When FHM magazine launched back in the 1980s the idea of smartphones was the sort of thing that might have been seen in a classic science fiction movie. 

The idea that people would have access to basically all of the information in the world as well as GPS and a whole lot of other features was quite farfetched…until it became real. 

Smartphones and smart devices have had some benefits for really important things in life like keeping us connected and getting help in an emergency. Entertainment is pretty important too, and smart devices have absolutely revolutionized things.

Casinos in Peoples’ Pockets

The gambling world has undergone a dramatic shift thanks to the rise of smartphones and tablets. Online casinos have existed for years – they first launched in the 1990s. But the arrival of smart devices took accessibility to a whole new level. Players no longer need to travel to physical casinos or even sit at a desktop computer. 

Players can access a wide range of games even using mobile data meaning it is accessible when they are on the train or in a waiting room. People can play virtually anywhere.

The journey from in-person casinos to the scene we see today has been an interesting study of how technology changes things for people. There are even innovations that make the experience closer to gambling in person if that is what people want. Using a live dealer casino puts people face to face with real dealers via the internet. This is something modern tech has made much more accessible and smartphones and smart devices make it easy to connect with the dealer no matter where players are.

Mobile apps have become the driving force behind this change. These platforms offer features tailored to smaller screens to ensure seamless gameplay and intuitive navigation. Many online casinos have also incorporated exclusive bonuses and promotions specifically for mobile users. 

Mobile tech can also help in other ways. Add in the convenience of smart wallets and instant payments and it’s clear that technology has made gambling more accessible than ever before. Entertainment is a tap away.

Streaming Services and On-Demand Entertainment

Anyone who travels on a train knows that smart devices have also transformed the way people consume movies and music. The days of waiting for a specific time to catch a favorite show are long gone. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime are favorites for commuters as well as people chilling out at home. A huge percentage of UK homes now have access to some form of streaming service.

Mobile devices allow viewers and listeners to take their entertainment with them. Whether it’s binge-watching a series during a commute or curating a playlist for a workout. Entertainment is no longer bound by time or place and with smart TVs and casting devices like Chromecast it is also possible for users to switch effortlessly between screens. Entertainment is much more unified.

This convenience has not only changed consumption habits but also influenced how content is created. Short-form videos like those on TikTok and Instagram Reels are also super popular as they take such a short time to view.

AR and VR

AR and VR technologies are in their infancy. It will probably be some time in the future when they really hit their potential but they are already changing the way people interact with entertainment.

Smart devices have brought augmented reality into the mainstream and brought new possibilities for entertainment. AR games can blend the digital and physical worlds and let players to explore their surroundings while engaging with a virtual environment. Britain is famous for its museums and some of these have even incorporated apps with VR and AR that can provide even more options for play.

Virtual reality also owes much of its growth to smart devices. While standalone VR headsets are becoming more common it is true that smartphones have played a significant role in introducing people to VR through affordable accessories like Google Cardboard – Cardboard has now been discontinued but it did allow people to see what the fuss was about!

Smart Speakers

Another device that not everybody thinks of as a smart device is the speakers now included in many homes. Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Nest have become fixtures in many homes and alter how people interact with entertainment. These devices let users control devices and even smart TVs with simple voice commands.

Conclusion

Devices are likely to continue to get smarter. Everything is interconnected for people these days and the digital age has given people access to entertainment that they may never have imagined they’d be able to view or engage with while they are on the go. We really have a passport to all of the world’s entertainment right there within our pockets.