Greetings, readers! Welcome to Installer No. 83, your go-to source for all the latest and greatest curated content. If you’re joining us for the first time, we’re glad to have you, and please, hold off on spoiling Andor. You can also browse previous editions on the Installer homepage.
This past week has seen me diving into various topics, including Mission: Impossible, exploring Sam Altman’s kitchen, and discussing challenging roommates. In conversations with PJ Vogt, I’ve shared my strategies for reducing phone usage, making notes with Antinote, and cautiously looking forward to The Paper. I’ve also revisited the final season of Mythic Quest, indulged in air traffic controller life through articles, and sought to rekindle my meditation practice with Headspace. Plus, I’ve been using Ludex to check the value of my sports cards, and the results so far have not been promising.
I also have exciting recommendations for you, including a pair of headphones that are sure to impress, two new sci-fi series to explore, a recent development from Airbnb, and much more. Let’s jump in.
(As always, the highlight of Installer is hearing your suggestions. What books, shows, music, or games are keeping you entertained this week? What should everyone else check out? Let me know at installer@technologynewso.com. If you think others might enjoy Installer, feel free to pass it along and encourage them to subscribe here.)
The Drop
- The Sony WH-1000XM6. Sony continues to lead the market with its over-ear headphones. While the updates in the new model may not be groundbreaking, the enhancements, especially in microphone quality and noise cancellation, are significant, making the $450 price tag worthwhile.
- Doom: The Dark Ages. This marks the first Doom installment in five years, which promises not only a compelling narrative but also enhanced combat mechanics. A game that successfully merges storytelling with action is a rarity!
- Spotify’s AI DJ. This feature finally functions as intended, allowing users to request songs based on artists, moods, or other preferences. It generates a continuous stream of new music, and I have enjoyed asking it to play unfamiliar tracks by artists I already like.
- Murderbot. This series is hilarious yet thought-provoking, focusing on a bot that is more interested in avoiding work than fulfilling its duties. Apple TV Plus excels in sci-fi content, and while fans may prefer the original books, this adaptation is a must-watch this weekend.
- Love, Death & Robots season four. This anthology on Netflix offers a fresh perspective on robots, featuring an array of short films by renowned filmmakers that traverse diverse genres and styles. One of the episodes is directed by David Fincher, adding to its allure!
- The DJI Mavic 4 Pro. With cutting-edge features such as a 360-degree gimbal, extended battery life, and a 100-megapixel camera, DJI continues to innovate in the drone sector. Although this $2,700 model is not legally available in the US yet, there are reports of it being accessible through various channels.
- Internet Roadtrip. A new interactive creation from Neal.fun, where users determine the next destination via Street View, offers a fun way to explore and engage with online spaces.
- Airbnb. The platform is shifting its focus to encompass various travel experiences, moving beyond just accommodations. This significant shift raises questions about its identity—could it resemble a premium version of Yelp? It’s certainly a development worth keeping an eye on.
- Android 16. The revamped design language of Android feels bold and lively, offering developers and users a dynamic experience, particularly as other smartphone interfaces seem to become monotonous.
On a personal note: I’m expecting another child! I plan to take maternity leave starting in July, during which I’ll be exploring the latest baby gadgets, developing complicated spreadsheets to monitor feeding habits, and trying out various games that are easy to play with one hand.
Fortunately, you’ll continue to receive quality content during my absence. Technology News’s Jay Peters will step in to manage Installer for several months, curating the same variety of engaging recommendations. Jay has a particular enthusiasm for indie games, which is sure to resonate with many of you while I’m away. Expect to hear from him in the coming weeks as he gets acclimated.
To help everyone get acquainted with Jay, I asked him to share his homescreen setup. Check it out, along with information about the applications he uses:
The phone: An iPhone 16 Pro that I acquired earlier this year. I transitioned from an iPhone 12 Mini, which I miss greatly; the Pro model feels cumbersome by comparison.
The wallpaper: A simple gray gradient I crafted using Apple’s wallpaper customization options. I’ve experimented with a black background, but found it jarring when navigating apps. The muted gray serves as a gentle reminder to focus on activities beyond just scrolling.
The apps: Core applications such as Phone, Calendar, Photos, Camera, Voice Memos, Apple Maps, Clock, Settings, Messages, Notes, and Reminders.
I primarily use Apple’s native apps for their seamless synchronization between my phone and Mac, particularly Voice Memos in my profession. My homescreen remains uncluttered by housing most apps in the App Library, with only a few actively used apps appearing at the top along with two widgets.
One notable widget is a countdown from the Days Since app. As a relatively new parent to an early riser, I discovered that even a single drink would hinder my ability to keep up. Thus, I’ve committed to a year of abstinence to see if I can achieve it, and the initial progress is promising.
I also asked Jay to share his current interests; here’s his response:
- My current obsession is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a brilliant RPG that I regard as my favorite game this year. The experience is remarkable, and the soundtrack is phenomenal.
- I highly recommend watching Taskmaster, a British show where five comedians are tasked with ridiculous challenges and judged on their performances. The entire series is available for free on YouTube, including the recently released 19th season.
- I’m enjoying battling demons in Doom: The Dark Ages. The parry mechanic with the large shield is incredibly satisfying, accompanied by a gratifying “gong” sound effect.
Crowdsourced
Here’s a glimpse of what the Installer community is enjoying this week. I’d love to hear your recommendations too! Reach out at installer@technologynewso.com or connect with me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your suggestions for anything noteworthy, and I’ll showcase some favorites here weekly. For even more tips, check the responses to this Threads post and this Bluesky post.
“I received my new Minimal Phone last week and I’m thoroughly impressed. There are some minor issues, but the concept of this smart, yet simplified phone has vast potential.” — Robert
“I’m currently reading Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick, and it’s been a game-changer for my understanding of AI.” — Matt
“Morsle is a daily word game that challenges you to guess a five-letter word based on Morse code.” — Kev
“I have been using Levels for glucose tracking for quite a while, but I recently discovered that you can now purchase a Dexcom Stelo for $80 on Amazon. It integrates with the Oura ring for a comprehensive approach to health tracking. It’s a great option if you’re interested in monitoring your glucose levels.” — Will
“My go-to affordable headphones are the Sony MDRZX110NC. They are decent with noise cancellation but not overly fancy. My main headphones are the MDR-V6 and the discontinued MDR-V700DJ, which I tend to use less frequently now. I’m not much for wireless headphones, preferring to connect everything directly.” — Ben
“I gained early access to the Subo app, designed to track your subscriptions, and it looks quite promising!” — Kevin
“The new season of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s motorcycle travel series on Apple TV Plus has launched, titled Long Way Home. It’s a fantastic series that uplifts the spirit and highlights the joy of experiencing different cultures.” — Andy
“I recently tried the Siete Churro Strips from Wegman’s. They make an excellent topping on vanilla ice cream, adding a delightful crunch!” — Ben
“I’m optimizing my work-from-home setup this week. Why doesn’t anyone mention the possibility of daisy-chaining monitors with DisplayPort 1.2 cables? I’m also on the lookout for a footrest for under my desk but have no idea where to start.” — Jeremy
Signing off
I spent a couple of days in New York this week, dedicated to an exciting new project I cannot wait to unveil later. A part of this project involved revisiting classic Vines, and I must say, Vine was incredible. While much of the content from that platform is lost, there is a wealth of memorable clips still available in YouTube compilations and other similar collections.
For those who may have missed it, some clips might seem puzzling, but there’s a treasure trove of humor within those six-second videos that you won’t find anywhere else. And for a nostalgic read, check out this piece from New York about the greatest Vine of all time.
See you next week!
