Hands-On Tech (Audio)

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah helps David use his PlayStation 3 controller on a Windows machine to play Windows Flight Simulator. Mikah also showcases a cool resource for viewing pictures and documentation for older technology! Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 11 May 2025

On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah helps Doug find a Windows-equivalent version of Mac's Time Machine backup application. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 4 May 2025

On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah helps out Dustin with what storage option he should get when upgrading to a new iMac. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 27 April 2025

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent tackles Kevin's question about connecting a wired printer to a mesh network. Kevin had previously used a powerline adapter to connect his non-WiFi printer to his conventional network but now needs a solution that works with his new eero mesh setup. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 20 April 2025

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answers a question from Wayne about streamlining a process to organize his recipies copied in Apple Notes and reformat them in HTML. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 13 April 2025

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent helps Will with his question about porting his landline number to an old Google Pixel 5 phone and using it as his home phone, as well as whether he should create a new Google account to do this. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2025

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answer a question from Juan about setting up his Synology NAS device to create backups of his iPhone or iPad when it gets plugged into it, as well backing up the photos off the devices and into a Shared Photo Library in iCloud. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 30 March 2025

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, David asks Mikah about trying to understand YouTube and copyright laws and why some videos using copyrighted content can remain on YouTube for some time while his own uploads using similar content get blocked and taken down despite not being the original creator. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 23 March 2025

On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent helps Derek with why his AirPods Pro are automatically and randomly connecting to his wife's iPhone despite never being paired with her device. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 16 March 2025

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answers two questions from Kevin: about how to control multiple roller shades with different remotes from a smartphone via Wi-Fi, and connecting a printer that's currently on a power line network to his eero Wi-Fi system. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2025

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a classic question for viewers: Do I really need malware protection for my Mac computer? Also, Glenn writes in to follow up on his concerns about Siri being activated in different rooms within his house! Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2025

On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent helps Jerry, who is experiencing issues getting iTunes to recognize their iPhone 16 on their Windows PC. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 23 February 2025

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent addresses a question from listener Faye about the setup they should go with to start with voice acting, covering how one should approach getting into voice acting and providing some resources for Faye to look into. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer at [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2025

On Hands-On Tech, host Mikah Sargent addresses a listener's concern about their Apple devices seemingly listening to conversations in their office and offers a few way to disable this functionality. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 9 February 2025

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah helps Mark rein in Siri after a recent update caused Mark's Siri to start having activation issues and responding inconsistently to voice commands. Send in your questions for Mikah to answer at [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Transcribed - Published: 2 February 2025

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent helps Richard figure out why there are duplicate photos of the same picture in his photo folders! Plus, Mikah answers Lance's question about Windows 11 and some devices being labeled as removable external storage devices. And Mikah shares a follow-up from Jack about his problem with his Gmail storage space. Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 26 January 2025

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah helps Lars, who is seeking help for a friend who is being flooded with spam emails and is looking for a way to filter out the spam emails! Mikah strongly recommends transitioning away from ISP-provided email addresses, as they often get shuffled between companies and can face service disruptions There are also some options to consider when moving from an old email account, such as setting up auto-responses directing to the new address or configuring your new email account to pull from your old account. Mikah suggests two things to do. The first is to create a Gmail account to leverage its excellent spam filtering capabilities, then configure it to pull mail from the Cox address and connect it to Outlook. The second option is to use local spam filtering software like Mailwasher, which offers Bayesian filtering that learns from user input to improve spam detection over time. Other software options to consider are Spambully, Spamfighter, and clean.io, though some may not work without MX record access. Also, be sure to stick around to the end of the episode for an upcoming change to Hands-On Tech. Send in your questions for Mikah to answer! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 19 January 2025

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent tackles a unique smart home dilemma from a viewer named John, who runs his home automation through Android while his wife uses Apple devices. John wants to know if he can use an old iPad as a home hub to give his wife easier access to their home's smart features, like thermostats, greenhouse controls, and outlets, without having to go through his phone. Android-first setup is actually advantageous, as it means devices are already configured independently rather than being locked into Apple's HomeKit ecosystem For HomeKit-compatible devices, adding them to the wife's iPhone/iPad is as simple as scanning the HomeKit codes in Apple's Home app Some suggested approaches for the iPad hub: Use as a portable control panel that can move between rooms Mount it permanently as a dedicated control center using a device such as elago's Home Hub Mount, which allows for clean cable management. Mikah recommends using Home Assistant (home-assistant.io) as a powerful third-party solution that works with more devices than just HomeKit or Google Home, has robust automation capabilities, and has apps for multiple platforms, making it accessible to both users. Mikah also emphasizes the importance of "smart," which means proactive automation, giving examples like automatic fan control based on humidity sensor readings, proximity-based lighting control, and custom scenes triggered by pressure sensors. Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 12 January 2025

Mikah addresses a listener question about why their TCL TV and cable box sometimes turn on automatically after a power outage. He explains the likely causes and offers troubleshooting tips. Mikah also shares an important follow-up from a previous episode about internet speeds and the limitations of the Apple TV 4K's Ethernet port. Main Topic: • Richard asks why his TCL TV and cable box sometimes turn on by themselves after brief power outages • Mikah explains that TCL TVs have a "Fast TV Start" feature that keeps the TV in a powered-on state to maintain network connections, causing it to turn back on when power is restored • HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows devices to communicate and control each other, which may cause the cable box to turn on when the TV powers on • Mikah advises checking the TV and cable box settings for features like Fast TV Start, sleep/hibernation modes, and HDMI-CEC to adjust the behavior • Many smart home devices, such as lights and robot vacuums, also have auto-on features that should be configured to prevent unexpected behavior after power outages Follow-up: • Thomas points out that in a previous episode (195), the Apple TV 4K used to test internet speeds has a maximum throughput of about 990 Mbps due to its Gigabit Ethernet port • For the listener (Ross) to accurately test their 2.5 Gbps internet speed, they should ensure their Mac supports the full 2.5 Gbps that the adapter provides • The Apple TV 4K's Wi-Fi 6 support may allow for faster speeds than its Ethernet port, depending on the router and environment Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 5 January 2025

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah helps Omar schedule his daughter's Mac to shut down at a specific time, Jed disables his children's iPads as the two-factor authentication points, and Ben has several questions related to iCloud Shared Albums, along with other viewers' questions! Omar is looking for a way to shut down his daughter's Mac at a specific time. For Omar: Type the following: sudo pmset repeat shutdown MTWRFSU 11:00:00 Type the following to confirm the schedule has been set: sudo pmset -g sched To cancel the repeating shutdown, type the following: sudo pmset repeat cancel Wayne is wondering why he is unable to use a public Wi-Fi network on his phone, even though his phone shows that he is connected to that network. Jed is trying to find a way to remove his children's iPads from being used as the primary two-factor authentication points. Ben has several questions about iCloud Shares Albums and asks Mikah for as much help as possible. And Vernon follows up with Mikah after getting help from a few episodes ago! Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2024

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah continues to answer more of your submitted questions, such as reclaiming Gmail storage from deleted emails, connecting an older iPad to a newer Wi-Fi network, and why you might not be getting exactly close to the speeds you should be getting with your internet service provider. Jack wonders why, after deleting old emails in his Gmail account, why he doesn't have more space in his account. Ronald asks a follow-up question from a previous episode involving his new Mac and whether he can use Spinrite to maintain a formatted external drive. Hassan has an Eero router with WPA3 enabled, but he has to connect an older iPad to the network, which won't work on the network. Is there a workaround he can do to get the iPad to work on the Eero network? Ray wants to know about uploading his .pst files from his Outlook client to another email provider like Gmail or Yahoo so he doesn't have to utilize the Outlook client anymore when accessing his emails. And Ross wonders if he can do anything to get access to speeds as close as the 2.5Gbps he is paying for with his ISP. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected]. Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2024

In this detailed episode, Mikah Sargent tackles a diverse range of tech challenges, from bulk email deletion and password management to troubleshooting a freezing MacBook and exploring unconventional monitor setups. Listeners will gain practical solutions for common tech frustrations and even insights into Linux encryption! Vernon wants to know how to quickly delete over 83,000 emails in their Gmail account. Miroslav wants to know if there's a way to export passwords from Apple's Password Manager on iPhone or iPad without using a Mac or PC. Charlotte wants to know why her 2020 MacBook Air keeps freezing when using Zoom and Chrome, and how to alleviate the issue. Charles wonders how to properly set up full disk encryption on his Debian and Manjaro Linux installations. Mark wants to know if a 55-inch QLED TV can be a good replacement for his current ultrawide monitor for text-based work. Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2024

On this episode of Hands-On Mac, Mikah answers questions about what to do with old electronics, extracting photos out of downloaded files and maintaining the original photo names, how to properly manage your phone's battery, and a question from a listen about the best way to manage their router setup! Kelli came across some old electronics her father had years ago! She thinks they could be worth something but wonders if she should recycle them instead. Ray has their iPhone wirelessly charging at night while on Do Not Disturb. However, it randomly makes a sound at night! How can he get his phone to stop making that noise? Sean just downloaded their Google photos to back them up on an external drive. How can he keep the photos' original names when he extracts the files? Dan wonders how to manage their phone's battery life best when they keep it plugged in most of the time. Alan has three routers throughout his household in his home network. When he goes to different points in the house, he has to change the SSID to the router closest to where he is. Is there a simpler way of doing this before going to a Mesh router setup? Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2024

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, host Mikah Sargent tackles crucial questions about home networking, Mac mini security, and tech troubleshooting. Absorb this week's helpful tips, from analyzing Orbi mesh WiFi performance to explaining lock screen best practices and VHS video enhancement solutions. Susan asks if her Orbi AX6000 tri-band mesh WiFi 6 router is adequate for her 4,000 square foot home, given she's experiencing TV streaming delays and slower WiFi speeds compared to cellular data. DA, a new Mac Mini user transitioning from Windows, wants to know how to disable the password requirement when waking up their computer. Bruce is having issues with his Synology NAS repeatedly disconnecting from his new M4 Mac Mini and requiring password re-entry after sleep or logout, despite using AutoMounter. David asks if he should upgrade the RAM on his new HP Pavilion PC beyond 16GB for video editing, and seeks recommendations for software to improve VHS video quality. Brad inquires whether it's safe to keep his iPhone 16 Pro Max on a charger all day and night, including while using an Anker power bank. (Follow-up) John provides an update on his previous question about getting an iPhone hotspot to work with older WiFi devices, sharing what solutions worked for him. Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2024

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers questions such as about a feature in Linux that can allow you to cut and paste your entire drive, about passkeys and multiple accounts on the same website, and Mikah helps a listener with the process of transferring from working on a Windows machine to a Mac mini. Ole is looking for a feature that would allow him to move his Linux system and files from one drive to another without having to reinstall the operating system. Kevin is wondering if you can log into a website using passkeys if you have multiple accounts on that website. Gary has a follow-up to Mark's question about Kindle Sync from last week that could be useful for them. Ronald is planning to switch from his Dell Windows 10 computer to the new M4 Mac mini and has a slew of questions about when he will make the switch, from which Mac mini configuration he should go with, to using external drives with the computer, and which Thunderbolt hub Mikah recommends as well. And Stephen provides a follow-up on the question about smartphone hotspots from a few episodes ago, involving Jon's problem getting older hardware to connect to his iPhone hotspot. Remember to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2024

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah continues to answer more of your questions, such as why Kindle books may not stay in sync between different devices, why you can't reconnect to your WiFi network after losing connection, and how you can get a reminder or a list to open up for you when walking into specified locations. Mark has a Kindle device and the Kindle app on several Apple devices. However when Mark reads a book in Kindle, his progress within the app doesn't stay synced between his Kindle device and apps. What can Mark do to fix the issue? John has used Windows 10 for a long time and doesn't want to upgrade to Windows 11. With Windows 10 going out of support soon, he's looking for alternatives to Windows that can run Microsoft Office that isn't Mac OS. When Dylan loses connection to his WiFi network on his Windows 11 laptop, he can't reconnect unless he restarts the PC. He's looked around for possible solutions and came across others having similar issues, even with Windows 10, and is looking for any insight from Mikah into troubleshooting the problem. Robby wants to know if there's a way to get their iPhone to send a reminder or a list that opens up when they walk into specific locations, such as a Best Buy or a grocery store. Steven asks a question related to last week's show about Passkeys and how he views them as a complicated, poorly thought-out plan. Should Steven wait to switch over to using Passkeys until things are better figured out with Passkey? And Todd follows up with their question about passkeys from last week's show. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2024

On Hands-On Mac, Mikah answers questions about adjusting a setting within the Google Maps app, whether there's a difference in audio and video quality between a Roku TV and an Amazon Fire stick, what music players will work for Android to play all the songs of an individual artist, getting legacy hardware to connect to an iPhone hotspot, and what passkeys are! Martin-Guy is a retired cyclist who uses Google Maps while cycling. However, the cycling times reference speed within the app is too fast for him. He's looking for a way to adjust that setting if possible or if there's an alternative app he can use that would allow him to make such an adjustment. Michael owns a 4K TCL Roku TV and the most recent Amazon Fire TV Stick. Is there a difference in audio or video quality between the Roku TV and the Amazon Fire TV Stick? Lane just got a Pixel 9 Pro and stores his music in a folder on the device. He uses an app called Musicolet as his player and wants to know if there's a way to play all the songs of a selected artist in shuffle mode or if there's another app that can do this. Jon is trying to connect older "legacy" hardware to his iPhone hotspot but is having trouble doing this and wonders if Mikah knows of any tricks to get this older hardware to connect to the hotspot. Todd has heard Mikah talk about Passkeys on the TWiT network many times in the past. However, he doesn't understand what a passkey is and asks Mikah for any insight he can share about passkeys. Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2024

On Hands-On Mac, Mikah answers questions about Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 WARP app and VPNs, whether there's a program to help remove duplicate music files on a computer, and the best cloud storage option for a viewer! Susan writes in, asking how Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 + WARP works vs traditional VPNs and which is more secure. D A is looking for an application that can find and remove duplicate music files on their computer and play his music continuously off his computer & a USB drive. Tshepo is using their iPad Pro with a MacBook Air using Duet Display but is looking for a way to prevent the MacBook from charging the iPad while connected. Jason has multiple cloud storage solutions and wants to trim them down to just one offering. He's also looking for an easy way to transfer the files from one cloud provider to another when consolidating. Andrius will soon be getting an iCloud subscription and understands that iCloud only syncs the Desktop and Documents folders. He wants to know if he moves his Music folder into one of those folders, is there a way to keep the playlists he has set up in Apple Music intact? Send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2024

From transferring data between external hard drives to setting up content filtering on your home network, Mikah provides expert advice and step-by-step guidance to help you solve your tech problems. He also delves into the world of AirTags, offering tips on how to make the most of their notification features, and discusses the pros and cons of using Yahoo for email. • Transferring data from an old external hard drive to a new one and syncing with Google Drive/Photos. Mikah suggests creating a disk image using Disk Utility on Mac for easy data migration. • Setting up AirTag notifications for a lost purse. Mikah walks through adjusting Find My notification settings and creating an automation in Shortcuts to announce notifications when Driving Focus is turned on. • Filtering content on a home network without built-in router features. Mikah recommends using NextDNS to block certain sites, ads, and trackers. • The drawbacks of using Yahoo for email, including security concerns due to the company's history of changing ownership and lack of user support. • Using Telegram safely and whether a VPN is necessary. Mikah clarifies that Telegram doesn't expose your IP address any more than other apps, and using a VPN is a personal choice for masking your IP across all internet activities. Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2024

On Hands-On Mac, Mikah answers a listener's follow-up question about being unable to remotely access their friends' Mac after a recent update, why an external drive is taking a while to be detected by a newer Mac, and a previous listener's follow-up question about a connection error they were having with their Apple TV and an interesting fix that was discovered. Judy writes back in, providing additional details to their question about how, after a recent OS update, they cannot remotely access their friend's Mac via the Messages app. MacFixerDK got a new M3 MacBook Pro but is having issues with the different external drives attached to it. They are looking for any help or resources to further troubleshoot the problem. Nancy is having trouble playing back videos from YouTube or accessing websites through her web browser through Apple AirPlay. Dan is looking to strengthen his email security after being prompted by Google to add a recovery email for their account. However, he doesn't have another email account! He wonders if he should create another email account just to be able to access his primary account if needed. Ross follows up on his question a while back with a humourous fix for a connection error he was facing with his Apple TV. Send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2024

Mikah tackles your questions about iPhone shortcuts, tracking network data usage across devices, and more. He also shares his thoughts on whether it's worth upgrading to the latest iPhone 16 or going with a discounted iPhone 15. Topics covered: - Creating an iPhone shortcut to toggle call audio routing between speaker and automatic, possibly based on location. Mikah explains how to access the call audio routing setting and suggests using the Shortcuts app with a special URL to create a one-tap shortcut. - Deciding between upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro Max vs getting a discounted iPhone 15 Pro Max. Mikah recommends going with the latest iPhone 16 for the longer-term battery life, latest features, and to avoid potential battery health issues seen in some iPhone 15 Pro models. - Options for monitoring data usage by device on a Linksys Velop mesh network. Mikah is surprised this router lacks data monitoring and suggests contacting Linksys to request it. Alternatives like using NextDNS for network-wide tracking or a Firewalla device are discussed. - Deleting old iMessage data stored in iCloud. Mikah clarifies you need to adjust the message history setting in both the Messages settings and iCloud Messages settings to fully delete old messages. - Follow-up on using an old Drobo device for storage. A listener shares how Drobo hardware failures combined with the company going out of business and firmware no longer being available makes continuing to use one very risky. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2024

Mikah tackles your questions about iPhone shortcuts, tracking network data usage across devices, and more. He also shares his thoughts on whether it's worth upgrading to the latest iPhone 16 or going with a discounted iPhone 15. Topics covered: - Creating an iPhone shortcut to toggle call audio routing between speaker and automatic, possibly based on location. Mikah explains how to access the call audio routing setting and suggests using the Shortcuts app with a special URL to create a one-tap shortcut. - Deciding between upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro Max vs getting a discounted iPhone 15 Pro Max. Mikah recommends going with the latest iPhone 16 for the longer-term battery life, latest features, and to avoid potential battery health issues seen in some iPhone 15 Pro models. - Options for monitoring data usage by device on a Linksys Velop mesh network. Mikah is surprised this router lacks data monitoring and suggests contacting Linksys to request it. Alternatives like using NextDNS for network-wide tracking or a Firewalla device are discussed. - Deleting old iMessage data stored in iCloud. Mikah clarifies you need to adjust the message history setting in both the Messages settings and iCloud Messages settings to fully delete old messages. - Follow-up on using an old Drobo device for storage. A listener shares how Drobo hardware failures combined with the company going out of business and firmware no longer being available makes continuing to use one very risky. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2024

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah is back to answering more of your questions! How can I easily organize my apps on my iPhone? What's the easiest way to broadcast my wedding to family members unable to attend it? And when will Apple Intelligence be available on macOS Sequoia? Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2024

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah unboxes his new iPhone 16 Pro, which he just got recently! He gives his first look at the device and answers questions about it. He talks about what's new with the phone and what's still missing from it, such as Apple Intelligence, which is coming later in October. Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: betterhelp.com/ATG

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2024

On Hands-On Tech: Why is my iPhone randomly making calls? Why are the reminders I am making on my iPhone being placed in a completely different list? And why am I losing the signal from my Apple TV 4k device when connected to my 4k TV? Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2024

On this episode on Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers questions such as recommending a NAS to a listener, why you might not be getting DHCP in your home network, and whether the Upfront Edge program with Rogers in Canada is a good deal for upgrading your phone. Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: betterhelp.com/ATG

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2024

On this episode of Hands-On Tech: it's another episode in which Mikah answers various viewers' questions! How can you get photos off an iPhone when the screen doesn't work? Why aren't my smart plugs working with my Eero router? And can I use my iPad as a remote shutter? Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2024

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answers your submitted questions! Why can't I log into a particular website? What equipment do I need to get to start using the fiber-optic connection in my household? And, can I send text messages using the Messages app on MacOS? Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: betterhelp.com/ATG

Transcribed - Published: 25 August 2024

On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent discusses ways to improve your home internet and offers some products to help! Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: betterhelp.com/ATG

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2024

On this inaugural episode of the new Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent explains what he uses to back up his data and answers viewers' questions about their backup needs. Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: betterhelp.com/ATG

Transcribed - Published: 11 August 2024

On this inaugural episode of the new Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent explains what he uses to back up his data and answers viewers' questions about their backup needs. Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: betterhelp.com/ATG

Transcribed - Published: 11 August 2024

Welcome to Hands-On Tech where host Mikah Sargent and guest experts turn tech troubles into triumphs while answering listeners' questions. From decoding the latest gadgets to simplifying everyday tech, Mikah's got you covered. But that's not all! Hands-On Tech goes beyond troubleshooting. Dive into comprehensive tech reviews covering the latest devices, AI, multiples, and other applications. Mikah provides hands-on insights into both hardware and software, helping you make informed decisions about your tech investments. Whether it's a new productivity app, a revolutionary AI tool, or the hottest wearable, you'll get an in-depth look at how these technologies perform in real-world scenarios. Submit your tech queries through social media or by emailing [email protected]. You might hear your question answered on air! And, be sure to keep an ear out for guest experts who drop by to share their specialized tech wisdom. Whether you're puzzled by privacy settings, curious about cutting-edge innovations, or seeking honest opinions on the latest tech offerings, Hands-On Tech is your weekly dose of tech insight and inspiration. Join Mikah every Sunday to be part of a show that turns tech confusion into tech confidence. Host: Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2024

In this jam-packed episode of Ask The Tech Guys, hosts Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent, joined by special guests Dick DeBartolo and Chris Marquardt, tackle a wide range of tech topics. From AI security concerns at the Olympics to VPN travel tips for China, the show covers everything from data recovery techniques to the latest in content creation gear. Viewers' questions spark discussions on photo backups, software compatibility issues, and password manager security, while the hosts reflect on the show's evolution and upcoming format changes. AI security at the Olympics: Concerns about surveillance and the need for human oversight in interpreting AI data. VPNs and tech tips for China: Using VPNs and travel diary apps like Polar Steps while respecting local laws. Advice on using a Synology NAS for iPhone photo backups, including model recommendations and app limitations. High-end Transformers toy: Introduction of the $1,199 Super Megatron with 36 servo motors, appealing to adult collectors. Troubleshooting Microsoft Word issues, including potential causes and solutions for file corruption. Apple's adoption of RCS: Discussion on improved messaging capabilities and cross-device syncing. Data recovery techniques for an old Windows Home Server, focusing on extracting data from the hard drive. Monthly photo assignment: "Weathered" theme, showcasing standout submissions and discussing photographic challenges. Explanation of Argon2 for password hashing in Bitwarden and its security benefits. Debunking the rumor about Southwest Airlines using Windows 3.1 and discussing airline redundancy systems. Challenges of connecting a Shure MV88 lightning microphone to USB-C devices. Corsair Elgato Creator Platform Six table and associated gear for streaming and production. Advice on preserving data on SSDs and USB sticks, emphasizing the reliability of modern storage devices. Running Windows on Apple's M series processors through Parallels, outlining limitations and compatibility issues. Hosts: Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent Guests: Dick DeBartolo and Chris Marquardt Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys/episodes/2035 Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys Sponsor: betterhelp.com/ATG

Transcribed - Published: 28 July 2024

In this episode of Ask The Tech Guys, Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent dive into the recent CrowdStrike security update disaster, discuss the end of Google's URL shortener, and address listener questions about Apple Music libraries and Mac upgrades. The hosts also share insights on the show's upcoming studio changes and the importance of Club TWiT memberships for the network's sustainability. CrowdStrike security update causes widespread Windows crashes, affecting airlines, hospitals, and major companies Google announces "goo.gl" links will stop working in August 2025, potentially breaking many existing services Matthew asks about moving his Apple Music library to an external drive and keeping the most recent versions of files Leo discusses the upcoming closure of the current TWiT studio and transition to home-based production The evolution of studio equipment and how consumer technology now enables high-quality home production Fransisco inquires about using an older MacBook Pro with Big Sur for online banking and purchasing Hosts advise using third-party browsers for security and discuss the timing of purchasing new Macs Dan wants to know how to best preserve his father's microcassette tapes Jim can't hear the text tone on his Apple Watch and wants to know how to change the sound. Jeff from Michigan asks about recording high school marching band events, with Leo suggesting using smartphones or the Sony ZV-1 camera for better quality and ease of use. Ann from Antioch inquires about allowing Bluetooth permissions for a garage door opener app. Richard from Tennessee reports issues with his new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra crashing when opening YouTube. Bill from Tarzana asks if leaving devices plugged in constantly is harmful, with the hosts reassuring that modern devices have circuitry to manage battery health. Mark from Racine inquires about Leo's switch from Authy to 2FAS for two-factor authentication, with Leo explaining his reasons for preferring 2FAS. Hosts: Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys/episodes/2034 Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2024

Is there an easy way to convert an email into an audio file? Why can't I back up my files using both iDrive and iCloud? Why aren't banks using proper two-factor authentication methods? Plus, Sam Abuelsamid talks about the Cadillac CELESTIQ display and how manufacturers are leaning in more to software-driven features. FTC fires a warning shot at eight companies over 'Right To Repair' violations. Goldman Sachs: AI is overhyped, wildly expensive, and unreliable. This is the fastest object ever made by humans, and it's not slowing down. Toll of Snowflake hack widens with theft of AT&T text, calling data. Micah from the Airplane Geeks podcast calls in to ask if there's a proper lightning to USB-C adapter that he can use with his Shure microphone, which has a lightning connection and no USB-C connection. Dan emails the show asking for alternatives to Amazon Echo devices for his parents, who aren't very tech-savvy, that can stream music throughout the home on various devices. Sam Abuelsamid joins Leo and Mikah on the show this week. Sam talks about the Cadillac CELESTIQ displays that are showing up in newer Cadillac vehicles and how car manufacturers are utilizing more software-driven features in their vehicles. Genet writes in, wondering what it means to "Sign In with Apple" on various websites and if it's safe to use this. Miakh explains how "Sign In with Apple" works. Patch has a 2015 MacBook Pro, and the battery is nearing its end of life, which is affecting some of its laptop functions. What can he do about the battery issues? Jay writes in, wondering if there's an app that can translate an email into an audio file for his mother. Charles calls in with a follow-up to Jay's question and suggests using Siri's VoiceOver function on the iPhone / iPad to do exactly what Jay is looking for. Ken is wondering why he's getting errors when trying to backup his files through both iDrive and iCloud, as he's trying to back up his files to multiple locations. Mel is in the market for a new computer for general computing needs, such as email and document writing, and is wondering what Mikah and Leo would recommend. Aaron has a simple question for the Tech Guys: why do the banks continue to avoid using 2FA applications like Google Authenticator? Hosts: Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent Guest: Sam Abuelsamid Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys/episodes/2033 Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys

Transcribed - Published: 14 July 2024

Leo and Mikah tackle a wide range of tech questions from viewers, covering everything from backup strategies to AI's impact on creativity. The hosts are joined by the Home Theater Geek Scott Wilkinson, who shares an impressive DIY home theater, and travel expert Johnny Jet with essential tips for renewing your passport online and staying cool while traveling in Europe. Don't miss Leo and Mikah's thought-provoking discussion on the future of AI and human creativity! Google research paper suggests AI "breaking reality" is a feature, not a bug. The team discusses the implications. Mathematicians discover the fifth "busy beaver" number after 40 years. Leo attempts to explain this computational math milestone. Cloudflare launches tool to block AI bots from scraping websites, as 85% of Cloudflare customers want to block AI. Saudi Arabia aims to be the eSports capital of the world with a $60 million prize pool. Martin asks for advice on replacing his Drobo Mini for backing up 8 family members' computers. Leo and Mikah recommend using a NAS for network backups, Time Machine for local backups, and cloud services like Backblaze for offsite backup. Richard wonders if he needs to convert his hard drives from NTFS to APFS when moving from Windows to Mac for his large video collection. The hosts explain NTFS works fine on Mac and recommend using a Synology NAS with Plex as a centralized media server. Jeremy wants to set up cloud backup with versioning for his daughter's MacBook before she heads to college. Mikah suggests using Time Machine locally and Backblaze for cloud backup. The Home Theater Geek Scott Wilkinson showcases an impressive DIY basement home theater built for under $24K. Jim, a movie sound professional, is looking for a Windows word processor that can handle his 2000+ page book with many illustrations. The hosts caution against trying to run macOS on a PC and recommend trying LibreOffice. Matthew asks if using the Google Photos app on iPhone will create duplicates. Mikah doesn't think so but suggests running a short test. Graham wants to play Apple Podcasts on his Google Nest speakers. Leo recommends using Spotify instead since it's supported by Google speakers. Hans, a multimedia artist, shares a fascinating discussion with Leo and Mikah about AI's impact on creative jobs. While some see AI as a threat, Hans embraces it as a tool to enhance creativity. Paul troubleshoots an issue where he's not getting play-by-play audio on certain sports streams through his TV speakers, but it works through his soundbar. The hosts suggest it's likely an encoding compatibility issue with his TV. Johnny Jet shares his unfortunate tale of catching hand, foot and mouth disease right before a big trip to Europe. He offers tips on travel insurance, the risks of posting your info publicly, and renewing your passport online. Vidak from Montenegro is experiencing audio cut-outs when using his Focusrite Scarlett audio interface with his M2 MacBook Pro. Mikah suspects a software conflict and suggests troubleshooting steps to isolate the issue. Hosts: Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent Guests: Scott Wilkinson and Johnny Jet Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys/episodes/2032 Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit

Transcribed - Published: 7 July 2024

Four thousand people were arrested in a crackdown on online scam networks. What's the best way to get started working in IT? What are good alternatives to the Windows Mail app? And Mikah and Leo give their recommendation for a Wi-Fi system that's great for older users. Nearly 4,000 arrested in global police crackdown on online scam networks. I paid $365.63 to replace 404 Media with AI. Microsoft tells Texas agencies they were exposed in Russian hack. NASA and SpaceX misjudged the risks from reentering space junk. The White House will host a conference for social media creators. Apple explores novel method for making iPhone batteries more replaceable. A caller is taking an online course to get a certification towards working in the field of IT and has started to look at online jobs. They found a job they are interested in, but it's asking for five years of experience, and the caller will only have this certification when applying. How can they find the ideal job to start their career in the IT field? Shele wonders how they can back up their iPhone data to network-attached storage rather than through iCloud. Nate uses a Mac and a Windows machine with multiple hard drives connected to it. Whenever he reboots his Mac though, the Windows machine with the drives goes offline, and he has to reconnect them every time manually. Is there a way to reconnect the drives automatically? Nate is also wondering why when driving in his vehicle and as he gets close to his house, Siri activates from his iPhone and takes over the audio in his vehicle? Jeff is having issues getting back into his email account after supposedly violating the email providers' service agreement. Jim has a website for wedding officiation. However, when people try to visit his website, the server can't be found unless they add "https://" to the URL. What's preventing people from visiting Jim's website? Kevin writes in to try to find alternatives to Windows's Mail app after being mandated to switch from it to Microsoft Outlook. David calls in trying to understand why he can only update the operating system through the command line when running Linux Mint. James calls in looking for a recommendation for a Wi-Fi system he can install for his parents and have them manage it themselves rather than relying on James. Andrew is looking for recommendations for his next laptop and to see if there's any spamware protection he can install for his Pixel 8. Hosts: Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys/episodes/2031 Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2024

Would you pay a monthly fee for an AI Alexa?? Can I extend the connection between my AirPods and my Mac? What's going on with my connection to my network when using Apple's Private Relay? Plus, Dick DeBartolo talks about the MAD exhibition at the Norman Rockwell Museum and the new AeroPress Go Plus! How the dash to ditch paper money created a playground for criminals. 'This Old House' pays tribute to creator Russell Morash. Apple won't roll out AI tech in EU market over regulatory concerns. AT&T can't hang up on landline phone customers, California agency rules. Amazon mulls $5 to $10 monthly price tag for unprofitable Alexa service, AI revamp. Mark is wondering if a smartwatch is a good device to catch up on missed notifications and if there's a way to have the watch re-send any notifications he missed previously. Jesse is getting an 0x80d02002 error when downloading files on their Windows machine and is trying to figure out how to stop the error. They also ask why they can't get their Roku TV to connect to their Apple AirPlay. Dick Debartolo joins the show this week to talk about the MAD exhibition at the Norman Rockwell Museum and the new AeroPress Go Plus. Steve writes to ask if there's a way to extend the connection of their AirPods to their Mac. Bala's phone was stolen recently, and they got a new phone to replace it. But they're wondering if the thieves can easily access the information on their old phone. Vidak ask why his mesh system is not correctly connecting to the node they want it to connect to? Tim wonders why if Apple is such and advocate for privacy, why they allow downloaded apps from the App Store to collect information on you Tim is also having issues getting Apple's Private Relay to connect to their WiFi network. David writes in wondering what the best way to hook up their Apple TV to a project and get sound out with a soundbar or speakers. Emil emails the show asking why their 2nd Gen AirPods Pro constantly pauses audio playback from almost any movement. Hosts: Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent Guest: Dick DeBartolo Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys/episodes/2030 Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys Sponsor: wix.com/studio

Transcribed - Published: 23 June 2024

Apple & Meta will likely face charges for failing to comply with EU rules. Can you play Apple Spatial audio files outside of Apple Music? How can you start learning how to program and develop an application? Plus, Rod Pyle talks about the Boeing Starliner launch, and Chris Marquardt goes over the past month's photo assignment of Minimalist! Apple WWDC24, Apple Intelligence, and RCS coming to iPhone. Apple, Meta set to face EU charges under landmark tech rules, sources say. Matthew calls in, asking if upgrading his network from 2.4GHz to 5GHz is worth it. Chris wants to know how to play his Apple Spatial audio files in other applications outside of Apple Music. Rod Pyle talks about the Boeing Starliner launch, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch, and China's Chang'e 6 mission. Kevin likes having everything on his Mac open up in one Finder window with multiple tabs. How can Kevin keep Finder from opening links he clicks on in iMessage on his Mac to opening in the same Finder window where he has his multiple tabs? Henry emails Leo and Mikah, wondering where he can go to start programming an app he has an idea for. After upgrading to Mac OS Sonoma, Steve gets a notification that "Steve's iPhone microphone is not available." He wants to know why he's constantly getting this notification and how to stop it? Randy writes that they have a music collection on Apple Music, but he wants to save those files on his iPhone in the Apple Music app without constantly paying for a subscription. Is there a way for Randy to do this? Chris Marquardt goes over the Minimalist photo assignment and assigns the next assignment! Patrick calls in with a problem about why, when he's sending text messages on his iPhone through iMessage, the messages go from the Apple standard blue bubbles to green bubbles randomly at times. Patrick also wonders why his Apple Watch is receiving notifications inconsistently from apps like iMessage and WhatsApp. Hosts: Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent Guests: Rod Pyle and Chris Marquardt Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys/episodes/2029 Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys Sponsors: ZipRecruiter.com/Twit eufy.com

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2024

VoIP Woes, Rogue Voice Memos, and Pet Tracking Hosts: Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent For full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/ask-the-tech-guys/episodes/2028 Sponsor: fastmail.com/twit

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2024