Mac users, forget juggling third-party apps! Apple's macOS Tahoe finally gives you real control over your menu bar and Control Center. Check out how this long-awaited update could change the way you work every day.

• Exploring new default transparent menu bar background visuals
• Adjusting menu bar visibility and hiding options in System Settings
• Toggling menu bar background effects for better personalization
• Managing recent documents, apps, and servers through menu bar settings
• Adding, removing, and arranging controls in menu bar and Control Center
• Detailed walkthrough of menu bar settings like WiFi, Bluetooth, battery, Focus, and display
• Granular app icon management—allow or deny permission to show in menu bar
• Rearranging menu bar icons using command+drag
• Quick reset options and comprehensive clock display tweaks for the menu bar

Host: Mikah Sargent

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See how AirPods Pro team up with your iPhone to run a personal hearing test and tailor audio just for you. Get a firsthand look at a health tool you may not realize is sitting in your pocket.

• Step-by-step guide to starting hearing test and prepping devices
• Real-time noise detection and environment checks during test setup
• Fit adjustment guidance and sound tests for optimal AirPod positioning
• Tone pulses and interactive hearing assessment via iOS Health integration
• Saving and reviewing audiogram results in Health app after test completion
• AirPods tuning and hearing assistance recommendations based on test results

Host: Mikah Sargent

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This episode demonstrates how Spotlight's new "actions" feature quietly transforms your workflow, adapting to the app you're using and what you copy, delivering shortcuts you never knew you needed. Discover how to create lightning-fast quick keys in Spotlight, letting you instantly send emails, print documents, or launch commands in your favorite apps.

• Spotlight actions get personal—suggestions adapt to your app usage
• Third-party apps feed custom actions into Spotlight
• Actions adapt to your current app like Photos & Notes
• Context-aware Spotlight pulls menu bar commands and clipboard data
• Quick Keys for Spotlight actions let you set up fast shortcuts
• Real-world examples: creating shortcuts for email, Finder, and printer tasks
• Spotlight actions connect workflows—print PDFs and automate simple actions

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

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

If you think Spotlight is just for searching, think again. Discover how its revamped browsing modes and new smart actions can change the way you interact with your Mac! Instantly access apps, files, actions, and even your clipboard history, all with a few keyboard shortcuts.

• Navigating Spotlight Search using menu, keyboard, and mouse shortcuts
• Categorized app browsing and launching, including iPhone mirroring integration
• File browsing in Spotlight with intelligent suggestions and advanced filtering
• Viewing files in grid or list mode, with previews and usage-based organization
• Accessing and customizing Spotlight Actions, with hundreds of shortcut possibilities
• Clipboard history now searchable and actionable within Spotlight, supports files and text
• Privacy controls for Clipboard search and management of sensitive data in Spotlight

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

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

Apple's Genmoji just got smarter, letting you combine emojis, add custom descriptions, and totally personalize your reactions on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Find out how this playful AI tweak might just change the way you text.

• Apple Genmoji gets updated with new customization features
• Demonstrating Genmoji creation and emoji combination in Messages app
• Exploring uses of text descriptions to enhance Genmoji results
• Mixing emoji and text for unique, personalized Genmoji
• Adjusting Genmoji hairstyle and facial hair using Photos library people
• Customizing Genmoji with expressive moods and emotions
• Genmoji creativity yields odd and surprising results

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

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Spotlight is getting a serious upgrade in macOS Tahoe, surfacing your files, windows, and even cloud content with smarter, faster results. Allow Mikah to walk you through the surprising shortcuts and hidden tricks that will change how you find everything on your Mac.

• Quick access to Spotlight via keyboard or menu bar
• Recentering Spotlight Search bar with control-click shortcut
• Enhanced search rankings based on personal use and relevance
• Refined filtering by app, file type, provider, or folder
• Spotlight displays results from open windows and browser tabs
• Cloud storage integration expands search to Dropbox, Google Drive
• Website search shortcuts for popular sites like Amazon and YouTube
• Direct questions and smart queries supported with Siri and ChatGPT
• Spotlight suggests actions and deeper settings directly from search
• Performance quirks and indexing delays still present in Spotlight

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

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.

Apple created a dedicated phone app for macOS Tahoe, standing apart from FaceTime and bringing live voicemail transcripts, call screening, and real-time translation to your Mac.

• Initial setup steps for using the new Phone app
• Key settings and features: ringtones, call routing, and permissions
• Hold Assist notifies when support hold time ends
• Live Voicemail previews and real-time screening for incoming calls
• Options for silencing and filtering unknown callers
• Calling experience: dialing, FaceTime audio/video, and call options
• In-call features: adding people, call recording, and live transcription
• On-call live translation with language downloads and beta limitations
• Managing call history, favorites, filtering, and blocked numbers

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

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

iOS 26 just dropped, and Hands-On Apple reveals the surprising new features you'll notice first, such as custom message backgrounds and built-in polls that change how you chat with friends. Get the scoop on the subtle details and settings that will likely impact how you use your phone every day.

• Messages app gets refreshed info page and easier contact editing
• Custom conversation backgrounds debut in Messages with photos and colors
• Built-in polling feature launches for group decision-making in Messages
• New message filtering, unknown sender screening, and notification controls explained
• Conversation backgrounds, photo visibility, and contact photo options in Messages settings

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

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Apple just dropped the iPhone 17 lineup and Mikah Sargent walks you through a smart pre-order setup that could be the difference between snagging your dream device on day one or missing out. Find out the exact steps and tips to avoid the dreaded "sold out" message.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

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Stop letting duplicate photos clog your Mac. Find out how the merging utility in Apple Photos can help you reclaim storage and sanity with just a few clicks. Mikah Sargent reveals the surprisingly powerful deduplication tool already built into macOS and what it gets right.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

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.