Back to the Future Day: 4 Facts About Media Consumption

It’s Back to the Future Day! October 21, 2015 marks the day Marty McFly time traveled into the future. Thirty years ago we got a glimpse of what media consumption would be like today.

Here are 4 interesting facts about media consumption today:

1. Holographic Jaws and Digital Billboards
   While 3D has come a very long way, don’t expect a 3D shark to shock you from the sidewalk anytime soon. But in some parts of Los Angeles and in Times Square, some of the billboards have already gone digital. Smaller format digital ads have also become popular and can be seen in many shopping malls and casinos all over the world.
   

2. Picture-in-Picture with Voice Control
   In 2013, Microsoft introduced their 3rd generation console Xbox One. Aside from being a gaming console, Xbox One has the ability to download apps and can multitask streaming media, games, and even gives you an update on sporting event scores through voice command. In the coming weeks, Apple will release a new Apple TV and that feature Siri voice commands and search.

3. Video Glasses and VR Headsets
   Although Google Glass and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets have not made it into the mainstream, VR is starting to make a comeback. The Oculus Rift is hitting the market in 2016 and 20th Century Fox has already announced that they are making 100 movies for the VR Product. But you don’t always need VR headsets to engage in this experience. Today, 360-videos can be found on YouTube and can be viewed on your mobile device or specific browsers. During Comic Con 2015, Conan O'Brien announced that his show would be available for viewing using the new 360-degree video technology.
   
   Open this video from your YouTube app on your mobile device or view it using the Chrome browser.
   
   Star Wars The Force Awakens Immersive 360 Experience
   https://www.facebook.com/StarWars/videos/1030579940326940/
   
   

4. Newspapers vs. Tablets & Mobile Devices
   Newspaper publishing has taken a hit with the maturity of internet news content. While newspaper print still exist today, in 2014, statistics show that more people prefer to get their news from the internet or apps using devices over traditional print.  

Back to the Future Part II didn’t get everything right, but it’s definitely a timeless classic. If you have never seen this movie or any of the Back to the Future movies, we encourage you to see it in the theaters while you can. There’s also a great documentary available on iTunes and Netflix called “Back in Time” that’s worth checking out. Even though we never did get flying cars or hoverboards, at least we have self-driving Teslas, the internet, and mobile devices.