Spaced

First Aired: 24 September 1999

Rotten Tomatoes: Spaced on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Spaced on Metacritic

The Office (UK)

First Aired: 9 July 2001

Rotten Tomatoes: The Office (UK) on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: The Office (UK) on Metacritic

The Vicar of Dibley

First Aired: 10 November 1994
Wikipedia

Rotten Tomatoes: The Vicar of Dibley on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: The Vicar of Dibley on Metacritic

Ghosts (UK)

First Aired: 15 April 2019

Rotten Tomatoes: Ghosts on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Ghosts on Metacritic

The Thick of It (2005–2012)

Armando Iannucci’s razor-sharp political satire that defined modern political comedy.

Rotten Tomatoes: The Thick of It on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: The Thick of It on Metacritic

Derry Girls

First Aired: 4 January 2018

Rotten Tomatoes: Derry Girls on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Derry Girls on Metacritic

Fresh Meat

First Aired: 21 September 2011

Rotten Tomatoes: Fresh Meat on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Fresh Meat on Metacritic

Only Fools and Horses

First Aired: 8 September 1981

Rotten Tomatoes: Only Fools and Horses on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Only Fools and Horses on Metacritic

Men Behaving Badly

First Aired: 18 February 1992

Rotten Tomatoes: Men Behaving Badly on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Men Behaving Badly on Metacritic

The IT Crowd

First Aired: 3 February 2006

Rotten Tomatoes: The IT Crowd on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: The IT Crowd on Metacritic

This Country

First Aired: 22 February 2017

Rotten Tomatoes: This Country on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: This Country on Metacritic

Detectorists

First Aired: 2 October 2014

Rotten Tomatoes: Detectorists on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Detectorists on Metacritic

Red Dwarf

First Aired: 15 February 1988

Rotten Tomatoes: Red Dwarf on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Red Dwarf on Metacritic

Blackadder

First Aired: 15 June 1983

Rotten Tomatoes: Blackadder on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Blackadder on Metacritic

Motherland

First Aired: 6 September 2016 (Pilot) / 7 November 2017 (Series 1)

Rotten Tomatoes: Motherland on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Motherland on Metacritic

Gavin & Stacey

First Aired: 13 May 2007

Rotten Tomatoes: Gavin & Stacey on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Gavin & Stacey on Metacritic

Still Game

First Aired: 6 September 2002

Rotten Tomatoes: Still Game on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Still Game on Metacritic

Fleabag

First Aired: 21 July 2016

Rotten Tomatoes: Fleabag on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Fleabag on Metacritic

Absolutely Fabulous

First Aired: 12 November 1992

Rotten Tomatoes: Absolutely Fabulous on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Absolutely Fabulous on Metacritic

Father Ted

First Aired: 21 April 1995

Rotten Tomatoes: Father Ted on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Father Ted on Metacritic

The Inbetweeners

First Aired: 1 May 2008

Rotten Tomatoes: The Inbetweeners on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: The Inbetweeners on Metacritic

Friday Night Dinner

First Aired: 25 February 2011

Rotten Tomatoes: Friday Night Dinner on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Friday Night Dinner on Metacritic

Peep Show

First Aired: 25 September 2003

Rotten Tomatoes: Peep Show on Rotten Tomatoes

Metacritic: Peep Show on Metacritic

Follow Up

iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max reviews: Hands-on impressions after spending a week with the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max (TechRadar | YouTube)

Google Gemini security incident: Google Gemini escapes its testing environment and hacks three companies

Apple UK court push: Apple pushes UK courts to lift secrecy surrounding an encryption backdoor order

US iPhone 18 Pro Max hardware difference: Apple confirms the US model of the iPhone 18 Pro Max differs in one key way

Omarchy funding & controversy: Omarchy secures $18.5M in backing, attracting both fresh converts and fierce critics

News

AI e-waste concerns: The ongoing AI boom could leave an e-waste trail capable of wrapping 6 times around the Earth

AI military hallucination risk: A hallucinated AI arms report regarding Chinese nuclear components almost led to a US military attack

Apple M-Series Ultra AI servers: Apple is reportedly building AI servers packed with M-series Ultra chips

EPA climate rule rollbacks: Trump administration throws out power plant climate pollution rules to support AI data centers

Developer Apple releases: Apple rolls out the iOS 27.2 beta features alongside the Xcode 27.1 beta with iPhone Duo support

Media

Slow Horses Season 6: The hit Apple TV+ espionage drama starring Gary Oldman returns for a sixth season

Tony: Biological drama film centered on the life of Tony Bennett (Rotten Tomatoes)

Games

Steam Frame VR review: Valve's Steam Frame delivers another best-in-class VR headset, though virtual realities clash with economic ones

Main Show

Computer Science job market: Computer science graduates face recession-like job prospects due to AI automation

Agentic research tools: Scientific papers are transformed into interactive agentic chatbots using a new tool

App of the Week

Davit: Modern web-based download manager and accelerator (Davit)

Thing of the Week

RockBox: Open-source replacement firmware for digital audio players (RockBox)

Contact

Mastodon: @[email protected]

Mastodon: @_[email protected]

YouTube: Visit us at wakefromsleep.com and click the YouTube link

Email: [email protected]

Follow Up

iPhone Duo Apple Pencil compatibility: The iPhone Duo only works with the $79 USB-C Apple Pencil, leaving out the Apple Pencil Pro

T-Mobile Handoff fee: T-Mobile plans to charge $5/month for Apple’s new iPhone Handoff feature

Dell's massive monitor: Dell introduces a 52-inch monitor described as a tsunami of impractical fun

iPhone Duo details: A deep dive into all the smaller details missed from the iPhone Duo announcement

News

Foldable market predictions: Reports suggest the iPhone Duo could secure Apple a 25% share of the foldable market in 2026

Asahi Linux on M3: Asahi Linux expands support to Apple M3 chips, albeit with a few missing creature comforts

Apple game controllers: Apple is reportedly designing its own iPhone game controllers, which could launch under Beats branding

App Store revenue growth: Reports indicate Apple is planning new measures to squeeze more revenue from the App Store

Satellite access extension: Apple extends free iPhone satellite access for another year

Car Corner

Volkswagen restructuring: Volkswagen confirms cutting 50,000 jobs as part of its Plan 2030 survival strategy

Media

The Grand Tour: The hit automotive show returns on Prime Video

Taskmaster: The comedy panel game show returns for a new series on Channel 4

Ludwig: BBC comedy-drama detective series starring David Mitchell (Rotten Tomatoes)

Working Girl: Classic 1988 romantic comedy drama (Rotten Tomatoes)

Tuner: Crime drama film following a piano tuner who uses his skills to crack safes (Rotten Tomatoes)

The Drama: Romantic drama feature starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson (Rotten Tomatoes)

Games

StarCraft reboot: Blizzard announces StarCraft will return in 2030 as an open-world shooter

Main Show

Apple Watch Audio Intelligence: Apple Watch's new Audio Intelligence feature enables a real-life conversation rewind

Privacy implications: Security experts warn that always-listening wearable tech opens the door to a potential privacy nightmare

Always-listening debate: Six Colors examines the broader question of whether your Apple Watch should always be listening

App of the Week

Unmanic: Automated media file converter for optimizing self-hosted video and audio libraries (GitHub)

Thing of the Week

AirBuddy: macOS app for managing Bluetooth device connections and battery status seamlessly (AirBuddy)

Contact

Mastodon: @[email protected]

Mastodon: @_[email protected]

YouTube: Visit us at wakefromsleep.com and click the YouTube link

Email: [email protected]

This week Chris and Rod go through the Sept 26 iPhone and Watch event

Follow Up

Apple & EU app store dispute: Apple's long-running app store battle with the EU appears to finally be over

Apple Maps advertisements: Apple Maps launches ads on iPhone; here is what is new (YouTube)

Pebble Time 2 review: Engadget reviews the Pebble Time 2 as the perfect smartwatch for a select group of people

Plug-in solar in the UK: The UK legalises plug-in solar, though experts advise not rushing to buy a kit just yet

News

Framework Laptop spec bump: Framework's cheapest laptop just received a major spec bump

AI chip taxation plans: AI industry leaders argue Trump plans to tax chips in the single dumbest way imaginable

Apple Vision team layoffs: Apple reportedly lays off 60 Vision employees amid shifting priorities

New Twitter launch: A new platform launches under the Twitter name, taking advantage after Musk's X gave up the trademark

Nokia 300 Charge: The feature phone doubles as a 10W portable powerbank

Media

BlackBerry: Drama recounting the rise and fall of the revolutionary smartphone (Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic)

Small Prophets: Apple TV acquires the breakout British hit comedy for global streaming

Lanterns: Upcoming DC Universe series following Green Lanterns investigating an Earth-bound mystery (Rotten Tomatoes)

Toy Story 5: Pixar's upcoming fifth installment in the animated franchise (Rotten Tomatoes)

Minions and Monsters: Illumination's upcoming animated spinoff feature (Rotten Tomatoes)

Games

Cleared Hot: Top-down helicopter action game with physics-based combat on Steam

Star Wars: Zero Company: Tactical turn-based strategy game set in the Star Wars universe (Steam | Metacritic)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4: Hands-on impressions from the Public Beta

Main Show

New Mac Mini Announcements: Apple announces a redesigned Mac Mini powered by M6 and M5 Pro chips(Apple UK)

Pricing & Accessories: Breaking down configurations and pricing for new Mac Minis and Mac Studios, along with a quiet refresh of Magic Keyboards and a $10 cheaper Apple Polishing Cloth

Apple Event Predictions: Teasing the upcoming Apple Event: Surprise and Shine (MacRumors) with predictions for iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Max, Apple Watch, and new Apple Home hardware

App of the Week

CachyOS: Arch Linux-based distribution optimized for performance and high-frequency workloads (CachyOS)

Thing of the Week

Dual Monitor Stand Riser: Heavy-duty desk organizer stand for dual monitors (Amazon UK)

Contact

Mastodon: @[email protected]

Mastodon: @[email protected]

YouTube: Visit us at wakefromsleep.com and click the YouTube link

Email: [email protected]

Main Show - Releasing an App

App Idea: A simple letter-merging iPhone game built around swipe controls

Vibe Coding & Tools: Moving from AI skepticism to coding with Claude AI and Xcode; using Claude Code(requires a subscription)

Testing & Hardware: Spending the majority of time testing, refining mechanics, and iterating alongside Claude AI on an iPhone 12

Style & Artwork: Crafting assets with Pixelmator Pro and Apple's Icon Composer

External Testing: Distributing builds and gathering initial feedback using TestFlight

Monetisation & Web: Setting up ad integration via Google AdMob and building a supporting website on 4b.studio with BBEdit

App Store Submission: Navigating Apple Developer Portal review rounds—resolving rejection feedback for missing video demonstrations and synchronous In-App Purchase submissions

App Store Approval: Successfully published and available on the App Store

Future Revisions: Planning GameKit integration and an iPad version featuring physical keyboard support

Current Status & Marketing: Gaining initial App Store impressions, receiving positive user feedback, expanding product landing pages, refining App Store copy, reviewing ad policies, and exploring promo submissions

Other Projects Built: Getting carried away with new app ideas including Supersonic (MP3 manager), Lumen (movie collection manager), Hercule (media tracker), Builds (Xcode feature tracker), Delve (Wikipedia reader/cache), Done (task manager), and Mono (black & white camera app)

Discussion Points: Declarations of using LLMs to write code, and marketing across social platforms like X, Bluesky, Instagram, and Reddit

Contact

Mastodon: @[email protected]

Mastodon: @[email protected]

YouTube: Visit us at wakefromsleep.com and click the YouTube link

Email: [email protected]

Follow Up

Tim Cook on his Apple legacy: Tim Cook shares his hopes for how he will be remembered: "I hope people say I was a good and decent man"

OpenAI keylogging: OpenAI pivots away from Recall-style screenshot surveillance in favour of friendly keylogging

Apple & Epic settlement talks: Apple seeks settlement talks with Epic Games in a new court filing

US App Store commissions: Apple proposes commissions of up to 15% for off-App Store purchases in the US

News

Private security hacking: Private security firms will soon be allowed to hack overseas cybercriminals

Unforgetful for Apple Reminders: Marco Arment releases Unforgetful, enhancing Apple Reminders

Mac zero-day vulnerability: Security alert as a vulnerability giving attackers full control of Macs is under active exploitation

Camera-Equipped AirPods: Apple's camera-equipped AirPods are confirmed; see them in action

Media

Changing Lanes

The Running Man

Working Girl

Clarkson's Farm

Games

Defender of the Crown: Amiga strategy classic Defender of the Crown is back with both old and fresh graphics, and an all-new roguelite mode

Main Show

Google Pixel Event: Everything announced at Made by Google 2026: Pixel 11, Pixel Watch 5, Pixel Tag, & more

Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold hands-on: stagnating instead of innovating

App of the Week

Blueferry: iMessage and SMS over Bluetooth to Linux with no cloud or proxy (GitHub)

Thing of the Week

The Bear (Season 1 & Season 2): High-intensity drama series following Carmy Berzatto's chaotic culinary journey in Chicago (Rotten Tomatoes)

Contact

Mastodon: @[email protected]

Mastodon: @[email protected]

YouTube: Visit us at wakefromsleep.com and click the YouTube link

Email: [email protected]

Follow Up

BBC Summer 2026 coverage: BBC News

RAM manufacturers sell out 2027 output as price crisis looms: Rock Paper Shotgun

UK charities impacted by Beacon CRM cyberattack: The Register

OpenAI and Anthropic models tested on hacking spree by UK AI institute: Engadget

News

Meta introduces Muse Code and Muse Spark 1.2: Meta AI Research

Apple's inconsistent App Store enforcement on Telegram vs X: The Verge

AI systems generating novel biological virus designs: Engadget

Project Nomad offers offline education and mapping platforms: Project Nomad

Linus Torvalds discusses AI integration in Linux kernel development: The Register

Car Corner

BMW pushes Spider-Man ad directly to in-car dashboard screens: Engadget

Media

Spider-Man: Brand New Day: Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic

Games

Quake receives free original chapter update for 30th anniversary: Rock Paper Shotgun

Main Show: Intel Matches Apple Silicon

Intel's latest architecture generation makes massive efficiency leaps in the new Dell XPS 13, bringing x86 laptops directly into competition with Apple Silicon's power-to-performance ratio.

Engadget

Dell XPS 13: Dell

Video Deep Dive: YouTube

App & Thing of the Week

App: Forel – Open-source utility software.

Thing: BBEdit – The classic macOS professional text and code editor. Feature Comparison

Contact

Mastodon: @[email protected] | @[email protected]

YouTube: Visit us at wakefromsleep.com and click the YouTube link

Email: [email protected]

Follow Up

MacBook Air shortages continue across global retail: MacRumors | Apple UK

Elon Musk's X ad boycott lawsuit ends without convictions: Ars Technica

Apple Upgrade device subscription service announced: Engadget

Starlink granted FCC exemption from foreign-made router ban: Ars Technica

US charges citizen for wiping phone at border under duress: The Verge

DuckDuckGo anti-AI glasses feature zero cameras or screens: 9to5Mac

News

Anthropic reveals AI models autonomously hacked three organisations: Engadget

Elon Musk officially launches X Money payment system: Ars Technica

Word worm vulnerability infects Microsoft Copilot: The Register

Prototype smart ring achieves non-invasive blood sugar tracking: 9to5Mac

Apple posts record Q3 financial results: Six Colors

App Store regulations begin impacting Apple Services growth: 9to5Mac

Media

HBO Max: HBO Max UK

Netflix edges past BBC in latest Ofcom UK audience survey: Engadget

Games

Dreamcast homebrew scene receives new physical releases 25 years on: Engadget

Xbox hardware prices increase by up to £170 in Europe: The Verge

Main Show

Project Hail Mary: Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic

The Odyssey: Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic

The Odyssey discussion & culture war backlash: A deep dive into Christopher Nolan's blockbuster epic, examining the casting choices, Americanisation of the dialogue, sound design, editing pace, and the broader online backlash surrounding its themes. Wired

App & Thing of the Week

App: AeroSpace – An i3-like tiling window manager for macOS.

Thing: Murdoku – A murder mystery puzzle book combining logic grids and deduction.

Contact

Mastodon: @[email protected] | @[email protected]

YouTube: Visit us at wakefromsleep.com and click the YouTube link

Email: [email protected]

Links

Atari VCS (2600): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_2600

Atari Jaguar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Jaguar

Atari VCS (2021): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_VCS_(2021_console

Sega Master System: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_System

Sega Mega Drive / Genesis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Genesis

Sega Saturn: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Saturn

Sega Dreamcast: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamcast

Nintendo (NES): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Entertainment_System

Super Nintendo (SNES): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System

Nintendo 64: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64

Nintendo GameCube: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameCube

Nintendo Wii: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii

Nintendo Wii U: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_U

Nintendo Switch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Switch

Nintendo Switch 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Switch_2

Sony PlayStation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_(console

Sony PlayStation 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2

Sony PlayStation 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3

Sony PlayStation 4: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_4

Sony PlayStation 5: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_5

Microsoft Xbox: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_(console

Microsoft Xbox 360: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360

Microsoft Xbox One: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_One

Commodore 64: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64

Amiga: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiga

ZX Spectrum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX_Spectrum

Contact

Mastodon: @[email protected]

Mastodon: @[email protected]

YouTube: Visit us at wakefromsleep.com and click the youtube link

Email: [email protected]