Technologies

The Headphones Market Is Booming for 1 Key Reason

It’s all about wireless options for people buying headphones and earbuds.

Does it seem like more people around you are in their own little audio world? Are you buying AirPods to upgrade old ones every couple of years like you’d replace a worn-out wallet?

Companies that make headphones and earbuds, including some of the world’s largest tech companies such as Apple, Samsung and Sony, can expect boom times ahead, according to a new report. S&S Insider, a market research firm, predicts that worldwide sales of these portable audio products will nearly double from where they were last year, $58.41 billion, to $114.81 billion in 2032. In the US, sales are expected to nearly triple over the same time period, from $760 million to $2.13 billion.

The study says that that the market growth is being driven by affordable prices, features such as smart assistants and active noise canceling, and lifestyles centered on smartphones and smartwatches. Central to it is the widespread popularity of wireless audio devices, especially true wireless stereo earbuds.

«Fitness enthusiasts, commuters, professionals, and students are all shifting away from wired solutions, which is driving the market for wireless headphones and earbuds,» S&S Insider said in a press release for the report.

Earbuds (or «earphones» as the report often calls them) accounted for nearly 62% of the market’s revenue in 2024.

The findings align with the increasingly wide range of headphones products CNET is evaluating, from over-the-ear models to open-environment-friendly earbuds.

Apple’s iPhone 17 launch earlier this month also introduced the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, which can do live language translation and which have improved sound quality at the same price as the previous top-of-the-line AirPods Pro 2 model.

Technologies

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Might Come in 5G and 4G Cellular Models

If the rumor proves true, the 5G Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 that debuted last fall.

Samsung’s next high-end Galaxy Watch could support faster 5G speeds, but if this leak is true, it will depend on where you live. The rumored Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 might come in 5G and 4G cellular models, with availability for each smartwatch depending on the country.

According to the Dutch website Galaxy Club (and spotted by SamMobile), Samsung’s servers may have revealed a series of model numbers that point to 5G, 4G and Wi-Fi-enabled editions of the next Galaxy Watch Ultra, which would succeed the original model that debuted in 2024.

A representative for Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Galaxy Club website speculates that the 5G edition would be sold in the US and Korean markets, while the 4G edition would sell in the rest of the world. In the US, a 5G version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3, which debuted last fall. The 4G edition would have broader compatibility worldwide, since the earlier network is far more established.

It will likely be a few months until we hear anything official about the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Samsung typically unveils its new watches in the summer alongside its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones. Last year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, but otherwise left the prior 2024 Ultra in the lineup for those looking for a larger 47mm smartwatch.

Technologies

2 Cases Show Supreme Court Isn’t Holding ISPs Responsible for Piracy

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 8, #1032

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for April 8, No. 1032.

Looking for the most recent 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, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is kind of tough. The purple category is a fun one, once you see the connection. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

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

Yellow group hint: In the group.

Green group hint: Appearance details.

Blue group hint: Often found in gyms.

Purple group hint: They help you see.