Hands-On Apple (Audio)

Learn why Activity Monitor is the macOS tool experienced users trust first to diagnose hidden memory drains, runaway CPU usage, and behind-the-scenes energy hogs. Mastering a single built-in tool can put real-time answers and expert-level control right at your fingertips.

Quick Access Methods: Spotlight, Finder, and Utilities Folder

Five Main Tabs: CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, and Network Explained

Sorting and Identifying Resource-Heavy Processes in CPU Tab

Understanding Percent CPU, Multi-Core Macs, and High Usage Scenarios

Spotting and Managing Frozen or Runaway Apps via Activity Monitor

The Importance of the Kind Column: Rosetta Support and Apple Silicon Transition

Using Memory Tab and Pressure Graph to Gauge RAM Health

Sorting by Memory to Find Leaky or Misbehaving Apps

Energy Tab Insights: Finding Battery-Draining and Power-Hungry Apps

Disk Tab: Diagnosing Read/Write Issues and Competing Background Tasks

Network Tab: Tracking Data-Heavy Apps and Monitoring for Security

Live Dock Icon Graphs for CPU, Network, and Disk Usage

How to Force Quit or Inspect Troubled Processes in Activity Monitor

Homework: Add Activity Monitor to Dock and Monitor Rosetta Apps Before Support Ends

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

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Apple Music's Playlist Playground does more than just pick songs; it curates playlists that actually flow together, tailored to your mood or activity. Mikah shows how to craft and customize dynamic playlists with minimal effort.

How Playlist Playground differs from classic playlist and Siri options

Step-by-step demo: Creating playlists with plain language prompts

Editing and customizing AI-generated playlists, adjusting song choices

Adding, removing, and refreshing songs within Playlist Playground

Changing playlist artwork and privacy sharing options

Organizing Playlist Playground creations for easy access

Playlist flow and song order improvements with AI

Age, subscription, and device requirements

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free audio and 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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TextEdit has quietly been on your Mac for years, but most users overlook its power as the fastest way to capture, clean up, and organize daily notes. See why switching your workflow to this "basic" app might be the biggest upgrade you make this year.

Rich text versus plain text explained and compared

Setting TextEdit defaults for efficient daily use

Benefits of plain text: notes, code, and stripping formatting

Practical TextEdit workflows for editing and organizing notes

Key TextEdit settings for customization and accessibility

Spellcheck, grammar, and formatting options demystified

Detailed walkthrough of Find, Replace, and regex search

Using version history and document recovery in TextEdit

Speech tool for proofreading and accessibility highlighted

When (and when not) to use TextEdit versus other apps

Integrating TextEdit into workflow

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free audio and 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.

Sponsor:
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Sign in with Apple feels effortless, but is that convenience worth putting all your digital eggs in one basket? Get the practical advice you need to balance seamless logins with long-term account access.

How Sign In With Apple works across devices and platforms

Demonstrating account creation and login using Hide My Email

Managing, editing, and removing Sign In With Apple logins

Risks of account loss if Apple ID becomes unavailable

Tips for safely using Sign In With Apple for critical accounts

Benefits and limitations of federated logins like Apple, Google, Facebook

Key privacy advantages: no tracking, Hide My Email, and two-factor authentication

Recommended management routines and account recovery precautions

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free audio and 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.

Focus modes on your Apple devices can be transformative, but they're also plagued by clunky settings and sync headaches. Mikah Sargent gets real about the practical benefits, dealbreakers, and smart workarounds.

Why most users ignore or misuse Focus modes

Building a useful "Work" focus mode step-by-step

Setting up allowed contacts, apps, and focus filters for work

Automating work focus mode with schedules and location triggers

Customizing visuals and widgets for work focus on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

Creating a "Wind Down" focus for evening transitions

Limiting urgency, contacts, and app notifications during Wind Down

Adjusting visuals and automations for a restful device experience

Designing a "Weekend" focus to reduce work-related interruptions

Silencing work contacts and apps; surfacing personal calendars and profiles

Scheduling weekend focus mode for Fridays through Sundays

Honest breakdown: Focus sync glitches, app limitations, confusing notification behavior, and abuse of "time sensitive" alerts

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free audio and 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.

Sponsor:
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