Touchscreens Take Over: How the Smoky Mountains Vacation Highlights the Rise of Interactive Displays

The Verge's Installer newsletter hits a milestone with its 150th edition, and this week's dispatch comes from an unexpected place: the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Editor David Pierce, on a family vacation, finds that even in the great outdoors, touchscreens are everywhere—from gas pumps to restaurant menus to trailhead kiosks. It's a reminder that interactive displays have become as ubiquitous as the trees themselves. The newsletter, a weekly guide to the best tech gear and digital culture, uses this personal observation to launch into a curated list of recommendations, touching on everything from smart home gadgets to streaming picks. For readers, it's a chance to discover new tools and trends, but it also prompts a bigger question: as screens multiply, what happens to our attention and our connection to the physical world? Pierce's blend of personal anecdote and tech curation has made Installer a go-to for enthusiasts, and this edition's mountain backdrop adds a fresh twist. As we head deeper into fall, expect more screens—and more debates about their place in our lives.