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?

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Host: Mikah Sargent

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Host: Mikah Sargent

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Jacob Ward of The Rip Current joins Mikah Sargent this week! Tech titans are investing millions into genetically engineered babies. A lot of those who worry about data privacy feel like their actions make no difference. Comments from Windows lead Pavan Davuluri on the future of Windows received a lot of blowback online. And Valve announced a trio of new hardware for.

• Jacob discusses tech billionaires funding companies that are pursuing genetically engineered babies, raising concerns about the commercialization of polygenic screening.
• Mikah talks about how a lot of Americans do worry about data privacy, but feel helpless in that any actions they may take make no real difference.
• Zac Bowden from Windows Central joins the show to talk about comments made recently online from Windows lead Pavan Davuluri on the future of Windows "evolving into an agentic OS," which received plenty of pushback.
• And Scott Stein of CNET stops by to share his hands-on experience with Valve's recently announced new Steam hardware, set to launch in 2026.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jacob Ward

Guests: Zac Bowden and Scott Stein

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Control your iPhone just by looking at it. Mikah Sargent dives into the eye-tracking (and head tracking) feature on iOS, showing how it contributes to accessibility and reimagines device interaction.

• How to set up and use iOS eye tracking controls
• Eye tracking customization: smoothing, snap to item, dwell control, and more
• Eye tracking training process and device positioning tips
• Accuracy challenges and retraining
• Head tracking as an alternative: facial gestures trigger iOS actions
• Head tracking menu navigation with expressions

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Running out of meal ideas or tired of over-complicated food logging? This episode showcases smart, lesser-known nutrition tools and creative ways to track what you eat, based on real-life experiences and some honest app talk.

• FoodNoms highlighted for privacy-focused nutrition tracking and Apple Health integration
• MyFitnessPal offers a massive database and wide third-party integrations despite privacy trade-offs
• Carb Manager recommended for keto diets and fitness-linked nutrition tracking
• Using Apple's Journal app for food, meal, and recipe documentation
• News: iOS 26.1 introduces background photo upload for third-party backup apps
• Feedback: iPhone textile cases and cleaning experiences
• App Caps: Ugreen and Anker multiport chargers reviewed for tech convenience

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, how do you prevent your Mac from automatically falling asleep to conduct overnight backups? Mikah Sargent shares some third-party apps that will do just that!

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET joins Mikah Sargent this week on Tech News Weekly. Apple is reportedly considering a partnership with Google to integrate the Gemini AI model with Siri. A new AI-powered smart ring is in development to record users' thoughts. Google is making modifications to its Play Store regarding third-party accessibility. And a group of employees from a company specializing in negotiating cyber-attack ransoms has been indicted for running their own cyber-extortion scheme.

• Abrar shares how Apple plans to partner with Google to utilize the Gemini AI model in its updated Siri model.
• Mikah talks about a new AI-powered smart ring in development that you can speak into to record & ask questions.
• Ryan Whitwam of Ars Technica joins the show to talk about the changes Google has been ordered to make to its Play Store to better accommodate third-party apps following Epic Games' lawsuit against the company.
• And Mikah shares a story about a group of employees at a company that specializes in negotiating cyber-attack ransoms who were indicted for, ironically, running their own cyber-extortion scheme.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti

Guest: Ryan Whitwam

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Mac users, forget juggling third-party apps! Apple's macOS Tahoe finally gives you real control over your menu bar and Control Center. Check out how this long-awaited update could change the way you work every day.

• Exploring new default transparent menu bar background visuals
• Adjusting menu bar visibility and hiding options in System Settings
• Toggling menu bar background effects for better personalization
• Managing recent documents, apps, and servers through menu bar settings
• Adding, removing, and arranging controls in menu bar and Control Center
• Detailed walkthrough of menu bar settings like WiFi, Bluetooth, battery, Focus, and display
• Granular app icon management—allow or deny permission to show in menu bar
• Rearranging menu bar icons using command+drag
• Quick reset options and comprehensive clock display tweaks for the menu bar

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Learn about the top iOS apps that help organize tedious household tasks on schedule while turning family coordination into something fair and fun. Plus, Life360's advanced tracking features give parents convenient insight into their kids' whereabouts and driving habits!

• Life360 app features for family and pet tracking, privacy tips
• Sweepy app helps divide, gamify, and organize home chores
• Maple Family Organizer streamlines family calendars, projects, and emails
• Under My Roof app for tracking home inventory and moving logistics
• Fridge Buddy app manages pantry and fridge supplies, tracks expiration dates
• News: Rumors on upcoming pro creative apps for iPad surfaced in code
• Shortcuts Corner: AssistiveTouch troubleshooting and shortcut trigger options
• Mikah's App Cap: CleanMyPhone is a free and paid photo cleaner apps for decluttering
• Rosemary's App Cap: Slider Photo Cleaner is a free swipe-to-delete photo tool

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

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On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent lists some of his favorite two-factor authenticator apps for listener Stuart and some of the pros and cons using 2FA applications.

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Host: Mikah Sargent

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Jacob Ward of The Rip Current joins Mikah Sargent this week! OpenAI disclosed stats on mental health from its users' chats within ChatGPT. How deepfake videos are becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate. Cybersecurity concerns over AI-powered browsers. And the latest from Adobe Max!

• Jacob talks about OpenAI's release of stats surrounding mental health, warning signs, and how its model is doing to recognize and support people in moments of distress.
• Mikah chats about how it's starting to become harder to recognize videos that are AI-generated.
• Mikah also talks about AI browsers and how slowly these browsers are becoming a ticking cybersecurity time bomb.
• And artist Joe Esposito joins us from Adobe Max to share everything that was announced at Adobe's annual creativity conference.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jacob Ward

Guest: Joe Esposito

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See how AirPods Pro team up with your iPhone to run a personal hearing test and tailor audio just for you. Get a firsthand look at a health tool you may not realize is sitting in your pocket.

• Step-by-step guide to starting hearing test and prepping devices
• Real-time noise detection and environment checks during test setup
• Fit adjustment guidance and sound tests for optimal AirPod positioning
• Tone pulses and interactive hearing assessment via iOS Health integration
• Saving and reviewing audiogram results in Health app after test completion
• AirPods tuning and hearing assistance recommendations based on test results

Host: Mikah Sargent

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What if your child's screen time could actually boost creativity, math skills, and problem-solving, all with the right app? Check out the latest apps turning iPads into playgrounds and classrooms for little learners, with hands-on demos you can watch!

• Khan Academy Kids - Offline educational features
• Funexpected Math - Interactive audio math games for kids
• Thinkrolls Kings and Queens - Puzzle logic and problem-solving for children
• MarcoPolo Ocean & Arctic apps - Free ocean and Arctic exploration
• Importance of local teacher and App Store recommendations for kids' learning apps
• Feedback: Managing energy, not just time, with Structured app
• App Caps: Troubleshooting CarPlay with new wireless adapter fix

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

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On Hands-On Tech, listener Ozzie asks Mikah Sargent how to repurpose a 2010 MacBook Pro so they can avoid recycling it.

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Host: Mikah Sargent

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Emily Forlini of PCMag joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly! Microsoft launched its fall feature drop for Copilot, including a new AI avatar called Mico. Amazon is making headlines with its robotic automation efforts and also unveiled new AR smart glasses for delivery drivers. Jason Howell stops by to discuss Samsung's new Galaxy XR headset, their answer to Apple's Vision Pro.

• Emily discusses Microsoft's new AI avatar Mico, introduced as part of Copilot's fall feature drop with 12 new features, including group project tools and health Q&A. Emily and Mikah debate whether anyone actually wants 'real talk' with a chatbot.
• Mikah covers Amazon's continued automation push, replacing warehouse positions with robots as the company expands its use of robotics throughout its logistics operations. Emily weighs in with her inside knowledge on what this means for real workers.
• Jason Howell joins to talk about Samsung's new $1,799 Galaxy XR headset positioning itself as a direct competitor to Apple's Vision Pro. He explains why built-in Gemini AI makes it special and why smart glasses might ultimately beat big VR headsets.
• Mikah dives into Amazon's new AR smart glasses designed for delivery drivers, featuring hands-free navigation, package scanning, hazard detection, and automatic proof-of-delivery photo capture—all displayed directly in the driver's field of view.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Emily Forlini

Guest: Jason Howell

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

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This episode demonstrates how Spotlight's new "actions" feature quietly transforms your workflow, adapting to the app you're using and what you copy, delivering shortcuts you never knew you needed. Discover how to create lightning-fast quick keys in Spotlight, letting you instantly send emails, print documents, or launch commands in your favorite apps.

• Spotlight actions get personal—suggestions adapt to your app usage
• Third-party apps feed custom actions into Spotlight
• Actions adapt to your current app like Photos & Notes
• Context-aware Spotlight pulls menu bar commands and clipboard data
• Quick Keys for Spotlight actions let you set up fast shortcuts
• Real-world examples: creating shortcuts for email, Finder, and printer tasks
• Spotlight actions connect workflows—print PDFs and automate simple actions

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Wondering how to turn your iPhone into the ultimate utility tool? This episode reveals under-the-radar apps and clever tricks that transform everyday tasks, from scanning bizarre-shaped books to hijacking your iPhone camera as a pro-level Mac webcam.

• Using iPhone as a webcam for Mac with Camo and Continuity Camera
• Simple Scan app for digitizing documents and OCR on iOS
• Quick note-taking and text automation using Drafts app
• Network device discovery with the Discovery app for iOS and Mac
• Transloader app for remote Mac downloads from your iPhone
• News: Apple sunsets Clips social video app, replacement options suggested
• Feedback: Apple Watch Ultra size and user preferences
• Shortcuts Corner: Apple Intelligence shortcut fails on Apple Watch, troubleshooting advice
• App Caps: Theraview ADHD medication tracker and Terraforming Mars digital board game

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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