Technologies

New PS5 Update Beta Brings Simultaneous DualSense Controller Pairing to Multiple Devices

Those participating in the PS5 beta program will get access to the new feature on Friday.

A system update for those in the PS5 beta program will enable a new feature for the DualSense or DualSense Edge controller, allowing it to be paired with multiple devices at the same time and quickly switch between them. Beta participants will get access to the new feature on Friday.

The DualSense controller can be connected to several devices via Bluetooth that aren’t the PS5, including computers (PC, Mac), and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. However, you can only connect to one of these devices at the same time. The system update removes this limitation.

Currently, the PS5 beta program is limited to the US, Canada, Japan, the UK, Germany and France, but Sony plans to roll out the feature globally in the future.

Connect your DualSense controller to up to 4 devices simultaneously

Once the update goes live, you’ll be able to pair your DualSense or DualSense Edge controller to up to four devices at the same time. Once all of the devices are paired, you’ll be able to switch between them with a simple button combination.

Here’s how to pair your DualSense controller to multiple devices

Once the update is live and the feature is enabled for you, this is how you can connect your controller to multiple devices at the same time:

Make sure the light bar and player indicator on your DualSense controller is off. Press and hold the PS button for 5 seconds or more to turn them off.
Press and hold one of the action buttons (circle, triangle, square or cross) until the light bar and player indicator flash twice.
Turn on Bluetooth on the device you wish to connect your controller to and go to add a new Bluetooth device.
Select the controller from the Bluetooth menu. The light bar and player indicator’s lights will blink according to the slot number (1-4).

How to switch between devices using your DualSense controller

Switching between the devices you’ve connected your controller to is fairly straightforward once you understand the basic button configuration.

Make sure the device you’re trying to switch to is turned on.
Hold the PS button and the action button associated with the device you’re trying to switch to for 3 seconds.
Once connected, the light bar and player indicator lights will flash according to the slot number.

Here’s an example chart of what that will look like from the Playstation Blog:

Slot number	Button used	Player indicator lights	Connected Device (Example)**
Slot 1	PS button and Triangle button	One light on	PS5
Slot 2	PS button and Circle button	Two lights on	PS5 Pro
Slot 3	PS button and Cross button	Three lights on	Windows PC
Slot 4	PS button and Square button	Four lights on	iPhone

If you have issues pairing, you’ll need to make sure that your device is compatible with the DualSense controller via Bluetooth.

For more, don’t miss these common PS5 issues and how to fix them.

Technologies

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for July 25 #509

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for July 25 No. 509.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is a mix of easy words to find and unscramble and one whopping long one. But if you know the theme, that word is easy to decipher. If you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Step to it!

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Boogie shoes.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

HOGS, RICE, RICER, MUSE, CHAT, CHATS, GRAM, PANT, COAT, COATS, PARS, CARS, LASS, CLASS, CLASSY

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

MUSIC, COSTUME, RECITAL, TEACHER, CHOREOGRAPHY

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is DANCECLASS. To find it, start with the D that’s five letters down on the far-left row, and wind up and over.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for July 25, #305

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 25, No. 305.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition tested my breadth of sports knowledge. The blue category pays tribute to one of the greatest players of all time. See if you can figure it out. We’ve got hints and the answers in case you get stuck.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Rink-related.

Green group hint: The lower end of the Golden State.

Blue group hint: NFL G.O.A.T.

Purple group hint: You can also do this to your hair.