Introducing the potential new top contender in smart speakers.
Hey there, gamers! Welcome to Installer No. 134, your go-to source for the coolest and quirkiest finds in the gaming universe. If you’re new here, glad to have you! Hope you’re managing to stay cool in this heat. You can catch up on all the previous editions on the Installer homepage.
This week, I’ve been diving into some intriguing topics like Polymarket, Jalen Brunson, and the Arts and Crafts Movement. I’ve been binge-watching Not Suitable for Work and way too much World Cup action, trying to catch up on The Bear before its final season drops. I’ve also been playing Hank Green’s 4×3 game, resisting the urge to preorder an incredible Stanley Kubrick collection (though I know I will), snagging new AirTags and charging cables during Prime Day, exploring oral histories of data centers and Steven Spielberg, and contemplating the decision to axe Notion Mail.
I’ve got some exciting recommendations for you this week, including a smart speaker worth checking out, a fantastic remake of a classic game, a couple of insightful video essays, and a Netflix series perfect for your vacation binge.
Oh, and before I forget, two quick things: First, we’re taking a break next week for the holiday weekend. Second, I want to know about your reading setup! I mean reading in the broadest sense: books, long articles, newsletters, quirky zines your kids create—anything goes. Share your favorite apps, that trusty old Kindle you can’t part with, your go-to used bookstore, or even your favorite highlighter brand. I’ve got some thoughts on this too, and I’d love to chat.
(As always, the best part of Installer is hearing from you. What are you reading, watching, listening to, playing, or crafting this week? Share your thoughts at installer@theverge.com. And if you know someone who might enjoy Installer, pass it along and encourage them to subscribe!)
The Drop
* The Google Home Speaker. After nine months, it’s finally on sale! I’m really enjoying it so far—at $99, it’s a solid speaker for its size. All I really need is to set reminders and play music on Spotify, and Gemini delivers. Still a bit concerned about Google’s commitment to the smart home, though…
* Star Fox. Growing up with the Nintendo 64, I never really got into Star Fox, but now I get to experience this game for the first time. It’s a faithful remake of the original, and I can’t wait to take to the skies.
* The Atonemo NTS Radio Player. I can’t resist cute little music players, and this one is stunning. It supports streaming services and has a variety of radio options. The NTS infinite mixtapes are always a hit.
* “The Revolt Against Technology.” A thought-provoking video from Jared Henderson discussing the so-called “new Luddites” and the ongoing backlash against technology in our lives. While I don’t agree with everything, I found myself nodding along to the points about the future we were promised that never materialized.
* Claude Tag. AI in work chat is clearly useful for finding information and handling simple tasks. There are some social questions to navigate—like whether you can @claude a request from your boss in Slack—but I can see myself using this a lot.
* Meta Glasses. I’m conflicted about these. I appreciate the lower price and profile, and some of the styles are nice. But… it’s Meta. I wish I could get a pair that’s just a camera, microphone, and speakers—nothing more.
* Deltarune Chapter 5. New content for this beloved game just dropped, and it seems like everyone is excited about it. If you’ve been following the series, it ties a lot together; if you’re new, now’s a great time to jump in.
* Avatar: The Last Airbender season two. An Installer favorite is back! I’ve heard good things about this season; while nothing can top the original, it’s still a great watch. I’m always on the lookout for shows that are just plain fun.
* “Why Everyone Wants A ‘Live-Service’ Game.” Jason Schreier’s YouTube channel is packed with solid reporting, and this video does a great job of unpacking why so many developers are chasing these massive, expensive games that often flop. I think I finally get it.
Screen share
A few times a year, I try to make my iPad my main computer, and it’s usually thanks to Christopher Lawley. His glamorous videos on using the iPad make it look so appealing!
I’ve been a fan of Chris’ work for ages, and I was thrilled to see he’s been developing a new tasks/planner app called Parchment. (Not to brag, but I’m in the TestFlight.) We’ll explore the app later, but I thought it’d be a great time to ask Chris to share his current iPad setup. Maybe I’ll go full iPad again!
Here’s what he shared, along with the apps he uses and why:
The device: 13-inch, 2TB M5 iPad Pro. I prefer working on the iPad because it creates a more focused environment. With ADHD, I can easily get distracted. Many people criticize the iPad for being limited compared to the Mac, but I see that as its biggest advantage. When I need to concentrate on script writing, podcast prep, photo or video editing, or even admin tasks, the iPad is my go-to.
The wallpaper: Currently, I’m using a photo I took at Bass Lake. A massive snowstorm rolled in shortly after, trapping us for an extra day—it was an unforgettable trip.
The apps: Files, Safari, Mail, Obsidian, Drafts, Parchment, Reminders, Calendar, Stocks, Notability, Codex, Siri, Reeder, Quick Reads, Final Cut Pro, Lightroom, Photoshop, Messages, Indigo, Apple Music, Overcast, PCalc, Shortcuts.
I’m a huge fan of apps, which is why I started my YouTube channel nearly a decade ago.
Obsidian is my favorite. It’s a lightweight note-taking/writing app. If you find it daunting, I made a starter’s guide for it. Obsidian also has a web clipper for research, saving articles, and even YouTube videos, pulling in a lot of metadata.
During Apple’s OS beta season, I switch back to Reminders and Calendar as my main productivity apps to cover them in detail come fall. I have some issues with Reminders, particularly how long it takes to input simple tasks, but it’s a powerful free task manager. I manage my entire business with it, and it’s just a free tool that comes with our devices.
For years, I balanced a full-time job while building my YouTube channel. I never automated my creative work, but there’s a ton of admin work behind the scenes. I’ve been using Shortcuts (originally Workflow) for a long time. Recently, I’ve been using agentic AI, specifically Claude Cowork and Codex. I’ve used it so much that I created a shortcut that jumps right into Codex, even extracting its own app icon for my dock.
For creative work, I use Final Cut Pro, Lightroom, and Photoshop on my iPad. I tried going all-in on Apple’s Creator Studio, but the lack of lens profiles in Pixelmator Pro made me revert to Lightroom. I can get my work done in all these apps, even if they lack some features of their desktop counterparts.
My friend Matt Birchler has been on a roll lately, creating a bunch of apps. One I’ve fallen in love with is Quick Reads, a read-it-later service that lets you listen to articles with natural-sounding voices.
I’ve been searching for a Twitter replacement since its decline and have landed on Mastodon and Bluesky. Indigo combines both feeds into a single timeline, allowing you to post to both platforms simultaneously. It’s a great way to keep up with friends and followers.
An app I use often but isn’t on my home screen is the Nintendo Music app. It’s perfect for when I need to focus. I can’t concentrate with music that has lyrics, but complete silence drives me crazy. Nintendo has curated some of the best video game music, and some tracks can extend up to an hour, which is great for working. I’ve been enjoying the Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom tracks, and the Animal Crossing music even syncs with real-world time.
I also asked Chris to share a few things he’s currently into. Here’s what he sent back:
* I just finished 007: First Light. What a fantastic game! As a fan of the 007 movies (yes, even Die Another Day), I loved this version of Bond.
* I’ve been really into 3D printing lately. I got a Bambu Lab A1 for Christmas and have been printing Gridfinity non-stop to organize my office/studio. Now it’s time to tackle the rest of the house.
* Lastly, my girlfriend and I adopted a new puppy named Riley. She’s an almost 4-month-old golden retriever with her own Instagram account managed by my girlfriend.
Crowdsourced
Here’s what the Installer community is into this week. I want to hear what you’re enjoying right now too! Email installer@theverge.com or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your recommendations, and we’ll feature some favorites here each week. For even more great suggestions, check out the replies to this post on Threads and Bluesky.
“I’ve been looking into the Polastax project, which uses a cheap film holder to shoot Instax film on old Polaroid pack film cameras. It’s a bit clunky—you can only take one shot at a time and then develop it in an Instax wide body—but it’s more attainable than other options that cost hundreds or require engineering skills!” — Richard
“Watching Star City (a spin-off of For All Mankind) made me rewatch FAM season 1, and there are some nice callbacks. These shows are top-notch for me.” — Fabrice
“I got a pair of XReal One Pros and have been using them to watch movies and play games on the Steam Deck. The tech is impressive, especially how it can seamlessly 3D convert any video on the fly.” — Yoinks
“Over-the-air HD digital broadcast is still a thing, and with a cheap DVR like HDHomeRun, catching the World Cup when I can is super easy and free!” — David
“I’m following up on some Installer advice from a few weeks ago and listening to soundtracks while I work. It’s tough to focus, though, with the score for Into the Spider-Verse pulsing through my speakers.” — Ben
“Just started Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, by Phil Knight. Excited to hear the story of one of the world’s biggest brands, especially as it adapts to the modern era of running shoes.” — Ryan
“RE: PopSocket Low-Pro Grip. OhSnap did it first, and it’s great!” — Deb
“I’ve recently gotten into fountain pens and inks. I love the online shop by Italian company Stilo & Stile. They swatch inks and fountain pens, and you can narrow it down to every detail! JetPens is another fantastic online store I’ve found.” — Elif
Signing off
The game On-Together is gaining traction right now. I’m not even sure I’d call it a game; it’s more of an online space where you join a server, walk around, find a spot to sit, and just chill. You can earn tickets and buy new stuff for your avatar. It’s a simple concept, but there’s something about this digital co-working space that resonates with people. It’s not a new idea, but On-Together makes it feel communal.
Alongside this game’s rise is the concept of “admin nights,” where you gather with strangers to tackle boring tasks together. I love this idea! We should organize an Installerverse admin night sometime. I have a lot of mundane tasks to get through. There’s something powerful about finding low-key ways to connect, and we should all do that more.
Catch you in two weeks!
