Content anytime, anywhere: How technology has transformed our consumption experience
Media consumption, as we knew it, is history. Technological advancements are revolutionising the digital age we’re living in by fuelling the creative, consuming, and interactive ways we approach media. Whether it’s streaming platforms, AI (Artificial Intelligence), or VR (Virtual Reality), modern technology is firing from all angles and continues to singlehandedly warp the media landscape.
The internet and smartphones have been pivotal in how media is consumed. As technologies surrounding them continue their advancements, such as fibre optic broadband connections, faster processors, and phones and computers, we can expect digital sales in various industries to outperform physical locations eventually. This reigns specifically towards the next generation of consumers, with those aged 16-40 being the digitalised generation; they’re the target audience in e-commerce and will unquestionably assist the widespread transformation of how media is consumed and how products are purchased.
Today, we’ll analyse the key technological elements surrounding the media industry and how they’re modifyingour day-to-day interactions with content.
The Streaming Platform Takeover 
Consuming media during the 1980s, 90s, and early 00s was relatively straightforward. In particular, Movies and television were rented, viewed on cable TV, or purchased via VHS or DVD. The same can be said for music that was physically owned, brought from a store, or listened to on the radio or television. However, the digital age that was in its infancy during the late 1990s and early 2000s has completely disrupted the traditional approaches as of today.
Streaming platforms have taken over, and the need for content anytime anywhere has delivered a seismic shift in content distribution. Some of the most recognisable streaming conglomerates include:
These aforementioned streaming platforms have utilised a consumer’s access to groundbreaking software and computer processors within their devices and high-speed internet connections to then provide an array of movies, music, and television programs that can be accessed on most mobile devices or TV sets with a Wi-Fi connection. Certain companies additionally produce exclusive content, thus forcing the competition to emulate such unique offerings.
Convenience has never been so heightened. The personalisation of the user experience delivered by these streaming platforms has created a noticeable deviation in the consumer’s attitude to how media is absorbed, with most choosing the on-demand streamed content over broadcast television, radio, or physical media.
Online Gambling & Casinos
The gambling industry is a prime example of how technology forces brands to evolve alongside new trends to keep their businesses competitive. Of course, traditional brick-and-mortar casinos will likely own a position within the industry for a lifetime simply due to the social interactions and awe of a casino’s bright lights and sounds. However, online gambling is far from where it was just ten years ago, and its technology,like mobile gaming, AI, and VR, that’s played a significant role.
We previously mentioned the attraction of convenience and what’s more convenient than enjoying a game of poker, blackjack, or roulette from the comfort of one’s home. Furthermore, a computer or laptop is no longer needed, as making deposits using your mobile phone is one of the most popular approaches to gambling online because of its ultimate accessibility.
There’s no longer a need to drive miles to a casino to partake in gambling; consumers are finding a similar value of entertainment in the palm of their hands. The casino experience from a mobile device or computer has also advanced through technology using live dealer games. These sections of online casinos stream real-life croupiers to a customer’s device, giving an almost identical experience to how a game is played at a physical establishment.
Gambling and technology don’t end with mobile offerings either. Artificial intelligence implemented into online gambling software can recognise a user’s habits and assist a player’s preferences and style while adding an extra layer of security with fraud prevention and detection.
The future of online gambling presents a world of possibilities, and the next trend could further heighten the live dealer experience. With the use of virtual reality, we can already attend live concerts, so there’s nothing preventing gambling companies from providing a virtual reality casino or even an opportunity for sports bettors to watch and gamble on live horses through their VR headsets.
Social Media
Another industry owning a bottomless world of possibilities when paired with advancing technology is social media. Celebrities aren’t just created within Hollywood, television, and the music industry anymore. Social media influencers have taken advantage of user-created content and the ability to create and share their media content globally.
Some of the most popular social media companies of today include:
These social media giants have adjusted media production as we know it and, in partnership with innovative technology,are allowing anyone from anywhere in the world with a mobile device and Wi-Fi connection to create content, publish, and monetize it.
Technologies Content Transformation: Conclusion
Virtual reality and artificial intelligence are the newest key players in disrupting how we absorb, construct, and connect with content. Streaming platforms will continue outperforming traditional television, radio, and cinema, and social media is already a part of our everyday lives. These examples, however, are just the beginning of the technological advancements in media. The future will unravel even more prospects for businesses, creators, and consumers.
