Welcome to Installer No. 97, your ultimate source for the latest and greatest innovations in tech. If this is your first time joining us, we’re thrilled to have you! You can catch up on all past editions over at the Installer homepage.
It’s great to be back! Special thanks to Jay Peters for the incredible work they did during my absence. I appreciate all of you for your contributions and insights—your esoteric gaming suggestions can still be shared with Jay, who will occasionally drop by.
Initially, I planned to share everything I caught up on this summer, but with the arrival of a newborn, my mind has mainly been occupied with repeat episodes of Entourage and Veep. However, this week I managed to explore topics such as AI doctors, facial enhancement trends, Glen Powell, and Lofi Girl. I’ve also enjoyed watching The Paper (which grew on me once I let go of the notion that it was meant to be The Office), playing the latest season of NFL Retro Bowl, marveling at AirPods engineering, utilizing Notion AI, continuing to organize my notes with Craft, and preparing to move houses. Please wish me sanity!
This week, I bring you highlights from Apple’s latest releases, a new platform for catching your favorite game show, a Stephen King film worth your time, among other exciting finds. Let us get started!
(Don’t forget, your suggestions and feedback are the heart of Installer. What are you currently watching, reading, playing, or downloading for this fall? I want to hear from you at: [email protected]. If you know anyone who might enjoy Installer, please share it with them and tell them to subscribe here.)
The Drop
- The iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 is a strong contender this year, particularly the base model with its upgraded screen, enhanced durability, improved camera features, increased storage, and a reasonable price. Unless you are particularly drawn to the zoom camera or the vivid orange finish, there may be little reason to opt for the Pro variant.
- The AirPods Pro 3. This new headset priced at $250 stands out with its enhanced noise cancellation, improved battery life, higher durability, and valuable health features. It’s a fantastic upgrade for fans of Apple’s audio products.
- Beats iPhone 17 Pro Kickstand Case with MagSafe and Camera Control. The product boasts a creative design allowing it to transform into a kickstand. It’s a practical addition that simplifies propping up the device for video calls or recipes.
- Jeopardy! Streaming now on Peacock and Hulu, it is excellent for background viewing at home. The always-on channel has become a regular feature in my household.
- The Nikon ZR. This forthcoming camera, designed primarily for video, promises robust capabilities and extensive post-production options. While it won’t be available until next month, it’s advisable to start saving up for its expected price of $2,200.
- The Long Walk. This latest Stephen King adaptation has garnered positive reviews, presenting a mix of familiar themes akin to The Hunger Games and Squid Game, grounded in strong performances that may well be worth a trip to the theater.
- Spotify Lossless. After years of anticipation, Spotify has finally rolled out high-fidelity streaming at no additional cost. While it may not rival some other premium services, it’s a welcome addition, even if local output might not reveal a substantial improvement.
- Borderlands 4.This game’s unapologetic nature keeps it engaging—quick plotlines and action without any fluff make it precisely the casual gaming experience I crave.
- RabbitOS 2. Surprisingly, this revamped software version for Rabbit has become pretty intriguing. The interface is now more user-friendly, and the in-built AI is much more engaging than before, marking a notable improvement in usability.
Much of my early engagement with technology and the web was shaped by Lifehacker. This lively and insightful blog has been instrumental in guiding users on navigating technology effectively. Much of its early creative direction can be attributed to Gina Trapani, a prominent figure in the blogging realm.
Gina has been involved in various projects over the years and is now back to blogging with her site Note to Self, which I highly recommend subscribing to for those who enjoyed Installer. Upon the site’s launch, I reached out to Gina to gain insight into her current homescreen setup in 2025.
Here’s an overview of Gina’s homescreen setup, along with insights into the apps she values:
The phone: Currently, I have a four-year-old iPhone 13 Pro, which I look forward to upgrading this year. After three to four years with the same device, the newer models feel significantly enhanced, making the upgrade much more rewarding.
The wallpaper: This is the 2025 Pride wallpaper from Apple, which I downloaded back in June and have kept since. I appreciate how Apple refreshed its Pride designs this year while maintaining their recognizability.
The apps: I primarily use Camera and Settings.
Longtime followers may expect an extensive collection of apps from me, but I prefer a minimalist setup lately; I want my preteen to engage with me rather than be distracted by my phone. Hence, my homescreen is simple and functional.
I’ve muted all those annoying red badges; I feel conflicted about relying on AI for tasks I should handle myself. On my homescreen are only a handful of essential apps, mostly organized into themed folders such as Communication, Health & Fitness, and Travel. Though this method adds an extra step to access those apps, it encourages a more deliberate approach. For everything else, I use the search function.
As a dedicated note-taker, I utilize Obsidian and have created an iOS shortcut called “Note.” This shortcut connects directly to an “Inbox” note where I jot down thoughts to address later.
As I approach five decades of life, I’ve found that I need motivation for basic routines, such as brushing my teeth. The Oral-B app paired with my electric toothbrush gamifies the experience, ensuring I brush effectively for the full two minutes, as I tend to rush otherwise.
Superhuman is my preferred email client over Gmail, while Todoist helps manage my deadlines. Citymapper is my go-to for navigating New York City, and Monarch assists in tracking my finances. I also find joy in borrowing ebooks from the library using Libby.
Additionally, I asked Gina to share some recent favorites. Here’s what she mentioned:
- KPop Demon Hunters! My preteen is obsessed with it, and I don’t mind joining the fun.
- I’ve been diving into actual books this year and highly recommend All Systems Red: The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells (the Apple TV Plus adaptation is on my watchlist, though it’s rumored to not match the book), The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, and Intermezzo by Sally Rooney.
- My online guilty pleasure is r/LinkedInLunatics.
Crowdsourced
Here’s what the Installer community has been enjoying. I’m eager to hear your recommendations, too! Shoot me an email at [email protected] or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your insights for anything and everything, and we’ll showcase some of the best each week. To discover more recommendations, check out this Threads post, this Bluesky post, and this post on Technology News.
“I ‘inherited’ my daughter’s Nintendo Switch and recently picked up Demon Slayer: The Hinomaki Chronicles for $20. Excited for the movie this weekend.” – Michael
“Stephen Robles on YouTube has created an amazing iOS shortcut that can help protect your iPhone against theft by sending its location and photos from the front and back cameras, while also triggering an audible alert proclaiming, ‘This iPhone is stolen!’ It can be activated from any phone, Android or iOS.” — Owen
“I recently started Frieren, and I must say, the hype surrounding it is well-deserved. I typically prefer rom-coms and slice-of-life genres over fantasy, but the story has captivated me.” — Ryan
“I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Bill McKibben’s Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization. Its central premise that the rapid expansion of solar and wind energy could offer us a solution to combat climate change has reinvigorated my hope for the future.” — Hoto
“Currently trying out the beta version of 2XKO, a free tag-team fighting game set in the League of Legends universe. It seems like a convenient entry point for newcomers.” — Daniel
“I cautiously appreciate a new feature on the Garmin Forerunner 955. A recent update links travel plans to the watch, providing recommendations for time zone adjustments. The reminders to reduce caffeine intake were particularly helpful during my recent travels to Italy and France.” — Sean
“I binged and enjoyed Long Story Short, created by the minds behind BoJack Horseman.” — Tal
“1001 Albums Generator provides daily album recommendations based on the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. It’s a fantastic way to enhance my music listening beyond algorithmic suggestions.” — Richard
“I’ve recently watched Alien: Earth. We need to discuss the octopus eye.” — Sheila
Signing Off
Before I wrap up, there’s one show from this summer that deserves mention: Netflix’s Building the Band. It’s an intriguing blend reminiscent of American Idol, Love is Blind, and The Circle. Its unusual premise actually works, and I found myself surprisingly engrossed in the narrative of these singers and bands. The show’s ten episodes never felt repetitive, and I could easily binge-watch multiple seasons—something I suspect we’ll see, given Netflix’s track record. As a fun prediction, I managed to identify the winner with four episodes left.
See you next week!
