Technologies

Stop Switching Devices Manually: Your Guide to Multipoint Bluetooth Audio

When you’re bouncing between your phone and computer, advanced multipoint Bluetooth connections allow you to connect to two or more devices simultaneously.

Jumping between digital devices has become a necessary part of many people’s daily lives, whether you’re keeping up with text alerts or ensuring you don’t miss an important call while in a Zoom meeting on your laptop.

Multipoint Bluetooth was designed to solve the problem of having to disconnect or enter the Bluetooth menu each time you want your headset to connect to a different device. It helps you stay notified of incoming calls, email or messaging notifications, letting you conveniently bounce between personal and professional without interrupting your task.

Introduced in 2010 as part of Bluetooth 4.0, advanced multipoint allows two devices to be connected simultaneously to your audio headset, enabling you to switch between them. For several years, the feature was glitchy, unreliable and not widely supported, particularly for true-wireless earbuds. But that’s changing.

Recent hardware and software advances have vastly improved multipoint’s stability and power consumption, and the feature is now available on many wireless headphones and true-wireless earbuds, including those from Bose, which was slow to adopt the feature due to reliability concerns.

Apple and Google support systems that behave similarly to multipoint — automatic device switching — which swaps source devices when it detects playback on your target device. The caveat is that they are technically fast auto-pairing systems rather than simultaneously connecting two devices, and you must be signed in to the same Apple ID or Google account on both devices for this function to work.

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The advantages and limitations of multipoint Bluetooth

When multiple devices are within the same digital ecosystem — Apple, Samsung or Google — and you’re signed into the same account on them, you get smoother (and often automatic) switching, whether it’s via Apple’s Handoff, Google’s Fast Pair or actual multipoint Bluetooth.

If, for example, you’re swapping between your Apple iPad and your Android smartphone, you’ll usually have to pause one device manually (semi-automatic switching) before audio will switch over, though you still get the benefit of not having to do the Bluetooth disconnect/connect mambo.

Multipoint is not a universal feature, and its performance can vary depending on the specific model. Multipoint Bluetooth was (and still is) easier to implement on standard wireless headphones because the earcups are connected via a single main Bluetooth connection. True-wireless earbuds are more complex since the left and right earbuds have to be wirelessly synced while avoiding interference issues, and a third wireless channel (and more processing power) is required for multipoint pairing.

Note that multipoint Bluetooth doesn’t mean you can stream media from two devices simultaneously to the headphones. There are gaming headsets that support multiple simultaneous streams, but they use two distinct wireless connections — one by Bluetooth and one via 2.4GHz wireless — such as the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 and Audeze Penrose. There are also models that can handle simultaneous sources by using wired and wireless connections.

Setting up multipoint Bluetooth

Update device firmware: Your phone, tablet and laptop should always be up to date, but it’s best to double-check to ensure your operating system supports the latest features.

Install the app: Download and install the companion app for your headphones or earbuds on your primary device, typically your phone, unless you use your tablet primarily for calls.

Pair with your primary device: Put the headphones or earbuds in pairing mode (usually by long-pressing a button on the headphones or case), and pair them with your phone or tablet using the device’s Bluetooth settings.

Update headphone firmware: Companies continually improve switching and connection reliability through firmware updates. To keep your headphones or earbuds current, update them via the app’s settings menu. Re-pair if necessary, and test the connection by streaming some audio.

Enable multipoint connection: Open the companion app settings again and enable your connection with a toggle switch labeled something like:

Allow multipoint connection
Connect to two devices simultaneously
Pair with a second device
Auto Switch

Pair with the second device: Put the headphones back in pairing mode and use the second device’s Bluetooth settings to pair them. Test the connection by streaming some audio.

What to expect from multipoint Bluetooth

At this point, you should be able to switch easily from one device to the other (and back) by starting a stream on the second device — or pausing the first one if your devices are from different operating systems (iOS and Android, for example). Note that due to Bluetooth bandwidth constraints, you may not be able to use certain «high-resolution» audio codecs like Sony’s LDAC while in multipoint mode.

It’s a good idea to test a few different scenarios with a mix of calls and media to see how things work with your particular mix of devices and apps. Even if all your gear is from the same ecosystem, you’re somewhat at the mercy of the apps you’re using and how they’re prioritized by the devices’ operating systems, as well as how they handle switching.

But if all goes well, you’ll be able to move more seamlessly between your digital devices than ever before, and you’ll wonder how you ever got along without multipoint Bluetooth.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Nov. 18, #421

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 18, No. 421.

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 is a fun one. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for 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: Expertise.

Green group hint: Nike is one.

Blue group hint: Pete Carroll is one.

Purple group hint: Not winter.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Special ability.

Green group: Running shoe brands.

Blue group: NFL head coaches.

Purple group: Summer ____.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is special ability. The four answers are flair, gift, skill and talent.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is running shoe brands. The four answers are ASICS, Brooks, Hoka and Saucony.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is NFL head coaches. The four answers are Harbaugh, Payton, Ryans and Vrabel.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is summer ____. The four answers are league, McIntosh, Olympics and Sanders.

Toughest Connections: Sports Edition categories

The Connections: Sports Edition puzzle can be tough, but it really depends on which sports you know the most about. My husband aces anything having to do with Formula 1, my best friend is a hockey buff, and I can answer any question about Minnesota teams.

That said, it’s hard to pick the toughest Connections categories, but here are some I found exceptionally mind-blowing recently.

#1: Series A Clubs, Jan. 11. Answers: Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, Roma.

#2: WNBA MVPs, Jan. 21. Answers: Catchings, Delle Donne, Fowles and Stewart.

#3: Premier League team nicknames, Jan. 17. Answers: Bees, Cherries, Foxes and Hammers.

#4: Homophones of NBA player names, Jan. 26. Answers: Barns, Connect, Heart and Hero.

Technologies

Is Leaving Your Phone Plugged In Bad for the Battery? Apple, Samsung and Google Weigh In

If you leave your phone plugged in overnight, here’s what manufacturers say you should know.

If you’re still sprinting to unplug your phone the second it hits 100% because you’re terrified of «overcharging,» you can officially relax. That advice is ancient history. Modern smartphones are smart enough to cut off the power once they’re fully charged, so leaving your iPhone or Android plugged in overnight isn’t going to destroy the battery.

But let’s be clear: Just because it’s safe doesn’t mean it’s optimal. While you can’t technically overcharge the battery, keeping a lithium-ion cell pinned at 100% creates voltage stress, and the heat generated from sitting on a charger is the real enemy of longevity.

It’s not about immediate damage; it’s about how fast your battery ages over time. Understanding the difference between what won’t break your phone and what will actually help it last is key. Here’s the truth about your charging habits.

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The science behind battery wear

Battery health isn’t just about how many times you charge your phone. It’s about how it manages voltage, temperature and maintenance. Lithium-ion batteries age fastest when they’re exposed to extreme levels: 0% and 100%.

Keeping them near full charge for long stretches puts additional voltage stress on the cathode and electrolyte. That’s why many devices use «trickle charging» or temporarily pause at 100%, topping up only when needed.

Still, the biggest threat isn’t overcharging — it’s heat. When your phone is plugged in and running demanding apps, it produces heat that accelerates chemical wear inside the battery. If you’re gaming, streaming or charging on a hot day, that extra warmth does far more harm than leaving the cable plugged in overnight.

Apple’s take

Apple’s battery guide describes lithium-ion batteries as «consumable components» that naturally lose capacity over time. To slow that decline, iPhones use Optimized Battery Charging, which learns your daily routine and pauses charging at about 80% until just before you typically unplug, reducing time spent at high voltage.

Apple also advises keeping devices between 0 to 35 degrees Celsius (32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) and removing certain cases while charging to improve heat dissipation. You can read more on Apple’s official battery support page.

What Samsung (and other Android makers) do

Samsung offers a similar feature called Battery Protect, found in One UI’s battery and device care settings. When enabled, it caps charging at 85%, which helps reduce stress during long charging sessions.

Other Android makers like Google, OnePlus and Xiaomi include comparable options — often called Adaptive Charging, Optimized Charging or Battery Care — that dynamically slow power delivery or limit charge based on your habits. These systems make it safe to leave your phone plugged in for extended periods without fear of overcharging.

When constant charging can hurt

Even with these safeguards, some conditions can accelerate battery wear. As mentioned before, the most common culprit is high temperature. Even for a short period of time, leaving your phone charging in direct sunlight, in a car or under a pillow can push temperatures into unsafe zones.

Heavy use while charging, like gaming or 4K video editing, can also cause temperature spikes that degrade the battery faster. And cheap, uncertified cables or adapters may deliver unstable current that stresses cells. If your battery is already several years old, it’s naturally more sensitive to this kind of strain.

How to charge smarter

You don’t need to overhaul your habits but a few tweaks can help your battery age gracefully.

Start by turning on your phone’s built-in optimization tools: Optimized Battery Charging on iPhones, Battery Protect on Samsung devices and Adaptive Charging on Google Pixels. These systems learn your routine and adjust charging speed so your phone isn’t sitting at 100% all night.

Keep your phone cool while charging. According to Apple, phone batteries perform best between 62 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 22 degrees Celsius). If your phone feels hot, remove its case or move it to a better-ventilated or shaded spot. Avoid tossing it under a pillow or too close to other electronics, like your laptop, and skip wireless chargers that trap heat overnight.

Use quality chargers and cables from your phone’s manufacturer or trusted brands. Those cheap «fast-charge» kits you find online often deliver inconsistent current, which can cause long-term issues.

Finally, don’t obsess over topping off. It’s perfectly fine to plug in your phone during the day for short bursts. Lithium-ion batteries actually prefer frequent, shallow charges rather than deep, full cycles. You don’t need to keep it between 20% and 80% all the time, but just avoid extremes when possible.

The bottom line

Keeping your phone plugged in overnight or on your desk all day won’t destroy its battery. That’s a leftover myth from a different era of tech. Modern phones are smart enough to protect themselves, and features like Optimized Battery Charging or Battery Protect do most of the heavy lifting for you.

Still, no battery lasts forever. The best way to slow the inevitable is to manage heat, use quality chargers and let your phone’s software do its job. Think of it less as «babying» your battery and more as charging with intention. A few mindful habits today can keep your phone running strong for years.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Nov. 18 #625

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Nov. 18, No. 625.

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 kind of tough. Some of the answers are very difficult to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.

I go in 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: All mixed up

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Shaken and stirred.

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:

BLAM, FOOT, HUMS, BLED, MODE, LOUT, MARBLE, FORD, SHED, FORE, TIRED

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: