Welcome to Issue No. 77 of Installer, your go-to source for the latest and most intriguing trends. For newcomers, we invite you to keep your Venmo private and explore previous editions on the Installer homepage.
In this edition, I’ve been diving into a range of topics, including RISC architecture, the latest from Ben Affleck, and the strategic changes under Google’s new search chief, among other exciting projects. I’ve also taken on a SodaStream to tackle my excessive can consumption, soaked up episodes of How I Met Your Mother alongside the new rewatch podcast, caught Dead Talents Society based on positive reviews from colleagues, and connected with new friends on Signal. I’ve also revisited classic races in New Star GP.
Additionally, I have a fantastic new show from Apple TV Plus, a detailed exploration of fax machines, and insights into the latest AI trends, among other features. This week is a bit on the lighter side, but there’s still plenty to explore. Let’s get started.
(Remember, the heart of Installer lies in your contributions. What topics pique your curiosity? Share your tips and favorite apps with us at installer@technologynewso.com. If you think someone else might enjoy Installer, encourage them to subscribe.)
The Drop
- The Studio. This much-anticipated comedy features Seth Rogen as a Hollywood executive intent on producing innovative content while juggling the fear of job security. The premiere episode has received rave reviews, showcasing why Apple TV Plus continues to deliver quality programming.
- Images in ChatGPT. The recent introduction of this feature has sent the internet spiraling into a bizarre creativity boom as users produce a mix of stunning visuals and unsettling imagery, marking a significant leap in image generation technology.
- The Twelve South AirFly Pro 2. While this accessory may seem unnecessary, it’s a lifesaver for connecting Bluetooth headphones to airplane screens or older audio systems. The enhanced audio quality and speed of pairing make the price of $59.99 more palatable.
- “Beyond ‘I’m Back’: How the Fax Machine Sent Sports to the Future.” This intriguing piece looks at the fax machine’s role in pivotal sports moments, illustrating how a seemingly outdated technology once represented a substantial advancement.
- Vivaldi. This commendable web browser now includes a built-in VPN, facilitated by Proton, offering users easy access to online privacy without the hassle of separate subscriptions.
- Paul American. While not necessarily advisable, I can’t help but admit my curiosity about this eight-part Max documentary featuring the Paul brothers, which feels remarkably self-parodic.
- Side Quest. This series, from the creators of Mythic Quest, which is one of my favorites, focuses on one-off episodes, enriching the ongoing narrative within the gaming universe we’ve come to know over the series.
- Atomfall. Set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop in the UK, this survival game offers expansive worlds and captivating storytelling, perfect for those who enjoy explorative gameplay.
Marina Galperina joined Technology News recently as a senior tech editor and quickly began raising engaging inquiries, such as the need to cover topics like bird flu and whether it’s common to sell a Vine at an art fair. Her insightful questions have quickly found a comfortable place within our team.
Though Marina has extensive experience in tech and science, I was curious whether she considered herself a true gadget enthusiast. To find out, I asked her to share a look at her homescreen along with the apps she relies on:
The phone: iPhone 14 Pro. Despite a scratched screen, it remains a reliable device that fits comfortably in my hand!
The wallpaper: A piece inspired by Mark Rothko, specifically Untitled (Black on Gray), which I encountered during a visit to the Guggenheim. Finding the authentic artwork took some effort amidst a sea of AI-generated imitations.
The apps: My essential apps include Way of Life, Photos, Apple Notes, Messenger, Google Sheets, Camera, Signal, Clock, Momence, Apple Fitness, Expense, Google Maps, Slack, YouTube, WhatsApp, Hue, Pocket, Chase, Bluesky, Messages, Phone, Safari, and Gmail.
Gamified fitness has my attention lately. Technology News’s Victoria Song introduced me to both Apple Fitness and Ladder, and I’ve been oscillating between the two. The only reason I still have Twitter is due to occupational necessity; otherwise, I would have deleted it. The best social network? Letterboxd.
Way of Life deserves a brief explanation. It’s a simple habit tracker that not only tracks streaks but visually represents your progress with graphs and charts. Everything should be gamified.
Marina has also shared a few current interests:
- Recently, I read Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan — it’s a compelling narrative about a troubled relationship.
- I’m still pondering Companion despite rating it three stars on Letterboxd; it was more metaphorical than a traditional sci-fi tale, yet it left an impression.
- Gaming has taken a backseat since starting this role, but I’m eagerly awaiting Silksong. Previously, I even printed a map of Hollow Knight to methodically check off defeated bosses; I admit, I’m a completionist who dives deep into single games.
Crowdsourced
Check out what the Installer community is currently excited about. I’d love to know your favorites as well! You can reach out via email at installer@technologynewso.com or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your recommendations for any products or experiences, which we will feature weekly. For more recommendations, see replies to this Bluesky post and this Threads update.
“With the new Formula 1 season upon us, I recommend using the MultiViewer app to experience live races or replays. It allows for multiple streams and offers live timing and detailed statistics. An F1 TV subscription is required, and it also supports IndyCar, NASCAR, and WEC viewing.” – David
“This week, I found GetInvoice, a fantastic tool for extracting invoices and receipts from emails and web portals. It’s been a time-saver during tax season for us.” – Miki
“After Amazon’s restrictions on book downloads, I took the initiative to download all my books from various services and set them up on a self-hosted server I can access using my Kobo. Thanks for the push, Bezos!” – Dan
“I want to share my appreciation for Lunatask, a remarkable platform for tracking various aspects of life. It’s cross-platform, end-to-end encrypted, and has largely replaced Todoist for me. Beyond task management, it features a notes section, a mood tracker, a habit tracker, and a relationships tracker that reminds you to reconnect with friends.” – Matin
“This week, I watched Khakee: The Bengal Chapter on Netflix. It was outstanding!” – Rahul
“I’ve started using the iOS Journal app to reflect daily. Instead of writing a traditional diary, I assess my productivity and whether I’ve completed my to-do list. It’s been really helpful!” – Colin
“Among various meditation apps, I discovered the Healthy Minds Program. It’s designed by scientists, customizable, and completely free.” – Liviu
“I’ve been exploring ‘new’ Game Boy games after acquiring a ModRetro Chromatic. My favorites include Dragonyhm and Hermano. There are endless polished games available on itch.io and more.” – Justin
“I’ve begun using Runna to train for a local marathon; it offers a structured approach to training. It has a more serious tone than Runkeeper, but I’m unsure if the cost justifies it yet.” – Tyler
Signing Off
This newsletter often covers my various interests — from note-taking apps to spy thrillers — but I haven’t yet delved into my significant passion for snacks. I am the individual who meticulously searches for the best offers at Trader Joe’s, including the fantastic Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread and Elote Corn Chip Dippers. I will try any unusual flavor of Goldfish or Oreo just in case it’s a hidden treasure.
I share this because I’m eager for your snack recommendations and because I stumbled upon Cabel Sasser’s annual snack roundups, from which I have discovered an abundance of delightful snacks and developed a newfound enthusiasm for snack-related content. Who knows? Perhaps Installer will one day focus solely on snacks. Alternatively, it might just be my hunger talking. Regardless, I’m always enthusiastic about the internet’s snack discussions.
Looking forward to connecting with you again next week!
Update March 30th: The image accompanying this post has been updated to better align with the newsletter’s theme — and is not AI-generated.
