Technology
Apple iPad Mini, Amazon's Alexa Photo Frame lead week's fresh tech picks
The latest Installer newsletter rounds up the gadgets, apps, games, and culture worth your attention—from a thinner tablet to a quieter robot vacuum.
The Verge
This week's Installer newsletter picks out the standout tech and media commanding attention across hardware, gaming, reading apps, and beyond—plus what the community is into right now.
New Hardware Worth Your Time#
The refreshed iPad Mini emerges as the week's most compelling Apple release. While the lack of ProMotion display technology may disappoint some, the device's slimmer profile and lighter weight present real advantages. The pitch of a tablet that's genuinely resistant to water and dust damage adds practical durability to the appeal.
Amazon's Alexa Photo Frame ($200) reframes the smart display category as a living room staple first, smart hub second. At that price point, positioning the device primarily as an elegant digital photo frame with optional smart-home controls makes it far more approachable than pricier Echo models.
Echo Show 16 rounds out the Amazon ecosystem refresh.
Apps and Software Getting Attention#
nvAlt has resurged after years without updates, bringing its lightweight plain-text note-taking environment to modern Macs. The developer continues building nvUltra, an even more capable version still in beta testing.
Readwise Books presents a genuinely appealing alternative to Kindle and Goodreads, combining purchase, reading, and social discovery features. The app's recommendation feed—drawing suggestions from strangers across the platform—has proven more useful than expected for many users.
Chromagraph, shaped by director Rian Johnson and his longtime cinematographer, offers an opinionated iOS camera application built on strong creative credentials. It processes iPhone photos according to professional filmmaking preferences.
Games Making Waves#
Phantom Blade Zero continues climbing Steam's popularity charts, drawing praise for martial arts-inspired combat mechanics and cohesive visual design. The soundtrack has also earned unexpected appreciation.
No Man's Sky arrives on iOS after a decade-long journey, marking one of the most ambitious and technically complex games to reach Apple's platform. Compatible with most recent iPhones and iPads, the game carries a $20 price tag despite appearing free in the App Store.
