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The Verge Installer 142: New Macs and John Gruber's iPhone

Explore The Verge Installer newsletter issue 142, featuring powerful new small Macs, a Nokia phone, and John Gruber's iPhone 17 Pro homescreen setup.

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31 Aug 2026Source: The Verge3 min read (0 views)
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The Verge Installer 142: New Macs and John Gruber's iPhone

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

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  • The Verge releases Installer newsletter issue 142 highlighting top tech picks.
  • Features the 1 TB deep blue iPhone 17 Pro homescreen of tech writer John Gruber.
  • Highlights new small powerful Macs, a power-sharing Nokia phone, and a privacy Wyze cam.
  • The Installer newsletter will take a brief break next week as the author goes on vacation.

Tech publication The Verge has published the 142nd edition of its popular Installer newsletter, bringing readers a curated guide to notable gadgets, software, and cultural highlights. Written by senior reporter Jay Peters, this week's edition arrives just ahead of the busy September tech season, often dubbed Techtember.

Among the major highlights this week are two new compact and powerful Mac computers, alongside other intriguing hardware additions. These include a Nokia mobile phone equipped with reverse device-charging capabilities and a Wyze security camera boasting a standout privacy feature for users.

The late-summer period leading into September traditionally serves as a critical launchpad for major consumer electronics brands, particularly Apple. Curated newsletters like Installer capture this industry momentum by blending high-profile hardware leaks and announcements with the personal digital habits of prominent tech commentators, offering readers a unique window into the tech ecosystem.

chromebook notebook computer office desk workspace

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

A central feature of this week's newsletter is a deep dive into the homescreen setup of John Gruber, the well-known tech commentator behind Daring Fireball. His current mobile configuration and software preferences include the following specifics:

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  • Device: iPhone 17 Pro in deep blue with 1 Terabyte of storage capacity.
  • Wallpaper: A subtle dark gradient shifting smoothly from very dark gray to solid black.
  • Task Management: Utilizing three separate todo applications concurrently: Unforgetful, Finalist, and Due.
  • Note-Taking Apps: Running multiple note apps including Journal, Tot, and Apple Notes.

Gruber also highlighted niche software acquired through Apple's TestFlight platform, such as Mosaic, an alternative MLB sports tracking client developed by Jason Weingardt, and Kotoba, a specialized iOS dictionary app that integrates system dictionaries for daily word lookups.

"For years I just stuck with a flat black wallpaper, as god and Steve Jobs intended."

John Gruber

Readers who wish to contribute tips, feedback, or personal recommendations for future editions of the newsletter can reach out directly via email at installer@theverge.com. The publication noted that the newsletter will take a one-week hiatus while the author is on vacation, returning next month.

Source: The Verge

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