Hello, friends — it’s wonderful to see you again! Allow me to warmly welcome you to *Installer* No. 97, which continues to be your carefully curated companion through all the very best, most fascinating, and quintessentially Verge-approved discoveries from the wide, ever-expanding world of technology, entertainment, and culture. For those who may be joining us for the first time, a double welcome to you as well: I hope your week is going smoothly, whether you are settling into a brand-new iPhone, navigating the whirlwind of back-to-school season, or simply enjoying the blissful reprieve as summer’s relentless heat finally gives way to cooler air. And if this is the beginning of your journey here, know that the full archive of previous editions remains readily available on the *Installer* homepage, just waiting for you to explore.
It feels truly great to be back at the helm. My gratitude is immense, first to Jay Peters for the stellar work and exceptional perspective he has infused into this newsletter over the past couple of months, and second to you — our engaged community of readers — for the countless tips, insights, and thought-provoking recommendations that always enrich this space. And don’t worry, the Peters touch isn’t disappearing altogether; Jay will still pop in from time to time, ensuring your more unconventional or niche gaming suggestions continue to find a home here.
Originally, I had intended to provide a sweeping recap of everything I caught up on this summer. However, plans shifted rather dramatically — I welcomed a newborn into the world. The transformative joys (and labyrinthine exhaustion) of caring for a baby meant my bandwidth shrank considerably, leaving me with enough energy only for the comforting familiarity of rewatching *Entourage* and *Veep* on an endless loop. Recently though, brainpower has started to return, and I’ve rediscovered my appetite for new ideas: reading about AI-powered doctors, the increasingly prevalent culture around cosmetic face-lifts, Glen Powell’s rise into the cultural spotlight, and the unshakable popularity of the endlessly streaming *Lofi Girl*. On the viewing front, I dug into *The Paper*, which I thoroughly enjoyed once I reframed expectations and stopped willing it to replicate *The Office*. Gaming-wise, I threw myself into the newest season of *NFL Retro Bowl*. My appreciation also deepened for the astonishingly compact engineering inside AirPods and the ever-evolving strengths of Notion AI. Meanwhile, my chaos of digital note-taking continues unabated in Craft, and amidst all this, I now find myself staring down the logistical mountain of moving houses. Wish me well — and perhaps more importantly, pray for my sanity.
This week’s edition is especially packed: we’ll embark on a run-through of the best launches unveiled by Apple, discover a clever new way to enjoy one of television’s most beloved game shows, explore a fresh Stephen King adaptation that has been drawing rave reviews, and uncover much more. In short, it’s safe to say: *we are so back*. Let’s dive straight into it.
And let me repeat a crucial point — the real magic of *Installer* isn’t what I share with you, but what *you* share with me. Your thoughts, discoveries, and recommendations consistently transform this newsletter from a one-way update into a collective, living conversation. So tell me — what shows have you been watching lately? What books or articles are you absorbed in? Which games, apps, or gadgets have caught your attention this fall? Send your notes, as always, to [email protected]. And if someone in your circle would enjoy this weekly journey, forward it along and invite them to subscribe. The more voices, the better.
—
**The iPhone 17** — Apple’s latest lineup is predictably impressive across the board, but of the three models unveiled this season, the one that consistently stands out to me is the base iPhone 17. While the Air sports a sleek design and the Pro dazzles with deep technical prowess, the standard model strikes the perfect balance between improvements and accessibility. It features a noticeably enhanced screen, sturdier durability, camera upgrades substantial enough to matter, increased storage, and a refreshingly reasonable price point. Unless one happens to be particularly attached to telephoto zoom photography — or is utterly enamored with the Pro-exclusive orange finish, which admittedly is stunning — there isn’t a compelling reason to go all-in on the higher-tier versions. For most people, this is truly *the iPhone to choose* right now.
**AirPods Pro 3** — While the phones may dominate headlines, my personal excitement centers instead on Apple’s latest iteration of one of its most universally beloved products. The new $250 AirPods Pro 3 have been reengineered on nearly every level: significantly improved noise cancellation that creates blissful isolation even in chaotic environments, extended battery life for greater reliability, durability enhancements, and, most intriguingly, a suite of useful health-oriented features. Taken together, this generation represents nothing less than a masterstroke update, cementing the AirPods as Apple at its most practical and delightful.
**Beats iPhone 17 Pro Kickstand Case with MagSafe and Camera Control** — Yes, the name lacks elegance, but the ingenuity of the product itself more than compensates. This case comes integrated with a cleverly designed lanyard that doubles as a kickstand, allowing your device to balance upright on any surface. It’s puzzling at first glance, almost magically so — but if you, like me, value any quick and easy way to prop a phone while cooking, working, or just multitasking, you’ll find it ingenious.
**Jeopardy!** — I recently learned two delightful truths about this beloved quiz show: first, that new episodes are already streaming on both Peacock and Hulu; and second, that few things match its status as perfect background television. The launch of a 24/7 always-on channel has made *Jeopardy!* a mainstay in my household, continuously looping and providing both entertainment and a comfortable hum of intellectual challenge.
**The Nikon ZR** — Nearly a year after Nikon acquired RED, the fruits of that union have arrived in the form of a video-centric camera that fulfills and perhaps even exceeds expectations. Designed for ambitious creators, it offers a sophisticated capture system with remarkable flexibility in post-production. At $2,200, it’s no casual purchase, and it won’t hit the market until next month, but for aspiring filmmakers seeking cinematic tools, it looks absolutely worthy of consideration.
**The Long Walk** — Another day, another adaptation of a Stephen King novel. Yet unlike some forgettable past efforts, early impressions suggest this film actually delivers. Not lightweight entertainment by any means, its tone carries the heavy emotional gravity characteristic of King’s darker work. Think of it as an uneasy hybrid of *The Hunger Games* and *Squid Game*, underpinned by a series of strong performances. For those willing to commit to a heavy evening at the theater, it promises to repay the effort in full.
**Spotify Lossless** — After what feels like an incredibly long wait — almost a decade, in fact — Spotify finally introduces a higher-end audio streaming option, and remarkably, does so without charging extra. While it may not yet measure up to the audio fidelity available on specialized competitors, the upgrade still represents a step forward, especially for users with high-quality headphones or audio setups. Admittedly, the difference may prove minimal on standard laptop speakers, but the symbolic importance of this move cannot be overstated.
**Borderlands 4** — Some games endeavor to deliver profound meditations on philosophy, identity, or politics. *Borderlands 4* decidedly does not. And honestly, that’s precisely why I love it. This is unapologetically a game of chaotic action: plot-heavy, fast-paced, unpretentious, and gloriously thought-free. It doesn’t attempt moral allegories or demand deep reflection, and instead delivers exactly what fans want: bombastic fun with no filler. It is, in my view, a refreshing embrace of joyful simplicity.
**RabbitOS 2** — I never expected to find myself invoking Rabbit again, yet here we are. The new iteration of its software may look, at a glance, like little more than a smartphone app encased in a bright orange shell, but it now feels far more engaging. With its redesigned, touch-friendly interface, smoother AI companion, and surprisingly usable design, I’ve even started using my R1 intentionally — a sentence I never imagined I’d write.
—
At this point, allow me to spotlight Gina Trapani, a figure many longtime web enthusiasts will remember fondly as the brilliant mind behind *Lifehacker*. That site, in its earlier years, was defined by a spirit of curiosity and play: exploratory, practical, and infused with just the right balance of wit and self-awareness. Much of that character flowed directly from Gina, whose posts set the tone for how a generation thought about living in a digital world. In recent years, she’s explored a variety of projects, but to my delight, she has returned to blogging with her own site, *Note to Self*. The moment I saw it go live, I subscribed immediately — and I suspect anyone who enjoys *Installer* will discover a similar affinity.
I asked Gina to share her phone’s homescreen, along with her reasoning behind its arrangement and the apps she uses most. Here’s what she revealed:
– **Device**: Gina currently relies on a four-year-old iPhone 13 Pro, which she plans to upgrade this cycle. She notes how rewarding it feels: after stretching a phone’s lifespan three or four years, trading up effectively delivers a sense of double delight, as the new model feels not only technologically advanced but refreshingly novel.
– **Wallpaper**: She’s still displaying Apple’s Pride wallpaper from June 2025. She applauds this year’s fresh-yet-familiar take on the Pride designs, which feel celebratory without being derivative.
– **Homescreen setup**: Contrary to what many might expect from a former *Lifehacker* editor, Gina’s homescreen is strikingly minimal. She admits she has consciously cut back on app clutter, lessening distractions both for her own focus and so her preteen sees more of her face rather than the top of her head as she stares down at a device. Notifications, those glaring red badges screaming for attention, have been almost entirely silenced. What remains is practical: a limited set of tools grouped into folders by purpose (Communication, Health & Fitness, Travel). Though this organizational structure technically adds an extra tap, Gina values the way it forces deliberate intention with each interaction.
– **Notes**: True to form, Gina is an avid note-taker. She uses Obsidian as her platform of choice, supplemented with an iOS shortcut that links directly to a dedicated inbox note where she captures thoughts, quotes, and reminders to be processed later.
– **Health & Fitness**: She maintains a custom-coded triathlon training companion, created in Lovable and drawing from a personal Google Sheet, which tells her whether it’s a bike, swim, or run day. Meanwhile, at this stage of life, she jokes that she requires help remembering to brush her teeth correctly — and the Oral-B app connected to her electric toothbrush gamifies the experience, keeping her technique, timing, and pressure balanced.
– **Utilities and Productivity**: For email, she swears by Superhuman, which surpasses Gmail in responsiveness. Todoist organizes her deadlines, Citymapper remains her go-to navigation companion in New York City, Monarch allows her to manage finances with clarity, and Libby lends her consistent joy by enabling instant library ebook rentals.
And because discovering what others are currently immersed in is half the fun, I also asked Gina what she’s been enjoying lately. Her current fascinations include *KPop Demon Hunters,* which her preteen introduced to the family; a set of compelling books ranging from Martha Wells’ *All Systems Red* (part of *The Murderbot Diaries*) to Kaliane Bradley’s *The Ministry of Time* and Sally Rooney’s *Intermezzo*; and, for slightly lighter fare, the Reddit community r/LinkedInLunatics, which she confesses as her guilty pleasure.
—
Turning back to you all, the *Installer* community continues to be endlessly inspiring with its wide breadth of recommendations this week. Here are just a few highlights:
– Michael recently “inherited” his daughter’s Nintendo Switch and dived into *Demon Slayer: The Hinomaki Chronicles,* snagged on sale — all in preparation for the upcoming movie.
– Owen pointed to an ingenious iOS shortcut developed by Stephen Robles, which not only pings a lost or stolen iPhone’s location but also snaps and sends pictures from both front and back cameras while loudly announcing, “This iPhone is stolen!” And yes, it can be triggered from any phone.
– Ryan started *Frieren* and found the hype truly well deserved, despite typically preferring gentler rom-coms and slice-of-life anime. The fantasy narrative pulled him in immediately.
– Hoto found profound hope in Bill McKibben’s *Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization,* which details how a rapid rollout of solar and wind power could offer humanity an urgent path forward.
– Daniel has been testing *2XKO,* a new 2v2 fighting game rooted in the *League of Legends* universe that feels surprisingly accessible for beginners.
– Sean, meanwhile, praised a clever update to his Garmin Forerunner 955, which now integrates travel plans to provide timezone adaptation suggestions — including gentle reminders about when to avoid caffeine while overseas.
– Tal binged and adored *Long Story Short,* created by minds behind *BoJack Horseman.*
– Richard champions *1001 Albums Generator,* an ingenious project that daily recommends an album from the classic canon outlined in *1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.*
– Sheila simply teased, with a note of mystery: *Alien: Earth.* “Let’s talk about the octopus eye.”
Finally, I’ll admit there was one more show during my summer lull I feel compelled to mention: *Building the Band* on Netflix. Imagine a surreal convergence of *American Idol,* *Love Is Blind,* and *The Circle* rolled into a single format. Conceptually, it borders on absurdity — and yet, somehow, the combination works beautifully. I became unexpectedly invested in the bands and singers, propelled through 10 brisk episodes that never once felt repetitive or unnecessarily extended. In fact, by the end I found myself not only predicting the winner but doing so accurately with four episodes remaining. As far as I’m concerned, Netflix could commission endless future seasons and I would gladly watch them all.
We have officially revived the full rhythm of *Installer*. Thanks for being part of this shared space each week, and here’s to the discoveries still ahead.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/installer-newsletter/777346/best-iphone-17-airpods-jeopardy-installer
