US — The Verge
Touchscreens everywhere!
Devices2 min read
The Verge's David Pierce shares his weekly list of favorite gadgets, apps, games, and other fun finds, called Installer No. 150. It covers new products from Apple, Amazon, and others.
A Weekly Gadget and Fun-Stuff Roundup
This edition of Installer is a short, friendly guide from tech writer David Pierce. He shares what he is using and liking this week. The list includes a new iPad Mini, an Amazon photo frame, a note-taking app update, a photo app, a book app, a music-and-video style history, a game, and a very expensive robot vacuum. He also asks readers to send in their own tips.
Key Prices and Facts
- The Alexa Photo Frame is about $200. The Echo Show 16 smart display costs $500.
- The Matic Serene robot vacuum costs $1,700.
- No Man's Sky is listed as Free at the top of the App Store, but it costs $20.
- The iPad Mini is new and does not have a ProMotion screen, which is a faster-refresh display feature.
- The Phantom Blade Zero game is popular on the Steam game store right now.
Some Terms Explained
Many items in this list are simple to understand once you know a few words. A smart home hub is a device that controls other connected devices in your home, like lights or timers. A robot vacuum cleans floors by itself. A plain-text note app saves your notes as simple text, with no fancy formatting. Installer is a newsletter, which means a regular email that people sign up to receive.
Why It Matters
This kind of list shows what tech writers and fans are excited about right now. It also shows the trend of screens and smart devices showing up in more places, from tablets to photo frames. Prices range from very cheap to very high, so readers can see what might fit their budget and their needs.
What to Watch For
- Whether the new iPad Mini is water- and dust-resistant, as the writer hopes.
- How well the Alexa Photo Frame works as a smart home hub.
- Whether the nvUltra note-taking app, which is in beta testing, is released to everyone.
- Reader tips and ideas sent to the Installer email for future editions.
Glossary
- Installer
- A weekly email newsletter from The Verge about cool tech, apps, and gadgets.
- ProMotion
- Apple's name for a screen feature that refreshes faster, making motion look smoother.
- Echo Show 16
- An Amazon smart display with a screen that works as a home hub.
- Steam
- An online store where people buy and download PC video games.
- Matic Serene
- A robot vacuum that cleans floors on its own. It costs $1,700 in this article.