Hi, friends! Welcome back to Installer No. 90, your go-to guide for the latest and greatest in the tech world. For those who are new here, we hope you’re staying cool and enjoying all that we offer! You can catch up on previous editions at our Installer homepage.
This week has been packed with exciting content. I’ve been binge-watching the fourth season of The Bear, gearing up for the influx of Qi2.2 wireless chargers, and contemplating how to creatively use the upcoming Bigfoot emoji to spice up my group chats. I’ve also been diving into the relaunched EmojiTracker, reading a captivating profile of NBA superstar Joel Embiid, and surprisingly enjoying Pixar’s teaser trailer for Hoppers. If you’re like me, you might be wondering whether it’s time to finally catch up on Stranger Things after seeing the thrilling trailer for its fifth and final season.
In addition to my personal viewing habits, I have some fantastic updates for you, including the release of a new Donkey Kong title, OpenAI’s latest AI agent, a customizable gamepad, and much more. Let’s dive right in!
Donkey Kong Bananza marks DK’s first new 3D platformer in over 25 years, and reviews suggest it’s absolutely fantastic. If you’ve grown tired of your new Switch 2, this game promises an incredible adventure that you won’t want to miss. Personally, I can’t wait to immerse myself in this vibrant world and enjoy some cathartic gameplay.
OpenAI has unveiled its latest AI agent, which can now handle tasks such as managing your calendar or booking flights through Expedia. While it’s currently a bit slow, the potential for these agents to transform how we interact with our computers is enormous. Even though I prefer to navigate my tasks manually, I’m excited to see how these advancements evolve.
In Algospeak, a new book by linguist Adam Aleksic (known as etymologynerd on TikTok), the author examines how algorithms are influencing language. We shared an excerpt on The Verge this week, and based on Aleksic’s TikTok insights, the entire book is likely filled with fascinating perspectives on our evolving communication styles.
CD Projekt Red’s acclaimed Cyberpunk 2077 is now available for Mac users, provided you have Apple Silicon and at least 16GB of unified memory. I’m thrilled that it runs seamlessly on my M1 Air! The recent Update 2.3 introduces a new auto-drive mode for cars, which I wish every open-world game would adopt.
The new Wacom MovinkPad 11 tablet, priced at $449.95, allows you to draw without connecting to a PC. For those aspiring to enhance their digital art skills, this innovative device seems like a perfect choice!
Say goodbye to button layout frustrations with the 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth gamepad, which features magnetic buttons for easy customization. This controller also incorporates TMR joysticks that minimize joystick drift, making it a smart investment for gamers.
Elgato has introduced new color options for its popular customizable console, including “forest green,” “pink petal,” “wild lavender,” and “glacier ice.” While I usually opt for black gadgets, the vibrant green really catches my eye!
Apple News Plus subscribers can now enjoy a new emoji-themed word game. I’m seriously considering subscribing just to give it a try, as it sounds like a perfect fit for my interests!
Today, I’m excited to spotlight Molly White, the brilliant mind behind Web3 is Going Just Great, a project that chronicles the ups and downs of crypto, blockchain, and Web3 technologies. Molly also authors the Citation Needed newsletter and serves as a Wikipedia admin. I highly recommend her talk at the 2024 XOXO Festival, which I was fortunate enough to experience live.
Molly’s home screen features her Pixel 7 phone, which she’s been using for three years. Her wallpaper showcases a lovely photo of her cat, Ruthie, and her app selection is organized for efficiency. Notably, she uses Signal as her primary messaging app, emphasizing the importance of end-to-end encryption for privacy. Other essential apps include Pocket Casts for podcasts, CloudLibrary for audiobooks, and Inoreader for RSS feeds.
Here’s what the Installer community is buzzing about this week. I’d love to hear your recommendations as well! Email your favorites to installer@theverge.com, and we’ll feature some highlights next week.
Allen Jay shares, “I got an Nvidia Shield TV Pro (2019) for its upscaling feature and rewatched the best single episode of television — ‘The Constant,’ from Lost. It’s like upgrading to a premium audio setup!”
BaltMatrix chimes in, “Donkey Kong Bananza is fantastic! It’s all about smashing things and jumping. Pure catharsis!”
Hoto dives into history with “Charles Sumner: Conscience of a Nation,” a new biography uncovering insights about a key figure in the abolitionist movement.
Trekkie86 mentions, “I’ve been enjoying my Steam Summer Sale haul, including Cyberpunk 2077. I also started using Letterboxed for movie tracking, which is a blast!”
As I wrap up this edition, I’m contemplating whether to go caseless with my new iPhone 16 Pro. I’ve always had a case out of habit, but taking it off feels so much better in hand! Should I embrace the risk, or is a case a necessary precaution? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this dilemma.
Thanks for joining me this week! See you next time!
