Rephonic
Artwork for Hands-On Tech

Hands-On Tech (Audio)

TWiT
Apple
Apple Vision Pro
Apple Watch
Iphone
Icloud
Windows 11
Linux
Usb-C
Windows 10
Iphone 16 Pro Max
Google Photos
Technology
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes248Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Hands-On Tech

Latest Episodes

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

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 episode!

Host: M... more

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... more

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Tech, Mikah answers a listener's question about whether safely ejecting a USB flash drive is still necessary or just an outdated habit.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 a future ep... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Scott Wilkinson
Home Theater Geek and expert on home cinema technology
TWiT.tv
Episode: ATTG 2023: Choco Tacos for Cinco de Mayo - Sony 2024 TV's, HDMI Cables, Safari Browser
Dick DeBartolo
Mad Magazine writer and gadget expert
Mad Magazine
Episode: ATTG 2022: Which Wife? - TikTok's U.S. Ban, Off-Site Backups, AirPrint
Chris Marquardt
Photographer and tech expert; leads assignments on photography
Discover The Top Floor
Episode: ATTG 2022: Which Wife? - TikTok's U.S. Ban, Off-Site Backups, AirPrint
Sam Abuelsamid
Principal researcher with an expertise in automotive technology and AI
Guidehouse Insights
Episode: ATTG 2020: Flat Mikah - Udio & Suno, AI & Cars, AliExpress
Anthony Henderson
Author and Self-Publisher
Self-published
Episode: ATTG 2014: Picasa Es Su Casa - Bob Heil, Password Managers, Anker
Father Robert Ballecer
Digital Jesuit and tech commentator
TWiT.tv
Episode: ATTG 2007: I'm In the Mood for Pasta - CES 2024 Recap, Equalizing Music Files, WMIC
Rod Pyle
A space expert and author.
Episode: ATTG 2003: Beware the Cannibal Solar Storm - Focus Mode, Apple Podcasts, eero Routers
Johnny Jet
A travel expert and journalist.
JohnnyJet.com
Episode: ATTG 2003: Beware the Cannibal Solar Storm - Focus Mode, Apple Podcasts, eero Routers

Host

Mikah Sargent
Host of Hands-On Tech

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 2.5k 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
#202
Saudi Arabia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#206
South Africa/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
HOT 276: Smart TV's ACR Tracking - Stop Your TV From Spying!
Q: Can I turn off ACR without breaking the TV?
Yes. You can disable ACR or its equivalent on most brands by navigating to the privacy or ads settings and turning off related switches; in some cases, using an external streaming box keeps the TV offline while still allowing streaming.
HOT 275: USB-C Cable Confusion - Decode Your USB-C Cable Mess
Q: Is there a way to tell what a cable can actually do just by looking at it?
Yes. Check the connector and packaging for printed or embossed markings, look for power ratings (60W, 100W, 240W), data speed indicators, and video capability logos like USB or Thunderbolt, and verify against official certification such as an e-marker chip that confirms higher power or data capabilities.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Hands-On Tech, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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 248 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Hands-On Tech?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Hands-On Tech. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Hands-On Tech?

Recent guests on Hands-On Tech include:

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

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days