The AI search engines are here — and getting better
Image: David Pierce / The Verge Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 59, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, so psyched you found us, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I’ve been reading about HotWired and DRAM and Mike Solana, watching The Diplomat, jamming to Dua Lipa’s Tiny Desk concert, trying Smashing for news reading and cool-stuff discovery, testing my bandwidth caps downloading Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and listening to all six hours of the Acquired Meta episode. I also have for you some interesting new AI search products, some new Apple gear, a couple of documentaries to watch this weekend, a calendar app for Windows, and much more. Oh, and thanks to everyone... Continue reading…
During this past week, my media consumption and digital explorations have spanned an eclectic mix of technology, entertainment, and culture. I've been particularly fascinated by deep dives into HotWired's pioneering role in digital publishing history and technical investigations into DRAM memory architecture. Mike Solana's incisive commentary on technology and society has provided thought-provoking perspectives on current industry trends.
In the entertainment sphere, I've been thoroughly engaged with "The Diplomat," which offers a compelling blend of political intrigue and dramatic storytelling. The musical highlight of my week was discovering Dua Lipa's NPR Tiny Desk concert, where her stripped-down performances revealed new dimensions to her artistry. On the digital media front, I've been experimenting with Smashing as an alternative platform for news aggregation and content discovery, appreciating its unique approach to surfacing interesting articles and discussions.
Gaming has occupied a significant portion of my bandwidth - quite literally - as I've been downloading the substantial Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 installation. The process has made me more conscious of my internet service limitations. Additionally, I invested six illuminating hours listening to Acquired's comprehensive analysis of Meta's business evolution and strategic direction, which provided invaluable insights into one of tech's most influential companies.
Looking forward, I'm excited to share several discoveries that might interest you: I've come across some innovative AI-powered search tools that are pushing the boundaries of information retrieval, and I've been evaluating Apple's latest hardware offerings. For weekend viewing, I've identified a couple of compelling documentaries that deserve attention. Windows users might be particularly interested in a new calendar application I've discovered that enhances productivity workflow.
All of these explorations and discoveries wouldn't be nearly as meaningful without the engaged community providing recommendations and sharing their own experiences. These collaborative exchanges continue to enrich my understanding and appreciation of technology, media, and culture.