Apple shook up its device family with new models this past year, but not all the changes were obvious. If you missed these pair of episodes, find out what actually made the 2025 Apple Watch and iPhone lineup different—and why picking the wrong one could mean missing out on must-have features (or overpaying for ones you'll never use).

Host: Mikah Sargent

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Take a look back at some of our favorite interviews from the past year on Tech News Weekly!

• Eric Migicovsky, founder of the smartwatch company Pebble, joins Mikah to talk about exciting news with Pebble.
• Bloomberg antitrust reporter Leah Nylen returns to unpack the latest in the DOJ's case against Google. She explains the three proposed remedies—including a possible Chrome browser divestiture—and what testimony from tech competitors like DuckDuckGo, Perplexity, and OpenAI revealed about Google's dominance in search and AI.
• Leila Zia, Head of Research at the Wikimedia Foundation, outlines their new AI roadmap, which focuses on supporting Wikipedia's volunteer editors rather than replacing them. She details how AI will assist with moderation, multilingual knowledge expansion, and mentorship—all while upholding values of transparency and human agency.
• Scott Stein of CNET is staying busy as he joins the show to share his hands-on impressions of Nintendo's Switch 2 console, Mario Kart World, and its new features.
• And Consumer Reports' Derek Kravitz details Instacart's AI pricing practices.

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

After a year tangled in political drama, AI hype, and regulation battles, the TWiT crew explains how many of tech's "biggest stories" simply fizzled into nothing or left us with new headaches by year's end.

• Year-end tech trends: AI, politics, and security dominated 2025
• Major stories faded fast: TikTok saga, political tech drama, DOGE scandal
• TikTok's ownership battle—Oracle, Trump donors, and US-China tensions
• China tech fears: banned drones, IoT vulnerabilities, secret radios in buses
• Rising political pressure for internet privacy and media literacy reform
• Surveillance and kill switch concerns in US grid and port infrastructure
• Convenience vs. privacy: Americans trade data for discounts and ease
• Age verification, surveillance, and flawed facial recognition across countries
• Discord's ID leak highlights risks of rushed compliance with privacy laws
• Social media's impact on kids pushes age-gating and verification laws
• ISPs monetize customer data, VPNs pitched for personal privacy
• Global government crackdowns: UK bans VPN advertising, mandates age checks
• The illusion of absolute privacy: flawed age gates and persistent tracking
• AI takes over: explosive growth, but profits elusive for big players
• Arms race in LLMs: DeepSeek's breakthrough, OpenAI/Meta talent bidding war
• Ad-driven models still rule; Amazon's playbook repeated in AI
• Humanoid robots and AGI hype: skepticism vs. Silicon Valley optimism
• AI-generated art, media, and the challenge of deepfake detection
• Social platforms falter: Instagram and X swamped by fake or low-value content
• Google's legal, regulatory, and technical woes: ad tech trial, Manifest V3 backlash
• RAM price spikes and hardware shortages blamed on AI data center demand
• YouTube overtakes mobile for podcast and video viewing, Oscars move online
• The internet's growth: Cloudflare stats, X vs. Reddit, spam domain trends
• Weird tech stories: hacked crosswalks, Nintendo Switch 2 Staplegate, LEGO theft ring
• Sad farewell: Lamar Wilson's passing and mental health awareness in tech
• Reflections on the year's turbulence and hopes for a better 2026

Host: Leo Laporte

Guests: Mikah Sargent, Paris Martineau, and Steve Gibson

Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsors:

• expressvpn.com/twit
• zscaler.com/security
• Melissa.com/twit
• ventionteams.com/twit
• auraframes.com/ink

On Hands-On Tech, Richie asks Mikah Sargent about saving their TiVo recordings to their PC after TiVo discontinued its TiVo Desktop software.

Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy from The Verge joins Mikah Sargent for the final episode of Tech News Weekly for 2025! Are AI health coaches the future for wearables? A look back at smart home news and devices in 2025. And how AI image generators have changed over time.

• Mikah talks about an article written by CNET's Vanessa Hand Orellana about AI health coaches in wearables and how it showcases innovation within healthcare, but also the data concerns if data breaches or unauthorized access to the data occur.
• Jennifer reflects on the smart home news and smart home devices highlighted in the past year and shares her excitement about news such as IKEA releasing Thread-supported devices, but also laments on companies like iRobot filing for bankruptcy.
• And Allison Johnson of The Verge joins the show to talk about how AI image generators are improving as various models have learned from their mistakes & fumbles that occurred in their early beginnings.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Guest: Allison Johnson

Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsors:

• auraframes.com/ink
• outsystems.com/twit

This year's App Store Awards are shaking things up, spotlighting indie apps and clever tools for neurodivergent users, rather than corporate giants. Mikah and Rosemary break down which surprising winners deserve a spot on your home screen.

• Timo: Neurodivergent-friendly AI planner wins iPhone App of the Year
• Detail: Auto-editing video app takes iPad App of the Year
• Essayist: Citation-powered writing app honored for Mac
• Explore POV: Immersive video app wins Apple Vision Pro App of the Year
• Strava: Fitness tracking app crowned Apple Watch App of the Year
• HBO Max: Redesigned streaming app lands Apple TV App of the Year
• Cultural Impact Awards: Be My Eyes, Focus Friend, Storygraph recognized
• News: Apple leadership shakeups as key execs retire and Apple Fitness+ expands to 28 new markets
• Shortcuts Corner: Automating HomeKit switch notifications and safety cutoffs

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Ever wonder why your iPad keeps popping up surprise notes every time you swipe from the corner? This episode breaks down the Quick Notes feature, why it keeps tripping up users, and the simple settings that put you back in control.

• Activating Quick Notes with swipe gestures from screen corners
• Quick Notes interface walkthrough: markup, multiple notes, screenshots, sharing
• Using Quick Notes while multitasking—making fast notes during other activities
• Quick Notes storage and organization in the Notes app
• Apple Pencil integration with Quick Notes
• How to disable or customize corner swipe gestures in iPadOS settings
• Assigning screenshot function to corner swipes instead of Quick Notes
• Universal app support for customized corner swipe gestures
• Recurring accidental Quick Note activation and practical troubleshooting

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and 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.

On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Curt asks Mikah Sargent about a good replacement to the Pocket app, an app that allowed you to save articles for later reading, which Firefox discontinued back in July of 2025.

Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly this week! The former CEO of Hinge left his position this week to launch an AI-powered dating app. Pebble is coming out with its take on a smart ring. What is the AI Model Context Protocol? And could grocery delivery services be using AI to charge different prices for groceries to consumers?

• Amanda talks about a new AI-powered dating app called Overtone that the former CEO of Hinge, Justin McLeod, has founded.
• Pebble is coming out with its own smart ring with a built-in microphone, and Mikah has some quarrels with the device.
• Mikah talks about the Model Context Protocol, or MCP: an approach companies like Google and OpenAI have adopted that would allow AI agents to access information online in a standardized manner easily, and now Anthropic has donated the protocol to the Linux Foundation.
• And Derek Kravitz of Consumer Reports joins the show to talk about its investigation into Instacart utilizing artificial intelligence that would offer different prices of the same product to consumers.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling

Guest: Derek Kravitz

Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsors:

• ventionteams.com/twit
• threatlocker.com/twit
• pantheon.io
• cachefly.com/twit

Tired of scrolling endlessly to find that one hilarious link or important document someone texted you months ago? Mikah Sargent reveals how a simple click unveils every photo, link, and document from your conversations, saving you time and sanity.

• Quick access to shared content using the disclosure arrow on macOS
• Sorting and previewing photos, videos, and shared media within message threads
• Accessing and managing links and documents shared via Messages
• Filtering content types like photos, videos, screenshots, and collaborations for faster retrieval
• Practical tips for recovering past shared files in Messages

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and 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.

Tired of losing track of shows or playing hide-and-seek with your next binge-watch? Discover unexpected tricks, overlooked apps, and candid talk about making sense of the ever-messy world of streaming from the comfort of your Apple device.

• Tracking what you watch using Apple TV's Up Next queue
• Apple TV integration tips, Netflix limitations, and notification quirks
• iPhone vs. iPad vs. Mac Apple TV app differences and channel management
• Using JustWatch to find where content is streaming
• Sharing watch lists and managing subscriptions in JustWatch
• Pros and cons of digital media purchases versus streaming
• The rise of Letterboxd for movie tracking, reviews, and social sharing
• Trakt for custom watchlists, Plex integration, and episode calendars
• Apple TV "Insight" feature compared to Amazon X-Ray for cast and music info
• Tips for finding movies across services as content moves
• Feedback segment: Transloader app utility for Mac downloads
• App Caps: SwitchBot candle warmer and Festivitas Mac/iOS decoration app

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

On Hands-On Tech, listener Michael proposes an idea to Mikah Sargent if Apple could ever bring back the iPod Classic, but updated to be a home ecosystem? Mikah shares his thoughts.

Send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show to hot@twit.tv!

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.

Discover unexpected ways Apple's accessibility features can make any iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch easier to use, whether you need extra-large text at bedtime or want an edge with hands-free controls. Find out how these settings quietly power mainstream features and solve problems you didn't know had solutions!

• Reduce White Point and night-time usability tips
• Display and text size customization for comfort and legibility
• Magnifier, Zoom, and hover text make small details readable
• Color filters and PWM toggle for migraines and color blindness
• Accessibility for temporary or situational needs (not just disability)
• Using pointer devices, sign language support, and Control Center options
• Voice control features — set custom commands and hands-free solutions
• Fine-tuning button and touch sensitivity for Apple devices
• Astropad Bookcase: physical accessory for easier phone handling
• Troubleshooting wireless CarPlay connection issues after iOS updates
• App Caps: Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles is a chill animal puzzle game with neat artwork!

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today

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.

Ever wonder why apps suddenly disappear from your iPhone, just when you need them most? This episode reveals the iOS feature quietly sweeping your unused apps off your device and shows you how to take control.

• How to find and adjust App Store app settings in iOS
• Reviewing app permissions and privacy controls in App Store settings
• Managing automatic app downloads, updates, and in-app content
• Using cellular data for app downloads: controls and limits
• How to handle in-app ratings, reviews, and update prompts
• Offload Unused Apps explained: storage, data, and user experience
• Personalized recommendations and privacy management in App Store settings
• Resetting your App Store identifier for privacy

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

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.

On Hands-On Tech, helps out helps listener Daniel switch their MFA from Authy to another app, and explains why it's going to be a more tedious process than with other MFA's.

Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show to hot@twit.tv!

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.

On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Elizabeth asks Mikah Sargent if she really needs to replace power strips after a period of time. And Stan wonders if there are any smart light switches that can connect to his 5.4 GHz router?

Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv

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.

Dan Moren of Six Colors joins Mikah Sargent this week! Apple Wallet's mobile driver's license feature is expanding to more users. An AI-powered teddy bear was caught giving explicit and graphic instructions to children. Google unveiled Gemini 3. And can AI-powered smart pens give you an edge in your academics?

• Dan covers the expansion of Apple Wallet's mobile driver's license feature as the state of Illinois is the latest to support this feature.
• Mikah shares how an AI-powered teddy bear, FoloToy, was discovered to be teaching kids unsafe behaviors and discussing adult topics.
• Sabrina Ortiz of ZDNET joins the show to talk about Google's latest iteration of AI model, Gemini 3.
• And Elissa Welle of The Verge stops by to share her experience using an AI pen, and how the pen was less than helpful.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren

Guests: Sabrina Ortiz and Elissa Welle

Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsors:

• spaceship.com/twit
• zapier.com/tnw
• ventionteams.com/twit
• auraframes.com/ink

Ever wondered why your iPhone's sound isn't as loud as you expect, or your AirPods seem capped? Mikah Sargent uncovers the hidden settings that could be hindering your listening experience.

• Managing silent mode and status bar indicators on newer iPhones
• Switching audio input sources, including iPhone mic and AirPods
• Fine-tuning ringtone and alert volume controls for less disruption
• "Change with buttons" explained: separation of media and alert volumes
• Customizing haptic feedback and vibration settings for notifications
• Setting default sounds for ringtones, texts, voicemail, and mail alerts
• Keyboard feedback: toggling typing sounds and haptics preference
• Differences between iPhone and iPad haptics (limitations on iPad)
• Controlling speaker volume limits and effects on media playback
• Understanding "Reduce Loud Sounds" to avoid abrupt audio spikes
• Headphone safety: adjusting reduced loud audio upper limit for AirPods
• Headphone usage notifications & protecting hearing over seven days
• Managing USB audio accessory settings and privacy tracking

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

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.

Ready to ditch holiday stress? Discover the relatively new Apple Invites app and cutting-edge planning tools that could change how you host, organize, and celebrate with friends and family this season.

• Apple Invites app demo: shared photos, playlists, and event updates
• Partiful vs. Apple Invites: choosing invite apps friends actually use
• Shared reminders and sections: holiday shopping and planning hacks
• OmniOutliner for meal prep and complex holiday schedules, plus AI outlines
• Favorite recipe apps: Paprika vs. Crouton for Thanksgiving cooking
• Secret Santa gift exchanges made easy with Elfster app features
• News: Apple launches $150 iPhone Pocket fashion accessory. New Apple hardware updates: iPad Pro, 14" MacBook Pro, Vision Pro M5
• App Caps: Torras Mini MagSafe battery pack and Locket Widget social app

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today

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.

In this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Lance asks Mikah Sargent about the pros and cons of using powerline ethernet adapters, and Mikah shares his strong thoughts on these devices.

Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv

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.