Installer No. 65, the final edition of the year, offers a curated collection of apps, entertainment, and tech recommendations, alongside a glimpse into the digital life of internet personality Hank Green. This edition explores a diverse range of topics, from the allure of smart home technology and the evolving landscape of social networking to thought-provoking documentaries and captivating novels. As the year draws to a close, Installer No. 65 provides a rich tapestry of content to inspire and engage during the holiday season.
The newsletter introduces Home Assistant Voice, a smart home voice assistant that tempts even the most hesitant tech enthusiasts. It highlights Flipboard Surf, an innovative app poised to revolutionize content consumption in the fediverse by aggregating feeds from various platforms, and Google Whisk, a novel approach to prompt engineering that simplifies the creative process through visual inspiration. Entertainment recommendations include the latest installment of the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise, promising amped-up humor and action, and the updated Acorn 8, a user-friendly image editing software for Mac. The Niagara Launcher for Android receives praise for its innovative Usage Breaker feature, offering a more nuanced approach to screen time management. Finally, the quirky 1-800-ChatGPT, a phone hotline for conversing with AI, captures attention for its nostalgic charm and playful approach to artificial intelligence. For those seeking extravagant tech indulgence, the LG Signature OLED T, a partially transparent 77-inch TV, presents a futuristic, albeit pricey, viewing experience.
A central feature of this edition is the “Screen Share” with Hank Green, a multi-talented internet personality. His homescreen reveals a well-loved, albeit disorganized, digital workspace, reflecting his diverse interests and reliance on essential apps like Shopify, Wikipedia, and Apple Notes. Green emphasizes the value of Wikipedia as a primary search engine, advocates for the emerging social platform Bluesky, and confesses his heavy reliance on Apple Notes for memory support and project management. The screen share provides a candid peek into Green’s digital habits and offers a glimpse of his current projects, adding a personal touch to the tech-focused newsletter.
Beyond the screen share, Green shares a selection of his current favorites. He recommends the works of science fiction author Adrian Tchaikovsky, emphasizing the author’s insightful explorations of consciousness and the future. He reiterates his enthusiasm for Bluesky, predicting its rise to mainstream popularity. A YouTube video analyzing the Narwhal Wikipedia page receives Green’s enthusiastic endorsement, as does Sean Carroll’s Mindscape podcast, which delves into complex scientific topics. Green highlights the PBS documentary series Frontline, praising its investigative journalism and depth of analysis.
The “Crowdsourced” section of the newsletter showcases recommendations from the Installer community, offering a diverse range of suggestions. Readers share their enthusiasm for Tana, a groundbreaking knowledge management tool; The Agency, a star-studded television show demanding active viewer engagement; and the joys of building custom mechanical keyboards. The crime procedural High Potential receives praise for its satisfyingly familiar premise. Various Bluesky/fediverse clients, including OpenVibe, Graysky, and Skeets, are also recommended. Pantheon, an animated series exploring artificial intelligence, gets a nod, alongside the limited-release film The Order, based on the true story of a violent Aryan Nation splinter group. Lighter fare includes the charming farming game Suika Game for the Switch and a revisiting of the Murderbot Diaries book series. Finally, The Shallows by Nicholas Carr, a thought-provoking examination of the internet’s impact on human cognition, and the latest Superman trailer round out the community recommendations.
Installer No. 65 concludes with a reflection on the interconnectedness of inventions and their unforeseen consequences. The editor marvels at seemingly insignificant innovations, like the gang-nail plate, which have profoundly shaped modern living spaces. This observation serves as a reminder of the often-hidden ripple effects of technological advancements and underscores the complex relationship between invention, design, and human behavior. The newsletter ends with a wish for a happy holiday season, leaving readers with a sense of anticipation for the year ahead.
This expanded summary provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse content presented in Installer No. 65, delving into the details of each recommendation and highlighting the unique perspectives shared by both the editor and the community. It captures the spirit of the newsletter, which blends tech news, entertainment suggestions, and personal insights to create an engaging and informative experience for readers. The extended length allows for a more thorough exploration of each topic, offering a richer understanding of the newsletter’s content and themes. The inclusion of more detailed explanations and context enhances the reader’s appreciation for the curated selection of recommendations and reinforces the newsletter’s value as a source of inspiration and discovery.
