Episodes

  • HOM 168: The Apple Invites App
    Feb 6 2025

    This episode sees Mikah Sargent walking through the newly announced Apple Invites app. This event invitation tool allows one to invite friends and family to an occasion (like a BBQ) even if the recipients don't have an iPhone. Importantly, a user needs to have an iCloud+ subscription in order to create an event.

    Host: Mikah Sargent

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

    Want access to the ad-free 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.

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    17 mins
  • HOM 167: Disabling Apple Intelligence
    Jan 30 2025

    In this episode, Mikah Sargent walks through step-by-step instructions for turning off the new Apple Intelligence features that are enabled by default on iPhones, iPads, and Macs running the latest software. Disabling Apple Intelligence will turn off capabilities like enhanced writing tools, accessing ChatGPT via Siri, and more.

    - Apple Intelligence is a set of AI features now enabled by default on iPhones, iPads and Macs running the latest software.
    - Some users may want to disable Apple Intelligence and stick with standard device functionality
    - On a Mac:
    - Go to System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri
    - Toggle off "Apple Intelligence"
    - This will disable Apple Intelligence features and revert Siri to basic functionality
    - On an iPhone or iPad:
    - Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri
    - Toggle off "Apple Intelligence"
    - This disables enhanced features and changes "Talk and Type to Siri" option to just "Talk to Siri"
    - Toggles off on-device AI models which frees up storage space
    - Models can be re-downloaded by re-enabling Apple Intelligence in settings
    - Typing to Siri can be enabled separately via accessibility settings when Apple Intelligence is off

    Host: Mikah Sargent

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

    Want access to the ad-free 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.

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    8 mins
  • HOM 166: Apple's New AI Clean Up Tool
    Jan 23 2025

    In this episode, Mikah Sargent explores Apple's new Clean Up feature, part of the Apple Intelligence suite, which aims to remove distractions from photos.

    - Clean Up is a new feature in macOS Sequoia's Photos app that uses on-device machine learning to remove unwanted objects from images
    - To use Clean Up, enter edit mode, select the Clean Up tab, and either click, brush, or circle the object to remove
    - Mikah tests Clean Up on a photo of a puppy with a toy in the background; it successfully removes the toy but loses some pillow texture
    - On a building photo, Clean Up struggles to properly remove a person, distorting the stairs
    - Clean Up has difficulty fully removing an iPhone and keyboard from a spatial photo of Leo Laporte
    - Apple's on-device approach to machine learning, driven by privacy, currently falls short of Google's server-side Magic Eraser feature
    - Clean Up is available on all Apple devices that support Apple Intelligence features, including iOS and iPadOS

    Host: Mikah Sargent

    Want access to the video version 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.

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    10 mins
  • HOM 165: Customize Extensions on Your Mac
    Jan 16 2025

    Extensions in macOS Sequoia can take your system's functionality to the next level, and Mikah Sargent is here to show you how. Learn to set up, manage, and customize extensions for Finder, Photos, Spotlight, and more. Whether you're looking to boost productivity or streamline tasks, this episode covers everything you need to make the most of macOS extensions.

    Change Login Items & Extensions settings on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-login-items-extensions-settings-mtusr003/15.0/mac/15.2

    Host: Mikah Sargent

    Want access to the video version 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.

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    18 mins
  • HOM 164: Using the Dock on macOS Sequoia
    Jan 9 2025

    The macOS dock is more powerful than you think! Mikah Sargent demonstrates how to customize the dock's layout, use hidden shortcuts, and manage apps and folders like a pro. Whether you're a seasoned Mac user or new to macOS Sequoia, this episode will show you how to maximize efficiency and keep your desktop organized.

    Use the Dock on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/open-apps-from-the-dock-mh35859/15.0/mac/15.2


    Use folders in the Dock on Mac - Apple Support https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-folders-in-the-dock-mchl231f08fb/15.0/mac/15.0

    Host: Mikah Sargent

    Want access to the video version 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.

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    13 mins
  • HOM 163: Siri Updates for macOS Sequoia Users
    Jan 2 2025

    macOS Sequoia brings powerful Siri updates to Apple Silicon Macs, and Mikah Sargent is here to guide you through them. Learn how to control your Mac with voice commands, integrate ChatGPT for advanced queries, and adjust Siri's settings to match your workflow. This episode will help you unlock Siri's full potential, making it more useful than ever on your Mac.

    • How to use Siri on your Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/how-to-use-siri-mchlb66b4ad6/15.0/mac/15.1.1
    • Use Apple Intelligence with Siri on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-apple-intelligence-with-siri-mchl0f933212/15.0/mac/15.0#iph13e934e37
    • Change Siri settings for accessibility on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-siri-settings-for-accessibility-mchl5715a9f2/15.0/mac/15.0

    Host: Mikah Sargent

    Want access to the video version 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.

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    15 mins
  • HOM 162: Layer Tracks With Voice Memos
    Dec 19 2024

    Apple's Voice Memos app just got a serious upgrade for iPhone 16 Pro users, and Mikah Sargent is here to show you why it's a game-changer for musicians, podcasters, and creatives. The new layered audio recording feature lets you stack tracks effortlessly, capturing vocals over a backing track or layering spoken word with precision. Whether you're humming song ideas, laying down a podcast draft, or creating something unique, Mikah walks you through how this update transforms Voice Memos into an indispensable creative companion.

    Voice Memos update brings Layered Recording to iPhone 16 Pro lineup - Apple - https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/12/voice-memos-update-brings-layered-recording-to-iphone-16-pro-lineup/

    Host: Mikah Sargent

    Want access to the video version 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.

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    20 mins
  • HOM 161: Image Playground
    Dec 12 2024

    In this episode of Hands-On Mac, host Mikah Sargent provides a detailed walkthrough of Apple's new Image Playground app, an AI-powered image generation tool available on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Sargent explores the app's user interface and demonstrates its key features, including the ability to generate images by describing scenes, selecting people from your photo library, choosing themes and costumes, and applying different styles like animation or illustration.

    Host: Mikah Sargent

    Want access to the video version 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.

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    9 mins