Google killed some Nest devices. Along with, as I say in my Stuff column, any lingering doubt smart home kit is any different from other consumer tech. Sure, the Nest devices lasted longer than a phone – but not as long as an appliance should. Consumers need to decide whether they want to continue the rush to smart tech if it’ll just become dumb tech when companies get bored or decide older kit is no longer profitable enough to support.

What is Apple in 2025? Michael Tsai rounds up thoughts from Dan Moren (who says the hardware is still good but Apple itself less so), Jeff Johnson (“the company itself is no longer special”), and Dimitri Bouniol, whose post has the most damning quote: “Once they were successful, they acted like no one else took part in helping them reach that success.”

Culturally, the shift at Apple has been gradual, but it’s now a different company from in the early 2000s. My take is it moved in key areas from wanting to “be the best” to settling for “be least worst”. And even then, I’m not sure it’s always successful. 

I’ve seen quite a few push back on the notion current CEO Tim Cook only cares about money and that Steve Jobs didn’t. That’s wrong. Cook clearly cares about more than the bottom line alone, but it feels like that’s now Apple’s priority over everything else. Jobs? Of course he cared about cash. But he also appeared to fully believe all that “bicycle for the mind” stuff and care about creativity. Compare that with the recent raft of Apple Intelligence ads, celebrating lazy assholes by empowering them with faux creativity, productivity and thoughtfulness. That those didn’t set alarms blazing and went out at all says a lot.

It’s May the 4th. Which means an excuse to do Star Wars things. Which for me means an excuse to write about Lego Star Wars for Stuff. Your wallet right now: “I have a bad feeling about this.”

Apps for the car? Not while you’re driving, obvs. But otherwise, here are the apps, tips and gear I reckon are worth considering while going vroom. Car optional. Maybe you just like running around and making car noises, in which case, good for you.

Can you get something for nothing for iPhone and iPad? Of course. But anything good? Absolutely, if these 15 apps are anything to go by.

Retro racing games? Yes, please. Mr Qwak’s Retro Racing 2 Pro is now out for Android, and Shane McCafferty has released Hero GP for Game Boy Color. He’s also teased OutRun for Game Boy Color and so is clearly some kind of wizard.