GoKawiilis editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. Previously, at Protocol, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired.
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Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 137, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, happy phone season, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)
I also have for you a couple of exciting new ideas about phones, a tiny e-reader you might love, a fun way into the Linux world, and much more. Let’s do this.
(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you watching / reading / playing / listening to / plugging into a generator this week? Tell me everything: [email protected]. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, forward it to them and tell them to subscribe here.)
The Drop
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 . I haven’t held this new wide foldable yet, but almost everyone who does seems to immediately think it’s the right shape and size. Yes, it’s still twice the price it needs to be to really be competitive, but I think Samsung is finally starting to make a compelling argument for foldables. Also: love the purple. I haven’t held this new wide foldable yet, but almost everyone who does seems to immediately think it’s the right shape and size. Yes, it’s still twice the price it needs to be to really be competitive, but I think Samsung is finally starting to make a compelling argument for foldables. Also: love the purple.
Tagline . Fun new game from the folks at Merriam-Webster in which you have to solve three puzzles with words made from the same seven letters. It is tough! It’s also a perfect middle ground between word games and trivia games, and I’m very much enjoying failing at it every day. Fun new game from the folks at Merriam-Webster in which you have to solve three puzzles with words made from the same seven letters. It is tough! It’s also a perfect middle ground between word games and trivia games, and I’m very much enjoying failing at it every day.
The Xteink X4 Pro . Tiny e-readers are officially a thing. (Even Tiny e-readers are officially a thing. (Even Boox is making one !) I could take or leave the touchscreen on the new $99 model , but the built-in light makes it immediately the best of the bunch. I cannot believe how many people tell me they love these little devices.
“ Technically Competent: Installing Linux .” I love the McElroy family (MBMBAM forever), but I did not expect to be here appreciating their tech prowess! But this is a fun, funny video that is also a helpful and approachable intro to the Linux world. It’s nice to know dongles break for everyone, you know? I love the McElroy family (MBMBAM forever), but I did not expect to be here appreciating their tech prowess! But this is a fun, funny video that is also a helpful and approachable intro to the Linux world. It’s nice to know dongles break for everyone, you know?
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