David Pierce released Installer No. 136 on July 18, 2026, a weekly newsletter offering his curated picks of technology, entertainment, and apps. This edition featured his unexpected endorsement of the film The Odyssey as the movie of the summer.
Highlights from Installer No. 136
Pierce admits he went into The Odyssey with low expectations but found it impressive enough to call it the standout film this season. Alongside this cinematic recommendation, he highlighted updates to a popular note-taking application and introduced a new app designed specifically for organizing photos.
In a personal update, Pierce revealed he is deep into producing the upcoming season of The Verge's podcast, Version History, noting the current season's finale will release on the coming Sunday. He also mentioned recent explorations in gaming, such as trying new Knockout Tour routes in Mario Kart World, and tinkering with a Flipper Busy Bar device which he enjoys despite not having found a practical use for it yet.
His week included multiple diversions into topics like data center heists, the backstory of the comic Calvin and Hobbes, and an episode of Revisionist History that surprisingly deepened his knowledge of Staten Island. also Pierce revisited the history of the earliest chatbot and read about Backyard Baseball.
The newsletter maintains a conversational tone, blending personal anecdotes with curated recommendations, which has cultivated a devoted following for its relatable style.
Readers are encouraged to submit their own app and entertainment suggestions by emailing installer@theverge.com.
Material is informational and not a financial recommendation.
