Technology

Best Earth Day deals Best refurbished sale Save 25% on Sonos certified refurbished Save 25% Shop Now Best tech deal Get 10% off Apple accessories with trade-in Save 10% Shop Now Best cleaning supplies deal Save on Blueland cleaning products Get 20% off sitewide Shop Now Best mattress deal Save 10% on Avocado mattresses Get 10% off everything Shop Now Best kitchen deal Save 60% on GreenPan Get 60% off sitewide Shop Now Best self-care deal Save 15% on select Biird toys Get 15% off non-vibrating toys with code EARTH Shop Now

This year's Earth Day festivities take place on April 22, and a lot of tech brands are honoring the occasion with special events. You might not think of Earth Day as a big sales holiday, but we’ve actually found tons of Earth Day deals on everything from home and cleaning essentials to eco-friendly mattresses.

In the tech world, Apple is offering customers a trade-in deal to encourage customers to recycle old electronics. Through May 16, when customers recycle an eligible piece of tech at an Apple store, they'll receive 10% off Apple accessories and may be eligible for store credit. A new survey from CNET (Mashable and CNET are both published by Ziff Davis) found that one in three U.S. adults holds onto old devices simply because they don't know how to recycle them.

Here are the best Earth Day deals to shop this week.

Best Earth Day tech deals for 2025 Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Save 10% on Apple accessories with trade-in Learn More Why we like it

Even Apple is celebrating Earth Day this year by giving customers 10% off an Apple accessory when they recycle an eligible item in-store. Bonus deal: Apple Watch owners can earn an Earth Day limited-edition award by completing any 30-minute workout on April 22.

While 10% off isn’t huge, it’s a great way to get rid of an old device in your home. Learn more at the Apple website.

More tech deals

• Save 25% on certified refurbished soundbars, speakers, and smart home audio products from Sonos through April 22

• Save on sustainable tech at Nimble

• Shop Plug's Earth Day Sale and save on certified pre-owned tech

• Get up to 20% off generators, electric coolers, and more during GoalZero's Earth Day Sale

Best cleaning supplies deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blueland 20% off at Blueland Get Deal Why we like it

Blueland is offering up to 20% off sitewide, plus 30% off subscriptions during its Earth Day Sale. You can find select items on sale at Amazon, too. But the real deals are happening on the company's website.

I use Blueland Dishwasher Detergent Tablets and the Multi-Surface Cleaner. I’ve been pretty impressed with the quality and how much plastic waste I’ve been able to cut down by switching to the brand. It’s also helped me declutter my cleaning cabinet! I keep the tablets in one glass jar under my sink.

More cleaning supplies deals

• Get up to 20% off select Cleancult products at Amazon starting April 22

• Get up to 30% off sitewide during Grove Co.'s Earth Month sale

Best Earth Day mattress deals Opens in a new window Credit: Avocado Green Mattress 10% off at Avocado Green Mattress Get Deal Why we like it

Avocado Green Mattress is having an Earth Month Sale, where you can get 10% off everything, including mattresses, mattress toppers, bedding protectors, and adjustable bed frames. The sale runs through May 5, 11:59 p.m. EST.

The Avocado brand is known for its certified organic mattresses and bedding, plus they're Climate Neutral Certified. But this also means that they’ll be raising prices due to rising costs and tariffs (as stated on their website). So, if you’ve been eyeing an Avocado mattress, now’s the time to buy.

More mattress deals

• Get up to 22% off sitewide at Naturpedic with code EARTH22

• Get up to 15% off during My Green Mattress' Earth Day Sale

• Get up to $400 off mattresses, plus a free gift at Purple

• Get up to 25% off mattresses at Casper

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: GreenPan 60% off at GreenPan Shop Now Why we like it

GreenPan is offering up to 60% off sitewide during its Earth Day Sale. This is huge considering how expensive GreenPan cookware can be. (I spent nearly $400 on my pots and pans set.) And, if you spend $275 or more, you’ll get a free GreenPan Cook’s Journal Cookbook.

GreenPan sells nonstick cookware that is free from PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, which justifies the price. They also sell bakeware, kitchen utensils, and small countertop appliances.

More kitchen deals

• Get up to 20% off select Stasher products

• Get up to 20% off select kitchen accessories during IKEA's Together for Earth Month Sale

• Get up to 15% off select Caraway products

• Get up to 30% off Energy Star appliances at Samsung

Best self-care deal Opens in a new window Credit: Biird 15% off non-vibrating toys at Biird Use code EARTH at checkout Shop Now Why we like it

One of the best self-care deals I’ve spotted is from Biird — one of my absolute favorite sex toy brands. They almost never have a sale, so I was super excited to hear that they’ll be offering customers 15% off all non-vibrating toys with the code EARTH now through April 27.

This includes the brand’s newest silicone dildos and my personal fave, the Kalii (a glass G-spot dildo).

More self-care and beauty deals

• Get up to 20% off select products at Foria

• Get $25 off any sex toy at The Natural Love Company

• Get up to 60% off select products at Lovers

• New customers can get 15% off the Green Jade Calm Collection at Knesko when they sign up for email & SMS

• Get up to 15% off select products at Saltair

• Get 2 for $35 at Polite Society

• Save on conscious beauty at Ulta

UPDATE: Apr. 21, 2025, 4:13 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with additional information, including a new Earth Day 2025 sale from Sonos.

We've seen tons of different PCs on the smaller side, from mini-ITX-sized ones to actual miniatures. Few are as small as this one, though.

The Elgato Facecam Neo webcam is currently available at a low price. This HD webcam, normally priced at $79.99, is currently on sale for just $59.99 on Amazon, which is a significant 25% discount. This marks a return to the lowest price ever recorded for this model, previously seen only briefly around a month ago.

Microsoft seems to be moving its games over to PlayStation, and Nintendo has an even better relationship with the company. It shouldn't be long before we see more Xbox games head over to the Nintendo Switch 2, especially since it can now handle more complex games.

One of America's many long national nightmares (admittedly one of the smaller ones) came to an end last week, as Nintendo announced a new preorder date for the upcoming Switch 2 console.

After an anxiety-inducing delay on preorders in the U.S. caused by President Trump's tariff policies, the new retail preorder date is April 24, and the price of the console is still $449.99 on its own, or $499.99 when bundled with Mario Kart World. With all of that out of the way, now it's time to figure out exactly how to pre-order a Switch 2. You can go the usual route involving various major retail chains at midnight on the 24th, but as a backup option, you can try buying directly from Nintendo. Here's how that works.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide: Everything you need to know ahead of time How to pre-order Switch 2 directly from Nintendo

The good news is that Nintendo has a website set up specifically for this, with the rules clearly explained. The bad news is that the rules, as per usual with Nintendo, are a bit wacky and arcane. The even worse news is that, even if you secure a spot in this carousel, you won't be able to make your preorder until May 8.

First, you need to log into the site with your Nintendo Switch Online account. Yes, you need one of those to kick off this process, and what's more is that it needs to have had a paid membership to the service for at least 12 months in order to be eligible for a preorder. You also need a minimum of 50 gameplay hours tied to your account. This is admittedly a creative way to deal with scalpers, but it also means you need to be a somewhat serious Switch user to get through this process.

Anyway, once you're logged in, you pick which Switch 2 model you want (console or Mario Kart bundle) and click the "Register Interest" button. At that point, you've done all you can do. Starting on May 8, Nintendo will start sending out emails to eligible customers on a first-come, first-served basis. These emails are non-transferable and are limited to one console purchase per Nintendo account, and they expire after 72 hours.

One small sliver of light in all of this is that Nintendo isn't limiting this to just one wave of invite emails on May 8. Additional batches of invites will go out over time, so if you don't get an email on the 8th, you might still get one later. This could be a very solid backup option for anyone trying to get a Switch 2 on April 24. If you can't secure one then, at least you'll have this in your back pocket as a potential opportunity to get one a couple weeks later.

The luxury segment represents the automotive industry’s most advanced vehicles, especially when it comes to technology. In a fast-moving world, driver assists and safety features in crossovers are much more impressive than they used to be, capable of taking control and mitigating accidents.

Most people think about style and function when purchasing phone accessories, but I’ve started thinking about sustainability to help the planet. Every case, charger, and screen protector I buy has an environmental impact, and I want to make choices that count.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to BitMar’s content finder for A$23 through April 27 only with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. A$234).

Here’s a challenge: cut the cord with your streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, all of them. You’re likely paying hundreds each year in subscription fees and, chances are, you still can’t find the one movie you want to watch on any of them.

All of these reasons are probably why so many people are turning to BitMar, a streaming service alternative. You know how you can find some free movies or TV shows available online if you dig hard enough? This powerful search engine does that for you. And, for a limited time, you can get it for A$23 with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. A$234).

Wait…how does it work?

BitMar is powered by the Bing search engine, but it only has eyes for free streaming content. You’ll use a far more user-friendly interface to plug in a channel, genre, actor, or a specific movie or TV show you have in mind, then this content aggregator scours the web to find it.

Is it legal? Yes. BitMar is fully compliant with copyright laws — and it’s simply locating content already available on the web.

If you’re wondering why you wouldn’t just spend the time searching for it yourself, that’s the reason right there — it saves you time. BitMar also filters out the garbage to leave you with high-quality, ad-free content.

Enjoy no subscription streaming with a BitMar lifetime subscription at A$23 with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. A$234). This coupon code expires April 27.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder: Lifetime Subscription AU$23
AU$234 Save AU$211 Get Deal

TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office Pro 2021 at just A$78 (reg. A$344) and enjoy lifetime access to essential productivity tools.

Grab Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows at just A$78 (reg. A$344) and enjoy lifetime access to essential productivity tools.

What you get with your purchase

• One-time purchase, lifetime access — no monthly fees, just essential Office apps

• Includes must-have tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Teams, and Publisher

• Designed for Windows users — perfect for work, school, and personal projects

• Boost productivity with reliable tools for documents, data management, and communication

• Quick and easy setup that allows you to download it instantly and activate with your product key

• No hidden fees — pay once and use Microsoft Office Professional 2021 forever

Skip the subscription headache — don’t miss this deal and get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for A$78. Sale ends April 27.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License AU$78
AU$344 Save AU$266 Get Deal

My work involves capturing and annotating multiple screenshots on my Mac every day. As such, I need a screenshot tool that can do both efficiently. Sure, macOS has a built-in offering that's quite capable and supports annotation, but it falls short in many aspects.

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic church, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was known for his progressive ideals within a traditionally conservative institution and advocated for both social and economic justice.

In the weeks before Pope Francis passed, he also shared an important and forward-thinking message about new technology.

"How I would like for us to look less at screens and look each other in the eyes more!" Pope Francis said in an official video message translated from his native Spanish language. "Something's wrong if we spend more time on our cell phones than with people."

The Pope's prayer concerning technology was uploaded just 3 weeks before his passing.

Pope Francis's message was a part of the Pope's "Monthly Intentions" for 2025. Each month, the Pope set a “monthly prayer intention,” where he invited people around the world to join him in prayer on a specific topic. April’s intention, the final monthly intention before his death, was focused on new technology. The intention and related reflections posted to the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network specifically mentioned artificial intelligence, video calls, smartphones, and screen time in general.

"It's true, technology is the fruit of the intelligence God gave us but we need to use it well," Pope Francis said in his April video address. "It can't benefit only a few while excluding others."

In his message, Pope Francis called on using technology to "unite, not to divide." He shared that technology should be used to help the poor, the sick, and persons with different abilities. In keeping with his environmentally-conscious messaging throughout his papacy, Pope Francis also called for using technology to "care for our common home" and to connect with one another.

Ironically, many social media users underlined Pope Francis's point about technology immediately after his death, albeit unintentionally. Once the news broke, social networking platforms exploded with memes, many referencing the 2024 film Conclave about the secretive meeting of Cardinals following a pope's death. Others joked about how Vice President JD Vance was among the final people to see the Pope before his death, meeting Pope Francis on Easter Sunday.

"The screen makes us forget that there are real people behind it who breathe, laugh, and cry," Pope Francis said.

In the April prayer on new technology, the Pope shared his hope that "technology does not replace 'person-to-person' contact, that the virtual does not replace the real, and that social networks do not replace social settings."

He concluded, "Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person and will help us face the crises of our times."

SAVE 25%: As of April 21, you can save 25% on Sonos certified refurbished speakers, soundbars, and more. But you'd better hurry! This deal ends April 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Get 25% off select Sonos certified refurbished products Shop Now

If you’re trying to make a conscious effort to spend your money wisely, buying certified refurbished electronics might be the best way to go. And with Earth Day just a day away, we’re seeing some pretty good deals on refurbished tech.

SEE ALSO: Want to avoid tariff price hikes? Shop our giant list of 91 refurbished tech deals.

Right now, you can get up to 25% off certified refurbished speakers, soundbars, headphones, and more at Sonos. The sale features discounts on the Sonos Arc soundbar, Sonos Ace headphones, Sonos Beam, and additional products. You’d better hurry, though, because the sale ends tomorrow.

If you’re worried about the “refurbished” label, don’t be: Sonos says all of its certified refurbished products are “thoroughly inspected and tested to meet Sonos’ high standards” and come with the same warranty as new products. You’ll also be helping 1% for the Planet and reducing your environmental footprint by giving a product a second life.

Google's Gemini Live launched for all Android users over the weekend. That means far more folks now have access to the AI assistant's tool that lets users live-share a video or screen.

The feature rolled out last month to Pixel 9, Galaxy S25, and Gemini Advanced subscribers before now going wide to all Android users, Android Central reported. The move was expected: Google noted earlier this month that the feature was rolling out to all Android users with the Gemini app.

The idea behind the tool is that the AI assistant sees what you see, either via your camera or on your screen. That ability, in theory, could help with any number of tasks. You could, for instance, see if Gemini could help you solve a tech problem like helping you troubleshoot a router that isn't working.

Users can simply point the camera — or scroll down — and talk to Gemini in search of answers. The tool should now be available to Android users in the Gemini app via the "Share screen with Live" button. While it's not quite built-in augmented reality, it does seem close — and certainly something interesting to test out.

Synology confirms that its upcoming Plus-series NAS devices will restrict some software functionality if you fail to use approved hard drives. This change does not affect older Plus-series hardware.

If you’ve been eyeing the Apple Watch Series 10, now just might be the perfect time to finally snag one. Amazon is currently offering the popular smartwatch for $299, which is a price it’s only dropped to a couple of times in the past.

SAVE $550: The Anker Solix C1000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $449, down from the standard price of $999. That's a 55% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 portable power station $449 at Amazon
$999 Save $550 Get Deal

We're only a month and a few days away from Memorial Day, which means it's time to start thinking about summer camping adventures. After you battle for those campground reservations, consider how you're gonna stay powered up while living off-grid. And then consider this great solution that happens to be on a deep discount today.

As of April 21, the Anker Solix C1000 portable power station is on sale for $449, marked down from the list price of $999. That's a 55% discount that takes $550 off the normal price.

When camping or outdoor adventures take you off the normal power grid, that doesn't mean you need to cook over the fire and head to bed come sunset. Of course, that way of living has some perks but if that's not ideal for you, stay fully powered with the help of a portable power station.

SEE ALSO: Shop sustainably and save money with these Earth Day deals

The Anker Solix C1000 comes with 1056Wh of capacity which can keep your devices and appliances charged up. Anker mentions the capacity can recharge an iPhone 92 times, keep a camping light on for 60 hours, a CPAP for almost 19 hours, and a car fridge for about 33.

You can also use the Anker portable power station to keep your electric grill powered while cooking a campsite dinner and operating the air pump to get your sleeping mats cozy.

The Anker Solix C1000 also comes with some bragging rights when it comes to recharging, taking only 58 minutes to go from 0 to 100% charged when connected to AC power. It also comes packed with 11 ports, so you'll be able to charge up your gadgets via AC plugs, USB-C, or USB.

Instead of roughing it off-grid, pack along the Anker Solix C1000 portable power station and keep essential devices charged up. Cooking over the campfire is something special so you might not need power to make dinner, but it's always reassuring to have your phone charged up. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, the powerful Anker Solix C1000 is 55% off which leaves extra funds for other camping toys like a foldable kayak.

GET UP TO 40% OFF: As of Apr. 21st, Ruggable's End of Season Sale is offering up to 20% off sitewide as well as 40% off select clearance shag and plush styles such as the the Moroccan Zigzag Plush Rug using code BYESPRING.

The best deals at the Ruggable End of Season Sale The best Ruggable clearance deals Moroccan Zigzag Plush Rug Save 40% using code BYESPRING Get Deal The best Ruggable deals for 20% off Laine Ivory & Natural Tufted Rug Get 20% off with code BYESPRING Get Deal

A new rug reinvents your space, adding color to a bare floor and spring beneath your feet. If you've been eyeing a spring redesign, this Ruggable sale is here for you.

Right now, April 21st, use the code BYESPRING to get 20% off all styles sitewide as well as 40% off select clearance rugs, including shag and plush styles like the Moroccan Zigzag Plush Rug. Here are our favorites:

The best Ruggable clearance deals Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Moroccan Zigzag Plush Rug Get 40% off with code BYESPRING Get Deal Why we like it

40% off is pretty generous. The Moroccan Zigzag Plush Rug provides a simple, yet tasteful pattern to your space. White, with spare, zigzagging black stripes, this rug will look good in a bedroom or living room.

Plush and fluffy, the Moroccan Zigzag rug is as easy to clean as other Ruggables. Throw it in the wash to remove dirt and spills, then reattach it to its no-slip mat.

The Moroccan Zigzag Plush Rug is available for 40% off with the code BYESPRING. But mind you, this rug is final sale, so you won't be able to return it.

More Ruggable clearance deals

• Moroccan Ornate Plush Rug — Save 40% with code BYESPRING

• Antique Ivory Shag Rug — Save 40% with code BYESPRING

• Botanica Doormat — Save 40% with code BYESPRING

SEE ALSO: Space calendar 2025: Here are the moments you won't want to miss The best Ruggable deals for 20% off Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Laine Ivory & Natural Tufted Rug Get 20% off with code BYESPRING Get Deal Why we like it

The Laine Ivory & Natural Tufted Rug is deeply agreeable. In neutral tones, this subtle, patterned rug will look good in all sorts of spaces.

This rug is resistant to stains from food, wine, or about anything else. When a spill happens it only needs to go in the wash. Ruggable achieves this by fashioning it from 95% recycled polyester, making it soft under foot, but highly durable.

Right now, the Laine Ivory & Natural Tufted Rug is on sale for 20% off. It comes in numerous sizes and configurations, from runners to rounds. Take advantage of the deal with code BYESPRING.

More Ruggable deals for 20% off

• Architectural Digest Nerissa Teal & Gold Tufted Rug — Save 20% with code BYESPRING

• Astrid Soft Black Tufted Rug — Save 20% with code BYESPRING

• Enya Multicolor Tufted Rug — Save 20% with code BYESPRING

More Ruggable deals we like

• Gracie Sakura Indigo Tufted Rug — 10% off with code BYESPRING

• Kamran Cayenne Red Tufted Rug — 15% off with code BYESPRING

Star Wars' Empire has always been a fascist regime, but no film or series has showcased its tyranny as effectively as Andor.

In its first season, the Tony Gilroy-helmed series showcased the cold bureaucracy that makes the Empire tick, all without showing the Sith Lord at the head of the table. Instead, the focus was on the Empire's lackeys, be they Imperial Security Bureau workers like Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) or the guards running the Imperial Prison Complex on Narkina 5. No Force shenanigans here, just human cogs in the machine of empire.

SEE ALSO: 'Andor' creator on Lucasfilm censoring f-bomb: 'They were right.'

That trend continues in Andor's much-anticipated second season, which highlights more of the insidious tools at the Empire's disposal. Yes, we know the Death Star is in play after Season 1's post-credit scene, but it's the creeping propaganda, the aggressive audits, and the systemic oppression of entire planets that evoke the most dread (and feel the most prescient) here.

Andor Season 2 counters this dread with the hope of the Rebellion, to which Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), a reluctant joiner in Season 1, is now wholly committed. Star Wars fans know how Cassian's story ends in Rogue One, as well as the fact that the Rebellion eventually succeeds in taking down the Empire. Still, knowing the destination doesn't make the journey any less staggering, and that's exactly what Andor Season 2 is: a staggering account not just of Cassian's relationship to the Rebellion, but of how everyone in his orbit commits to — or, in Syril and Dedra's cases, attempts to dismantle — the cause.

What is Andor Season 2 about? Théo Costa-Marini, Diego Luna, and Alaïs Lawson in "Andor." Credit: Des Willie / Lucasfilm

Andor Season 2 opens one year after the Season 1 finale, and four years before the Battle of Yavin, when Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star. Cassian now regularly undertakes missions for rebel leader Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård). The remainder of his crew from Ferrix — Bix (Adria Arjona), Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), and Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier) — hide out as workers on the agricultural planet Mina-Rau, hoping to escape the Empire's gaze.

The Empire's gaze, however, is turned toward a new target: the planet Ghorman, only home to a resource the Empire desperately needs. Modeled after interwar Europe and boasting an underground rebel group that calls to mind the French Resistance of World War II, Ghorman continues Andor's trend of grounded, lived-in planets like Ferrix. Over the course of the season, it also becomes a microcosm for the war being fought across the galaxy, serving both as a testing ground for Dedra and Syril as they embrace new roles within the Empire and as a possible new alliance for Luthen and Cassian. Who will prevail here, Empire or Rebellion?

SEE ALSO: 'Andor': more, more! Burning questions for Season 2 of the best Star Wars.

It's fitting that Andor Season 2 spends much of its time on Ghorman, a planet famed for its twill-spinning spiders. Like said spiders (also known as Ghorlectipods), Andor's characters weave dizzying webs of connections across the galaxy. Yet as the season goes on, these webs threaten to come crashing down: Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) reckons with her choice to marry off her teenage daughter in the hopes of securing more funding for the Rebellion. Luthen and his assistant Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau) feel the walls closing in on Coruscant. Every thread is taut to the point of snapping, resulting in several deliciously suspenseful sequences straight out of a spy thriller.

Andor Season 2 is a rousing yet sobering tale of rebellion in the face of fascism. Diego Luna and Adria Arjona in "Andor." Credit: Lucasfilm

In Season 1, Andor found a spark in the manifesto of late rebel Karis Nemik (Alex Lawther), who wrote, "Remember this. The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort."

The flip side to this statement is that rebellion requires constant sacrifice. (In the words of Luthen: "I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I'll never see.") Andor Season 2's characters are asked to make sacrifice after sacrifice to the Rebellion, to the point that the idea of making your death "worth it" becomes a refrain throughout the season. Victories, when they come, feel like the TV equivalent of a shot of adrenaline. But they almost always come with a cost, creating a bittersweet swirl of emotions that only intensifies when you recall Andor's endpoint, Rogue One, culminates in the ultimate sacrifice from Cassian and the Rogue One crew.

SEE ALSO: 'Rogue One' set up this 'The Last Jedi' storyline and you probably didn't realize it

For his part, Cassian spends much of Andor Season 2 wondering whether he should cut and run, having given so much to the Rebellion already. Due to Andor's nature as a prequel, we know he won't, and while Luna does a strong job portraying Cassian's emotional dilemma, it can sometimes feel frustrating to see characters' roles (mostly Bix) reduced to telling Cassian the Rebellion needs him.

Andor Season 2's structure is a blessing and a curse. Denise Gough and Kurt Egyiawan in "Andor." Credit: Lucasfilm

Obviously, the show is named Andor, so Cassian remains the focus. Yet it's the cast of characters around him who steal the show, from Mon Mothma's politicking to Luthen and Kleya's espionage work to Dedra and Syril's comical domestic dealings. (What can I say, the fascists are evil, but their home lives are very fun to watch.) Bix's trauma from her Imperial torture emerges as a heartbreaking storyline as well, only to be resolved almost too neatly and with little further discussion.

The latter is a result of Andor's unique structure. Every three episodes of Season 2 jump ahead a year, taking us right up to the start of Rogue One. (And I mean right up to.) Andor has no problem catching us up on what happened in the time jumps, clearly having faith that its audience will keep up and read between the lines. Yet the problem with the jumps is rarely one of plot, but of emotion. Often, I found myself wishing that I could live in the fallout from each of these arcs for longer, but that fallout becomes a casualty in Gilroy's "four Star Wars movies" in one season of TV approach.

What Andor Season 2 lacks in connective tissue between time jumps, it makes up for in focus, with each mini arc honing in on a pivotal moment in Cassian and co.'s stories. From intelligence gathering on Ghorman to a flight mission gone astray, Andor crafts immaculate set pieces that dive into the various forms rebellion can take in the galaxy. The result is immersive, deeply felt, and a reminder of why Andor is among Star Wars' best offerings. (Certainly the best on the TV front.) So really, my complaint about structure comes down to the simple fact that I want more of this story, for Gilroy to fill in the gaps further so I can spend extra time with these characters.

Instead, Andor goes out on its own terms, leaving a brilliant, blistering look at fascism and those who fight it in its wake.

The first three episodes of Andor Season 2 premiere April 22 on Disney+, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Despite Android Auto and Apple CarPlay having been with us for a decade now, wireless mode is a relatively new addition, which means that some cars, especially older ones, might still require you to plug in your phone. Just for today, though, you can add wireless mode for a cool $55—not bad.

Rockbox, the custom firmware for iPods and MP3 players from Archos, Samsung, Creative, and other companies, just released a new major version. Rockbox 4.0 is packed with new features and usability improvements, and it now supports a few more media players.