Welcome back to Installer, your weekly dispatch from the intersection of tech, culture, and obsession — a curated dive into the very best stuff you should be watching, listening to, playing, and thinking about. If you’re new here: hello and welcome! You’ve just joined a curious, hyper-connected community of gadget lovers, game players, emoji philosophers, and all-around Verge-iest people. You can always catch up on past issues here.
Let’s start with a quick personal dispatch from my world this week — the things I’ve been reading, watching, playing, and generally obsessing over. From AI ethics to vintage gadgets to a golf game that somehow still slaps in 2025, it’s been a week of unexpected finds and deep rabbit holes.
What I’ve Been Into This Week
Reading
I’ve been devouring articles about the growing tension between artificial intelligence and academia — especially the moral gray zones as students and professionals alike turn to ChatGPT and its rivals to shortcut their way through everything from homework to job applications. These stories are less about simple cheating and more about the philosophical realignment underway: where does human creativity end and synthetic intelligence begin?
Also on my reading list: deep dives into the lives of NFL hopefuls. There’s something uniquely compelling about the discipline, sacrifice, and sheer risk it takes to chase the dream of professional sports. It’s like a real-world RPG with career-ending injuries lurking behind every tackle.
Watching
I’m back in the rhythm of Taskmaster, one of the most brilliantly absurd reality competitions ever put to screen. This new season brings a fresh set of comedians, new nonsensical challenges, and that same sense of organized chaos we know and love.
Also rewatching Mulan with the family — both the animated and live-action versions — has reminded me how central that story is to modern mythology. (Also: the soundtrack still goes hard.)
Playing
Two ends of the golf-gaming spectrum have taken over my devices. On mobile, PGA Tour Pro Golf continues to impress with its realism and intuitive controls — easily one of the best sports sims on iPhone right now.
On the retro side, I dug out my Switch for a nostalgia-drenched return to the original Mario Golf. It’s silly, fast, and fun, and proof that great game design is truly timeless.
Listening
In addition to my usual rotation of tech podcasts, I got deep into an especially quirky and insightful episode of 99% Invisible titled “Emoji Law.” It’s about how the humble thumbs-up emoji became the center of a major contract dispute. Think: contract law meets millennial communication habits. It’s a fun, weirdly high-stakes story that reveals how emojis have become a legal language of their own.
Shopping
eBay has me in a vice grip this week. I’ve been trawling listings for vintage gadgets — old PDAs, discontinued smartwatches, even a couple of nearly-mythical portable media players I wanted as a teenager but could never afford. It’s all research for something I’m working on, I swear. But I won’t lie — the nostalgia hit is real.
The Drop: This Week’s Must-Try Stuff
Let’s dig into some of the best new tools, toys, and tidbits that dropped this week. Whether you’re upgrading your gear, filling your commute with better listening, or just looking for a new thing to geek out over, there’s something here for you.
The Backbone Pro: A True Multi-Platform Gaming Controller
If you’ve followed mobile gaming at all over the past few years, you’ve probably heard of the Backbone One — an ingenious controller that effectively turns your smartphone into a handheld gaming console. It’s long been a go-to for iPhone and Android gamers who want real buttons and analog sticks instead of touchscreen swiping.
The new Backbone Pro takes that promise and supercharges it.
Not only does it retain the slick, ergonomic design that made the original such a hit, but it’s now wireless and far more platform-agnostic. The Pro can connect to your iPad, your smart TV, your Steam Deck, even your PC. It’s not quite the “one controller to rule them all,” but it’s getting close.
That said, there are some limitations. Backbone still doesn’t support Switch, PlayStation 5, or Xbox natively, and that’s due more to licensing headaches than technical ones. But if you’re a cloud gamer using services like Xbox Game Pass or NVIDIA GeForce Now, the Pro is a compelling way to play across devices without skipping a beat.
Why it matters: Mobile and cloud gaming are no longer niche. As game quality increases and 5G becomes more ubiquitous, the line between traditional console gaming and mobile experiences is blurring. A device like the Backbone Pro isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s starting to look like a must-have.
Emoji Law: A Podcast About
Let’s talk about communication in the digital age.
In the world of instant messaging, emojis have become more than just flourishes — they’re full-blown semantic tools. A thumbs-up can mean “yes,” “I agree,” “I got it,” or even just “I’m not mad at you.” But what happens when one party interprets 👍 as consent to a contract?
That’s exactly what happened in a case dissected in 99% Invisible’s fascinating new episode, “Emoji Law.” It follows a legal dispute in which a farmer responded to a contract proposal with a thumbs-up emoji, and the other party took it as a signed agreement. The case wound up in court, raising questions about how we interpret digital language and intent.
Why it matters: As more business is conducted over text, Slack, and WhatsApp, the legal system is being forced to evolve alongside our communication habits. What you type (or don’t type) could have real-world consequences, especially when the line between “casual” and “contractual” gets blurry.
Microsoft Surface Pro 12: ARM’s Big Test
Microsoft is taking another big swing at Windows-on-ARM with the Surface Pro 12, and early impressions are surprisingly hopeful.
This new model is sleek and slim, with a larger display, better thermals, and more efficient internals powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips. Microsoft is promising solid battery life, fast app performance, and broad compatibility — all areas where previous ARM-based Surface devices have struggled.
Starting at $800, the Surface Pro 12 enters a crowded field of ultralight laptops and tablets. But if Microsoft can deliver a seamless Windows experience with the battery life and instant-on reliability of an iPad, it might finally give the MacBook Air some genuine competition.
Why it matters: For years, Windows on ARM has been a punchline. But as Apple’s M-series chips reset the bar for performance-per-watt, Microsoft is under pressure to catch up. The Surface Pro 12 might be its best chance yet.
A Few More Drops Worth Your Time
- GTA VI Content Leaks – The next Grand Theft Auto is still under wraps officially, but more leaks are surfacing. These aren’t just shaky screenshots — we’re seeing potential mechanics, map layouts, and even hints at the story. Rockstar remains tight-lipped, but the hype train is rolling.
- New WHOOP Band – If you’re into fitness tracking and don’t mind a subscription, the newest WHOOP is sleeker than ever. Better sensors, longer battery, and more in-depth analytics make it a compelling option for performance-obsessed athletes.
- Barbarians at the Gate (Finally) – Yes, the legendary 1990s business drama about the RJR Nabisco buyout. I’m only now watching it, and it holds up brilliantly — a fast-paced, cynical, and oddly hilarious look at Wall Street’s wildest days.
Community Check-In: What Are You Into?
We say this every week because it’s true: the best part of Installer is you. The readers. The watchers. The weird little internet curators sending in their niche finds and low-key obsessions. What are you reading? What’s your favorite indie game right now? Did you just discover the perfect note-taking app, or an old piece of gear that still slaps?
Tell us everything:
Got a buddy who might like Installer? Forward this to them, or have them
Until Next Time…
That’s it for this edition of Installer. Whether you spend your weekend gaming on a Backbone Pro, listening to emoji litigation podcasts, or finally organizing that drawer full of ancient charging cables (we all have one), I hope it’s a good one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Backbone Pro and how is it different from previous versions?
The Backbone Pro is a new wireless version of the popular Backbone mobile gaming controller. Unlike earlier models, it supports multiple platforms including iPads, smart TVs, PCs, and Steam Decks, not just smartphones. It still doesn’t support Nintendo Switch, PS5, or Xbox directly due to platform restrictions.
Where can I listen to the “Emoji Law” episode from 99% Invisible?
You can find it on all major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or directly on the Just search for “Emoji Law.”
What makes the Microsoft Surface Pro 12 special?
It’s Microsoft’s latest attempt at ARM-based Windows computing. It uses Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X chips for better battery life and performance and offers a sleek design with a 13-inch display. It’s aimed at competing with Apple’s M-series MacBooks in the ultraportable segment.
How do I get previous editions of Installer?
You can access all back issues of Installer through Each edition is archived and easily browsable.
How can I submit my own recommendations to Installer?
The team welcomes tips, ideas, or cool finds from readers. You can email your suggestions directly to They love hearing what you’re reading, watching, or geeking out over.
Conclusion
Installer No. 82 captures a moment where the best of tech, media, and culture collide — from multi-platform gaming gear to legal debates over digital thumbs-ups, and ambitious new computing hardware to good old-fashioned nostalgia.
