Greetings, everyone! Welcome to the latest edition of Installer, where we explore the standout features and offerings in the tech world. If you’re a newcomer, we hope you’ve set aside time for some exhilarating Kart action this weekend. Don’t forget you can catch up on all past editions at the Installer homepage.
This week, my reading list included insights from privacy experts and discussions on spreadsheets, alongside enjoying content from Dropout. I’ve watched Stick for leisure and selected episodes of Mike and Molly for a wedding toast—there’s a story there. In addition, I’ve been brushing up on some new Raycast tricks, experimenting with voice commands through Wispr Flow, and enjoying Jon Bellion’s latest album. I am also contemplating whether a simple piece of paper might just be the answer to my to-do list mayhem. It’s working so far, though I find myself less pleased with this solution.
Additionally, I’ve got a fantastic new approach to capturing images on your iPhone, exciting developments surrounding the Switch 2, an in-depth interview with a Microsoft CEO, and fun ideas for enhancing your pool parties. The coming weeks are sure to be packed with gaming excitement. Let’s dive in!
(As always, your contributions to Installer are invaluable. What topics interest you? What are you currently playing, watching, reading, or listening to? Share your thoughts at installer@technologynewso.com. If you know someone who might enjoy Installer, encourage them to subscribe here. Subscribing via email grants you access to Installer a full day early, directly to your inbox!)
The Drop
- !Camera. Designed by Andy Allen, this camera app stands out for its beautiful aesthetics and tactile experience. Although it requires a moment to learn its functionalities, it’s far more enjoyable than the default iPhone camera, and I’ve found it to be my go-to lately.
- Mario Kart World. We’ll delve further into the Switch 2 launch shortly, but the main title with the new console is this next iteration of my all-time favorite racing game. I haven’t yet explored the open-world online features extensively, but it’s clear that this is the most expansive Kart yet.
- Good Night, and Good Luck. George Clooney first made this a memorable film, turned it into a successful Broadway show, and now it’s being broadcast live on CNN this Saturday evening. This intriguing format has always caught my attention, and I’m eager to see how this live adaptation unfolds.
- The Steve Ballmer interview. Featured on the Acquired podcast, this episode spans three hours of rich discussions on Microsoft’s history, insights on business leadership, and analysis of the famed “developers developers developers” speech. Ballmer’s engaging interviews consistently pack a wealth of information.
- The Razer Phantom Collection. Despite not usually leaning toward flashy RGB setups, I find the translucent, glowing keyboard and mousepad from this collection quite appealing. Additionally, Razer has recently launched Synapse for Mac, enabling access to premium features for Apple users.
- Poolsuite. A significant update has been introduced to this excellent source of summer vibes and music, now including a new Android app. This app has become one of my favorites for continuous play throughout the day, maintaining the best chill ambiance.
- Ballerina. Though I approach spinoffs of the John Wick franchise with caution (with The Continental being an exception), I’m intrigued by this film’s premise despite mixed reviews for both it and Ana de Armas. It seems poised to deliver a solid cinematic experience.
- “Ensh*ttification, Live!” Cory Doctorow has been astute in his analysis of the internet’s state in recent years, and this interview offers a thoughtful overview of how we reached this point, our current situation, and possible future directions. I am particularly looking forward to Doctorow’s upcoming book this fall.
Spotlight
Did you manage to get your hands on a Switch 2 this week? If you attempted to purchase one, I hope the process was smooth for you. Fortunately, I was able to stroll into a Target on Thursday morning and purchase mine without any hassle. Early impressions have been positive; the screen is impressive, it strikes a good balance in size, and its speed far surpasses that of its predecessor. However, the $450 price tag does raise some eyebrows.
If you’ve recently acquired the console and are searching for games to play this weekend, I reached out to my colleague Andrew Webster for suggestions on titles worth exploring. Here’s what he shared:
“Most new Switch 2 owners will likely gravitate towards Mario Kart World, and I completely understand the allure as it appears to be a fitting successor to MK8 (which I dubbed the ‘best Mario Kart ever’). That said, a few intriguing new titles are also available at launch:
- Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: while it feels odd to pay $10 for this seemingly ideal introductory game, it’s also a mere $10, and a fun way to familiarize yourself with new features of the Switch 2 in a lighthearted manner.
- Survival Kids: this unexpected return of a Game Boy classic (which was recently re-released for Switch Online subscribers) introduces a captivating multiplayer feature. You can join in on survival tasks with three others, needing only a single game copy.
- F-Zero GX: the perks of owning a Switch 2 extend to a selection of GameCube classics, and I can’t wait to dive back into F-Zero GX and relive those high-speed races.”
If you fire up your Switch 2 this weekend, I would love to hear about your gaming experiences! This summer promises exciting game releases, and we’ll do our best to cover as many as possible.
Hayden Field joined Technology News this week as our new senior AI reporter. This marks my second opportunity to work with her, and in summary, she is exceptional at what she does. Her role involves navigating the complexities of the AI industry to determine its significance and implications across various dimensions.
I requested Hayden to share her homescreen with us, hoping she’d respond with, “Sorry, no homescreen, I only use my Rabbit R1.” Unfortunately, she still maintains a smartphone. Here’s a look at her setup, along with a rundown of the apps she uses:
The phone: A blue iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The wallpaper: A picturesque tree-lined street in Brooklyn at its prime.
The apps: Google Calendar, Weather, X, Instagram, Camera, Google Photos, Photos, Google Maps, NYT Cooking, Skratch, NYT Games, West, Gmail, Slack, Apple Notes, Signal, Phone, Messages, Safari, Spotify.
I assure you that I don’t usually have this many unread messages—it’s just a flood of congratulations for joining Technology News!
I’m an avid iPhone user who has a fondness for Google apps (especially Google Maps, Google Photos, and Gmail). My aspirational apps are NYT Cooking and NYT Games; I enjoy using them but wish my skills in both areas were stronger.
Skratch helps me track my travels, as I aim to visit every country in the world someday. Meanwhile, West allows me to capture disposable-camera-style photos when I lack a traditional camera.
I also asked Hayden to share some of her current interests. Here’s what she sent back:
- I’m currently engrossed in The Witcher, and I can’t get enough; in a contrast, I’ve been rewatching Gossip Girl and preparing to catch up on The Rehearsal soon.
- In terms of gaming, I’m currently into a board game called Everdell, and I’m fortunate to live near one of NYC’s premier board game shops (Twenty Sided Store).
- When it comes to apps, I’d like to give a shoutout to Furbo, which allows me to monitor my corgi, Jelly, while I’m out.
- As for the quirky trends my algorithm has latched onto: I keep seeing hand-tufted wool rugs, like those crafted by Hannah Via, whose pieces resemble shells, oysters, tomatoes, and various designs.
Crowdsourced
Here’s what members of the Installer community are currently enjoying. I’d love to hear about your recommendations as well! Reach out via email at installer@technologynewso.com or through Signal at @davidpierce.11, and we’ll highlight some of our favorites each week. For even more great recommendations, check out the replies to this Threads post and this Bluesky post.
“I’ve recently picked up Fallout 4 again. The anticipation for a new Fallout title may have reignited my interest, or perhaps it’s simply the game’s incredible replay value.” — Rob
“Just purchased a Philips Hue Light Strip, and I’m thrilled by how this subtle addition can transform the atmosphere in my rooms without being as conspicuous as a lamp.” — Florian
“Consider exploring the Flesh and Blood trading card game; it’s a highly competitive and addictive experience that I find superior to Magic the Gathering. It coincides with the US national championship happening this weekend.” — Thore
“I switched my browser from Arc to Zen since Arc is no longer supported by The Browser Company. Zen is shaping up to be an almost perfect open-source version of Arc, and I’m quite satisfied!” — Craig
“Dig Dig Dino! is the defining game for the Playdate console. I was uncertain about investing in it until I played this game which offers an engaging experience perfect for quick sessions, yet it can also draw you in for longer playtimes.” — Rafal
“I’ve been searching for a new website to browse like Technology News, and I think I’ve finally found a gem: Hodinkee. It’s a site dedicated to high-end watches, offering great content.” — Vishal
“Need a podcast suggestion? I recommend learning about songwriting through One Song.” — Ryan
“I enjoy watching the More Perfect Union channel on YouTube. They recently produced a highly informative video on driverless trucks on I-45 in Texas, which raises significant concerns about future implications.” — Kerzell
“The game Skin Deep from Blendo Games is outstanding. It’s reminiscent of Hitman, but its gameplay loop is much more forgiving while maintaining a humorous tone. Plus, it features cats as part of the spaceship crew!” — Hunter
Signing Off
Before we conclude, I want to provide a brief update on transferring data from my old Switch to the new one. The process was, predictably, cumbersome, yet it ultimately succeeded. The only hiccup was with my 8BitDo controller, which failed to connect. Fortunately, 8BitDo has recently updated its firmware for several controllers, with more updates expected soon.
In the meantime, I looked into potential upgrades. When asking around for controller recommendations, I received unanimous advice to simply purchase the Nintendo Pro Controller, which is reportedly superior to all others. However, its price tag of $85 gives me pause. I anticipate I will eventually cave and buy it, but if anyone has alternate suggestions that are more budget-friendly, I would love to hear them! Please, assist me with my budget.
Catch you all next week!
