In this episode of Hands-On Tech, host Mikah Sargent tackles crucial questions about home networking, Mac mini security, and tech troubleshooting. Absorb this week's helpful tips, from analyzing Orbi mesh WiFi performance to explaining lock screen best practices and VHS video enhancement solutions.

• Susan asks if her Orbi AX6000 tri-band mesh WiFi 6 router is adequate for her 4,000 square foot home, given she's experiencing TV streaming delays and slower WiFi speeds compared to cellular data.
• DA, a new Mac Mini user transitioning from Windows, wants to know how to disable the password requirement when waking up their computer.
• Bruce is having issues with his Synology NAS repeatedly disconnecting from his new M4 Mac Mini and requiring password re-entry after sleep or logout, despite using AutoMounter.
• David asks if he should upgrade the RAM on his new HP Pavilion PC beyond 16GB for video editing, and seeks recommendations for software to improve VHS video quality.
• Brad inquires whether it's safe to keep his iPhone 16 Pro Max on a charger all day and night, including while using an Anker power bank.
• (Follow-up) John provides an update on his previous question about getting an iPhone hotspot to work with older WiFi devices, sharing what solutions worked for him.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Jennifer Pattison Tuohy of The Verge joins Mikah Sargent this week! Amazon announces the new Echo Show 21 and the Echo Show 15 smart displays. Is AI allowing the robotics revolution to come to fruition? Microsoft announces the Windows 365 Link mini desktop PC. And will the DOJ get Google to sell off Chrome following the DOJ's call to divest the company?

• Jennifer Pattison Tuohy talks about Amazon's announcement of the Echo Show 21 and Echo Show 15 smart displays.
• Mikah Sargent talks about how AI is powering a robotics revolution as more organizations are utilizing robots, thanks to AI.
• Zac Bowden from Windows Central joins the show to talk aobut Microsoft's Windows 365 Link, a mini desktop that runs Windows 11 through the cloud.
• And Leah Nylen, Antitrust Reporter for Bloomberg, stops by to talk about the Department of Justice and Google and how the DOJ is calling for Google to divest and start with the sale of Chrome.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Guests: Zac Bowden and Leah Nylen

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Discover how to enhance your images with macOS's Preview app as Mikah demonstrates cropping, resizing, rotating, and background removal tools. Learn to adjust image colors, contrast, sharpness, and even use advanced tools like Instant Alpha for background transparency. Perfect for anyone seeking quick and effective ways to edit images directly in Preview without the need for third-party software.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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In this episode, Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard explore neat ways to bring friends and family together using Apple technologies, focusing on features like SharePlay, ETA sharing, Check In, and Family Sharing. iPhone and Apple TV can help people connect, especially during the holiday season, regardless of physical distance!

• SharePlay
  • A feature that allows multiple people to watch movies, TV shows, and listen to music together remotely or in-person
  • Works across Apple devices and supports various services like Apple TV, CarPlay, and Apple Music
  • Enables collaborative media experiences with individual preferences like volume and closed captions
• Share ETA (Apple Maps)
  • Allows users to share their estimated time of arrival with contacts
  • Updates recipients automatically if route changes or arrival time shifts
  • Works both within Apple ecosystem and with non-Apple devices via text message
• Check-in Feature (Messages)
  • Enables users to set up automatic check-ins during activities like workouts or travel
  • Offers multiple options: destination arrival, timed check-in, and workout completion
  • Provides configurable location sharing with various privacy levels
• Family Sharing
  • Allows families to share app subscriptions, photos, calendars, and locations
  • Flexible setup with options to share or restrict different types of content
  • Can be configured with varying levels of sharing comfort for different family members
• Jackbox Party Games
  • Recommended as a fun way to bring people together
  • Supports multiple platforms and devices
  • Enables group gameplay through simple, accessible interfaces

Feedback:

• Rosemary discussed solutions for remotely accessing a Mac Mini used as a home server
• Rosemary and Mikah addressed an issue with large podcast app storage and explained difference between offloading and deleting an app

Shortcuts Corner:

• Dustin from Montana seeks a shortcut to remind him to adjust truck temperature when disconnecting from CarPlay

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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On Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers questions such as about a feature in Linux that can allow you to cut and paste your entire drive, about passkeys and multiple accounts on the same website, and Mikah helps a listener with the process of transferring from working on a Windows machine to a new M4 Mac mini.

• Ole is looking for a feature that would allow him to move his Linux system and files from one drive to another without having to reinstall the operating system.
• Kevin is wondering if you can log into a website using passkeys if you have multiple accounts on that website.
• Gary has a follow-up to Mark's question about Kindle Sync from last week that could be useful for them.
• Ronald is planning to switch from his Dell Windows 10 computer to the new M4 Mac mini and has a slew of questions about when he will make the switch, from which Mac mini configuration he should go with, to using external drives with the computer, and which Thunderbolt hub Mikah recommends as well.
• And Stephen provides a follow-up on the question about smartphone hotspots from a few episodes ago, involving Jon's problem getting older hardware to connect to his iPhone hotspot.

Remember to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Reports are trickling out that Apple plans to expand into different product categories. What to know about Bluesky, the social media network growing in popularity and users following the U.S. elections. And some advancements with ChatGPT and OpenAI that seek to help users out more daily.

• Mark Gurman of Bloomberg joins the show to discuss how Apple is aiming to catch up with the smart home market by releasing a wall-mounted, AI-powered display unit.
• Mikah Sargent continues the conversation on Apple with the company's push into other markets with glasses, home devices, and mixed-reality headsets.
• Following the 2024 U.S. elections, there's been more chatter about Bluesky, a social media network alternative to Twitter / X. So, what is Bluesky?
• And Mikah talks about how ChatGPT is starting to work with other apps on your Mac computers, and OpenAI almost ready to launch a tool to help its users automate tasks.

Host: Mikah Sargent

Guest: Mark Gurman

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Get the most out of Apple Health! Hosts Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive into setting up and maximizing Apple's comprehensive health tracking system. Learn essential tips for configuring your Medical ID, managing health data, and customizing fitness goals. Plus, discover budget-friendly options for health tracking as Black Friday approaches. The hosts explore how to:

• Set up critical Medical ID information for emergency situations
• Access and manage your health records directly through the Health app
• Customize Activity rings and fitness goals to match your needs
• Track sleep, hydration, and nutrition with recommended third-party apps
• Integrate data from devices like Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and smart water bottles

Feedback

• Rosemary addresses how to restore the beloved watch face switching gesture while explaining the simple settings adjustment needed.

Shortcuts Corner

• Rosemary demonstrates how to build a sophisticated shortcut combining Toolbox Pro's image recognition capabilities with clever date parsing.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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Explore the full potential of Preview's Inspector tool on macOS, as Mikah demonstrates how to uncover detailed file information on both images and PDFs. With the Inspector, you can view metadata like creation dates, DPI, and file formats, alongside specialized EXIF and IPTC data for photos. Learn to manage keywords, add or remove annotations, and even apply PDF security settings. Ideal for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of file insights and data management in Preview.

View information about PDFs and images in Preview on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/preview/view-information-about-pdfs-and-images-prvw9c94f0a4/11.0/mac/15.1

Host: Mikah Sargent

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