Greetings, friends, and a warm welcome to Installer No. 96 — your trusted companion for uncovering the most noteworthy, innovative, and Verge-worthy developments shaping the world of technology, entertainment, and beyond. If this happens to be your first time joining us, I’m delighted you’re here. Over the past few days, my inbox has been overflowing, perhaps much like yours, but amidst all the noise, this newsletter aims to serve as a clear and curated guide. And of course, should you wish to explore previous editions and catch up on the conversations and recommendations you may have missed, you will find the complete archive waiting for you on the Installer homepage.
This week’s edition is particularly exciting, as it comes packed with headline-worthy highlights. After what has felt like an eternity of anticipation from fans, Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally arrived; Instagram has introduced long-awaited support for the iPad; Peacock has released a spin-off series expanding the world of The Office; and Samsung, Remarkable, and others are showcasing intriguing hardware updates that deserve a closer look. There’s much to explore.
Before diving into the details, a brief editorial note: next week, David will be taking the reins of Installer once again. It has been an absolute pleasure steering this newsletter during his absence. Many thanks to those of you who offered feedback, thoughtful notes, and recommendations — they truly make this project a collaborative effort between editors and the community.
As always, the heartbeat of Installer comes from you, our readers. Your ideas, app recommendations, clever tips, and niche discoveries drive the richness of this publication. Have a favorite piece of software, a household trick, or an app that everyone should know about? Please don’t hesitate to share your wisdom via [email protected]. And if Installer might brighten someone else’s inbox, forward it along and encourage them to subscribe as well.
Turning to this week’s highlights: Philips Hue has introduced a new, more affordable range of smart lightbulbs. While the company’s famous color-changing bulbs have often been criticized for being priced outside the range of casual buyers, these new models start at just $25 individually or $15 apiece in a four-pack, dramatically lowering the entry point. Alongside the bulbs, parent company Signify unveiled a redesigned bridge, additional lighting products, and even a wired video doorbell, signaling an expanded commitment to connected living.
One of the most awaited titles in indie gaming history has landed: Hollow Knight: Silksong. Years in development by Team Cherry, this sequel to the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight is drawing early acclaim as a worthy successor. Though much remains to be explored within this sprawling world, there is a delightful mystery buried in the voice cast — Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone voices a character, and I am eager for anyone who uncovers which one to share their discovery.
Meanwhile, Instagram has at long last arrived on the iPad. It’s hard to believe that nearly 15 years after its original release, one of the most used social platforms is finally optimized for tablets. Interestingly, the app leans heavily into video: upon opening, users are greeted not by static feeds but by an immersive stream of Reels. Android tablets, Meta assures us, will soon share this updated design as well.
On the entertainment front, Peacock has released The Paper, a newly minted spin-off of The Office. Early reactions suggest the series is indeed worth watching, even if it takes several episodes to settle fully into its rhythm. Encouragingly, the show has already secured renewal for a second season, promising continuity and an expanded universe for fans.
Samsung also entered with new hardware: the Galaxy S25 FE, the latest in the cost-conscious Fan Edition line, has been unveiled. Borrowing design influences from the S25 Edge, the FE is thinner and lighter while maintaining flagship-derived quality. Samsung also announced updated S11 and S11 Ultra tablets, both shipping with a redesigned S Pen for improved usability.
Remarkable has expanded its lineup with the Paper Pro Move, a pocket-friendly E Ink tablet boasting a slim 7.3-inch display. For anyone who appreciates the portability of traditional paper notebooks but longs for a digital companion, this combination promises to merge familiarity with efficiency.
Chipolo, known for its compact trackers, announced the Loop tracker and an updated Card tracker. Notably, these devices utilize rechargeable batteries — a significant upgrade over the replaceable versions. Lasting up to six months per charge, both integrate seamlessly with Apple’s Find My and Google’s newly rebranded Find My Device ecosystem.
Mophie joined the round of hardware launches with a new charging stand tailored to Apple’s high-end headphones. Designed for AirPods Max but also accommodating AirPods Pro or other Qi-compatible devices, the stand cleverly initiates sleep mode when AirPods Max are docked via a USB-C dongle. At $150, it is not cheap, but the convenience factor could very well justify the expense for dedicated users.
This week’s featured profile spotlights Paulus Schoutsen, founder of the highly influential open-source smart home automation platform Home Assistant and current president of the Open Home Foundation. With a flood of smart home announcements at the IFA 2025 conference, now seemed the ideal moment to explore how a leading figure in home automation configures his own smartphone. Unsurprisingly, Paulus approaches his phone setup with the same rigor and thoughtfulness he applies to his broader philosophy of open, adaptable systems. Though his responses were originally provided regarding an iOS homescreen, he has since migrated to a Google Pixel while maintaining many core principles, favoring web apps where possible.
His setup reflects a minimalist philosophy: he uses an iPhone 15 Pro with a blurred wallpaper derived from a Home Assistant graphic, prioritizing legibility over decorative busyness. His apps are intentionally limited, with a Smart Stack widget surfacing only essentials like battery life, calendar, weather, and photos. Frustrated by Apple’s unsolicited widget-based advertisements, he disabled suggestions altogether, underscoring his desire for control over digital space. Home Assistant remains central on his homescreen, while social media is conspicuously absent — instead, he accesses Bluesky and Mastodon via the web, deliberately cultivating a less seamless experience as a way to self-limit usage.
Previously, Paulus favored Quiche browser (discovered through Installer!) with a carefully curated panel of frequently used sites. After transitioning to Pixel, however, he opted simply to install these pages as standalone web apps, maintaining the efficiency without additional complexity. His preferred AI system is Anthropic’s Claude, upgraded to Claude Max to utilize enhanced programming support in Claude Code, which he favors over ChatGPT for daily work. Arc’s iOS app also features prominently on his homescreen: functioning not just as a browser but as a bridge between desktop bookmarks and native apps, it smooths the transition between devices while retaining cloud-based efficiency.
For note-taking, Paulus recently embraced Obsidian, driven by his preference for open systems that circumvent platform restrictions. Obsidian’s Markdown-based structure ensures longevity and flexibility, while Paulus has gone further by integrating custom scripts that invoke Claude Code to automate actions. In practice, this means updating a shopping list automatically reorganizes and categorizes it, while meeting notes are distilled into streamlined action items. This integration exemplifies his core belief: that innovative systems should adapt to users rather than force compliance with rigid vendor limitations.
As for what excites Paulus beyond his phone setup, his current interests include experimenting alongside his young child with Claude Code to build interactive projects such as a game of pong integrated with Home Assistant-controlled lighting. He is also deeply engaged in the development of hardware supporting Z-Wave, including the newly introduced Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 antenna. Living in Brooklyn but traveling widely across Europe during the summer months, he blends family time with the flexibility of remote work. In leisure, he has been thoroughly enjoying the latest season of Foundation on Apple TV Plus, continuing the series’ reputation for high-quality science fiction storytelling.
But Installer is about more than editorial curation — it’s about sharing across the community. This week’s highlights from our readers are refreshingly diverse: one reader joked about Hollow Knight’s insect-themed sequel, another rediscovered the joys of organizing a personal FLAC collection after investing in a digital audio player, while others shared documentaries on the history of the Python programming language or reaffirmed their love for RSS readers like Reeder. Interests also extended to architecture walk-throughs, thoughtful birdwatching films, post-hardcore music discoveries, and eclectic DJ mixes on NTS Radio. Each submission reflects the wide spectrum of passions that make this community thrive.
Finally, we can’t overlook the broader context that framed the week: Berlin’s IFA show, which increasingly resembles a mid-year CES. From robot vacuums capable of climbing stairs to a wide assortment of connected lighting systems and party speakers, the exhibition once again showcased the breadth of consumer technology innovation. For our full coverage, including the strangest and most compelling reveals, head over to the collection of stories we’ve rounded up.
As for me, it’s time to wrap up. David will resume authorship of Installer next week, but until then, thank you for reading, exploring, and sharing. Your engagement ensures this newsletter is more than an editorial voice — it’s a collective conversation that grows richer with every edition.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/installer-newsletter/773123/philips-hue-essentials-silksong-instagram-ipad-the-paper-installer
