Is Nintendo’s New Alarm Clock the Key to a Super Mario Morning?

Installer No. 56: From Plankton to Pixel Phones – A Verge-iest Week

Hi, friends! Welcome back to Installer No. 56, your weekly dose of the best and most Verge-iest things the world has to offer. If this is your first time, welcome! Dive into our archives at the Installer homepage to catch up on past editions.

This week has been a whirlwind of fascinating discoveries. I’ve been engrossed in the world of Bill Lawrence’s television shows, exploring the immense power of the crypto lobby, and delving into the surprisingly captivating realm of plankton. On the audio side, Ed Helms’s excellent podcast, Snafu, has provided hours of engaging listening. My gaming time has been dominated by the delightful Balatro and Retro Goal, while I’ve been attempting (with varying success) to reignite my overnight oats routine. And yes, I’ve been testing out the impressively functional microphone on the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses – a truly remarkable piece of technology.

But enough about my week; let’s dive into the highlights:

The Drop: New Tech, Games, and More

This week’s "drop" is eclectic, ranging from the charmingly retro to the cutting-edge. Here are a few standouts:

• Alarmo: Nintendo has outdone itself with the Alarmo, a surprisingly charming alarm clock. Forget high-tech gadgets; this sleep-tracking clock employs Mario noises and retro animations to coax you out of bed. It’s configurable, fun, and highly effective. "A super configurable sleep tracking clock that uses Mario noises and retro animations to get your butt out of bed? I’m obviously sold."

• Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery: This documentary tackles the enigma of Satoshi Nakamoto and Bitcoin’s impact. While I remain skeptical of claims of Nakamoto’s identity, the film convincingly argues for Bitcoin’s overall significance. "Another day, another splashy reveal that ‘we’ve found Satoshi Nakamoto!’ Color me deeply, deeply skeptical."

• Microsoft OneDrive Upgrade: OneDrive is getting a much-needed facelift. Microsoft has reportedly boosted speed, improved search functionality, and launched a more photo-centric mobile app. While this might seem like a small win, it could finally make OneDrive a serious competitor to Google Drive and Dropbox. “OneDrive has always been, like, fine. But if Microsoft really has made it faster…”

• Mastodon 4.3: Mastodon’s latest update, focusing on improved usability and refined user discovery, might finally propel the platform into the mainstream. "But I think this update, meant to make the platform easier to use but especially meant to make it easier to find people to follow, is pretty exciting."

• Miraibo Go: This open-world monster-taming game has generated significant buzz, and for good reason. It’s bonkers, fun, and reminiscent of Pokémon, with its own distinct charm. "People keep comparing this open-world monster-taming game to Palworld — because it appears to be super fun and bonkers…"

• Forums Are Alive and Well: Chris Person’s article, "Forums Are Still Alive, Active, And A Treasure Trove Of Information," reminds us of the enduring power of online forums. His compilation of excellent forums is a remarkable resource for those seeking in-depth information on a wide range of topics. “If you want the real real on almost anything, the best place to go is a forum.”

• Piece By Piece: This Lego-animated documentary about Pharrell Williams is visually stunning, even if you’re not a fan of his music. The unique animation style alone is worth checking out. "Even if you don’t care at all about Pharrell Williams, you should watch a few minutes of this… which is entirely animated with Legos."

• Goodnotes with AI Integration: Goodnotes, a favorite among handwriting enthusiasts, now boasts AI-powered features like search, handwriting improvement, and equation solving, further enhancing its abilities.

• Dookie Demastered: For sheer silliness and nostalgia, check out Green Day’s "Dookie Demastered" project, where they’ve adapted their classic album for unconventional mediums.

• Google Docs Tabs: While seemingly minor, the addition of tabs to Google Docs is a significant usability improvement, making it much easier to navigate lengthy documents. "This is one of those tiny organizational things… that is going to make my life so much easier."

Screen Share: Barbara Krasnoff’s Tech Toolkit

Our reviews editor, Barbara Krasnoff, provides an insightful peek into her tech life, revealing her app choices and rationale. She uses a Pixel 6, showcasing her preference for longevity over chasing the latest model. Her homescreen is a balanced mix of productivity and personal touches, emphasizing Google apps for efficiency and a carefully chosen wallpaper reflecting personal significance. "It’s a Pixel 6. I know this may go against the tech enthusiast philosophy of ‘the latest and greatest,’ but I tend to hold on to my phones as long as they work…"

Beyond the core Google suite, Barbara highlights apps like UpNote, showcasing her appreciation for versatile, well-designed tools. Her app selection leans towards practicality and ease of use, demonstrating her practical approach to tech.

Barbara also shared some of her current media obsessions:

• Agatha All Along: This series is obviously doing very well.
• The Great British Bake Off: A calming baking competition to watch
• Doctor Who: A show that has a huge amount of shows to watch and rewatch.

She’s currently reading The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman, showcasing her taste for well-crafted fantasy. She also maintains a surprisingly competitive streak in Words With Friends 2, and is diligently tackling Yiddish on Duolingo, showing a dedication to personal growth.

Crowdsourced Recommendations: The Installer Community Speaks

The Installer community continues to provide insightful and diverse recommendations:

• I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin: A dark, funny look at modern culture.

• Strudel: A live-coding music platform offering a more immediate and fun experience than traditional DAWs. "It’s a really fun and immediate way of making music compared to a traditional DAW."

• GoodTask: A fantastic Apple-only app that enhances the functionality of Apple Reminders. "It’s only for Apple devices, but it basically supercharges Reminders…"

• Native Union (Re)Classic Case: A well-regarded phone case for iPhone 16 Pro.

• Superlocal Maps: A unique mapping experience with a "Fog of World" feature and powerful AI-powered search capabilities.

• Ninja Luxe 3-in-1 Espresso Machine: Providing weight-based dosing, automated frothing, and suggestions for optimal grind setting.

• Idle Iktah: A charming, addictive-but-not-overwhelming idle/incremental game.

• Forever Notes: A configuration turning Apple Notes into a sophisticated notes app.

Signing Off: A Spreadsheet Confession

I’ll admit it: I’ve become a spreadsheet enthusiast. While I’ve avoided them for years, their efficiency in managing large-scale projects is undeniable. I’ve discovered their versatility for everything from calendars and budget trackers to intricate project management. "I have become a spreadsheet person…" I’m embracing this unexpected skill, and I’m always looking for tips.

This concludes this week’s edition of Installer. Remember to share your suggestions and recommendations by emailing installer@theverge.com or messaging me on Signal (@davidpierce.11). Until next week!

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