Installer 68: Samsung Galaxy S25, Star Trek: Section 31, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, And More Tech Highlights

Hello friends! Welcome to Installer No. 68, your go-to source for the best tech and entertainment updates from the world of The Verge. Whether you’re a tech aficionado or just curious about the latest trends, this edition is packed with excitement. Feel free to catch up on past issues at the Installer homepage.

This week, I’ve been diving into various topics, including an interview with Kieran Culkin, exploring insomnia, and checking out eBay for fancy startup items. I also finally had a chance to watch The Wild Robot and binge-watch The Mega-Brands That Built America. Adding travel essentials, playing a fun rendition of Pitfall!, and experimenting with a new calendar app kept me busy, too. Plus, I followed a recipe for a delicious-looking breakfast sandwich. Let’s explore the highlights from the week.

I’ve curated a list of the most noteworthy updates, from the biggest new phone in the Android world to the latest advancements in gaming GPUs. Though the tech scene has been relatively quiet, we’ve got plenty to discuss. Let’s dive in.

Feel free to share what you’ve been up to this week. Hit me up at installer@theverge.com, or tell your friends to subscribe here.

• The Samsung Galaxy S25. Though Samsung’s lineup might not impress as much as previous releases, the S25 Edge and Ultra models stand out. Most users will likely settle for the affordable $800 option, making it a popular choice.
• Star Trek: Section 31. Opinions on this Paramount Plus movie are varied, but fans will appreciate Michelle Yeoh’s presence. It’s an opportunity to revisit the legendary universe.
• Humanity’s Last Exam. This challenging AI test, designed by researchers, pushes the boundaries of what artificial intelligence can achieve, providing a mind-bending yet enlightening experience.
• Perplexity Assistant. Although Perplexity’s search results are mixed, the company excels in creating user-friendly products. This new Android app aims to enhance AI functionality without the hefty price tag.
• Android 16 public beta. While the latest beta release doesn’t introduce groundbreaking features, it includes some intriguing innovations like Live Activities-style lockscreen notifications.
• The Night Agent season 2. Fan-favorite Netflix show continues with another fun and exciting season, perfect for binging.
• The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090. Despite its steep price tag at $2,000, this GPU offers unparalleled performance for 4K gaming, making it a must-have for serious gamers.
• “Why streaming will destroy the typical sports fan.” This in-depth study combines economic analysis with cultural history, offering insights into the evolution of sports on television, with a powerful Jenga analogy.
• Brave Rerank. Brave’s innovative search feature allows users to prioritize specific domains in their results, streamlining searches to their preferences.

Every now and then, I catch up with Mike McCue, CEO of Flipboard, for insightful discussions about the future of technology. We often debate topics like Surf, a new feed-reader app from Flipboard.

I believe Surf, or something similar, represents the future. It’s a social, personalized feed-reader without the control of any single company, an appealing alternative in today’s digital landscape.

Good news for readers: sign up for Surf with the code “Installer” to skip the waitlist and start using the app. Mastodon accounts are required for now, but Bluesky support will follow.