Plus, in this week’s Installer: A new Star Trek movie, Nvidia’s new superpowered GPU, AI agents, and much more.
This week, I’ve gone down some intriguing rabbit holes: reading about Kieran Culkin’s insomnia struggles, browsing eBay for high-end startup gear, finally watching The Wild Robot, and reflecting on my shopping habits while enjoying The Mega-Brands That Built America. Along the way, I added some Baseus retractable cables to my travel kit, rediscovered Atari’s Pitfall! in an incredible browser-based version, tested the new Spark calendar app for Android, and attempted to recreate Babish’s delicious breakfast sandwich.
Beyond that, there’s been plenty to explore: the latest Android flagship phone, the GPU gamers are drooling over, an AI test that stumps even the smartest tools, a smart Google alternative, and more. While the post-CES lull means fewer major announcements, there’s still lots to unpack. Let’s dive in!
The Drop
Samsung Galaxy S25: Samsung’s latest lineup has arrived. The S25 Edge stands out with its sleek design, and the Ultra is a powerhouse. While the lineup feels a bit predictable, Samsung is delivering a high-end, full-featured flagship starting at $800—a tempting choice for most Android users this year.
Star Trek: Section 31: Paramount Plus’s new movie starring Michelle Yeoh has critics divided, but it’s Star Trek, so emotions are running high. Personally, I’m thrilled to return to this universe, and I’ll gladly take a two-hour movie over a ten-hour series.
Humanity’s Last Exam: This mind-bending AI test is both fun and challenging. Researchers designed it to push AI to its limits, and so far, no model has come close to passing. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the next stage of AI development.
Perplexity Assistant: While Perplexity’s search results can be hit-or-miss, its new Android app is a promising step toward task-focused AI. Think of it as OpenAI’s Operator, but without the $200 price tag.
Android 16 Public Beta: This year’s updates may not be groundbreaking, but they’re useful. Highlights include Live Activities-style lockscreen notifications, improved app resizing for foldables, and intriguing night-mode camera upgrades.
The Night Agent, Season 2: Netflix’s political thriller returns with the same fast-paced energy as season one. If you enjoyed the first installment, this one’s a no-brainer.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090: Priced at $2,000, this GPU is a beast for 4K gaming. Officially launching next week, it’s bound to sell out quickly—act fast if you’re interested.
“Why Streaming Will Destroy the Typical Sports Fan”: A fascinating deep dive into the economics of sports rights and their cultural impact. The article’s “Jenga tower” metaphor for cable bundles is pure gold.
Brave Rerank: Brave’s search engine, already a solid Google alternative, now lets you up- or down-rank domains in your results. This small customization feature goes a long way.
Screen Share
Every so often, I jump on a Google Meet call with Mike McCue, Flipboard’s CEO, to discuss the future of tech. Lately, we’ve been geeking out over Surf, Flipboard’s new feed-reader app. It’s social without being dominated by one company, personalized based on your preferences, and feels like the next big thing in social media.
Pro tip: If you sign up for Surf using the code “Installer,” you can skip the waitlist. Currently, you’ll need a Mastodon account to join, but Bluesky support is on the way.
Mike also shared his homescreen setup with me:
The phone: iPhone 16 Pro Max
The wallpaper: A dynamic Earth wallpaper or family photos. “It reminds me I’m just a tiny speck in space and time,” he says.
Favorite apps: Apple Maps, Gaia GPS (for trails), Windy (weather), Sky Guide (planet tracking), Spotify, Google Calendar, Leica Fotos, Pixelfed, Flipboard, Threads, Ivory (Mastodon client), Bluesky, and Surf Beta.
Most-used app: Apple Notes. “It’s simple and just works,” Mike says.
Mike’s also into these feeds on Surf:
- NBAThreads: Real-time commentary during games.
- FilmFeed: Gorgeous photos from film photographers.
- Guardians of the Fediverse: Updates from the social web community.
- SkyTok: Trending Bluesky videos tagged with #SkyTok.
What the Installer Community Is Into
Here’s what some of you have been loving lately:
- UFO 50: A retro-style indie game collection. “It’s all I’ve been playing,” says Jelly.
- Miyoo A30: Beeks installed custom firmware and is reliving childhood with Pokémon Yellow Legacy.
- I Love Hue Too: “Beautiful, addictive, and a wonderful escape,” says Brad.
- Silo: Andy’s reading the Wool series after last week’s season finale.
- Dragonsweeper: Sophie’s hooked on this dungeon crawler meets Minesweeper.
- Old School Weather Channel Playlist: Mike’s been vibing to nostalgic tunes.
Signing Off
At CES, a friend mentioned Douglas Adams’ 1999 essay, How to Stop Worrying and Learn to Love the Internet. It’s a prescient look at how technology evolves from disruptive to mundane. One quote resonates deeply:
“Another problem with the net is that it’s still ‘technology,’ and ‘technology,’ as the computer scientist Bran Ferren memorably defined it, is ‘stuff that doesn’t work yet.’”
Adams’s essay is a reminder: the more things change, the more they stay the same. And maybe that’s a comforting thought.
