The Ultimate 2024 Installer Gift Guide: Recommendations for Everyone

Welcome to Installer No. 62: Your Guide to the Best and Verge-iest Stuff

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 62, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. If you’re new here, welcome and happy Post-Thanksgiving Chill Weekend! You can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage. This week, I’ve been indulging in various forms of entertainment, from junk food and Madden 2004 to the captivating lyrics of "Defying Gravity" from Wicked. I've also been exploring the back catalog of 60 Second Docs, engaging with 'Thomas the Tank Engine' with my toddler, and listening to the inaugural episodes of 'The Rest is Classified'. I've also discovered a productivity app I truly love, a new portable microphone, another beautiful music-making gadget, and much, much more to watch this weekend. While it’s typically a light week for new releases due to the holiday in the U.S., your recommendations have not disappointed, as always. So let’s delve in!

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The Drop: Noteworthy Apps and Gadgets

Here are some exciting picks for this week's Drop:

Craft 3: This is by far the closest thing I've encountered to my perfect note-taking app, seamlessly integrating tasks, events, and notes.
The DJI Mic Mini: A portable mic that sounds surprisingly great! A must-have instead of the traditional TikTok lapel mic.
It’s in the Game: A documentary featuring archival footage and NFL player insights about Maddens' legacy—great for any virtual football fan!
Robot Dreams: An animated feature about the heartwarming companionship of a robot and dog, although not brand new, it’s a delightful watch this holiday season.
The Telepathic Instruments Orchid: A futuristic music-making gadget from Tame Impala's Kevin Parker.
Stuff: A new task and notes manager that features dependencies to keep projects in order.
The B&O Beoplay Eleven: AirPods Pro have officially met their designer match in this luxury headset priced at $500.
Microsoft Recall: The launch of Microsoft’s AI assistant for Qualcomm-enabled PCs is intriguing and worth checking out.

Holiday Gift Guide (Part One)

Reading gift guides can often be more enjoyable than receiving gifts! Here’s a glimpse of some favorites from my recent gift guide explorations:

Ultimate Ears Bluetooth Speakers: Perfect for all occasions, I have multiple around my home for every need.
The Steam Deck OLED: A high-end gaming console that any gamer would love—definitely a splurge at $549.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: Ideal for those who appreciate open-ear headphones for exercising or multitasking.
A Charger/Power Bank Combo: A versatile must-have that ensures devices are always charged up.
The Kindle Paperwhite: The best reader for those who just want to read without any complications.
Streaming Service Gift Cards: A unique twist for those looking to explore lesser-known platforms.
Gift Cards in General: Everyone wins with gift cards!
The Nothing CMF Phone 1: A budget-friendly Android phone full of features ideal for casual use.
A Bluetooth Game Controller: A versatile accessory, great for games and general remote control use.
The Studio Neat Totebook: My favorite notebook that feels great to write in!
The Google TV Streamer: Simple to set up with a plethora of streaming options.

Screen Share: Productivity Insights from Matthias Hilse

Recently, I’ve been seeing excitement in productivity circles around a system called Forever Notes created by Matthias Hilse. It adds great organization without unnecessary complexity to Apple Notes. Here’s a peek at his homescreen:

The Phone: Matthias still uses the iPhone 14 Pro.
The Wallpaper: Personally designed to match the Forever Notes cover images.
The Apps: Includes Insight Timer, Newsify, WienMobil, Arc, and Apple Notes.

Matthias is currently enjoying the show Somebody Somewhere and exploring the PC game Tiny Glade.

Crowdsourced Recommendations

Here’s what the Installer community is enjoying this week:

“My latest app obsession has been Fitbod. It’s motivating my workouts!” — Mai.
“Listening to Raising Parents with Emily Oster, it addresses overprotective parenting in today’s tech world.” — Mitchell.
“Watching Architectural Digest’s production design video for the Wicked movie.” — Eli.
“Season 2 of Arcane is compelling TV, even for non-players.” — Noah.
“Dropout has become my go-to streaming app.” — Brad.
“I’m checking out the movie Conclave now available on VOD.” — Marty.
“Just started Stephen Fry’s Odyssey, an enjoyable read!” — Payasam.
Say Nothing on Hulu covers the Troubles in Northern Ireland.” — Darragh.
“Listening to Against Technoableism by Ashley Shew.” — Jeanne.
“Playing last year’s Robocop: Rogue City for the experience!” — Arnold.

Signing Off

Thanksgiving is a joyous occasion, though I’m not a fan of the typical Thanksgiving feast. However, the leftovers are something I adore, especially the creative take of stuffing waffles—a game changer if you haven't tried them yet!

For those who are celebrating, have a wonderful holiday! See you next week!