Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 109, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, hope you’re staying warm, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)
Technology
A new old idea about video stores
This week, I’ve been reading about Google Maps and shopaganda and life as a pop star, finally getting to watch F1 now that it’s streaming, rewatching the first two Avatars ahead of the next one’s release, pretending the new Taylor Swift tour doc is a reasonable replacement for actually seeing the tour, buying a bunch of Ikea smart buttons now that they’re on sale in the US, playing with the excellent new Obsidian update for mobile devices, and spending altogether too much time trying to figure out why my house is so cold.
I also have for you a fun new source of movies to watch, a game to play this holiday season, a new speaker worth a listen, and much more.
And I have a question, looking ahead to the last Installer of the year: What’s your favorite new thing from this year? It doesn’t have to be new this year, just new to you. (And you don’t have to pick your one favorite forever, just hit me with something new you loved this year.) I want to hear about books you discovered, podcasts you’re into, decade-old games you’re loving, things that made your house or office or whatever better, anything and everything is fair game. I’ll share mine if you share yours — email me at installer@theverge.com, find me on Threads at @imdavidpierce, or message me on Signal at @davidpierce.11.
All right, lots of stuff this week! Let’s go.
(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you playing / reading / watching / listening to / cuddling up with by the fire this week? Tell me everything: installer@theverge.com. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, forward it to them and tell them to subscribe here.)
- The Letterboxd Video Store. A tightly curated set of movies to rent, filled with stuff Letterboxd knows people want to see but that you almost certainly won’t find anywhere else. Like all things Letterboxd, it’s all a bit high-minded, but I love this idea and suspect I will check it often. Perfect amount of stuff in there, too.
- Skate Story. A late-breaking contender for the best game of 2025! You’re a demon, you skate. And skate. And skate. A lot of reviews say the controls take a little getting used to, but that they give way to something that feels great and looks spectacular.
- The iFixit app. I can’t say I’m shocked that iFixit’s AI bot, FixBot, isn’t quite up to the task of automatically sussing out how to fix all your gadgets. But that’s fine; I’ll just be using this new iOS and Android app as a library of manuals and repair guides. Plus, the built-in battery monitor for your phone is extremely clever.
- Darkroom 7.0. I totally forgot about Darkroom! It has long been one of the best photo editors for Apple devices, and the new version cleans up the user experience a bunch while also adding some retro-film effects and some high-end video features. Also: Being able to zoom all the way down to the individual pixel is pretty wild.
- Google Photos. On the other end of the professional spectrum, the Google Photos app just got a bunch of CapCut-style video editing features along with some better tools for making highlight reels and slideshows. I’m suddenly tempted to make a lot of stupid year-in-review stuff to send to my friends.
- Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair. I’m a sucker for a weird re-edit of a movie, so this is extremely my jam: two Kill Bill movies turned into the single, 4.5-hour bloodfest they were apparently always supposed to be. Apparently it’s a totally different story now! This feels like the best possible use of a weekend afternoon in a movie theater.
- The Wiim Sound Lite. From one of the Installerverse’s favorite audio brands comes a new $229 portable speaker that looks like a strong competitor to Sonos’ new gear. (Or a HomePod, I guess.) If I were starting a home audio system right now, I’d probably start with Wiim.
- Google Disco. An experimental new browser based on a weird and novel idea: turning collections of tabs into AI-generated, one-off web apps. I don’t expect Disco itself to ever leave Google Labs, but there’s something awfully futuristic in here.
Raffi Chilingaryan’s Spotted in Prod has long been one of my favorite sites for finding cool design and product touches from around the web. (I feel like, if you’re an app developer, your goal should be to make something weird and cool enough to catch Raffi’s eye.) Raffi’s also a designer and developer. He says right now he’s working on two iOS apps, a Strava competitor called Runbuds and a super clever alarm app called Shift that is designed to help you wake up earlier.
That’s all well and good, but my personal favorite Raffi thing is his new personal website, which includes an actual interactive version of his phone, so you can click around his homescreen and see into his apps. Dude took the whole “show us your homescreen” and just put me to shame on it. (Also, it’s a .zip domain, which I kind of love for a personal site?)
Anyway, all I have for you is a humble screenshot, but here’s Raffi’s homescreen, plus some info on the apps he uses and why:
The phone: iPhone 15 Pro.
The wallpaper: Solid gray background.
The apps: Retro, (Not Boring) Camera, Google Maps, Photos, Claude, Safari, Apple Notes.
I have my apps organized into 4 folders (money, work, social, vibes), but that’s a bit boring so I’ll break it out like this:
- TestFlights you should keep an eye on: Arena is a community of curious internet folks that I’ve long wanted to immerse myself into but only once the iOS build got to its current level did I find that easy to do. Net is a promising email startup that uses an AI card stack to make flipping through your emails a breeze with impeccable UX.
- Apps that I will shill till I die: Retro is a weekly photo journal that inspires me to take more photos and lets you send POSTCARDS to your friends & family. (Not Boring) Camera is a gorgeous skeuomorphic camera with really nice presets. Bump is Find My Friends for Gen Z. Radio Garden lets you explore the world through local radio streams. Particle is an amazing AI native news app with super fluid UX. Mercury is the most lovely fintech product for both businesses and now personal banking — I hope they take over the world.
I also asked Raffi to share a few things he’s into right now. Here’s what he sent back:
- TBPN & Stratechery podcasts.
- Discovering creative developers and design engineers who showcase their work on tech Twitter.
- Using Claude Code to ship iOS apps as someone without a formal background in software engineering.
- The resurgence of Pokémon and the Trading Card Game app.
Here’s what the Installer community is into this week. I want to know what you’re into right now as well! Email installer@theverge.com or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your recommendations for anything and everything, and we’ll feature some of our favorites here every week. For even more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on Threads and this post on Bluesky.
“Now that finals are over I have been diving into Ghost of Yotei. Crazy beautiful game.” — Jeremy
“Finally reading “The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green. Despite John living an entirely different life than me, his experiences and understanding of the world possess so many similarities to mine. I give it five stars.” — Christopher
“I feel like everyone is sleeping on Amazon Luna, the cloud stream gaming platform that Amazon includes with its yearly subscription. It consistently has A+ games on it. I’m currently addicted to the newest Bethesda Indiana Jones game… I hooked up my PS4 controller and am playing one of the greatest games of the past few years at no extra cost.” — Alex
“Audible had an insane three months for $1 deal, so I’ve been getting back into audiobooks while I do chores and commute. Currently listening to / reading Alchemised by SenLinYu and it’s fantastic.” — Colin
“Got myself a Teenage Engineering PO-12 drum machine on a rare sale. What a glorious little device. Lovely design, and hours of music fun, even for a complete amateur like myself. Plus – it even has a headphone jack! That said – I kind of wish that I’d gotten the PO-20 instead.” —
“StoneBlock 4, an amazing Minecraft modpack, is ruining all my productivity this week.” — Anne
“Yesterday I watched a badass Polish dude ski down Mt. Everest without oxygen. The feat is unbelievable, but I still think about the incredible footage.” — Denim
“I’m OBSESSED with the Xbloom robotic barista machine I’ve owned for a few weeks now. It’s basically like having a barista on demand 24/7 – if you love drip coffee this is an endgame coffee machine.” — Andrew
“+1 for Skate Story. Also, the OST… 👌” — Andy
I spent a bunch of time this week learning about Model Context Protocol, which is one of those things that most people will never think about but might be crucial to how technology works going forward. The MCP story is fascinating, but if you just want to quickly understand how the protocol works, and why it’s so important to the whole supposed AI-based future of everything, you should watch this 20-minute video. Greg Isenberg and Ras Mic walk through the whole stack at the perfect level of complexity, and with visuals that actually help (unlike so many videos I watched this week). If every educational video on YouTube were like this one, I’d be a much smarter person.
One more Installer to come this year. See you next week!
Technology
Tenways’ compact e-bike twists and folds to go flat
Tenways just launched its new CGO Compact electric bike in Europe that’s designed to fit into tight spaces like car trunks, apartment hallways, and train compartments.
To achieve this, the CGO Compact is fitted with small 20-inch wheels, folding pedals, and a handlebar fitted with a twistable stem to create a slim, wall-hugging profile. The adjustable steering column and low-step through frame also make it suitable for a wide range of rider heights, so it could be a good shareable e-bike for families. And its MIK HD rear carrier system is good for hauling up to 27kg (almost 60 pounds) around town, with mounting points for additional accessories like a crate or child seat.
Tenways might not be a household name globally, but the Chinese e-bike company headquartered in the Netherlands is making a name for itself in Europe thanks to aggressive pricing, sleek designs, and over 1,500 shops and service centers. And while the CGO Compact’s €1,999 (about $2,365) price tag isn’t cheap, it’s well below the €2,681 average for European e-bikes.
The company does sell e-bikes in the US, but the CGO Compact is only for sale in Europe as of today. It features a 250W rear-hub motor connected to a Gates Carbon belt drive for maintenance-free propulsion. It promises a range of up to 100km from its 500Wh removable battery, but its single-speed drivetrain produces only 45Nm of torque so it’s best suited for relatively flat cities. If your commute does stray from asphalt then the suspension seat post should help absorb bumps. There’s also an integrated torque sensor to ensure the smooth delivery of pedal-assisted power, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes should keep any sudden stops under control.
The CGO Compact lives up to its name regarding size, but it’s not all that lightweight. Stripped down it weighs 19.8kg (almost 44 pounds), or 22.1kg (almost 49 pounds) with all the accessories you’ll want in wet urban environments. That makes it heavier than many full-sized e-bikes, even from Tenways, and less versatile than the excellent 20-inch Brompton G foldable which also weighs less but costs more than twice as much.
Technology
Fox News AI Newsletter: Trump activates ‘tech force’
President Donald Trump’s administration is tasking an AI “tech force” to modernize systems. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.
IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
– Inside Trump administration’s AI tech force designed to modernize government
– Elon Musk slams Anthropic AI models as ‘misanthropic’ and ‘evil’ in scathing social media post
– AI power players pour cash into competitive primaries as 2026 midterms heat up
‘TECH FORCE’: Inside Trump administration’s AI initiative designed to modernize government – FOX Business reports on the Trump administration’s latest initiative to overhaul federal efficiency, detailing an internal AI “tech force” tasked with modernizing antiquated government systems and streamlining operations.
TECH ALLIANCE: War Department to partner with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT, GenAI for military use – The Department of Defense is reportedly strengthening its technological arsenal through a strategic partnership with OpenAI, aiming to integrate ChatGPT and generative AI capabilities into military operations to maintain a strategic edge.
SCATHING POST: Elon Musk slams Anthropic AI models as ‘misanthropic’ and ‘evil’ – Tech billionaire Elon Musk took to social media to unleash a scathing attack on rival AI firm Anthropic, characterizing their models as “misanthropic” and “evil” in a post that highlights the intensifying ideological rift within Silicon Valley.
Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., during the US-Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
POWER PLAYERS: AI execs pour cash into competitive primaries as 2026 midterms heat up – With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, deep-pocketed investors and executives from the artificial intelligence sector are pouring cash into competitive primaries, hoping to shape the regulatory landscape for the booming technology.
OPINION: AI raises the stakes for national security — here is how to get it right – In this opinion piece, OpenAI’s Chris Lehane argues that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has dramatically raised the stakes for American national security, outlining a strategic framework to ensure the U.S. maintains its dominance without compromising safety.
OPINION: The 2028 election will be a referendum on our future in an AI-dominated world – As technology accelerates, this op-ed contends that the 2028 presidential election will serve as a critical referendum on humanity’s future, forcing voters to decide how the nation should navigate an increasingly AI-dominated world.
Children forming deep emotional connections with AI companions is raising questions among parents. (StockPlanets/Getty Images)
BATTLE FOR DOMINANCE: AI wars begin in new Super Bowl commercials – The battle for artificial intelligence dominance has moved to the advertising stage, as tech giants unleash a wave of new Super Bowl commercials designed to capture the public imagination and assert their position in the “AI wars.”
BOT TO THE FUTURE: Humanoid robots are getting smaller, safer and closer to home – Recent advancements in robotics are making humanoid machines smaller, safer, and more viable for domestic use, suggesting that a future where robots assist with daily household tasks is getting closer to reality.
MOYA’S DEBUT: ‘Warm-skinned’ AI robot with camera eyes is seriously creepy – A new development in robotics featuring “warm skin” and camera eyes has sparked a mix of fascination and unease, with many observers describing the lifelike yet artificial creation as “seriously creepy.”
Moya’s humanlike appearance is intentional, from her warm skin to subtle facial details designed to feel familiar rather than mechanical. (DroidUp)
DIGITAL DANGER: AI companions are reshaping teen emotional bonds – A growing trend of teenagers forming deep emotional connections with AI companions is raising questions among parents and psychologists about the long-term impact of synthetic relationships on social development and mental health.
Subscribe now to get the Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter in your inbox.
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Technology
A surprise God of War prequel is out on the PS5 right now
To close out its February 2026 State of Play presentation, Sony revealed God of War Sons of Sparta, a new prequel 2D side scroller in the God of War franchise, and announced that it’s out right now on PlayStation 5.
”God of War Sons of Sparta is a 2D action platformer with a canon story set in Kratos’ youth during his harsh training at the Agoge alongside his brother Deimos,” Sony says. Over the course of the game, Kratos will “learn deadly skills using his spear and shield, as well as harness powerful divine artifacts known as the Gifts of Olympus to take on a wide array of foes.”
Sony’s Santa Monica Studio collaborated on the game with Mega Cat Studios. It costs $29.99, with a Digital Deluxe version available for $39.99.
Sony also announced that it’s working on a remake of the original God of War trilogy, with TC Carson set to return as the voice of Kratos. However, the project is “still very early in development, so we ask for your patience as it will be a while before anything else can be shared,” according to Sony. “When we can come back with an update, we aim to make it a big one!”
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