Morally Grey Women and The Cosy Web
This month: Stanning because I’m lonely; The rise of Listening Bars; Turning from screens to the page as magazines reign in the Print Renaissance; Foodstagram is so back, baby; Join a loyalty program to catch a mystery flight; and dive into this slasher tale from the killer’s POV.
Cosy Up and Press Play
Gaming
In a world of chaos and constant movement, it is normal that consumers are turning to the quietude of cosy content. Enjoying the peace herself, Rafa is interested in how gaming has created a notable space for comfort content where quiet creativity and longevity are the ultimate goal. Stardew Valley and Unpacking are big names under this category, widening the umbrella of popularity beyond the famous AAA games that held their place for so long in the best selling charts and more into indie creators that thrive with mid-budgeted projects. Intuitive and easy to play, cosy games have been calling upon new gamers, giving them a community to learn from and be a part of. With little to no threats in these games, menial tasks with varied goals will keep you occupied enough to give you a purpose, but not overwhelmed nor tired. It’s all about balance!
Get Ready for More “Awesperiences”
Media & Entertainment
Boredom is the biggest threat of an overstimulated generation, but there is something to be said about moving beyond mindless scrolling and background entertainment. It’s time to insert yourself into the narrative, and Marina has been keen in exploring the new need to “escape the vanilla valley” to drive consumer connection and attain cultural relevance. Streaming giants are diving in head first at SXSW. Prime Video, for instance, invited fans to enter the post-apocalyptic world of upcoming series, “Fallout” and see if they have what it takes to survive. Meanwhile, Netflix’s 3 Body Problem installation uses a blend of high tech and old school theatrics to wow crowds, evoking raw and powerful emotions. The fun is in feeling as though you can step inside these stories, not just watch them on screen, transporting audiences while offering wonder, elation and at times, even trepidation.
The End of the App?
Tech & Telco
A new smartphone concept unveiled at this year’s Mobile World Congress got Jess thinking about the future of mobile technology, where AI could make apps redundant. The phone has an in-built AI which responds to prompts from its user, allowing them to do anything they would currently use an app for, from shopping to sharing photos with friends. The new innovation was designed by Deutsche Telekom, owners of T-Mobile, who predict no-one will be using apps 5-10 years from now. LLMs will make the activities we do on our phones today more frictionless, reducing the steps to complete a task and making concerns about taking up space with an app you won’t use again a thing of the past.