Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 105, your ultimate guide to the best and most intriguing content in the world. If you’re new here, we’re glad to have you! Make sure to check out all the previous editions at the Installer homepage. This week has been quite eventful for me as I dive into various topics, including David Ellison, Common Crawl, and Stephen Colbert. I've also been catching up on shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Great British Baking Show. Additionally, TikTok has introduced me to a new song by Olivia Dean and a fresh Broadway musical. On the tech side, I’ve been testing the Boox Palma 2 Pro and spending excessive time designing my new home office and podcast studio, all while packing up my entire life into boxes. Just one more week until I move, and hopefully, life resumes its usual pace. I have some exciting updates and recommendations for you this week!
Before we jump in, I want to mention a quick housekeeping note: there will be no Installer next week. We’ll return in two weeks with some exciting pre-Black Friday content and much more. Now, let’s get started!
Ikea is poised to revolutionize the concept of the smart home. This week, the company announced nearly two dozen Matter-compatible devices, ranging from lights to sensors and controllers. Among these, the customizable Bilresa buttons and remotes particularly caught my attention. While they aren’t available for purchase just yet, I believe they will be worth the wait for anyone looking to enhance their smart home experience.
If you're in the mood for a movie that combines quality filmmaking with light-hearted entertainment, Predator: Badlands might be just what you need. The reviews describe it as “well-made and a great time” without striving for high art, which has me excited for some mindless fun.
Created by the mastermind behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Pluribus is a sci-fi show that explores a world where everyone is a little too happy. The premise alone has me eager to see what this series has to offer!
The buzz around Sora continues! While I'm a bit overwhelmed by AI-generated content flooding my social feeds, I’ve heard many users enjoying the app's capabilities to create humorous videos. Now that it’s available for Android, perhaps it can stay contained within the app instead of spilling over into my Instagram feed?
New to me this week is the expansive strategy game Europa Universalis V. Although I was previously unaware of this series, the idea of world conquest sounds like an exhilarating gaming experience, especially since I've had my fair share of battles during Risk games!
Introducing Shuffalo, a new daily game from The New Yorker that challenges players to form progressively longer words with increasing letters. This game is perfect for those who love Bananagrams and enjoy a mental workout!
My favorite Android launcher, Niagara, just received an artistic update! The team has collaborated with talented artists to create stunning wallpapers and themes that completely reimagine your device. Plus, the new dark icon pack is simply gorgeous.
Brought to life by Foursquare founder Dennis Crowley, BeeBot is an innovative app that combines the features of Waze with the intrigue of Gossip Girl. This audio-only app provides real-time updates about happenings in your vicinity, transforming how you engage with your surroundings.
The introduction of WhatsApp for Apple Watch alongside the recent iPad app indicates a strong push by WhatsApp to establish itself as your go-to messaging service across all devices. While I primarily use it for group chats, I’m thrilled about the convenience of tapback reactions right from my wrist!
The first part of the PBS series Operation Space Station takes viewers on an epic journey through the construction of the International Space Station. This series proves to be far more dramatic than any space-themed movie I’ve seen!
Ryder Carroll, the creator of the Bullet Journal Method, is one of my favorite productivity thinkers. He has not only formulated significant theories about productivity but has also implemented practical systems. Recently, he shared insights on how he customizes his phone to serve his needs without distractions. Below, I’ll break down his setup:
Ryder uses an iPhone 16 Pro Max with a solid black wallpaper. His app organization utilizes Blank Spaces, a unique iOS widget that transforms the entire homescreen into large, text-based app launchers. Though it requires a subscription, the customization options are extensive.
Even if you’re not keen on revamping your phone setup, I recommend periodically reassessing your organizational system. Ryder’s discoveries about the time spent looking at our phones resonate with many of us.
This week, I want to highlight what the Installer community is recommending! I encourage you to share your favorites with me at installer@theverge.com or on Signal — @davidpierce.11. Don’t forget to check out the discussions on Threads and Bluesky for more great suggestions!
“Stephen King’s son wrote an 800-page book called King Sorrow that is (reductively) Millennial It. It’s a fascinating read!” — Chris “I’ve been using Today’s Budget for a month, and it’s transformed my financial outlook!” — Win “Exploring the n8n platform for task automation has been a game changer for me.” — Dima “The game Dispatch offers a unique experience where you cannot fail, reminiscent of Telltale games.” — Bogdan “If you love cooking, follow Frank Prisinzano for incredible methods that will change your culinary skills!” — ScottAs always, I have to express my love for cheesy Christmas movies. The classic storyline of a big-city executive returning to her hometown to rediscover love and holiday spirit never gets old. This year promises to be particularly special for holiday films. If you share my enthusiasm, be sure to check out the comprehensive list on TVLine that details every upcoming release across streaming platforms. Did you know there’s a Jonas Brothers movie debuting next week? Happy holidays to all, and see you in two weeks!
