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Hands-On Tech (Audio)

TWiT
Apple
Apple Vision Pro
Apple Watch
Iphone
Icloud
Windows 11
Linux
Usb-C
Windows 10
Iphone 16 Pro Max
Technology
Google Photos
Siri
Multi-Factor Authentication
Macos
Gmail
Iphone 17 Pro Max
Android Auto
Apple Silicon
Windows

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes251Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Artwork for Hands-On Tech

Latest Episodes

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 trai... more

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 hot@twit.tv, and h... more

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, and he'll a... more

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 more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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Host

Mikah Sargent
Host of Hands-On Tech

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 2.4k ratings
  • Leo was far FAR left but decent on tech

    New guy hides his far left-ness BUT gets the tech wrong. 5 minutes of ads even mid sentence to push nonsense unread by the host ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    boyfromthedwarf9
    United States2 years ago
  • Ads With A Little Tech Talk

    Just listened to the latest episode. At least half of it was ads plus the obligatory plug for Club TWIT. I don’t blame Mikah but the format is awful and way too short with way too many ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MichaelHarmon
    United States2 years ago
  • Not good since the format change

    This used to be my go-to podcast for weekly tech news - it had a good mix of news, “live” troubleshooting, and interesting tech topics. New format is too troubleshooting focused. I used to be excited about what I would discover in the next episode…now, I look at the show notes before I play it. I have skipped a lot of these episodes in the recent months.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    NHW1055
    United States2 years ago
  • Not a subscriber

    Some good information but making everything subscriber after a certain amount of time is lame.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    sometimesbeard
    United States2 years ago
  • Not hands on

    The new format without Leo and call- ins just doesn’t have an exciting listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CNS1978
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Opinions about politics and host dynamics are polarized, with some long-time fans missing the old show.
Positive feedback highlights clear, actionable guidance and hands-on troubleshooting that's helped listeners solve issues.
Many praise the depth and practicality of tech tips when the format stays on topic.
Listeners note an ad-heavy format and multiple sponsorship plugs in recent episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#166
China/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#234
Saudi Arabia/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

HOT 285: Are My AI Chatbot Conversations Private? - The Risks Of Sharing Information with AI Chatbots
Q: Wendell's question: When we type something into an AI chatbot, where does it go, who can see it, and is it being used to train the model?
The host explains that conversations are stored on the company's servers, tied to the user's account, and are accessible to human reviewers and used to train the models by default. Users can disable training in settings, but data storage and chat history persist across devices and may be retained after deletion. Enterprise and work accounts have different defaults, and there are dedicated health tools with separate memory handling.
HOT 282: Why Does Every Gadget Need an App and an Account Now? - Why Your Appliance Wants Your Email
Q: Joyce asks why space heaters and other devices now require an app and an account, and what can be done to opt out without losing all functionality.
Mikah explains that device makers monetize through data and ongoing relationships, but listeners can limit exposure by avoiding unnecessary accounts, using alias emails, and leveraging opt-out settings while still using core features.
HOT 280: Am I Getting True Gigabit Internet? - Gigabit Promises
Q: I pay for gigabit internet. I just ran a speed test on my phone and got 240 megabits per second. My provider says everything checks out and points to the words 'up to' in my plan.
The host explains that 240 Mbps on a mobile Wi‑Fi test is likely the weakest link in the network chain, not the entire plan. To assess true speeds, start with a wired test, minimize other network traffic, ensure the device and cables are capable of higher speeds, and consider mesh or upgraded hardware if wired tests approach gigabit levels. If speeds remain low, gather weekly data and use it to push back with the ISP while checking for older equipment that may be limiting performance.
HOT 278: Understanding Battery Percentages - Why the Battery Percentage Shown Isn't Always Accurate
Q: Is the percentage an actual measurement or just a guess, and should I recalibrate my battery?
The percentage is a best-guess forecast from the fuel gauge rather than a direct measurement of remaining charge. Recalibration updates the gauge instead of restoring battery capacity, and it should be used as a diagnostic step rather than a regular maintenance task.
HOT 279: Safely Ejecting USB Drives - USB Removal Myths
Q: Is ejecting still necessary, or is this just a ritual from another era? What's actually happening when you pull out a drive early?
Mikah explains write caching and how Windows' quick removal policy since 2018 makes safe removal less critical for Windows users, while macOS and Linux still benefit from ejecting to ensure all data is written and to avoid corruption during transfers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hands-On Tech

What is Hands-On Tech about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Hands-On Tech focuses on practical tech troubleshooting and explanations, answering listener questions with clear, actionable guidance. Episodes center on real-world device performance, setup optimization, and how-to solutions for everyday tech, from networking and storage to privacy and software tools. Noteworthy is the blend of hands-on demonstrations, guest-free formats, and sponsor or club reads that keep content approachable while encouraging deeper engagement through premium feeds. The show often ties technical topics to measurable steps, making it helpful for both enthusiasts and IT professionals seeking reliable, repeatable tips.

Where can I find podcast stats for Hands-On Tech?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Hands-On Tech. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Hands-On Tech and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Hands-On Tech get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Hands-On Tech, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Hands-On Tech?

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How many subscribers and views does Hands-On Tech have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Hands-On Tech has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Hands-On Tech?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hands-On Tech:

1. iOS Today (Audio)
2. Rich On Tech
3. This Week in Tech (Audio)
4. MacBreak Weekly (Audio)
5. Tech News Weekly (Audio)

How many episodes of Hands-On Tech are there?

Hands-On Tech launched 21 years ago and published 251 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Hands-On Tech?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Hands-On Tech?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Hands-On Tech from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Hands-On Tech?

Recent guests on Hands-On Tech include:

1. Dick DeBartolo
2. Chris Marquardt
3. Sam Abuelsamid
4. Scott Wilkinson
5. Anthony Henderson
6. Father Robert Ballecer
7. Johnny Jet
8. Rod Pyle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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