FROM GETTING TO work via flying car to 3D-printing your dinner, there are a lot of ways that tech could change your life in the future. But how likely would you be to adopt these tech advances, and to make them a part of your daily routines?
We’ve partnered with Volkswagen to create Future Real, a series spotlighting technologies of the future, with a different theme each time. As you read, we’ll ask you to rate how likely you’d really be to give each piece of tech a try.
This week: are you on board with the all-singing, all-dancing entertainment tech of the future?
The anticipation of taking your seat at the cinema with popcorn in hand, or the thrill of singing your lungs out at a concert – these are feelings that’ll never change. But as technology advances, we may be able to experience those feelings in new ways, or more intensely than before.
Entertainment is one industry where new advances in tech are fairly readily accepted – we can see the advantages of streaming on Netflix over clicking through analogue channels, for example. But as time goes on and that tech gets more personalised and more hands-on, will it still be as easy for people to accept into their daily routines?
In the not-too-distant future, you could be streaming a brand-new videogame straight to your eyes or hanging out backstage at a concert without leaving your couch. The entertainment of the future will change how you watch, listen, and play.
Here’s a rundown of four pieces of entertainment tech that are in development or on the way. For each one, we’ve asked you to rate how on board (or not on board) you are.
1. Stand front row at a gig without leaving the house
The virtual reality market was valued at over $11 billion (€10 bn) in 2019, and analysts expect it to grow to almost $90 billion (€82 bn) by 2025 – a massive predicted increase, which gives us an idea of where the future of entertainment is headed.
VR gaming has exploded over the last decade with Oculus, PlayStation, and Valve/HTC each releasing a regular stream of new headsets, each with unique gimmicks and games to get you involved. But VR concerts are still a fairly novel idea, with only a few bands and singers taking the risk with it so far.
Irish band The Script are one of many groups who have recorded a virtual reality concert in partnership with MelodyVR. Fans can watch the show from one of ten “jump spots”, including one viewing point right on the stage with Danny and the lads. Other acts in the wide-ranging Melody VR catalogue include The Who, Niall Horan, Tyga and even the London Symphony Orchestra.
The benefits of a VR concert are hard to deny; you won’t have a bad view, you can change the volume to suit you, there won’t be anyone using Instagram beside you, and probably most important of all – you don’t even have to leave your home.
Of course, arguably the best part about going to a concert is the atmosphere, and the physical feeling of being in a crowd with thousands of others. Sadly that’s the one thing virtual concerts just can’t give you.
2. Not happy with how that TV show ended? Choose a brand new plotline
The idea of interactive storytelling has been around for decades, with choose-your-own-adventure books and videogames being a staple of many childhoods. Now, interactive TV shows or movies which react to your choices are gaining popularity.
Charlie Brooker and the streaming giant Netflix paved the way with Black Mirror’s interactive episode, Bandersnatch, in 2018. Since then, Todd Yellin, vice president of product at Netflix, has confirmed the company is doubling down on the production of interactive content for viewers.
The ability to alter and change the story isn’t just a novelty feature, it also opens up a new way to discuss shows with friends and family. Office cooler chats about the plot twist in a TV show get a whole lot more exciting when no-one in the conversation has experienced the same storyline as you.
The level of work required to make interactive content would explain why we haven’t seen a follow up to Black Mirror’s interactive episode just yet – it’s rumoured to have taken two years to create Bandersnatch.
In the meantime, BBC Technology show Click has added some interaction to the mix, celebrating its 1000th episode with a new instalment allowing viewers to take the lead. As you watch, you click to choose your own route through the programme, picking the topics you’re most interested in.
The almost endless creative possibilities created by interactive content creates guarantee it’s something we’re definitely going to see more of in the future.
3. Play blockbuster-style video games on your daily commute
The videogame industry was worth a staggering $148.8 billion (€135.5 bn) in 2019. It’s not going anywhere, but change is afoot.
The problem right now is that to play games, you generally have to be at home – either in front of your TV playing a console, or at a desk to play PC games.
There are exceptions such as mobile games or the portable Nintendo Switch, but these platforms lack some of the bigger, blockbuster-style experiences only available on PC, PS4, and Xbox.
This is where streaming comes in, allowing you to stream brand new, top-tier games to your phone, tablet, or smart TV.
Google Stadia is the most recent high-profile entry into this market, although it has been hit with criticism over a lack of games and lower quality streaming than was originally promised.
Microsoft’s Project xCloud is perhaps the most promising game-streaming service in the works, and because the games are streaming from the cloud and not from your console, you don’t even need to own an Xbox to use it.
Once you’ve got a good internet connection, you can stream games to your phone (just watch your data usage!).
4. Get all the action in front of your eyes, literally – thanks to AR
Yes, right now VR is still the poster child for futuristic games, movies, and now concerts. But don’t forget about AR, augmented reality.
AR technology doesn’t require your full attention, nor does it cut off your ability to see and hear in the real world as VR does. Curious? Well, if you’ve ever played Pokémon GO, then you’ve already used augmented reality via your smartphone.
Microsoft HoloLens 2 – an augmented reality headset – launched last year, pitched as a slicker, more improved version of the ill-fated Google Glass. The potential uses are endless – although many of them are still in development. Imagine watching a rugby game from the stands while your AR glasses overlay stats and figures, or getting breaking news updates without having to glance at a phone or a TV.
However the headset currently retails at a cool $3500 (€3191), and although monthly instalment options are available, it’s a lot to pay for an entertainment tool.
As far back as 2017, Netflix seemed to be jumping on board with the idea of using augmented reality to allow you to view its content in new ways – with CEO Reed Hastings teasing a contact lens that would let you stream shows directly into your eyes. It hasn’t surfaced yet, but it’s just one avenue AR or “mixed reality” could take through the world of entertainment.
Discover the rest of our Future Real series here.
The future is nearer than you think. Pre-book the all-electric Volkswagen ID.3 1st online at Volkswagen.ie/ID.
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