Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 124, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, send me your Coachella fits, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about restaurant bread and GLP-1s and Lenny Rachitsky and […]
A "slow tech" movement is emerging as people, including tech pioneers like Tony Fadell, seek to reduce digital fatigue. Consumers are embracing older, simpler gadgets like the iPod Shuffle and flip phones, valuing "friction" as a way to create boundaries and regain control over their time and attention.
Microsoft has identified a new self-propagating malware, dubbed Crypto Clipper, that spreads via USB drives to steal cryptocurrency credentials. It monitors clipboards for wallet addresses and seed phrases, captures screenshots, and sends data through Tor to attacker-controlled servers, also diverting payments to attacker wallets.
Following India's temporary ban on Telegram due to exam fraud concerns, users flocked to VPNs and alternative messaging apps. VPN downloads surged by 49% on June 18, with Proton VPN and Turbo VPN seeing significant increases. Signal and Viber downloads also rose, while Telegram's daily active users increased on the day of the ban.
Google is launching its developer verification system for Android apps on September 30, starting in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. The system aims to combat malware by verifying developer identities, impacting app sideloading and requiring participation from third-party app stores.
Apple has updated its Beats Studio Buds to fix CVE-2025-20701, a critical vulnerability allowing nearby hackers to eavesdrop via Bluetooth. The patch is delivered automatically.
Snap is spinning off its internal generative AI video team into a new company called Dotmo. Dotmo will focus on AI models for interactive gaming experiences, citing high internal costs. Snap will retain close ties, including a technology license and a significant equity stake, while Snap's CTO Bobby Murphy will act as lead investor.
