Greetings, readers! Welcome to this week’s edition of Installer, where we bring you the latest and greatest in gadgets and entertainment. For new visitors, we’re glad to have you. Just a heads up, I’ve kept my phone case handy all week long. Don’t forget that you can catch up on previous issues at the Installer homepage.
This week, I’m diving into a variety of distractions, including exploring Donkey Kong Bananza, sifting through Panama Playlists, lamenting the absence of a yard for purchasing Ultra Skelly, and holding my breath while watching JerryRigEverything’s durability test on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. I’m also curious about Apple possibly releasing a Pro iPhone in orange, contemplating the placement of Twelve South’s PowerBug magnetic phone charger, and enjoying Wet Leg’s “Moisturizer” while browsing the band’s stunning Windows 95-themed website.
Additionally, I’ve gathered some intriguing new tech to share: a fresh Elgato webcam, LG’s upcoming portable TV, a quirky game centered on being a fly, and much more.
(Remember, the highlight of Installer is your input. What topics are you interested in? Do you have tips or cool techniques that deserve mention? Which apps should everyone try? Feel free to reach out at installer@technologynewso.com. If someone else might benefit from Installer, don’t hesitate to share it with them and encourage them to subscribe.)
The Drop
- Elgato Facecam 4K: This $199.99 gadget is capable of recording at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second. It allows for interchangeable 49mm lens filters and lets users adjust ISO, white balance, and shutter speed. While it is still fundamentally a webcam, its versatility gives it a more professional feel.
- LG StanbyMe 2: I’ve factored in the concept of a mobile TV for my living space, making LG’s second-generation portable screen intriguing. Priced at $1,299.99, it may be beyond reach but it certainly ignites the imagination.
- Twisted Metal season 2: The second season promises to bear greater resemblance to an actual Twisted Metal game compared to the first. I might just jump straight to this installment for the experience.
- Sharge’s Retractable 3-in-1 Power Bank: This stylish charger comes with a retractable USB-C cable and features a rechargeable battery. Its aesthetic appeal is as much a selling point as its functionality.
- Seenda MOU-302 Vertical Wireless Mouse: This vertical mouse catches my eye with vibrant color options and an included volume knob—making it a puzzling yet intriguing device that I’d like to test.
- Time Flies: A unique experience where players embody a fly attempting to complete a bucket list within seconds. It’s whimsical yet emotionally engaging—definitely a top contender for my favorite game this year.
- Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound: Dotemu breathes new life into classic side-scrolling Ninja Gaiden with impressive pixel art, clever level designs full of secrets, and challenging combat sequences. A review will be posted soon, but my recommendation is already strong.
- 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller: While awaiting the release of Analogue’s Analogue 3D, this controller redesign offers modern features while retaining the classic N64 layout, equipped with Hall effect joysticks and triggers, making it compatible with the anticipated Switch 2.
- The Ollama app: This macOS and Windows desktop app enables seamless operation of multiple AI models directly on your device, eliminating the need for command line usage. Thanks to my former colleague Parker Ortolani for introducing me to this gem.
Highlighting Kallie Plagge, who recently joined Technology News from Polygon as a senior copy editor, I couldn’t be happier with her contribution. She enhances the quality of our content and boasts extensive knowledge of Pokémon, which becomes evident in this feature.
Here’s a glimpse of Kallie’s homescreen along with her insights on its contents.
The phone: An iPhone 14 Pro.
The wallpaper: It’s an officially themed Pokémon wallpaper—one for every Eeveelution along with Eevee, which I swap according to the changing seasons. This time, it features Vaporeon!
The apps: I’m quite fond of using folders, but a few essential apps stay on my main screen—primarily the Clock app, as I’m quite anxious about forgetting to set my alarms for work. The NYT Games app and Threes make the cut, plus I rotate in various games depending on my current interests. Currently, I’m engrossed in Umamusume, or “horse girls,” where the goal is to train characters inspired by the anime to excel in races. While I haven’t seen the series, I enjoy the gameplay!
I also asked Kallie to share what she’s currently enjoying. Here are her thoughts:
- In addition to Umamusume… I have become quite an enthusiast for crosswords and word games, as seen by the prominent placement of the NYT Games app on my homescreen. Notably, I have been enjoying Quartiles via Apple News Plus. It’s a unique puzzle format where you create as many words as possible from a grid of two to four-letter segments. It’s a satisfying challenge!
- As a fan of competitive Pokémon, I’m getting ready for the upcoming World Championships in mid-August, which means it’s time to catch up on the current meta. I enjoy watching videos from players/creators like Aaron Zheng, James Baek, and Wolfe Glick to keep myself updated. Although I do play, I don’t compete seriously enough. It feels odd to call myself a casual competitor, but that’s my reality! The game is both intricate and strategic at the highest levels.
- I have a lengthy wishlist of games I’m eager to try (Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, and more Donkey Kong Bananza), but I’ve yet to make time for them. Instead, I’ve been enjoying The Mortuary Assistant with a friend on Discord. Although it’s a single-player game, we strategize together. Playing horror games with a companion always adds to the experience, even if the repetitive embalming tasks can be a bit tiresome.
Crowdsourced
Here’s what members of the Installer community are currently enjoying. I’d love for you to share your own recommendations by emailing installer@technologynewso.com, and we’ll showcase a selection in upcoming issues. You can also discover more amazing picks in the responses to this post on Technology News, this post on Threads, and this post on Bluesky.
“I’ve been watching Foundation and Smoke, and they’ve been quite enjoyable.” – Paul
“I’ve become quite absorbed by the YouTube shorts of Master Builder Alec, a Lego expert based in Arizona. His series “Masterbuilding Kid’s LEGO Models” is incredibly enlightening regarding creativity and execution.” – Alex
“Currently playing The Drifter on PC. It’s a modern point-and-click adventure game featuring elements of time travel. This is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s exceptionally well-made.” – BaltMatrix
“I finally checked out F1, sponsored by Expensify, Shark|Ninja, and Brad Pitt’s Abs. It was an entertaining experience!” – Iain
“I discovered Folio, which aims to replace the recently discontinued Pocket. I’ve tried it for the past couple of weeks, and it has shown great potential, and importing my Pocket history was straightforward. It’s currently in beta, but I’m hopeful for its future features, such as keyboard shortcuts.” – Gordon
“I came across a site called Reconnect, run by two people, serving as a hub for gaming blogs similar to Reddit or Hacker News. The hosts compile numerous gaming blogs into one platform, along with a weekly Substack newsletter featuring highlights—very convenient for discovering new content creators.” – Christian
“Lately, I’ve been into reading The Convenience Store by the Sea. It follows the trend of Japanese literature that focuses on food and personal relationships, which resonates strongly with anyone who has visited a Japanese convenience store.” – ashleytwo
“I’ve been enjoying Descenders, an indie mountain biking game. Every moment feels rewarding—whether flying down hills at speed or performing tricks off jumps. Although I’ve never mountain biked before, this game has inspires me to try it out.” – Cr4shMyCar
“I recently binge-watched Entourage during the night while caring for a sleeping baby. The show surpassed my recollection for the first two seasons before declining, yet I have no regrets.” – David (yes, that David!)
Signing Off
Are there any fellow non-QWERTY typers among our Installer readers? I type using the Colemak layout, which I adopted following some wrist issues to find a more ergonomic typing experience. Transitioning was a challenge initially, but it has since become second nature—even as my wrists have improved, which I attribute to using an ergonomic keyboard and a standing desk. Interestingly, I find that switching back to QWERTY requires extra thought on a computer keyboard, yet I can handle QWERTY typing on my phone without hesitation.
I’m curious to conduct an informal survey among Installer readers: Have you experimented with a non-QWERTY keyboard layout? What was your motivation, and have you continued using it? I’m interested in hearing your stories, which I would love to feature in a future issue.
Until next time!
