Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 91, your ultimate guide to the best and most exciting trends in the tech world. If you’re new here, we’re thrilled to have you! Can you believe summer is already more than a month behind us? For those interested in past editions, you can find all of them on the Installer homepage.
This week, I’m diving into the recently leaked Pixel 10 lineup, marveling at BYD’s Yangwang U9 supercar, and pondering the current buzz around Reddit. I’m also eagerly anticipating the fourth season of Ted Lasso, rewatching MKBHD’s videos on the Escobar folding phone, and melting with joy at the trailer for the new season of Pokémon Concierge. Although I dream of purchasing the LEGO Game Boy, I hesitate as my toddler would likely destroy it. Meanwhile, I’m enjoying the recently released self-titled album from Lucius.
In this edition, I have exciting news about new Apple betas, a retro-styled PC, thoughts on phone cases, and insights into how to play Dance Dance Revolution at home. As always, the best part of Installer is your feedback and suggestions. What topics are you curious about? What cool tips do you have that everyone should know? What apps do you think are must-haves? Please share your thoughts with me at installer@theverge.com. If you know someone who would enjoy Installer, feel free to forward this to them and invite them to subscribe!
Apple’s Public Betas: The public betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 are now available. This is your chance to experience Apple’s innovative Liquid Glass design before the official updates roll out this fall. Having been testing the developer betas, I’m starting to appreciate the Liquid Glass design more than I initially thought.
Maingear’s Retro95 PC: This limited-edition PC combines a nostalgic retro shell with modern components, available at a starting price of $1,599. If anyone has an extra $1,599 lying around, I’d love to borrow it!
AppleCare One: This new subscription service, priced at $19.99 per month, allows you to cover up to three devices with the same benefits as individual AppleCare Plus subscriptions. You can add additional devices for $5.99 per month each. While I typically don’t opt for warranty coverage, AppleCare One could be a worthwhile investment for many users.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps: Marvel’s latest superhero release carries significant stakes for the franchise. Similar to how DC handled Superman, Marvel seems to have successfully navigated this challenge. As a fan of Michael Giacchino, I’m particularly looking forward to the film’s score.
Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft (16GB): This new version of Amazon’s color Kindle comes with reduced storage and fewer features compared to the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, but it’s priced at $249.99, making it $30 cheaper than last year’s model. I’m holding onto my 10th-generation Kindle Paperwhite for now, but I’m definitely tempted by the new color eReader.
Roomba Max 705 Combo: iRobot has launched a new robot vacuum that features a “first-of-its-kind roller mop cover designed to keep carpets dry.” If this innovation proves effective, it could make for an excellent dual-purpose vacuum cleaner.
Wheel World: Annapurna Interactive and the creators of Nidhogg have introduced a cycling-themed open-world adventure game. This sounds like a winning combination and might just become the feel-good game of the summer.
Acapulco Season 4: I thoroughly enjoyed the first two seasons of this Apple TV Plus series set in a Mexican resort. Like Ted Lasso, it has a heartwarming and humorous tone, making it the perfect lighter viewing experience. It might be time for me to catch up on this show!
Thank you to everyone who responded to my question about whether or not to keep using a phone case. I received a variety of perspectives, revealing that many people prefer going caseless more than I anticipated! As for my own decision, I’m still undecided. Typically, my iPhone 16 Pro resides in a slim Torras case, but as I write this, it’s currently sitting on top of the case instead of inside it. Will I put it on before heading out? Only time will tell!
Here are some insights shared by readers:
“I also felt the urge to go caseless. I’m careful with my electronics, but I was concerned about placing my phone on tables. I got the magnetic back from Nomad, which has been the perfect compromise for me! The phone feels almost caseless while still offering back protection.” – Omesh
“I’m in the same boat with cases. I know I’ll drop my phone at least once a year and end up ruining it. I take the case off when I’m relaxing at my desk or couch so I can enjoy the smooth feel, but I put it back on when I’m at risk of dropping it.” – Travis
“I used my first-gen Pixel Fold without a case for two years while living in a beach town! If the Fold survived, so can the 16 Pro. It’s still functional as a backup device, though not pristine. If you want to keep your phone in perfect condition, you should probably use a case.” – John
“I have the Peak Design GNAR case. Some have complained about minimal protection for the front, but it has served me well outdoors (I run outside frequently). I don’t even use a screen protector.” – airwr3ck6669
“I didn’t use cases until I got my current phone, a Pixel 6A, as my Razer Kishi controller no longer fit. I found a case that accommodates it. While I’d thought I’d take off the case eventually, I haven’t yet realized that I no longer use the controller.” – xPutNameHerex
This week, I’m featuring Keith Broni, the editor-in-chief of Emojipedia. I reached out to him after World Emoji Day on July 17th, and he kindly agreed to share insights. Keith began working with Emojipedia in 2018, gradually taking on more responsibilities before becoming editor-in-chief in 2022.
Keith shared some of his current interests, including his homescreen setup. He uses a Google Pixel 6 personally and an iPhone 15 Pro for work. His wallpaper features a 2019 photo taken at the Zōjō-ji Temple in Tokyo, with the iconic Tokyo Tower in the background.
His top apps include fitness trackers like Garmin Connect, MyFitnessPal, and HabitShare, which help him prepare for a Hyrox-like competition in October. As a European, he primarily uses WhatsApp for communication, along with his AIB Mobile banking app. For social media, he favors Instagram, but he’s also active on X, Bluesky, and TikTok. Keith enjoys attending the cinema and often tracks his movie-watching habits on Letterboxd. YouTube is where he spends a considerable amount of time.
Keith has also been enjoying music from Oasis and the new Wet Leg album, as well as tracks from The Last Dinner Party and Nine Inch Nails. He’s been playing Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters while walking on a treadmill and loves the nostalgia of old-school JRPGs. Additionally, he’s a fan of David Lynch films and has been purchasing T-shirts inspired by them from an Instagram account.
This week, the Installer community has shared some exciting recommendations. I want to hear what you’re into too! Email your suggestions to installer@theverge.com, and I’ll feature some of the best here each week. For even more recommendations, check out the replies to this post on The Verge, Threads, and Bluesky.
“I use Outplay on my Apple Watch to track my soccer matches. It shows a heat map of my movement during the game and includes soccer-specific metrics like sprints. I find it more effective than the built-in Apple Workout app or Strava.” – Harry Tequila
“I’ve been playing Cyberpunk 2077 on macOS using a base M4 Mac Mini. I’m impressed with the game’s graphics quality on this version and hope it leads to more Mac-native versions of top-tier games.” – penguinchiller
“I just completed the (not so) Endless Tower in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and beat Clea on an MSI Claw 8! I never expected to enjoy this handheld after initially panning it.” – Sean
“I’ve become obsessed with the Twos app and use it constantly. Highly recommend it!” – Rich
“After avoiding it for a long time due to its difficulty, I recently bought Returnal and have been dying repeatedly in the game. The environment feels so immersive, especially with headphones.” – Aram
“I’ve been playing Lushfoil Photography Sim, and it’s incredibly relaxing and lovely.” – Allison
“I’m binging CityNerd on YouTube. The channel discusses cities, transportation, urban design, and walkability. Great content!” – low_light_mixes
Last week, I shared a tidbit from a reader who has recently been enjoying Dance Dance Revolution. As someone who played a lot of DDR during my childhood, I was curious about how they manage to play at home. Here’s some advice from the reader, Tom:
“I’ll start by saying I’m no expert, but I spent a lot of time in arcades and at home playing on my PS2 when I was growing up. I purchased the Deluxe 1-inch thick foam pad from ddrpad.com, along with the extension cord and a preloaded Stepmania Flash drive. Stepmania is an open-source clone of DDR where users can create custom stepcharts and songs to download.”
“For serious players, investing in a metal pad, like those in arcades, might be worthwhile. They’re sturdy and can last for years, while soft mats tend to wear out over time. Some people even buy old arcade cabinets for thousands of dollars to have in their homes.”
Thanks for the insights, Tom! See you next week, everyone!
