In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent tackles a unique smart home dilemma from a viewer named John, who runs his home automation through Android while his wife uses Apple devices. John wants to know if he can use an old iPad as a home hub to give his wife easier access to their home's smart features, like thermostats, greenhouse controls, and outlets, without having to go through his phone.

• Android-first setup is actually advantageous, as it means devices are already configured independently rather than being locked into Apple's HomeKit ecosystem
• For HomeKit-compatible devices, adding them to the wife's iPhone/iPad is as simple as scanning the HomeKit codes in Apple's Home app

Some suggested approaches for the iPad hub:

• Use as a portable control panel that can move between rooms
• Mount it permanently as a dedicated control center using a device such as elago's Home Hub Mount, which allows for clean cable management.
• Mikah recommends using Home Assistant (home-assistant.io) as a powerful third-party solution that works with more devices than just HomeKit or Google Home, has robust automation capabilities, and has apps for multiple platforms, making it accessible to both users.
• Mikah also emphasizes the importance of "smart," which means proactive automation, giving examples like automatic fan control based on humidity sensor readings, proximity-based lighting control, and custom scenes triggered by pressure sensors.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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This week on Tech News Weekly, host Mikah Sargent is joined by guest co-host Dan Moren to discuss Siri privacy concerns and how Apple could leverage AI to improve the user experience. Jason Hiner of CNET reports on CES 2025 on the latest TV displays, NVIDIA's AI innovations, and more. Then Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, weighs in on Meta's controversial decision to end fact-checking on its platforms.

• Dan's latest column explores how Apple could use AI to benefit users by improving spam filtering, search capabilities, and automation. Implementing these features would align with Apple's focus on simplifying technology.
• Apple released a statement clarifying that Siri recordings are not being used to build ad profiles, despite an ongoing conspiracy theory that devices are always listening. In reality, ad targeting is based on online behavior.
• At CES 2025, new TV display technologies were announced including brighter OLED panels likely using "tandem OLED" and a new mini-LED backlight system from Hisense for improved color depth.
• Lenovo showcased an expensive laptop prototype with a screen that rolls up to double in size, though it may have limited practical appeal for now.
• NVIDIA unveiled COSMOS, an AI framework to generate synthetic training data for robots and self-driving systems, which could accelerate future autonomous innovations.
• Offbeat CES products included an electric spoon that makes low-sodium foods taste saltier to promote healthier eating, and aggressively priced TVs from TCL.
• Meta announced it will end fact-checking and rely on community moderation, which CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed argues will amplify the spread of misinformation and cause real-world harms.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren

Guest: Jason Hiner

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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

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In this episode of iOS Today, hosts Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dive deep into the Messages app's numerous features and hidden capabilities. From advanced safety features like Check In to productivity enhancements like scheduled messages and screen sharing, the hosts reveal powerful tools that many users might not know exist within their Messages app.

• Message Organization

  -Pin up to 9 conversations to the top of your messages list

  -View shared media, links, and collaborations by tapping on contact names

  -Access photos quickly by long-pressing the plus button

• Message Editing Features

  -Edit or unsend recently sent messages

  -Schedule messages to send at specific times and dates

  -Set message reminders that trigger when messaging specific contacts

• Safety Features

  -New Check In feature allows friends/family to monitor your journey safety without constant location sharing

  -Location sharing options: temporary, day-long, or indefinite

  -Battery-efficient alternative to constant Find My location sharing

• Audio Messages

  -New automatic transcription feature for voice messages

  -Dictation option available through microphone button

  -Transcriptions happen on-device before sending

• Screen Sharing

  -Share screens through FaceTime integration

  -Draw on shared screens to highlight items

  -Request remote control access to help troubleshoot issues

  -SharePlay integration for watching content together

• Settings and Filters

  -Filter unknown senders to reduce spam

  -Customize message retention periods

  -Control read receipts per contact

  -RCS messaging support in certain regions

• Shortcuts Corner Segment

  -Detailed walkthrough of creating automation for alarm control to benefit a warehouse worker.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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You can also contribute to iOS Today by sending an email to iOSToday@TWiT.tv.

Mikah addresses a listener question about why their TCL TV and cable box sometimes turn on automatically after a power outage. He explains the likely causes and offers troubleshooting tips. Mikah also shares an important follow-up from a previous episode about internet speeds and the limitations of the Apple TV 4K's Ethernet port.

Main Topic:
• Richard asks why his TCL TV and cable box sometimes turn on by themselves after brief power outages
• Mikah explains that TCL TVs have a "Fast TV Start" feature that keeps the TV in a powered-on state to maintain network connections, causing it to turn back on when power is restored
• HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows devices to communicate and control each other, which may cause the cable box to turn on when the TV powers on
• Mikah advises checking the TV and cable box settings for features like Fast TV Start, sleep/hibernation modes, and HDMI-CEC to adjust the behavior
• Many smart home devices, such as lights and robot vacuums, also have auto-on features that should be configured to prevent unexpected behavior after power outages

Follow-up:
• Thomas points out that in a previous episode (195), the Apple TV 4K used to test internet speeds has a maximum throughput of about 990 Mbps due to its Gigabit Ethernet port
• For the listener (Ross) to accurately test their 2.5 Gbps internet speed, they should ensure their Mac supports the full 2.5 Gbps that the adapter provides
• The Apple TV 4K's Wi-Fi 6 support may allow for faster speeds than its Ethernet port, depending on the router and environment

Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv

Host: Mikah Sargent

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In the first episode of 2025, Mikah and Abrar discuss Meta's plans to add AI bots to their social media platforms, the rise of AI-generated phishing scams, the trend of parents giving their kids retro tech devices to reduce screen time, and the current state and future potential of passkeys for secure logins.

• Meta plans to populate Facebook and Instagram with AI-generated bot accounts that can create content, share posts, and interact with users, in an effort to drive engagement as user growth stagnates. Abrar and Mikah debate the pros and cons of AI bots on social media.
• Cybersecurity experts have seen a significant increase in sophisticated phishing scams using AI to generate hyper-personalized messages mimicking people's communication styles, with over 90% of successful cyberattacks now beginning with phishing emails. Abrar and Mikah discuss cybersecurity training and email filtering used by companies to combat this.
• There's a growing trend of parents gifting their kids retro tech like Walkmans, portable CD players, and MP3 players in an effort to reduce screen time. Mikah and Abrar reflect on the appeal of single-purpose devices and bonding over music.
• Passkeys, a new login technology aiming to replace passwords, have seen increasing adoption but face usability challenges and inconsistent implementation across sites and devices. Mikah explains how passkeys work and recommends using password managers for now, as both hosts agree passkeys aren't quite ready for mainstream adoption yet.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti

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In this New Year's episode of iOS Today, hosts Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard kick off 2025 by exploring apps that can help viewers build and maintain better habits. They show off various habit-tracking and productivity apps, from sophisticated routine builders to Apple's new built-in journaling solution.

• MyRoutine - A science-backed habit tracking app that uses the Fogg Behavior Model to help users build habits by connecting them to existing situations.
• Habit Kit - A beautifully designed habit tracker that allows users to set custom goals, categorize habits, and track multiple completions per day!
• Apple Journal - Apple's native journaling app that automatically suggests entries based on locations, activities, and photos.
• Pass for Wallet - A completely free app for digitizing physical cards, tickets, and passes into Apple Wallet. Helps declutter physical wallets!
• HomePass for HomeKit - A comprehensive solution for storing HomeKit device codes across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch

Shortcuts Corner

• Rosemary created a clever automation solution for a viewer who keeps forgetting their phone in the car. The shortcut uses CarPlay connections and reminders to notify users on their Apple Watch when leaving their vehicle.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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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

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