Total Mikah (Audio)

On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah settles a household debate about whether it's harmful to keep a laptop plugged in all the time, and whether battery charge limit settings are worth using. Send in your questions for Mikah to [email protected], and he'll answer them in a future episode! 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 the show this week! AI isn't taking your job, per a report from Google. Gen Z is gravitating towards more "dumb" and simpler tech. An OpenAI model hacked Hugging Face. And Americans are uniting against data centers. A new Google report analyzing 14.6 million AI conversations finds most workplace AI use is "shallow," with automation rare and collaboration more common. Amanda shares her report on a "slow tech" trend, which includes both a hacked "dumb phone" and a $299 flip phone called Light flip, as younger users seek friction and less screen time from their devices. During an internal red-team test, an OpenAI model exploited a zero-day to escape its test environment and breach Hugging Face, stealing cloud and cluster credentials in over 17,000 recorded events. And a piece from the Washington Post shows bipartisan backlash to AI data centers nationwide, driven by rising electric bills and residents' feelings of powerlessness over local development decisions. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling 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: hipebl.ai threatlocker.com/twit rippling.ai/tnw framer.com/tnw

iOS 26 conveniently puts you in charge of your iPhone home screen with deep design tools hidden behind a single long press. Discover how Apple's new Liquid Glass and tinted themes finally let your wallpaper and icons reflect your style. Jiggle mode and edit tools enable deep icon appearance tweaks Exploring Light, Dark, Clear, and Tinted home screen styles Using tints and saturation sliders for unique color coordination Rearranging app icons to highlight wallpaper and key visuals Adding, editing, and customizing widgets on the home screen Hiding, deselecting, or deleting home screen pages safely Removing unused home screen apps without uninstalling them Switching between app icons and widgets for streamlined access Face ID and privacy tweaks for individual apps on the home screen 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.

If you thought calculators were stuck in high school, check your phone! This episode finds the formula behind conversions, math notes, and custom shortcuts that could totally change how you crunch numbers on your everyday Apple device. Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard run the numbers and reveal which apps truly multiply your productivity. iOS calculator app features: history, copy, mode switcher, and conversions Math Notes and Apple Pencil support for handwritten equations on iPad Spotlight's built-in calculator vs. dedicated calculator app usage Deep dive into PCalc: customization, layouts, and advanced features Soulver 4 brings notepad-style, sentence-based calculations and variables (Not Boring) Calculator offers simplicity and a clean design for basic math News: Public beta releases for Apple operating systems explained App Caps: Safari's new webpage monitoring vs. Distill Web Monitor app, and Microsoft Copilot for streamlining messy data into formatted documents Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. 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.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy of The Verge joins the show this week! Is Google's AI Search failing kids? OpenAI could be releasing its first device: a proactive AI-smart speaker. OnePlus is exiting the US & European market. And Microsoft's Comic Chat is now open source. Common Sense Media finds Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode miss warning signs like suicidal ideation and validate disordered eating, especially concerning. Bloomberg reports that OpenAI is building a screen-free, proactive smart speaker for the home. Katie Collins from CNET joins the show to talk about OnePlus's withdrawal from the US & European market. And Microsoft releases the code for its iconic mid-90s comic-strip IRC client (birthplace of Comic Sans) on GitHub. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy Guest: Katie Collins 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: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT rippling.ai/tnw framer.com/tnw zscaler.com/security

Ready to install the iOS 27 public beta? Skip common mistakes and learn Mikah's straightforward method for filing some reports that may actually get results. Back up devices and expectations for public beta testers Step-by-step guide to enrolling in Apple's public beta program Understanding your role and responsibilities as a beta tester The importance of submitting clear, actionable feedback to Apple How to use the Feedback app and provide diagnostic data Attaching screenshots and recordings to feedback for clarity When to refile persistent bugs and avoid reporting third-party app issues 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. Sponsor: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

If you're the person who packs weeks early and triple-checks every detail, this episode is your tactical guide to using iPhone apps for travel planning, collaboration, and on-the-ground navigation. Vacation planning tips and why offline maps are essential Downloading and managing offline Apple Maps for travel Using shared Apple Notes and Reminders for trip organization Comparing Notes, Reminders, and Freeform for vacation planning Top travel apps: TripIt, Tripsy, and Wanderlog privacy considerations Flight tracking and airport anxiety reduced with Flighty Data choices abroad: eSIM setup and Citymapper for urban navigation Feedback: Autoplay settings in Apple Podcasts Shortcuts Corner: Automating photo sharing, saving, and cleanup workflow Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. 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. Sponsors: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT shopify.com/ios

Dan Moren joins Mikah Sargent this week! XBOX resets itself. Wealthy families are leaning towards AI tutors to better prepare their kids. AI is starting to get into the "Wrapped" trend with users' data. And New York is the first US state to ban the use of smart glasses in courthouses. Microsoft laid off thousands more Xbox employees this week, and spun off gaming studios such as Compulsion Games and Double Fine, as the division struggles with thin margins & rising hardware costs. Wealthy families are pulling kids from public school for pricey new programs like Alpha School and Forge Prep that swap teachers for AI "guides" and lessons in business skills, despite no data proving they work. Anthropic debuted a new tool called Reflect, reminiscent of Spotify's "Wrapped" feature, that gives Claude users a usage dashboard with quiet hours, break reminders, and insights into their habits, though it requires memory to be turned on. And New York became the first US state to ban the use of smart glasses in courthouses, following a trend of Illinois drivers and major cruise lines prohibiting the use of camera-equipped smart glasses over recording and safety concerns. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren 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: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT bitwarden.com/twit rippling.ai/tnw framer.com/tnw joindeleteme.com/twit-biz

Apple's sports app puts the World Cup and every major match at your fingertips, with live activities and seamless Apple TV integration. Discover how your iPhone can keep you in the loop, even if sports aren't your thing. In-depth look at the free Apple Sports app and top features Apple Arcade and mobile soccer games: EA Sports FC, Mini Football Legends, Score! Hero, eFootball Using Apple News to stay updated on World Cup events and scores News: Apple's Siri AI gains integration with third-party apps in new betas Feedback: accessibility apps, VoiceOver favorites, and accessory habits Shortcuts Corner: automation for Apple Card transaction notifications App Caps: Make-roscope mobile microscope and Anker Nano Power Bank picks Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. 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. Sponsor: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

Ever wish your iPhone could capture your photos with a look that actually feels like you? Learn how Apple's photographic styles hand you control over color, tone, and even skin tones, with no generic filters required. Differences in photographic styles between older and newer iPhones How to set up and select photographic styles in iOS settings Exploring and customizing style presets like amber, gold, and rose gold Using the control pad to fine-tune tone, color, and intensity Adjusting or resetting styles, plus limitations on older versus newer devices Saving and editing photo styles after capture on latest iPhones 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. Sponsor: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent this week! Anthropic launches Fable 5, its newest AI model. The FCC seeks to end the use of burner phones in the US. And everything Apple unveiled at WWDC 2026. Amanda talks about Anthropic's newest AI model, Fable 5, its first consumer-accessible version of its powerful Mythos model. Mikah shares a story from 404 Media about the FCC's push to end anonymous "burner phones," raising significant concerns about the privacy implications for people who rely on them for legitimate reasons. And Dan Moren of SixColors joins the show to break down WWDC 2026's latest announcements, including a revamped AI-powered Siri and a privacy-first approach to its new intelligence features. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling Guest: Dan Moren 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: joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT bitwarden.com/twit hipebl.ai

Your iPhone has a powerful translation toolkit built right in, ready to tackle menus, emails, and street signs (in over 20 languages) without any extra apps or subscriptions. Discover how to get the most out of features you might not even know exist, from real-time conversation mode to camera translations. Supported languages and translation options overview Translating and pronouncing text, saving phrases for quick access Utilizing conversation mode for real-time bilingual communication Switching between side-by-side and face-to-face translation views Activating auto-translate and automatic language detection features Live camera translation for menus, signs, and printed text Translating photos and system-wide text using the context menu Translation capabilities in Safari for web pages Downloading offline language packs for travel or 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 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.

Apple is handing parents unprecedented control with new child safety and parental approval features. Rosemary Orchard and Mikah Sargent break down what's changed, how it works, and more iOS goodness during WWDC26 week! Apple's WWDC keynote reveals iOS 27 and platform-wide focus on AI, privacy, and performance Liquid Glass transparency and appearance now user-adjustable for accessibility Toolbars and UI restored for improved navigation and vision support Performance boosts: faster photos, AirDrop, and Spotlight search highlighted Intelligent networking promises smarter Wi-Fi and cellular switching Maps overhaul: more vivid detail with AI and satellite imagery New child safety features: granular app, contact, and website approvals Siri gets personal context, deeper app integration, and smart replies Advanced developer APIs and app intents previewed for on-device AI features Generative photo editing arrives: extend, clean up, and a new Reframe tool System-wide suggestions and information surfacing in Mail, Messages, and calls Quality-of-life updates: independent alarm/ringer/music volumes, swipable now playing Shortcuts Corner: Natural language shortcut creation and changes to automation workflows Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. 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. Sponsor: shopify.com/ios