This installment provides a comprehensive look into the evolving landscape of consumer technology, from groundbreaking smart home solutions to an array of personal gadgets. It features insights into the latest affordable smart lighting options from Philips Hue, alongside highly anticipated updates in the gaming and social media realms, such as the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong and Instagram's new iPad application. The discussion also touches upon a surprising television series success and highlights several innovative products, including advanced item trackers and unique digital notepads. Furthermore, the piece offers an exclusive glimpse into the digital habits of a leading smart home expert, revealing how professionals in the field leverage technology in their daily lives.
The newsletter begins by welcoming readers and catching them up on the author's recent experiences, which include experimenting with a highly customizable keyboard, delving into popular book series like Dungeon Crawler Carl and The Dark Tower, and conquering the challenging video game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice with a helpful mod. The author also expresses excitement for the upcoming content in this edition, promising fresh takes on Hollow Knight: Silksong, Instagram on iPad, and a new spinoff of The Office, among other topics. A programming note informs readers that the regular columnist, David, will return the following week, with the author extending gratitude for the engagement and support received during their temporary tenure.
A significant highlight of this edition is "The Drop," introducing Philips Hue Essentials, a new, more budget-friendly line of smart light bulbs starting at $25, with an even lower price point of $15 per bulb when purchased in a four-pack. This makes advanced smart lighting more accessible to a wider audience. Philips' parent company, Signify, also unveiled additional smart home devices, including a new bridge, more lighting products, and a wired video doorbell. Enthusiasts of indie gaming will be thrilled to hear about the arrival of Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited sequel to Hollow Knight, which is already receiving positive early reviews. Social media users have cause for celebration with Instagram's official launch on the iPad, nearly 15 years after its initial iOS debut, albeit with a focus on short-form Reels. The article also notes the unexpected success of The Paper, a spinoff of The Office, which has already been renewed for a second season, proving its surprising quality. Other notable releases include Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 FE, a more affordable smartphone, and updated S11 and S11 Ultra tablets featuring a redesigned S Pen. Remarkable introduces its Paper Pro Move, a sleek E Ink digital notepad, and Chipolo unveils new item trackers with rechargeable batteries, offering up to six months of use per charge and compatibility with Apple's Find My and Google's Find Hub networks. Lastly, Mophie's Max Headphones Charging Stand is presented as a convenient, albeit premium-priced, solution for charging AirPods Max and other Qi-compatible devices simultaneously.
In the "Screen Share" segment, the newsletter features an in-depth interview with Paulus Schoutsen, the visionary founder of the open-source smart home automation platform Home Assistant and president of the Open Home Foundation. Given the recent IFA 2025 conference, which saw a flurry of smart home news, Schoutsen's insights into his personal tech setup are particularly timely. Although he has since transitioned from an iPhone 15 Pro to a Google Pixel, his core approach to technology remains consistent. Schoutsen's iPhone homescreen, as captured in August, reveals a minimalist design with limited app icons, reflecting his conscious effort to reduce screen time. His wallpaper is a blurred version of his Lock Screen, featuring Home Assistant graphics, chosen for its unobtrusive nature. He avoids social media apps on his phone, opting for web-based versions of Bluesky and Mastodon to make engagement less frictionless. Schoutsen also discusses his use of Quiche browser (a discovery from a previous Installer), Arc for organizing desktop bookmarks on mobile, and Obsidian for note-taking. His adoption of Obsidian, an open-system note-taking tool, was influenced by the limitations of third-party apps on iOS and the rise of AI. He has even integrated AI, specifically Claude Code, into his Obsidian workflow to automate tasks like categorizing shopping lists and summarizing meeting notes.
Schoutsen shares his current interests, highlighting his fascination with AI and its practical applications, particularly Claude Code, which he uses for programming and even for imaginative projects with his child, like creating a Pong game that changes light colors via Home Assistant. He also expresses enthusiasm for Z-Wave technology, mentioning the Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 antenna, designed for enhanced smart home connectivity. Beyond technology, Schoutsen values time with friends and family, making the most of remote work by spending summers in various European countries. He also highly recommends the third season of Foundation on Apple TV Plus. The "Crowdsourced" section features recommendations from the Installer community, including a highly anticipated bug-themed game sequel, a return to physical music collection with FLAC files, a compelling documentary on the Python programming language, and praise for the RSS reader app Reeder. Other community suggestions include engaging architecture and interior design videos, a noteworthy birdwatching documentary, and the post-hardcore band Static Dress. The section concludes with a recommendation for NTS Radio, an online radio station praised for its diverse DJ mixes and user-friendly app.
This week's edition wraps up with a nod to the IFA 2025 conference in Berlin, which, much like a mid-year Consumer Electronics Show, showcased an array of new products. These included innovative robot vacuums capable of climbing stairs, a variety of smart lights, and advanced party speakers. The article invites readers to explore comprehensive coverage of the event's most impressive offerings, emphasizing the breadth of technological advancements unveiled. The newsletter signs off with the promise of David's return for the next issue, signaling a continuation of insightful discussions on cutting-edge technology and digital culture.
