Hands-On Tech (Audio)
- Épisodes
- 21
- Parution
- hebdomadaire
- Dernier épisode
- 8 Nov 2026
À propos du podcast
Welcome to Hands-On Tech, where host Mikah Sargent turns tech troubles into tech triumphs. Each episode zooms in on a specific theme, unpacking listener questions with expert analysis and easy-to-follow advice. From decoding the latest gadgets to simplifying everyday tech, Mikah's got you covered.
Submit your tech queries through email at [email protected] or via TWiT's social media. You might hear your question answered on air!
Whether you're puzzled by privacy settings or curious about cutting-edge innovations, Hands-On Tech is your weekly dose of tech insight and inspiration. Join Mikah every Sunday to hear the show that turns tech confusion into tech confidence!
You can join Club TWiT for $10 per month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for $5 per month.
New episodes every Sunday.
Épisodes 21
HOT 292: Home Network Setup Advice - Intergrating Two Wi-Fi Systems in Home Network
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a question from Bruce, who has just moved into a new home with an ASUS AX6600 XT8 AiMesh system on wired Ethernet backhaul plus two pre-installed Araknis access …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a question from Bruce, who has just moved into a new home with an ASUS AX6600 XT8 AiMesh system on wired Ethernet backhaul plus two pre-installed Araknis access points, and wants to know how to combine them under a single Wi-Fi network name and manage device handoff between the two brands, or whether switching the ASUS nodes to access point mode would be the better approach.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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Hands-On AI Turns AI Confusion Into AI Confidence
Hands-On AI is the show that turns AI confusion into AI confidence. In this trailer, Mikah Sargent lays out what the show is and isn't: short, focused episodes — most 10 to 15 minutes — that take one question …
Notes de l’épisode
Hands-On AI is the show that turns AI confusion into AI confidence. In this trailer, Mikah Sargent lays out what the show is and isn't: short, focused episodes — most 10 to 15 minutes — that take one question, one tool, or one technique at a time. Some weeks go under the hood on what a large language model is actually doing. Some weeks get practical: the AI already in your pocket, or a model running entirely on your own computer. And some weeks are honest verdicts on the tools everyone's talking about.
HOT 291: Internet Cookies - Browser Cookies & Online Privacy
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Bill writes in to ask what cookies actually do, whether rejecting them on every site's banner accomplishes anything real, and whether there's a way to stop being asked dozens …
Notes de l’épisode
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Bill writes in to ask what cookies actually do, whether rejecting them on every site's banner accomplishes anything real, and whether there's a way to stop being asked dozens of times a day.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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HOT 290: Protecting Yourself From Sim Swapping - Are Text Message Codes Safe?
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a question from Otis, who relies on the 6-digit text-message codes his bank sends at sign-in but has started to worry about SIM swap attacks, and wants to know …
Notes de l’épisode
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a question from Otis, who relies on the 6-digit text-message codes his bank sends at sign-in but has started to worry about SIM swap attacks, and wants to know whether those codes are still worth anything and whether he can lock down his number at the carrier.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
HOT 289: Understanding Email Tracking Pixels - Are Tracking Pixels in Emails Real?
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a question from Lyle who wants to know whether a coworker can really tell when he has opened her emails. Send in your questions for Mikah to [email protected], and …
Notes de l’épisode
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a question from Lyle who wants to know whether a coworker can really tell when he has opened her emails.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
HOT 288: Understanding What IP68 Means - Is Your Device Truly Water Resistant?
On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Clyde, who is shopping for a new phone after his last one died in a sink full of dishwater, asks what an IP68 water resistance rating actually promises, whether it wears …
Notes de l’épisode
On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Clyde, who is shopping for a new phone after his last one died in a sink full of dishwater, asks what an IP68 water resistance rating actually promises, whether it wears off as a phone ages, and what to do in the first few minutes after a phone gets wet.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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HOT 287: Are There Risks to Scanning QR Codes? - The Security Concerns Behind Scanning a QR Code
On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Barry asks whether anything inside a QR code can actually hurt you, or whether the real danger lies somewhere else, and what a person should check before scanning one …
Notes de l’épisode
On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Barry asks whether anything inside a QR code can actually hurt you, or whether the real danger lies somewhere else, and what a person should check before scanning one out in the wild.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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HOT 286: Shutting Down vs. Restarting Your Windows PC - Windows Fast Startup
On this week's Hands-On Tech, Lorraine asks Mikah whether her husband or her daughter is right about the difference between shutting down and restarting a Windows PC, and how often she should be restarting her …
Notes de l’épisode
On this week's Hands-On Tech, Lorraine asks Mikah whether her husband or her daughter is right about the difference between shutting down and restarting a Windows PC, and how often she should be restarting her computer and phone.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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HOT 285: Are My AI Chatbot Conversations Private? - The Risks Of Sharing Information with AI Chatbots
In this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Wendell asks Mikah whether his wife is right that typing into an AI chatbot is no different from a Google search, and wants to know where those conversations go, who can …
Notes de l’épisode
In this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Wendell asks Mikah whether his wife is right that typing into an AI chatbot is no different from a Google search, and wants to know where those conversations go, who can see them, whether they're used for training, and if any settings can turn that off in both ChatGPT and Gemini.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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HOT 284: Understanding How to Recover Deleted Files - Can You Recover Deleted Files?
On this week's Hands-On Tech, Mikah helps Harriett understand whether deleted files are truly gone when the recycle bin is emptied, and whether accidentally deleted files can still be recovered. Send in your …
Notes de l’épisode
On this week's Hands-On Tech, Mikah helps Harriett understand whether deleted files are truly gone when the recycle bin is emptied, and whether accidentally deleted files can still be recovered.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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HOT 283: Is Airplane Mode Necessary? - The Truth About Airplane Mode
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Gene's question about whether airplane mode still serves a real engineering purpose in 2026 and what the smartest phone setup is for flying. Send in your …
Notes de l’épisode
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Gene's question about whether airplane mode still serves a real engineering purpose in 2026 and what the smartest phone setup is for flying.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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HOT 282: Why Does Every Gadget Need an App and an Account Now? - Why Your Appliance Wants Your Email
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Joyce's question about why so many everyday smart devices now require downloading an app & creating an account, and how to opt out of sharing personal data …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Joyce's question about why so many everyday smart devices now require downloading an app & creating an account, and how to opt out of sharing personal data without giving up the products' functionality
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
HOT 281: Incognito Browsing - The Truth About Private Browsing
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Rosemary's question about what private browsing actually hides, from whom, and what it's really for. Send in your questions for Mikah to [email protected], and he'll …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Rosemary's question about what private browsing actually hides, from whom, and what it's really for.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
HOT 280: Am I Getting True Gigabit Internet? - Gigabit Promises
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Al's question about why their gigabit internet plan isn't delivering the promised speeds during a Wi-Fi speed test, and who's really to blame: the ISP, the …
Notes de l’épisode
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Al's question about why their gigabit internet plan isn't delivering the promised speeds during a Wi-Fi speed test, and who's really to blame: the ISP, the router, or the device.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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HOT 279: Safely Ejecting USB Drives - USB Removal Myths
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a listener's question about whether safely ejecting a USB flash drive is still necessary or just an outdated habit. Send in your questions for Mikah to …
Notes de l’épisode
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a listener's question about whether safely ejecting a USB flash drive is still necessary or just an outdated habit.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
HOT 278: Understanding Battery Percentages - Why the Battery Percentage Shown Isn't Always Accurate
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a listener's question about whether his phone's battery percentage is an accurate measurement, why it seems to stay at 100% for a long time before suddenly …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers a listener's question about whether his phone's battery percentage is an accurate measurement, why it seems to stay at 100% for a long time before suddenly dropping to dead, and whether battery recalibration is a real fix.
Send in your questions for Mikah to answer, and any products you'd like Mikah to take a look at, to [email protected]!
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
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HOT 277: Battery Overcharging Myths - Is Keeping Your Devices Plugged In Bad?
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 …
Notes de l’épisode
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
HOT 276: Smart TV's ACR Tracking - Stop Your TV From Spying!
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Denise's question about whether her smart TV is tracking what she watches and how to stop it. Send in your questions for Mikah to [email protected], and he'll answer …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Denise's question about whether her smart TV is tracking what she watches and how to stop it.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsors:
HOT 275: USB-C Cable Confusion - Decode Your USB-C Cable Mess
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Doug's question about why identical-looking USB-C cables can have wildly different charging and data speeds, and how to tell them apart. Send in your questions …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Doug's question about why identical-looking USB-C cables can have wildly different charging and data speeds, and how to tell them apart.
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsor:
HOT 274: Smart Home Recommendations - Matter & Thread Explained
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Marcus asks Mikah whether Matter and Thread are the real solution to smart home ecosystem lock-in, or just more marketing hype. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah …
Notes de l’épisode
On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Marcus asks Mikah whether Matter and Thread are the real solution to smart home ecosystem lock-in, or just more marketing hype.
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
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsors:
HOT 273: ISP Email - Switch Email Providers Safely
On Hands-On Tech, Eleanor asks Mikah how to transition away from her long-standing ISP email address without losing access to the important accounts tied to it. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah …
Notes de l’épisode
On Hands-On Tech, Eleanor asks Mikah how to transition away from her long-standing ISP email address without losing access to the important accounts tied to it.
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
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsor:
HOT 272: Robocalls - Stopping Robocallers
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Jim asks Mikah how to effectively reduce the overwhelming volume of spam texts and robocalls he's been receiving on his iPhone, and for advice to help his wife with the same …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Jim asks Mikah how to effectively reduce the overwhelming volume of spam texts and robocalls he's been receiving on his iPhone, and for advice to help his wife with the same issue, who uses Android.
Send in your questions for Mikah to [email protected], and he'll answer them during the show!
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsor:
HOT 271: Telegram & Security - Is Telegram Secure?
In this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Clint wants to know whether Telegram is truly safe to use or not. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! [email protected] Host: Mikah …
Notes de l’épisode
In this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Clint wants to know whether Telegram is truly safe to use or not.
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
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/clubtwitClub TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsor:
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