In the fast-paced world of technology, where innovations emerge almost daily, The Verge's popular Installer newsletter continues to serve as a go-to guide for enthusiasts seeking the best in gadgets, apps, and entertainment. The latest edition, No. 105, penned by editor David Pierce, dives into a mix of personal insights, productivity tips, and community recommendations, all while teasing exciting developments in smart home technology and beyond. Published this week, the newsletter arrives amid the chaos of daylight saving time adjustments, with Pierce welcoming new readers and sharing his own recent experiences, including preparations for an upcoming move.
Pierce sets the tone by recounting his recent activities, offering a relatable glimpse into his routine. "This week, I’ve been reading about David Ellison and Common Crawl and Stephen Colbert, catching up on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Great British Baking Show, letting TikTok turn me on to a new Olivia Dean song and a new Broadway musical, testing the Boox Palma 2 Pro, spending way too many hours trying to design my new home office / podcast studio, and packing every single thing I own in boxes," he writes. He adds that he's just one week away from moving, expressing hope that life will return to normal soon. This personal touch underscores the newsletter's blend of professional curation and everyday storytelling.
One of the standout features in this edition is a deep dive into the smartphone setup of Ryder Carroll, the creator of the Bullet Journal Method. Carroll, known for his thoughtful approaches to productivity, has long been admired for translating big ideas into practical systems. Pierce notes that he's wanted to feature Carroll for some time but only recently found the perfect angle through a video Carroll posted about his phone configuration. According to Pierce, Carroll's setup is designed to make his device exactly what he wants and nothing more, promoting intentional use over mindless scrolling.
Delving into specifics, Pierce describes Carroll's homescreen in detail.
"The phone: iPhone 16 Pro Max. The wallpaper: Solid black. The apps: Blank Spaces. We’ve talked about this launcher — and others like it, such as Dumb Phone — before, but it’s basically an iOS widget designed to replace your entire homescreen with big, text-based app launchers. (Fair warning: it costs $4 a month, or $24 lifetime.) Ryder’s using a pretty simple version of Blank, but it has a huge amount of built-in customization options."This configuration, Pierce explains, encourages users to periodically rethink their digital habits, often revealing how much time is wasted on unintended activities.
Pierce highlights several tips from Carroll's approach that he and others have found effective. Without spoiling the full video, he emphasizes the value of starting fresh with one's phone setup. "Even if you’re ultimately not worried about your relationship with your phone, or don’t want to do the work to get a setup like this, I really do recommend periodically just blowing up your whole system," Pierce advises. He shares that both he and readers have discovered through such resets that devices can inadvertently pull attention in unproductive directions if not managed carefully.
Shifting to community contributions, which Pierce calls the best part of Installer, the newsletter features a variety of recommendations from readers. Chris, for instance, praises an 800-page book by Stephen King's son. "Stephen King’s son wrote an 800 page book called King Sorrow that is (reductively) Millennial It. The title is a conjured dragon that embodies the very notion of evil. But it’s also a play on the author’s famous father, and his half-century of work. I’d say read it, but don’t do that: go audiobook!" he suggests. This recommendation ties into broader discussions of modern horror and literary legacies.
Financial tools also get a spotlight, with Win endorsing a budgeting app. "I’ve been using Today’s Budget for the past month and it fundamentally changed how I view my finances. Created by just two people, the app answers a simple question that no other app can easily answer: How much can you actually spend today?" According to Win, this app stands out for its straightforward approach to daily money management, developed by a small team and addressing a common gap in personal finance software.
Automation enthusiasts will appreciate Dima's tip on the n8n platform. "I’ve been exploring the n8n platform for automating (not only) tasks. I’ve built an automation which sends me D&B events everyday. I was pleasantly surprised how powerful n8n is!" Dima reports. This open-source tool, often used for workflow automation, allows users to create custom integrations, such as daily event notifications, demonstrating its versatility beyond basic tasks.
Other recommendations span design software, games, and cooking advice. Jack advocates for Affinity as an alternative to dominant players. "Affinity! Down with the Adobe monopoly." Meanwhile, Bogdan suggests the interactive game Dispatch, describing it as similar to Telltale titles with dialog choices and mini-games, evoking comparisons to Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. Bone highlights Staccs, a card game praised for its mind-bending design and accessibility. "Staccs is literally mind-bending. It’s a super lightweight matching card game (think Uno) that has just enough complexity to keep every game interesting but still accessible enough for younger kids."
Culinary and media tips round out the section. Scott recommends following chef Frank Prisinzano for transformative cooking methods. "Anyone with even a passing interest in cooking needs to follow Frank Prisinzano (I follow on instagram but he’s all over). Start learning his methods (not recipes) and start changing your life!" Michael urges viewers to check out the animated series Pantheon on Netflix, while Xyan shares a setup for media streaming using a Mac Studio with Tailscale and Jellyfin. "I recently got a Mac Studio and set up Tailscale and Jellyfin to get access to all of my (legally obtained) media from anywhere across the world. Tailscale creates a direct and private VPN to your devices. Jellyfin is a much better open source alternative to Plex."
Pierce also touches on seasonal entertainment, confessing his love for holiday movies. He points readers to a TVLine story listing upcoming Christmas films across streaming platforms, noting highlights like a Jonas Brothers movie set for release next week. This comes amid mentions of other entertainment, such as Vince Gilligan's new show teased in the newsletter's introduction.
The edition includes a housekeeping note: there will be no Installer next week, with the newsletter returning in two weeks featuring pre-Black Friday content. Pierce encourages readers to share their own tips via email at installer@theverge.com or on Signal at @davidpierce.11, fostering the community-driven aspect that defines the series.
While the newsletter briefly alludes to a 'very exciting new line of smart home stuff,' details remain light, aligning with The Verge's broader coverage of tech ecosystems. This mention comes alongside updates like a DJ app for AirPods, Sora for Android, and more, suggesting ongoing evolution in consumer tech. Additional summaries from The Verge reference items like Predator Badlands, Pluribus, and BeeBot, indicating a wide-ranging focus on emerging tools and media.
Beyond the specifics, Installer No. 105 reflects broader trends in digital wellness and curation. By spotlighting setups like Carroll's, it prompts readers to reconsider their tech habits amid growing concerns about screen time and productivity. Community inputs add diverse perspectives, from indie apps to niche games, illustrating how users are adapting technology to personal needs.
Looking ahead, the newsletter's brief hiatus sets the stage for holiday shopping insights, potentially diving deeper into smart home advancements and deals. As tech continues to integrate into daily life, publications like Installer provide valuable navigation, blending expert curation with user-generated content to keep audiences informed and inspired.