Podcasts · Technology

Hands-On Tech (Audio)

TWiT

20 episodes

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.

More about the show

Submit your tech queries through email at HOT@twit.tv 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.

Episodes

  1. HOT 290: Protecting Yourself From Sim Swapping - Are Text Message Codes Safe?

    · 22 min · S3 E290

    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…

  2. HOT 289: Understanding Email Tracking Pixels - Are Tracking Pixels in Emails Real?

    · 17 min · S3 E289

    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 hot@twit.tv, and he'll…

  3. HOT 288: Understanding What IP68 Means - Is Your Device Truly Water Resistant?

    · 22 min · S3 E288

    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…

  4. HOT 287: Are There Risks to Scanning QR Codes? - The Security Concerns Behind Scanning a QR Code

    · 16 min · S3 E287

    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…

  5. HOT 286: Shutting Down vs. Restarting Your Windows PC - Windows Fast Startup

    · 25 min · S3 E286

    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…

  6. HOT 285: Are My AI Chatbot Conversations Private? - The Risks Of Sharing Information with AI Chatbots

    · 18 min · S3 E285

    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…

  7. HOT 284: Understanding How to Recover Deleted Files - Can You Recover Deleted Files?

    · 17 min · S3 E284

    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…

  8. HOT 283: Is Airplane Mode Necessary? - The Truth About Airplane Mode

    · 13 min · S3 E283

    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…

  9. HOT 282: Why Does Every Gadget Need an App and an Account Now? - Why Your Appliance Wants Your Email

    · 13 min · S3 E282

    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…

  10. HOT 281: Incognito Browsing - The Truth About Private Browsing

    · 12 min · S3 E281

    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 hot@twit.tv, and he'll answer…

  11. HOT 280: Am I Getting True Gigabit Internet? - Gigabit Promises

    · 18 min · S3 E280

    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…

  12. HOT 279: Safely Ejecting USB Drives - USB Removal Myths

    · 8:09 · S3 E279

    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 hot@twit.tv, and…

  13. HOT 278: Understanding Battery Percentages - Why the Battery Percentage Shown Isn't Always Accurate

    · 22 min · S3 E278

    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…

  14. HOT 277: Battery Overcharging Myths - Is Keeping Your Devices Plugged In Bad?

    · 14 min · S3 E277

    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…

  15. HOT 276: Smart TV's ACR Tracking - Stop Your TV From Spying!

    · 19 min · S3 E276

    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 hot@twit.tv, and he'll answer them in a…

  16. HOT 275: USB-C Cable Confusion - Decode Your USB-C Cable Mess

    · 17 min · S3 E275

    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…

  17. HOT 274: Smart Home Recommendations - Matter & Thread Explained

    · 15 min · S3 E274

    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…

  18. HOT 273: ISP Email - Switch Email Providers Safely

    · 13 min · S3 E273

    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…

  19. HOT 272: Robocalls - Stopping Robocallers

    · 17 min · S3 E272

    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…

  20. HOT 271: Telegram & Security - Is Telegram Secure?

    · 20 min · S3 E271

    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! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent…

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