Peanuts stay on Apple TV+ through 2030

Charlie Brown and Snoopy stay on Apple TV+ until 2030.

"In this milestone 75th anniversary year, it feels incredibly meaningful to continue our collaboration with our brilliant partners at WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson," Tara Sorensen, head of children's programming for Apple TV+, said in a statement. "Our commitment, dedication and passion for ‘Peanuts' runs deep. These beloved characters and stories hold a timeless significance, resonating with people of all ages across the globe."

To catch your favourite Charlie Brown holiday special at no cost, mark these dates on your calendar:

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Saturday, 18th October and Sunday, 19th October
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Saturday, 15th November and Sunday, 16th November
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Saturday, 13th December and Sunday, 14th December

Reruns of the beloved holiday specials on the BBC were a childhood staple in the run-up to Christmas. A cousin gifted me a Snoopy soft toy when I was in a children's hospital, and it remains a cherished gift.

Are Peanuts specials part of your holiday traditions? Let me know in the comments below.

Echo Dot Max looks like the Death Star

Amazon has announced a new lineup of Alexa-enabled devices with premium audio for the autumn.

The all-new Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11 deliver more processing power for premium audio, feature an all-new look and feel that Amazon thinks customers will love, and are ready to unlock new-generation artificial intelligence (AI) experiences through Alexa+ once available in the UK. With Alexa+, you can now have full-blown conversations with the AI, while also picking up on colloquial expressions.

As a fan of the Echo Dot, the Echo Dot Max has caught my attention, as I'm considering replacing my existing Echo Dot (3rd generation) smart speaker on Black Friday. It looks like a miniature Death Star. This Star Wars fan approves and I can't wait to review it.

Pre-order Echo Dot Max from Amazon (affiliate link).

Do you like the Echo Dot Max? Does it remind you of the Death Star? Let me know in the comments below.

The Rubber-Keyed Wonder

Tron: Ares has inspired a nostalgic journey back to the 8-bit wonder years of my childhood!

Christmas 1982 was all about the rubber-keyed Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K, Horace Goes Skiing and Disney’s Tron (available on Disney+)!

The first time I saw a computer in person was at my dad’s lighting shop in Truro in the late seventies. The Commodore PET looked like something out of Star Trek and captured my nascent imagination. Soon after, a BBC Micro materialised in middle school. However, having our own 8-bit home computer was transcendental!

Countless hours were spent and lost inputting basic code from the pack-in manual and Crash magazine at weekends.

And games! So many games in the age of Atari!

Most notably from Ultimate Play the Game, AKA Rare. Rare, now part of Microsoft Studios, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and was synonymous with the 8-bit era before working with Nintendo on the revolutionary Donkey Kong Country for the 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)! Followed by GoldenEye and Perfect Dark in the nineties.

Plugging in the Currah μSpeech peripheral for the ZX Spectrum unlocked voices in Atic Atac years before Atari’s Gauntlet gobbled up my allowance at the arcades! Titles such as Knight Lore were revolutionary. And Ocean’s Daley Thompson’s Decathlon culminated in the premature demise of joysticks, much to the chagrin of my late mum.

Apple and Google dominate in this homogenous mobile-centric era. However, I miss the halcyon days of walking into a computer store like Laskys or Silica Shop and seeing Apple, Atari, Commodore, MSX, and many more on store shelves.

I would go on to own a Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ (the beloved rubber-keyed original was handed down to a younger cousin, who soon broke it), a Commodore 64, and all things Apple thereafter (my iPhone and iPad wallpapers are based on the iconic ZX Spectrum rainbow motif). But nothing will surpass discovering that little 8-bit home computer, with the rubbery keyboard, filled with infinite possibilities under the Christmas tree in 1982...

The Rubber-Keyed Wonder tells the story of legendary British inventor Clive Sinclair and the birth of the ZX Spectrum home computer in 1982, opening the door to a new world of technological possibilities and enabling home users to learn programming - directly contributing to the video game boom of the 1980s.

Watch The Rubber-Keyed Wonder on Prime Video (affiliate link).

Have you watched The Rubber-Keyed Wonder? What are your 8-bit home computer memories? Let me know in the comments below.

Marvel's Wolverine at State of Play

During the PlayStation State of Play, a gameplay trailer for Marvel's Wolverine was shown. The upcoming console exclusive was first announced in 2021.



Read the official synopsis:

"Become a living weapon. As he searches for answers about his past, Wolverine will do whatever it takes – unleashing brutal claw combat, violent rage, and relentless determination – to cut through the mystery of the man he used to be."

From Insomniac Games, the developers of the critically-acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise, comes Marvel’s Wolverine, an all-new take on an iconic character based on Marvel Comics. Developed in collaboration with Marvel Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment, Marvel’s Wolverine is coming to PlayStation 5 (PS5) consoles in late 2026.

In a PlayStation Blog post, Insomniac senior community manager Aaron Jason Espinoza, said, "We aim to deliver the ultimate Wolverine fantasy built on Insomniac staples like fast, fluid, and ferocious combat; exhilarating, action-packed set pieces; robust accessibility features; and a gripping story that taps into the core tenets of one of the most compelling comic book characters of all-time."

X-Men fans (myself included) are eating well with X-Men '97, Deadpool & Wolverine and next year's Avengers: Doomsday.

Are you looking forward to Marvel's Wolverine? Let me know in the comments below.

The Mandalorian and Grogu official trailer

First shown at Star Wars Celebration Japan, Lucasfilm has released an official teaser trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu. Given the timing, some fans are suggesting the trailer is a Jedi mind trick to distract from Disney's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel.



Read the official synopsis:

"The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu (as himself)."

The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian on Disney+, embark on their most thrilling mission yet in The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new family-friendly Star Wars adventure filmed for IMAX and opening exclusively in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.

“I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created,” director Jon Favreau said when the film was first revealed. “The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”

For half a decade, Star Wars has been on the small screen with animated and live-action spin-off series on Disney+. The Mandalorian and Grogu will be in cinemas next year. Will it be more than a feature-length episode that should have been released on Disney+, making way for Star Wars: Starfighter to blast onto the big screen for the 50th anniversary of the franchise in 2027?

Are you looking forward to The Mandalorian and Grogu? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Starfighter first look

Director Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) has revealed the first look at Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling (Barbie) and newcomer Flynn Gray. Filming is underway on the Mediterranean Sea, and I'm reminded of Waterworld.

For half a decade, Star Wars has been on the small screen with animated and live-action spin-off series on Disney+. The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian, will be in cinemas next year. While it's directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), will it be more than a feature-length episode that should have been released on Disney+?

Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone story set 5 years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, is due for release on 28th May 2027 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera.

Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Starfighter? Let me know in the comments below.

Hot Wheels Transformers Nemesis Prime

It's Transformers Tuesday! This morning, Hot Wheels Transformers Nemesis Prime was made available for pre-order on Mattel Creations.

Read the official description from Mattel Creations:

"Optimus Prime’s evil clone, Nemesis Prime rolled in to the Transformers universe bent on destroying Autobots and Deceptions. Created by the twisted mind of Unicron, Nemesis Prime was equipped with the same abilities as his counterpart but lacked morality and pain receptors. Those powerful traits allowed Nemesis to wreak havoc in his wake until his ultimate downfall."

Last year, I missed out on the premium die-cast Optimus Prime and didn't want to repeat that for his evil twin. So, I was ready at 9:00AM (BST) and joined the queue. After several failed attempts, I successfully pre-ordered Nemesis Prime with seconds to spare before he sold out. £77 (including P&P) isn't cheap, but it's that or pay inflated secondary market prices (or else never get it).

Did you pre-order Hot Wheels Transformers Nemesis Prime on Mattel Creations? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Icons Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship

The LEGO Group, in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, sets sail on a new adventure with the launch of the LEGO Icons Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship. Inspired by Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, this detailed interpretation of the legendary ghost galleon captures the spirit of adventure and storytelling that has captivated audiences for over two decades.

The 2,862-piece set captures the ship in all its glory. Rotate dials to deploy the port or starboard cannons, turn the ship’s wheel to steer the rudder, and open the deck to reveal the detailed captain’s quarters, complete with furnishings, candlesticks, and an apple. Additional elements include a detachable rowboat and a minifigure figurehead. The hull can also be separated at the waterline to depict the ship in full sailing mode.

The model also features a full crew of eight minifigures, representing beloved characters from the film series: Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Hector Barbossa, Gibbs, Cotton, Anamaria, and Marty. Each minifigure is intricately designed to reflect its on-screen counterpart, inviting fans to recreate legendary scenes or imagine new adventures on the high seas.

Designed as both a tribute and a statement piece, the model doubles as captivating décor for the home or office. Whether mounted on its angled stand or set in motion in sailing mode, the ship offers a striking blend of nostalgia, creativity and imagination. As Captain Jack Sparrow himself once said, “not all treasure is silver and gold.”

LEGO Icons Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

What LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean sets would you like to see released in the future? Let me know in the comments below.

Coleman Trebor unlocked!

Hasbro's Steve Evans, senior design director for Marvel and Star Wars, posted updated details regarding the Star Wars HasLab The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship campaign.

International retail partners have reported their final backer count, bringing the final tally to 10,541. Therefore, the first tier, Jedi Coleman Trebor, was unlocked.

The news broke following a Geek Meet livestream, where we discussed the latest HasLab with fellow toy collectors. Ryan Speaks Geek hilariously christened Coleman Trebor as Mustard Mint, and this can't be unseen.



This is good news for fans who backed the campaign. I didn't, as I still have an unopened Ghost stored in the garage since last Christmas.

Did you back the Star Wars The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship HasLab? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars HasLab Gunship is backed!

The Star Wars HasLab The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship campaign was backed hours before the 9th September deadline.

Despite a final promotional push by official channels and support from fans (myself included), the centrepiece of Hasbro's Battle of Geonosis campaign for 2026 limped over the finish line without unlocking any of the tiers. The total number of backers was 9,776, just 224 short of unlocking the first tier at 10,000 backers for Coleman Trebor.

The LAAT/i Gunship may have been more successful at a lower price point, and if it had included exclusive variant action figures of Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi or a Clone Trooper army builder pack.

Did you back the Star Wars The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship HasLab? What future Star Wars HasLab would you like to see for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars? The Death Star? Let me know in the comments below.