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Hands-On Tech (Video)

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Latest episodes

Understanding What IP68 Means - Is Your Device Truly Water Resistant?

October 11, 2026 · 22 min

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…
Are There Risks to Scanning QR Codes? - The Security Concerns Behind Scanning a QR Code

October 4, 2026 · 17 min

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…
Shutting Down vs. Restarting Your Windows PC - Windows Fast Startup

September 27, 2026 · 25 min

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…
Are My AI Chatbot Conversations Private? - The Risks Of Sharing Information with AI Chatbots

September 20, 2026 · 18 min

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…
Understanding How to Recover Deleted Files - Can You Recover Deleted Files?

September 13, 2026 · 17 min

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…

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Is Airplane Mode Necessary? - The Truth About Airplane Mode

September 6, 2026 · 13 min

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 hot@twit.tv…
Why Does Every Gadget Need an App and an Account Now? - Why Your Appliance Wants Your Email

August 30, 2026 · 13 min

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'…
Incognito Browsing - The Truth About Private Browsing

August 23, 2026 · 12 min

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 them in a future…
Am I Getting True Gigabit Internet? - Gigabit Promises

August 16, 2026 · 18 min

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…
Safely Ejecting USB Drives - USB Removal Myths

August 9, 2026 · 8 min

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 he'll answer them in…
Understanding Battery Percentages - Why the Battery Percentage Shown Isn't Always Accurate

August 3, 2026 · 22 min

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 Overcharging Myths - Is Keeping Your Devices Plugged In Bad?

July 26, 2026 · 14 min

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…

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About the show

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 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.