How we consume media has changed dramatically in just a few short years. Not long ago, we used what are now fondly known as dumb TVs and an array of other devices that were quite smart by the standards of their days but, compared to today’s technology, leave a lot to be desired. Most would probably agree that the proliferation of smart devices has made our lives easier.
TVs come with smart capabilities built-in, allowing us to download apps to stream content at our convenience. The shift to smart devices has been so quick and so complete that it’s easy to forget what life was like before them. In this article, we look at the impact smart devices have had on how we consume media.
How Media Consumption has Changed Over the Years
While it might be hard for some to imagine, there was a time when TVs were at the center of personal entertainment and media consumption, and viewers had to follow a schedule decided by broadcasters with fixed programming times if they wanted to see their favorite shows. A lot of programming aired once a week during prime time, and if you wanted to watch it, you had to be sure you were home at the appropriate time or set up a VCR to record it.
Technological advancements have completely changed things, bringing on-demand content to us so we can watch what we want when we want without having to adhere to a strict schedule. Thanks to smartphones and tablets, we can stream hours of content from platforms like HBO Max, Netflix, and Prime Video on the go.
The Smart Devices Changing Media Consumption
When we think about how our media consumption habits are changing, we need look no further than smartphones and tablets. These portable devices have arguably had a bigger impact on the world of entertainment than anything else developed over the past two decades. Once upon a time, playing games and watching TV shows and movies was something that was mainly confined to homes or special venues designed specifically for these activities, like movie theaters and arcades. Today, people can pick up their smartphone, sign into a virtual casino, and play online bingo and other titles from wherever they happen to be in the world.
The same thing goes for TV and movies. Streaming platforms are optimized for use on mobile devices, making it easy to download an app and watch our favorite movies and TV shows.
Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Nest are also having a big impact, making it possible for us to stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks with just a few voice commands. These speakers work with other smart devices, making it possible for users to set up multi-room audio through one device. We can’t talk about the changing face of media consumption without taking a brief look at wearable devices. While we usually associate these devices with staying fit, many of them also support things like audio streaming, making it easy for people to listen to music or podcasts while working out, without having to lug around a heavy smartphone.
The Benefits of Smart Devices for Streaming
Few would argue that smart devices have improved personal entertainment, giving people more autonomy over what type of media they consume and when. There’s a seemingly endless amount of content — movies, TV shows, documentaries — that people can consume that it’s almost impossible to run out of things to watch. If you want to listen to music, your smart device can stream that, too.
These devices use advanced algorithms to analyze our preferences and recommend content that it thinks we will like. That means we don’t have to wade through the huge libraries on streaming platforms because the platform often beats us to it and is much more proficient at finding programming that suits our tastes.
