Hands-On Apple (Video)

HOA 239: Photographic Styles

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:58:53 PDT

Ever wish your iPhone could capture your photos with a look that actually feels like you? Learn how Apple's photographic styles hand you control over color, tone, and even skin tones, with no generic filters required.

Differences in photographic styles between older and newer iPhones
How to set up and select photographic styles in iOS settings
Exploring and customizing style presets like amber, gold, and rose gold
Using the control pad to fine-tune tone, color, and intensity
Adjusting or resetting styles, plus limitations on older versus newer devices
Saving and editing photo styles after capture on latest iPhones

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

HOA 238: Using Back Tap on iPhone

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:00:00 PDT

Transform your iPhone interaction with a neat double-tap feature that most users have never noticed in the settings menu. Find out how to program the back of your phone for quick actions like taking a screenshot, launching your favorite app, or automating nighttime routines.

Finding and enabling Back Tap in Accessibility settings
Double tap and triple tap back actions explained
How Back Tap uses sensors, not physical buttons
Assigning system, accessibility, and device actions to Back Tap
Using Back Tap to trigger shortcuts for custom automations
Practical uses and avoiding accidental activations

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

HOA 237: StandBy Mode

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:07:35 PDT

Your iPhone can quietly transform into a customizable bedside clock, calendar, and smart photo frame with just a simple orientation tweak. Discover how StandBy mode reveals features you probably didn't know your device had.

StandBy requirements: charging, landscape mode, and settings toggle
Always-on display boosts StandBy, but older iPhones work too
Configure StandBy's display options, night mode, and motion to wake
Explore StandBy's three main views: widgets, photos, clocks
Customizing widget stacks, adding photos, and picking clock styles
Now Playing and live activity controls integrate with StandBy
Night mode tips for lower brightness and red-tinted display
MagSafe enables location-based StandBy view preferences
StandBy integrates with Sleep Focus for smarter nighttime use

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

threatlocker.com/twit

HOA 236: macOS Stickies

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:22:34 PDT

Are you overlooking a classic built into every Mac? Mikah Sargent challenges you to give Stickies a week and find out if it deserves a permanent spot on your desktop.

Fast, frictionless note taking without accounts or setup
Formatting features: fonts, colors, graphics, and text enhancements
Color-coded Stickies for easy organization and quick reference
Advanced options: floating notes, translucency, keyboard shortcuts
Stickies' limitations: local-only, no device syncing or security features

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

Melissa.com/twit

HOA 235: Translate App

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:15:01 PDT

Your iPhone has a powerful translation toolkit built right in, ready to tackle menus, emails, and street signs (in over 20 languages) without any extra apps or subscriptions. Discover how to get the most out of features you might not even know exist, from real-time conversation mode to camera translations.

Supported languages and translation options overview
Translating and pronouncing text, saving phrases for quick access
Utilizing conversation mode for real-time bilingual communication
Switching between side-by-side and face-to-face translation views
Activating auto-translate and automatic language detection features
Live camera translation for menus, signs, and printed text
Translating photos and system-wide text using the context menu
Translation capabilities in Safari for web pages
Downloading offline language packs for travel or privacy

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

HOA 234: Changing Your Default Search Engine

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:13:27 PDT

Tired of Google's AI overviews? This episode breaks down your actual options for search alternatives on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, including tips most Apple fans have never tried. See just how easy it is to reclaim your Safari searches with an alternative engine and take back control on your Apple devices.

How to change Safari's search engine on iPhone
Limitations: can't remove Google everywhere, only in Safari
Search engine options: Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia explained
Private browsing: set different search engines for privacy
Tuning search suggestions and privacy settings in Safari
Changing your default browser for wider search control

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT

HOA 233: Apple Watch Customization

Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 PDT

Most Apple Watch users never bother to customize the screen they check dozens of times a day. This episode shows how a quick face makeover can actually streamline your routines and keep you focused.

Customizing Apple Watch faces using the Watch app on iPhone
How to switch and organize Apple Watch faces
Restoring swipe-to-switch watch face option in settings
Editing and reordering watch faces in the Watch app
Complications turn watch faces from decorative to functional
Building a rotation of faces for different activities or moods
Syncing watch faces to Focus Modes for dynamic switching
Sharing custom watch faces with friends
New watch faces in watchOS 26
Smart Stack as a complement to complications on Apple Watch

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

threatlocker.com/twit

HOA 232: Activity Monitor

Thu, 21 May 2026 13:17:28 PDT

Learn why Activity Monitor is the macOS tool experienced users trust first to diagnose hidden memory drains, runaway CPU usage, and behind-the-scenes energy hogs. Mastering a single built-in tool can put real-time answers and expert-level control right at your fingertips.

Quick Access Methods: Spotlight, Finder, and Utilities Folder
Five Main Tabs: CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, and Network Explained
Sorting and Identifying Resource-Heavy Processes in CPU Tab
Understanding Percent CPU, Multi-Core Macs, and High Usage Scenarios
Spotting and Managing Frozen or Runaway Apps via Activity Monitor
The Importance of the Kind Column: Rosetta Support and Apple Silicon Transition
Using Memory Tab and Pressure Graph to Gauge RAM Health
Sorting by Memory to Find Leaky or Misbehaving Apps
Energy Tab Insights: Finding Battery-Draining and Power-Hungry Apps
Disk Tab: Diagnosing Read/Write Issues and Competing Background Tasks
Network Tab: Tracking Data-Heavy Apps and Monitoring for Security
Live Dock Icon Graphs for CPU, Network, and Disk Usage
How to Force Quit or Inspect Troubled Processes in Activity Monitor
Homework: Add Activity Monitor to Dock and Monitor Rosetta Apps Before Support Ends

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

outsystems.com/twit

HOA 231: Using Playlist Playground

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:26:14 PDT

Apple Music's Playlist Playground does more than just pick songs; it curates playlists that actually flow together, tailored to your mood or activity. Mikah shows how to craft and customize dynamic playlists with minimal effort.

How Playlist Playground differs from classic playlist and Siri options
Step-by-step demo: Creating playlists with plain language prompts
Editing and customizing AI-generated playlists, adjusting song choices
Adding, removing, and refreshing songs within Playlist Playground
Changing playlist artwork and privacy sharing options
Organizing Playlist Playground creations for easy access
Playlist flow and song order improvements with AI
Age, subscription, and device requirements

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

Melissa.com/twit

HOA 230: TextEdit on macOS

Thu, 07 May 2026 13:13:34 PDT

TextEdit has quietly been on your Mac for years, but most users overlook its power as the fastest way to capture, clean up, and organize daily notes. See why switching your workflow to this "basic" app might be the biggest upgrade you make this year.

Rich text versus plain text explained and compared
Setting TextEdit defaults for efficient daily use
Benefits of plain text: notes, code, and stripping formatting
Practical TextEdit workflows for editing and organizing notes
Key TextEdit settings for customization and accessibility
Spellcheck, grammar, and formatting options demystified
Detailed walkthrough of Find, Replace, and regex search
Using version history and document recovery in TextEdit
Speech tool for proofreading and accessibility highlighted
When (and when not) to use TextEdit versus other apps
Integrating TextEdit into workflow

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

outsystems.com/twit