Google finally showed the full picture on its Googlebook laptops, and they look like they could be the real deal for people who want a PC that plays nice with their Android phone. The first five models come from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, and Google is promising 10 years of updates — a commitment that should give buyers serious peace of mind.
That is the headline from this week’s edition of Installer, the Verge’s weekly roundup of tech news, deals, and personal recommendations. The newsletter arrives with a San Francisco trip, a folding Peloton treadmill, and a sequel that leaves the Oldest House behind for Manhattan. Here is what actually matters inside it.
Google’s Big Laptop Reveal
Google announced a ton of details about its Googlebook laptops this week. The company is promising that these machines will get 10 years of updates, which is a notable pledge given how quickly the PC market usually moves. Buyers have a range of brands to choose from.
The promise of decade-long support speaks to a real commitment from Google to make the platform work. That is a big deal for anyone who wants a laptop that stays relevant for years rather than months. The source does not say exactly what those updates will include, but the company’s stated intent is clear.
Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Without Cameras
Meta is launching smart glasses without cameras. The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses still have microphones and speakers, so you can still listen to music and talk with AI. The battery life is longer, and there are also some new styles available. The newsletter’s writer, who tried the hardware in San Francisco, admits a personal preference: “Not going to lie, I really like the Clubmaster style.”
By removing cameras, Meta is addressing privacy concerns directly — users do not have to worry about being recorded. The writer’s enthusiasm for the Clubmaster style is a small touch that humanizes the roundup.
Control Resonant Leaves the Oldest House
Remedy’s Control sequel, titled Control Resonant, moves out of the mind-bending Oldest House and into Manhattan and some strange new locations. The writer has beaten it and says they prefer the original’s more contained setting, but they love a lot about where the story goes.
If you are a Remedy fan, the newsletter recommends checking this one out. The shift to Manhattan opens up the game’s scope in a meaningful way, even if the source does not describe the new locations in detail. The verdict is mixed but positive overall.
Silent Hill Heads to Scotland
Konami’s next big horror game, Silent Hill: Townfall, is set in a town in Scotland. Reviews make it sound like another worthy addition to the franchise. It should be a great one to check out to get ready for Halloween.
The franchise has a long history of atmospheric dread, and this entry looks set to continue that tradition. The source does not say which town specifically, nor does it describe the game’s setting in detail. The reviews cited in the newsletter simply note that the game holds up well against its predecessors.
Peloton’s Folding Treadmill
Peloton made a folding treadmill. It is called the Peloton Flex, and it is described as a smart idea for Peloton faithfuls with smaller living spaces. The company calls it its “most affordable” treadmill.
Folding is all the rage these days, and Peloton is jumping on the bandwagon. The Flex is designed for people who need their equipment to fit neatly away when not in use. The newsletter frames it as a reasonable tradeoff for the space savings.
Microsoft’s Updated Surface Mouse and Laptop
Microsoft’s Surface Mouse got a second generation. The new version has haptic feedback, an action button, and can be paired with three devices. It is a tad pricey, but the newsletter calls it a really solid option if you just want a good mouse.
The Surface Pro and Laptop also got a refresh. The newsletter’s writer tested the new Surface Mouse alongside the refreshed laptops.
Logitech’s Yeti 2 Follow-Up
Logitech G’s Yeti 2 is the follow-up to the Blue Yeti, one of the most recognizable microphones ever. The new model has an LED display and can track your voice with an audio proximity sensor. The newsletter’s writer picked up a cheap mic on a Whoop sale but says they might end up snagging a Yeti 2 if that one does not cut it.
The Yeti 2 builds on that legacy with a few new features. The LED display adds a visual element, and the proximity sensor tracks voice activity. The writer’s indecision suggests the Yeti 2 is a strong contender.
Brad Bourque’s Homescreen
This week’s feature spot belongs to Brad Bourque, who joined The Verge’s commerce team for a few months to help with deals coverage. He is also a fellow Portlander, so the newsletter calls him part of the small but mighty Portland contingent.
Bourque shared his homescreen setup, including his phone, wallpaper, and the apps he keeps at hand. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is his device of choice, and his lockscreen features a fan-made Tekken Tag Tournament poster with Armor King and Modelo. He describes it as a setup that does not have to make sense if the vibes are right.
The Apps He Cares About
Bourque’s homescreen is dominated by two mobile games and a handful of everyday tools. Idle Obelisk Miner is an idle game he recently started playing, and he finds it compelling and generous given the genre’s normal conditions. He has been playing for just over a month and a half and is only at 3.16 percent completion, so he knows he has a long road ahead of him.
The other mobile game is Nubby’s Number Factory, an oddball roguelike he has sunk dozens of hours into on Steam. The game has a funky style and charm that reminds him of old Adobe Flash browser games, but with modern sensibilities and huge replayability.
The main screen is mostly boring stuff, with apps like mail, texting, and YouTube given priority positions for easy access. His dark secret is that, if you swipe one page to the right, it is all a disorganized mess of apps with no sorting or folders. If he is looking for a specific app, he swipes up and searches for it.
What He Is Into Right Now
Bourque has been chiseling away at some of the expansions he missed in Destiny 2 since the final major update. With the recent announcement that old vaulted content would be coming back, he is planning on continuing to sink time into one of his favorite games ever.
He has also been playing quite a lot of Old School RuneScape over the past few months. He did not play during its heyday, so he does not actually have much nostalgia for the game, but he has been really enjoying it. The newsletter leaves the story there, suggesting the experience is ongoing.
The Newsletter’s Own Picks
The newsletter’s writer has been listening to Joanna Stern’s interview with Mark Zuckerberg, watching an interview with new Apple CEO John Ternus, and revisiting Steve Jobs’ “Antennagate” press conference Q&A. They have also been playing games on their Steam Deck using the Xreal One Pro glasses and reading Sarah Wynn-Williams’ Careless People when they have spare moments.
These are the kinds of things the writer keeps on their radar between trips and product tests. The Stern interview and the Ternus interview are notable because they involve two major tech leaders, while the Jobs revisitation ties into a specific moment in Apple’s history.
The Bottom Line
This week’s Installer is a grab bag of announcements, but the Googlebooks reveal stands out as the clearest signal of a product direction. Ten years of updates is a bold promise, and the five manufacturers involved give buyers real options.
The newsletter’s tone is cheerful throughout, with personal anecdotes and product picks woven together. The writer’s admission that they like the Clubmaster style on the Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses is a small touch that humanizes the roundup.
The newsletter closes with a request for reader input: what apps are you into right now? What have you watched, seen, or listened to recently? The writer asks readers to send their ideas to installer@theverge.com and to forward the newsletter to anyone who might enjoy it.
| Product | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| Googlebooks laptops | 10 years of updates |
| Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses | Clubmaster style |
| Control Resonant | Moves to Manhattan |
| Peloton Flex | Folding design |
| Surface Mouse | Haptic feedback, three-device pairing |
The newsletter is a useful snapshot of what is happening across tech this week. It is not a formal review, but it points readers toward products worth considering.
The Verge’s weekly newsletter continues to deliver the kind of curated content that keeps readers engaged. This week’s edition is a reminder that the newsletter is more than a collection of links — it is a personal tour through the week’s biggest stories, told with a light touch and a clear eye for what matters.
Source material: “Googlebooks might be the real deal,” The Verge.
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