On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent helps JP with solutions for continuing to use his professional photography equipment if he upgrades his older Mac running macOS Mojave to a newer Mac that doesn't support the older software needed to use the equipment.

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Host: Mikah Sargent

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Amanda Silberling joins Mikah Sargent this week for Tech News Weekly! X is piloting the use of AI chatbots to generate Community Notes. The Supreme Court's porn ruling and what it means for internet privacy. Microsoft tests using AI to diagnose medical cases. And what's new with the Nothing Phone 3?

• Amanda shares the story she wrote for TechCrunch about how the social media company, X, is testing an AI program that can help generate Community Notes for its posts.
• Mikah talks about the Supreme Court's ruling on a Texas law requiring age verification to access adult websites and what this could mean for internet privacy in the future.
• Mikah also shares research that Microsoft conducted on utilizing AI to help diagnose medical cases that even expert physicians struggle to figure out.
• And Andrew Lanxon of CNET joins the show to talk about the Nothing Phone 3 and what he experienced from his hands-on with the device.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Amanda Silberling

Guest: Andrew Lanxon

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Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a serious flaw affecting nearly 700 Brother printer models that allows attackers to extract serial numbers and generate admin passwords without any authentication. Host Mikah Sargent walks through the step-by-step process of securing your Mac-connected printer using built-in macOS tools to access your printer's web interface and change those dangerous default passwords.

• Major Printer Security Vulnerability Discovered - Rapid7 cybersecurity company found flaws affecting Brother, Toshiba, and Fujifilm printers, with 689 Brother models impacted by the most serious vulnerability

• How the Attack Works - Bad actors can access printers without authentication, extract serial numbers, and use them to generate default admin passwords since manufacturers use predictable password generation methods

• Viewing Printer Details and Options - How to check printer queue, sharing settings, driver information, and supply levels through the macOS interface for connected Brother printers

• Opening Your Printer's Web Interface - Step-by-step guide to accessing the "Show Printer Web Page" option to reach your printer's built-in web server for advanced configuration

• Checking and Updating Firmware - Importance of keeping printer firmware current, though updates don't completely solve the manufacturing-level vulnerability that requires Brother to address

• Changing Default Admin Passwords - Critical security step of accessing the administrator login settings through the printer's web interface to replace factory default credentials

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Mikah and Rosemary visit the world of iPad accessories that can truly transform your tablet experience, from the game-changing Magic Keyboard to creative stands and essential styli that unlock your iPad's full potential!

Magic Keyboard & Physical Keyboards

• Apple Magic Keyboard - Premium keyboard case adds trackpad, extra USB-C charging port, and robust protection while transforming typing workflows
• Budget alternatives - Logitech Keys-to-Go and other Bluetooth keyboards offer function keys and media controls at lower price points
• Travel benefits - Bluetooth keyboards with media keys provide convenient remote control for video streaming and presentations

Customization & Protection

• Vinyl wraps - Slickwraps and dbrand offer protective skins in textures like carbon fiber, marble, leather effects, and retro designs
• Practical benefits - Wraps add grip, protection, and personalization while helping identify devices in groups

Apple Pencil Ecosystem

• Apple Pencil Pro - Latest model features squeeze gestures for tool palettes, barrel roll rotation, haptic feedback, hover detection, and Find My support
• Model comparison - Pro vs 2nd generation vs USB-C vs 1st generation, with varying features and price points

Stand Solutions

• Satechi aluminum desktop stand - Heavy-duty stand with cable management, dual orientation support, and flexible positioning from flat to upright
• Satechi hub stand - Premium desktop solution combining stand with 4K HDMI out, USB-A & USB-C ports, SD readers, and audio jack
• Twelve South HoverBar Duo - Versatile system with clamp and desktop bases, Apple Pencil storage, and robust articulating arm

Specialty Accessories

• Satechi Bluetooth remote - Compact media controller supporting PowerPoint, Keynote, streaming apps, and presentation software
• iPad cushion/pillow - UGREEN's washable lap cushion with multiple viewing angles, storage pockets, and ergonomic positioning

Shortcuts Corner

• Van's question - How to discover full folder paths in Save File shortcuts after creation, since interface only shows last selected location
• Mr. Met's inspiration - Wanted shortcut to open Safari's new tab page instead of getting distracted by previous tabs

App Cap

• Adobe Project Indigo - Beta computational photography app using multiple exposures for enhanced dynamic range and noise reduction
• PopSocket MagSafe Grips - Magnetic phone grips with easy attachment/removal and swappable tops

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answers a question from Dave about trying to control a fan from their Apple Watch.

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Host: Mikah Sargent

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This week on Tech News Weekly, Mikah Sargent and Emily Forlini explore RFK Jr.'s ambitious plan to get health trackers on every American's wrist, Apple's CarPlay Ultra facing resistance from automakers, landmark AI copyright rulings, and Fairphone's latest sustainable smartphone offering.

• RFK Jr.'s Wearable Health Initiative - Emily Forlini discusses the HHS Secretary's vision for every American to wear health trackers within four years, examining both the potential benefits of democratizing health data and concerns about privacy, data collection, and the government outsourcing public health monitoring to tech companies.
• Apple CarPlay Ultra vs. Automakers - Mikah explores Apple's ambitious expansion beyond infotainment to control entire car dashboards, revealing which manufacturers are embracing or rejecting the technology, and discussing the fundamental question of who should own the in-car experience - tech companies, automakers, or consumers.
• AI Copyright Rulings Shake Tech Industry - WIRED's Kate Knibbs breaks down two precedent-setting court decisions involving Meta and Anthropic, explaining how judges ruled AI training as "transformative" fair use while leaving the door open for piracy-related damages that could reach into the trillions.
• Fairphone 6: Sustainability Meets Modularity - Will Sattelberg from 9to5Google showcases the latest repairable smartphone featuring modular backplates, a dedicated "Moments" mode for digital wellness, and an ambitious 8-year software support promise, though US availability remains limited.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Emily Forlini

Guests: Kate Knibbs and Will Sattelberg

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Struggling with slow Wi-Fi and apps that won't load properly on your iPhone or iPad? Mikah Sargent shares a look at the hidden Wi-Fi settings that could be sabotaging your internet experience, uncovering the specific toggles that might be causing Instagram videos to stop mid-scroll and social media sites to fail loading.

• Managing Saved Networks - How to view and connect to your commonly used networks, plus adding hidden networks that don't broadcast their SSID
• "Ask to Join Networks" Settings - Why Mikah chooses "Off" to avoid constant network prompts
• Auto-Join Hotspot Feature - How your device can automatically connect to personal hotspots and when to use "Ask to Join" vs "Automatic"
• Network Management with Face ID - Using the Edit button to access your complete network history stored in iCloud Keychain and removing unwanted connections
• Auto-Join Problems - Why devices sometimes connect to guest networks instead of main networks and how to prevent this frustrating issue
• Low Data Mode - A crucial setting for hotspots and limited data connections that disables background tasks like photo syncing and automatic updates
• Private Wi-Fi Address Explained - How MAC address randomization protects your privacy but can cause connection issues with certain networks that use MAC filtering
• IP Address Tracking - Why Apple's "Limit IP Address Tracking" feature (a premium service) often causes slow connections and social media loading failures

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Spring cleaning in the summer? Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard roll up their sleeves to tackle both physical and digital device maintenance, sharing expert tips for getting your Apple gear spotless inside and out.

• Physical iPhone cleaning - Apple's official recommendations for safe disinfecting using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and Clorox wipes, while avoiding bleach and hydrogen peroxide that can damage device coatings
• Specialized cleaning tools - iFixit's Precision Cleaning Kit featuring tiny brushes, foam-tipped swabs, and contact cleaner for getting into speaker grills and ports
• Digital decluttering - MacPaw's app CleanMyPhone uses AI to find duplicate photos, similar shots, and organize camera rolls while supporting Ukrainian developers
• Mass app deletion strategy - Using Apple Configurator to quickly remove unused apps in bulk, with Rosemary demonstrating how she went from 827 apps to a more manageable number
• AirPods deep cleaning - Apple's specific instructions for cleaning earwax buildup using micellar water and distilled water to break down waxes without damaging the mesh speakers
• Case and accessory maintenance - Importance of removing iPhone cases regularly to clean both the device and case interior, plus organizing charging cables in labeled mesh bags
• Cable management and recycling - Tips for checking cable condition, proper storage solutions, and donating old chargers to homeless shelters for those still using older devices

News

• Control Center transparency - Apple reduced the transparency to minimize distractions while maintaining the glass aesthetic
• Safari interface tweaks - Tab bar repositioned to the bottom for better usability after user feedback
• App Store accessibility section - New feature allowing developers to specify supported accessibility features on product pages
• Enhanced Wallet tracking - Siri can now scan emails for package tracking from any merchant, not just Apple Pay purchases
• Call transcription updates - Feature renamed to "save call transcripts" with clearer notifications that all participants will be informed before recording begins

Feedback

• VoiceOver PDF accessibility - Johnny, a blind user, seeks alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for filling PDF forms, highlighting ongoing accessibility issues with major software companies and poorly designed PDF forms

Shortcuts Corner

• HomeKit automation limitations - Bjorn's question about combining multiple triggers (window open/close) into single automations reveals fundamental HomeKit restrictions that require separate automations for each trigger

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

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