Hands-On Tech 284: Understanding How to Recover Deleted Files

AI insiders are warning that artificial intelligence could wipe out humanity within the decade, but is this a real threat or a convenient narrative serving Silicon Valley's biggest players? Tune in as the panel untangles fact from hype and digs into the power plays shaping AI's future. Worried Anthropic researchers warn that AI 'could kill all humans' Anthropic Researchers Raise Alarm Over A.I. Acceleration, Warning of Threat to Humanity Countering misuse of AI: September 2026 / Anthropic Pluralistic: LLMs are real, AI is fake (12 Sep 2026) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow New Apple Watches to get Siri AI 'Recaps' feature similar to AI wearables Apple Unveils the iPhone Duo, a Foldable Phone That Costs $1,999 Key App Developers Have Yet to Embrace Apple's New Siri A.I. Why this month's Microsoft patch release is a doozy LG TV shown scanning LAN for third-party phones and other device The Flock backlash is coming for retail Automobile Camouflage to Hide from Flock Cameras A Secretive DHS 'Predictive Policing' Unit is Analyzing Americans' Financial Habits and Pulling Them Over Clearview AI Is Testing an AI Tool That Would Let Cops Unearth Your Life Online Some of Dyson's $500 toothbrushes are breaking iRobot unveils the Roomba Duo Husqvarna gets the first exception to the FCC's foreign robot ban for its mowers. Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Mikah Sargent, Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, and Daniel Rubino Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: joinbilt.com/twit threatlocker.com/twit joindeleteme.com/twit-biz scribe.how/twit bitwarden.com/twit

Ubuntu has security patches that you may not be getting, Bottles has some interesting tricks on ARM, and Switzerland is going Open Source. The SCO case is still twitching, Xorg is about to make another release, and we give Lemonade a test-run. The tips this week are TMOG the new Task Manager, smlstarlet for munging XML, metaflac for manipulating FLAC metadata, and Updatecli for automating actions when an update is found. Take a look at the show notes at https://bit.ly/3T2f04T and have a great week! Host: Jonathan Bennett Co-Hosts: Jeff Massie, Rob Campbell, and Ken McDonald Download or subscribe to Untitled Linux Show at https://twit.tv/shows/untitled-linux-show Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

On this week's Hands-On Tech, Mikah helps Harriett understand whether deleted files are truly gone when the recycle bin is emptied, and whether accidentally deleted files can still be recovered. Send in your questions for Mikah to [email protected], and he'll answer them in a future episode! Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: scribe.how/hot

Hold onto your phasers, but it's been 60 years since Star Trek's debut, and the franchise is still going strong. For 40 of those years, Mike Okuda, working with a gifted team that included his wife Denise, has been central to the look, feel, and substance of the Star Trek universe. From the LCARS computer graphical system to alien languages to the designs and color schemes, and even the digital effects remastering of the original series, Mike has been the Cardinal of Canon when it comes to all things Trek. He has also been involved with many more space-related shows, books, and NASA projects. Join us for this very special episode. Headlines: China Announces 2028 Mars Sample Return Mission U.S. Space Command Conducts First Orbital Dogfighting Test Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 from Space Main Topic: Star Trek at 60—Legacy, Design, and Influence with Mike Okuda Mike Okuda's Entry into Star Trek and Early Influences Defining Star Trek's Visual Identity Across Series Designing Control Panels and the Origin of LCARS Maintaining Continuity and Hidden Easter Eggs in Star Trek Sets Expanding the Design Language for Alien Cultures Collaboration on For All Mankind and Space/NASA Projects Challenges and Philosophy Behind Remastering The Original Series Favorite Episodes, Iconic Sets, and Preserving Star Trek Props The Enduring Core Message and Legacy of the Star Trek Franchise Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Michael Okuda Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Jacob Ward explores the resignation of an Anthropic AI researcher and mounting alarms over AI's potential dangers, while Dan Moren recaps Apple's major iPhone event, new hardware, and controversial AI-powered features. AI researcher Jacob Coxon quits Anthropic, warning the company is "gambling with our lives," an admission echoed by Anthropic's own AI safety leads, as calls for regulation grow louder inside the industry. Apple's iPhone event marks the start of the John Ternus era as CEO, with Tim Cook stepping up to executive chairman and handing off the spotlight at a packed launch. Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 launch with advanced health sensors and Apple Intelligence-powered "Live Rewind" transcription features, raising questions about privacy, surveillance, and brand identity. Apple finally unveils the iPhone Duo foldable, with a redesigned interface for multitasking and new workflows, aiming to set the standard for premium foldables as pricing and developer adaptation come under scrutiny. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jacob Ward Guest: Dan Moren Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: joindeleteme.com/twit-biz bitwarden.com/twit

Jacob Ward explores the resignation of an Anthropic AI researcher and mounting alarms over AI's potential dangers, while Dan Moren recaps Apple's major iPhone event, new hardware, and controversial AI-powered features. AI researcher Jacob Coxon quits Anthropic, warning the company is "gambling with our lives," an admission echoed by Anthropic's own AI safety leads, as calls for regulation grow louder inside the industry. Apple's iPhone event marks the start of the John Ternus era as CEO, with Tim Cook stepping up to executive chairman and handing off the spotlight at a packed launch. Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 launch with advanced health sensors and Apple Intelligence-powered "Live Rewind" transcription features, raising questions about privacy, surveillance, and brand identity. Apple finally unveils the iPhone Duo foldable, with a redesigned interface for multitasking and new workflows, aiming to set the standard for premium foldables as pricing and developer adaptation come under scrutiny. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jacob Ward Guest: Dan Moren Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: joindeleteme.com/twit-biz bitwarden.com/twit

In this new occasional series within Home Theater Geeks, Scott Wilkinson talks about content he is particularly enjoying. This week, he is really digging Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the latest spin-off from The Big Bang Theory. It's very different from its progenitor, but just as funny and filled with geeky goodness! Host: Scott Wilkinson Download or subscribe to Home Theater Geeks at https://twit.tv/shows/home-theater-geeks Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Microsoft is shaking up how Windows 11 26H2 rolls out, flipping the script with new features, interface tweaks, and a surprise delivery method that has even longtime watchers raising eyebrows. Find out why this update's release strategy and fit-and-finish upgrades set it apart from the pack. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT

With new iPhones shipping and major iOS updates around the corner, now is the moment to protect your info. Mikah shows the overlooked features and essential steps that keep your data truly safe. You might be missing crucial areas and not even know it! iCloud Backup: how it works, what it includes, and limitations Key differences between synced data and backed-up data Backing up locally to Mac or PC: process and pros How to back up via Finder on macOS and Apple Devices app on Windows Managing and locating your iPhone backups on Mac and PC Importance and benefits of encrypting local backups Using 3rd-party backup tools like iMazing for flexibility Wi-Fi scheduled snapshots, storage locations, and restore caveats 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.

Are passwords really on their way out, or are we stuck with them a bit longer? Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dig into Apple's latest moves in credential management and reveal why the end of passwords is only "dead-ish." Find out why this shift matters for both convenience and security, and how it could upend your digital habits. Apple Passwords app evolves: features, security, and sharing explored Passkeys adoption, magic links frustration, and passwordless future Passkeys security benefits and everyday use cases discussed Verification code autofill and cleanup Real-world quirks and reliability of code autofill features Shared groups and Wi-Fi credentials streamline family password management Comparing Apple Passwords vs. third-party managers: features and limitations Password best practices debunked: phase out bad habits App Caps: ESR magnetic matte screen protector and Spark Daily Learning Puzzles Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.