time on Steam. Its funky style and charm remind me of classic Adobe Flash games, but with modern gameplay and high replayability.
* Beyond that, I keep my calendar and weather widgets front and center on my first screen since I often forget my daily plans, and Portland is notorious for unexpected rain.
* The main screen is filled with everyday essentials like mail, messaging, and YouTube for quick access. My guilty secret? If you swipe one page to the right, it’s a chaotic jumble of apps with no organization. If I need a specific app, I just swipe up and search for it.

I also asked Brad to share some of his current interests. Here’s what he sent back:
* Since the last major Destiny 2 update, I’ve been working through expansions I missed and wrapping up old collections. With the recent news of vaulted content returning, I’m excited to dive back into one of my all-time favorite games.
* I’ve also been spending a lot of time in Old School RuneScape. I didn’t play during its peak, so I lack nostalgia, but I’m captivated by how different it feels compared to other MMOs like World of Warcraft. I appreciate how user feedback plays a significant role in modernizing the game, fostering a vibrant community.
* We’re nearing the end of the latest season of Game Changer, Dropout TV’s innovative game show where the rules shift every episode. I’m hooked on it every Monday evening. This season has been particularly strong, keeping me laughing and occasionally tearing up at its heartwarming and creative moments.
* For music, I’ve been vibing with Janelle Monáe’s The Age of Pleasure and Tom Misch’s Full Circle during my morning writing and deal-hunting sessions. I’ve also been enjoying vinyl lately, which adds a nice rhythm and ritual to my day that just hitting shuffle on Spotify doesn’t quite capture.

Crowdsourced
Here’s what the Installer community is into this week. I want to hear what you’re enjoying too! Share your recommendations by emailing installer@theverge.com, and we’ll highlight some favorites here each week. For even more great suggestions, check out the replies to this post.

“I’ve been really enjoying a new app for my self-hosted media server. NostalgiaTV uses your media library to create TV channels like classic cable. You turn it on, and it brings up a ‘live’ TV guide/schedule, allowing you to channel surf instead of scrolling through your library. It’s totally unnecessary but way more fun than I expected. They set up a few channels for you, but you can also customize channels and schedules.” — vikrael
“Currently playing: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, only during the evenings when my son is asleep. Reading: The Iliad, which I try to read in bits during the early evenings on weekdays. I read more on weekend mornings.” — basicalexguy
“As a fan of the Planet Money podcast, I was surprised to find their new book at my local library. Now a few chapters in, I’m pleasantly surprised by how engaging it is (especially if you enjoy the podcast). The title is Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life.” — YG_400
“Currently reading The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, which is being adapted into a Netflix show soon. The book is so gripping and hard to put down as the mystery unfolds with each page.” — Sabertooth
“I’m in the final act of Star Wars Zero Company. It is VERY good.” — BV
“I just got back into photography after years of only using my iPhone. I’ve missed my Ricoh GRIII and Olympus XA2. The Ricoh gives me instant gratification, while shooting film has been a fun challenge, waiting for the results!” — Ricky

Signing off
After my tip last week about sticking to familiar restaurants while traveling, I didn’t get to do that during my trip for Meta, and I definitely felt it. I was tired and hungry, mainly due to a packed schedule and limited dining options on Meta’s campus. I did manage to snack on some protein bars, which are a guilty pleasure of mine, but I was really craving some Chipotle.

Catch you next week!