iPad Mini vs. Kindle Scribe: Is an Upgrade Worth the Price?

Installer No. 57: Gadgets, Games, and the Ever-Evolving Digital Landscape

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 57, your weekly guide to the best and most Verge-iest things in the world. If you’re new here, welcome! Happy Kindle Season to all who celebrate, and you can catch up on past editions at the Installer homepage.

This week has been a whirlwind of fascinating topics. I’ve been immersed in articles on sports betting and its potential pitfalls, the exciting advancements in designer proteins, and the enduring appeal of the Ford Bronco. My soundtrack has been a mix of Bon Iver’s new album, [Sable](https://open.spotify.com/album/2Cwxsws0uZcu61gliYLOEm), and the timeless ambience of Brian Eno’s Music for Airports*. On the screen, I’ve been enjoying episodes of Archer* and Unstable**, while simultaneously wrestling with the quest for the perfect Nintendo Switch controller. And finally, I’m seriously planning to integrate a seltzer system into my kitchen counter – it’s simply time.

This week also brings an unusually heavy dose of new gadgets: new Kindles, new iPads, new retro game consoles, and more. Oh, and a quick reminder from last week: The Verge is currently hiring for some fantastic roles, including a Senior Tech Editor and a Deputy Editor overseeing reviews and commerce. If you’re interested in joining an awesome team, I highly encourage you to apply! I can personally attest to it being a great place to work. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about either position.

The Drop: New Tech and Entertainment

Let’s dive into the exciting new releases and updates that have caught my eye this week:

• The Kindle Scribe Signature Edition and the new Paperwhite: While I suspect the new Paperwhite will be the ideal choice for most users (and it truly is excellent), the allure of the color model is undeniable, especially for comic book readers. "This thing looks like a winner," I’d bet.

• The new iPad Mini: I’ve always hoped Apple would do something truly innovative with the iPad Mini, but alas, they haven’t. Nonetheless, the new model is impeccably modern and capable of everything a full-sized iPad can do. I’ll take that.

• The DJI Air 3S: DJI’s new mid-range drone boasts significant upgrades, with its primary focus being low-light performance. Built for safer flights, superior image capture, and easier returns home, even in challenging visibility, it strikes me as "very fun and also like a very good way to prank your friends."

• The Sonos Arc Ultra: While the app might need some work, Sonos still delivers on audio quality. "If you’re going to buy one piece of home stereo gear, a soundbar is the way." If their advanced surround-sound capabilities live up to the claims, this one’s a standout.

• The Analogue 3D: After what seems like an eternity, Analogue has finally released its Nintendo 64 console. This 4K upscaling machine delivers exactly as promised and represents a significant step forward in retro gaming. While it doesn’t ship until next year and preorders don’t open until Monday, it’s worth noting now given its anticipated rapid sellout. “It is exactly what I hoped it’d be."

• Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara: Perhaps still basking in my early 2000s nostalgia, I found this documentary undeniably captivating. It tells a wild story about identity theft, the darker side of fandom, and so much more.

• Eater for iOS: This app elegantly solves a problem that Google Maps consistently fails to address: “just a million maps of cool, good restaurants”. While their taste leans somewhat upscale, their recommendations have rarely steered me wrong.

• Shrinking season 2: One of my favorite shows is back! If you haven’t yet seen season one of this uniquely bleak and funny series, you should. And then watch season two instantly!

• Super Mario Party Jamboree: "[Mario Party 64 might be my all-time most-played video game]," and this newest installment promises a fantastic group gaming experience with numerous new minigames and engaging boards.

Screen Share: Adi Robertson’s Homescreen and App Choices

This week, we delve into the digital world of The Verge‘s Adi Robertson, who holds the likely distinction of having "worn the most AR and VR headsets" at the publication. Now leading our policy desk, Adi is deeply engaged in the crucial discussions surrounding the regulation, utilization, and understanding of the technologies shaping our lives.

Here’s a glimpse into Adi’s digital workspace:

• Phone: Samsung Galaxy S24
• Wallpaper: Lockscreen: rotating slideshow of her seven-month-old; Homescreen: the Continuous Monument, a satirical 1970s architectural concept.
• Apps: A vast array reflecting her professional and personal life, prominently featuring Libby, Paprika, Bluesky, and Wikipedia. Her comment on Libby: "While I fully support the idea of library-managed controlled digital lending, I can’t deny the convenient pipeline of borrowing a book from the New York and Brooklyn public libraries through Libby and having it appear instantly on my Kobo reader. You got me, public-private tech partnerships. Sometimes you’re good." And she notes that Paprika is "the best service I’ve found for opening a recipe on the internet, downloading a personal copy, and keeping it permanently on my phone for reference."

Adi also shares current favorites: [The Book of Elsewhere] (a collaboration between Keanu Reeves and China Miéville), Uzumaki (Adult Swim’s anime adaptation), and Dredge (a cozy horror fishing game).

Crowdsourced: Recommendations from the Installer Community

This section wouldn’t be complete without the invaluable insights from our Installer community. Their diverse and passionate recommendations provide a rich tapestry of entertainment and technology:

• Codenames (app): A highly-rated adaptation of the board game praised for its well-designed variations.
• Hearing Things: A music blog/playlist by former Pitchfork staff, featuring "a killer playlist" of the decade’s best music.
• Six Four (novel): A unique and compelling crime fiction novel.
• DuckDuckGo AI Chat: A privacy-focused AI experience.
• Charli XCX’s Brat remix album: Lauded for its impressive guest lineup.
• Simplehuman trash cans: Praised for their durability ("built like a tank").
• Rusty Lake games: A series of point-and-click puzzle games with a deep overarching story.
• Netflix Minesweeper: A surprisingly solid mobile Minesweeper implementation.
• The Dispossessed (novel): Ursula K. Le Guin’s exploration of anarchist principles and mid-century sci-fi.

Signing Off

Finally, I urge you to watch Cabel Sasser’s thought-provoking talk from the XOXO conference. While many of the XOXO talks are excellent, Sasser’s stood out for its unexpected twists and compelling narrative. "I promise you will never guess where it’s going, and I promise it’s worth the journey." Indeed, I find myself striving to see the world with more of Wes Cook’s discerning eye.

Remember to share your own recommendations by emailing installer@theverge.com or messaging me on Signal (@davidpierce.11). Until next week!

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