Match up, as two devices - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Match up, as two devices," is a perfect example of how crossword puzzles keep pace with modern life. It taps into a vocabulary that has become second nature to anyone who juggles a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, or all of the above. This is a straightforward clue that likely served as a welcome foothold for many solvers.

Clue Analysis

The clue presents a simple action ("Match up") and a specific context ("as two devices"). The puzzle is asking for the common verb we use when we want the data on our phone to be identical to the data on our computer, or vice-versa. The phrase "match up" is a direct, non-technical way of describing the process of harmonization or alignment of information between two separate systems. The answer is a short, punchy word that is a clipped form of a more formal term.

Thinking Approaches

For a clue like this, most solvers will likely use a direct association approach.

1. Direct Association: The phrase "match up devices" or "connect devices" almost immediately brings the answer to mind. If you've ever set up a new phone or used a cloud service, this term is part of the standard procedure.

2. Synonym Exploration: If the answer isn't immediate, you could brainstorm synonyms for "match up": align, pair, connect, harmonize, unify. In the context of technology, which of these has a common, short form? Harmonize and align lead to the concept of synchronize, which is frequently shortened.

3. Consider the Crosses: This is a short, four-letter word. Even getting one or two letters from intersecting clues (the "crosses") would make the answer pop. For instance, if you had S _ N _, the answer becomes almost certain.

Background Context

The answer is a clipping of the word synchronize. This word has its roots in Greek: syn- meaning "together" and chronos meaning "time." To synchronize something is, literally, to make it happen at the same time.

While its origins relate to time, its modern usage in technology has broadened to mean aligning data. We use file synchronization to ensure our documents are the same across multiple computers via services like Dropbox or Google Drive. We synchronize our calendars, contacts, and photos so they are accessible and up-to-date everywhere. The term is also famously used in entertainment, as in "lip-syncing," where a performer matches their lip movements to a pre-recorded audio track.

Conclusion

"Match up, as two devices" is a clean, contemporary clue with a universally understood answer. It's a great example of an "easy" difficulty clue that helps build a solver's confidence and provides solid letters to help unravel the more challenging parts of the puzzle.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think about getting two electronic gadgets to have the same information.
2. Hint 2: This action ensures your calendar on your phone is the same as the one on your computer.
3. Hint 3: It's a shortened term for making things happen at the same time or having the same data.
4. Hint 4: It's often paired with "up" in phrases like "Let's ____ up our files."

The answer is SYNC.