Welcome to Installer No. 81, your weekly portal into the most interesting, clever, and occasionally weird corners of the tech, pop culture, and gadget universes. Whether you’re a long-time reader or just joining in, this roundup brings together the tools, tips, and toys shaping the digital landscape right now. And yes, happy “Finally Feels Like Summer” week to everyone sweating through early May.
This week, the universe has been a delightful and chaotic mix of tech experiments, courtroom dramas, and experimental headphones. I’ve been deep in stories about secretive tech bro group chats, revisiting the saga of ChatGPT’s rise, and marveling over Steven Soderbergh’s uncanny ability to make anything interesting. I flirted with buying a Xiaomi car, got obsessed with a Slate Truck I’ll never actually reserve, tested a weird little AI pendant, and dusted off Mario Golf thanks to an N64 emulator update. Chaos. Delightful chaos.
But let’s get to what you’re here for: the coolest stuff of the week, curated just for you.
The Drop: This Week’s Must-Trys
One Million Chessboards
Remember One Million Checkboxes—the addictive social experiment that turned a simple UI into something strangely compelling? Well, the same brilliant mind is back with One Million Chessboards. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a million chess games happening at once. The twist? You can drag pieces between boards. Chaos. Strategy. Mild brain melt. I joined early and have loved watching it catch fire across the web.
Meta AI
Let’s talk about Meta’s newest venture. It’s essentially an endless feed of AI-generated content, which is either a revolutionary content experience or a complete existential nightmare—possibly both. While it’s currently embedded in apps like Instagram, the standalone version feels cleaner and slightly less dystopian. I’m still undecided, but it’s one of the most fascinating digital experiments out there.
Kayak.ai
Now this is the kind of AI I can get behind. Rather than wade through dropdown menus, filters, and pop-ups to book a trip, Kayak.ai lets you type something like, “I want to go somewhere warm with good beaches and cheap flights in June.” It does its best to parse that into real options. It’s not perfect, but even early on, it feels better than the usual online booking slog.
Raycast for iOS
On Mac, Raycast is one of the most powerful tools out there—a sleek launcher that makes Spotlight look like it’s still stuck in 2008. The iOS version isn’t quite that yet. So far, it’s mainly a synced notes app and AI chat interface. But even in this limited form, it’s already earned a spot on my homescreen. If you’re into fast workflows, keep your eye on this.
Thunderbolts
Here’s a surprise: the new Marvel film Thunderbolts is actually… good? Really good. It focuses on a ragtag group of lesser-known antiheroes, and early reviews suggest it’s the best Marvel offering since “Endgame.” Florence Pugh leads a cast that pulls more emotional weight than you’d expect from a franchise film in 2025.
Shokz OpenDots One
Open-ear, clip-on headphones are having a moment. These new $200 buds from Shokz are sleek, durable, and designed to let you hear the world around you while still jamming to your favorite playlists or hopping on a call. They’re interchangeable too—either bud fits either ear. Perfect for dog walks, Zoom fatigue, or ignoring everyone at the grocery store in the friendliest way possible.
Nothing CMF Phone Pro 2
This one’s a heartbreaker. The new CMF Phone Pro 2 might be the best-looking modular Android phone in years—but it’s not coming to the U.S. With more cameras, an upgraded spec sheet, and a colorful, swappable aesthetic, it’s a direct successor to the playful spirit of early Android. Still, importing might be worth the trouble if you’re determined.
Letter Lock
The team behind Words With Friends has added a twist with Letter Lock, a daily word puzzle that balances accessibility with complexity. It’s single-player, so no pressure from friends, and it’s compelling enough to open the hideous WWF app daily. I hate the interface… but I keep playing.
Wonder Blocks
From the same folks who created the charming Bird Buddy, Wonder Blocks is a nature-in-a-box ecosystem project. Think of it as a smart planter meets DIY biology kit. It’s a Kickstarter, yes—but from a company with a proven track record. If you’re not ready for the whole kit, the standalone Petal Camera is a beautiful, techy window into your garden.
Screen Share: The Homescreens of the Installerverse
The coolest part of Installer isn’t the products or the updates. It’s you. Every week, readers send in tips, suggestions, and hot takes—and increasingly, screenshots of their homescreens. So starting now, we’re turning the spotlight around.
First up: Zach Schiffman, a social media editor at New York Magazine and longtime Installer reader. Zach’s homescreen is one part minimalist, one part power user. With a healthy mix of custom widgets, automation tools, and apps that scream cool media person, his setup is as thoughtful as it is functional. We’re showing it off with a little breakdown of his top apps and homescreen philosophy.
Want to be featured in an upcoming edition? Send your homescreen my way. I’ll follow up with a few quick questions, and then we’ll highlight your setup in a future post.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Installer, and who writes it?
Installer is a curated weekly tech and culture digest written by David Pierce. It’s part recommendation engine, part digital lifestyle column, and part community conversation — focused on highlighting the coolest, most Verge-y stuff happening each week.
How do I get featured in the Screen Share section?
Just send in a screenshot of your homescreen along with a few words about the apps you love and why. If selected, you’ll be contacted for more info before being featured.
Can I access past editions of Installer?
Yes. All past editions are saved and accessible in the Installer archive, which can be found through The Verge’s homepage or via search.
How do I submit tips or suggestions for future editions?
You can send your recommendations, product finds, apps, or general tips by email. Installer welcomes input from readers every week — it’s a big part of what shapes the newsletter.
Are the products and apps in Installer sponsored?
No. All recommendations are chosen editorially by the team based on genuine interest and relevance. There are no sponsored placements in the newsletter itself.
Is there an Installer mobile app?
Not at the moment. Installer is published as a weekly newsletter and online article, which you can subscribe to or read directly through The Verge’s platform.
Why is this one called Installer No. 81?
Because it’s the 81st weekly edition of Installer — each one is numbered to help readers follow along, look up previous editions, and track what’s new.
Conclusion
Installer No. 81 is a perfect snapshot of where tech culture stands right now: part funhouse, part frontier. From AI-generated social feeds to minimalist gadgets and modular smartphones, it’s a world defined by experimentation and reinvention. This week’s edition captured that spirit — with chessboards you can drag between, AI that books your flights, and gadgets that blur the line between convenience and curiosity.
