How Technology Is Shaping Entertainment

Technology and entertainment have been interconnected since the days of early film. Cinema’s evolution from black and white movies to colored and even computer-animated movies is a groundbreaking representation of how much innovation can shape the future of any art form.

To this day, technology continues to influence how we create, consume, and distribute media — whether on our phones through streaming or the movies we discover through social media. But how exactly is technology shaping the world of entertainment? Below, we have listed a few ways it is changing the landscape forever.

Streaming Platforms and Video on Demand

Before the internet, television used to be one of the main sources of entertainment. This just isn’t the case anymore, as the rise of streaming platforms has led to the decline of TVs in general. This isn’t surprising, as the vast number of streaming services give millions of people access to thousands of films and TV shows at their fingertips. In effect, entertainment is now more accessible than it has ever been, allowing anyone to enjoy their favorite movies — anytime, and anywhere.

As a result, many television shows and movies are opting to launch on these streaming platforms instead of the traditional channels. In fact, Netflix could even make Oscar history by breaking the record for most ‘Best Picture’ nominations from any studio since the awards show started back in 1929.

Algorithms and Curation

Be it music or movies, algorithms play a huge part when it comes to what we consume nowadays. Both music and video streaming services rely on data to curate the content that is recommended to people — which is what provides a more optimized way of watching and listening.

Streaming services such as Netflix make use of data, like your watch history and search queries. This helps them get to know consumers better and curate content that is within their interests. Interestingly, smart speakers and voice assistants are set to innovate algorithmic entertainment even further. Due to their convenience, many consumers simply turn to these tools and say commands such as, “play me music I like.” As a result, we can expect more platforms to tap into voice search — especially since around 50% of total queries are already made via voice search at the moment.

Advancements in Wearable Technology

Wearable technology has been around in entertainment for quite some time, as exhibited by 3D glasses in cinemas. But thanks to innovations in rigid-flex PCBs, there are now more advanced wearables — such as electronic medical devices, IoT products, and fitness trackers. In entertainment products, circuits can now be created to fit in unconventionally shaped devices too. The most popular forms of this are Virtual Reality (VR) glasses.

With VR glasses, viewers can experience media in ways that they have never before. One such example is the VR film, Notes on Blindness, which allows viewers to fully immerse themselves in its environment. To add to this, other forms of VR such as the Oculus VR headsets have changed the way people experience live music via virtual reality concerts. While the technology is fairly young, the possibilities for wearable tech and entertainment are near limitless.

Innovations in Production

Lastly, technology is changing the way we create media itself. Whether it is through the camera used or special effects, such tools and equipment help push the boundaries of art forms. However, among all these developments, LED technology stands out due to its sheer potential to transform the way we make movies.

By using real-time LED screens, shows and movies can now be produced without the need for on-location shoots. The real-time LED screens act as hyper-realistic backdrops that are just as good as shooting in physical locations. Shows such as The Mandalorian and Westworld have made use of LED technology to create the larger-than-life worlds that their shows are set in.