BITES // 1.06.22 // TODAY’S TOPIC: NEW YEAR, NEW ME(DIA)
Every month we collect six of the best pieces of content published on the web and share them with you, because we believe that the most extraordinary thinking is inspired by looking to unexpected places. BITES is a reading list for those who want to bring a little of the outside, in.
- SOCIAL AUDIO IS HERE TO STAY, IT’S A NEW YEAR WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!
Social audio platforms made huge strides since the pandemic and became a pivotal source of entertainment and connection in 2021. Clubhouse led the charge and debuted in 2020 but became available to all in 2021 when the platform removed the invite-only entry and became available to Android users. Audio innovation continued throughout 2021, with Twitter Spaces launching to encourage more empathy on the platform and then expanding to Ticketed Spaces to bring some much-needed monetization. Additionally, 2021 end-of-year data shows more people are aware of and listening to podcasts than ever. These audio-only platforms fill a need for those of us who want human connection and have something to share, but have video conference fatigue; so as our world continues to expand our stock in virtual connections it’s safe to assume this style of communication will continue its trajectory of growth in 2022.
2. AR IS HERE, AND THE FUTURE OF SHOPPING HAS AN AR DRESSING ROOM!
At the end of 2021, Snapchat reported that augmented reality lenses are played an average of more than 6 billion times per day on Snapchat. When engaging with a sponsored AR experience, Snap users can share and view a wide array of creative, humorous, and engaging content from brands and lens creators. However, in 2022 and beyond it looks like AR shopping is becoming more of a focus. In 2021 brands like Prada and Zenni used Snapchat AR lenses to personalize the online try-on experience as early adopters of the growing interest in AR and VR e-commerce, a process that the pandemic accelerated. In September 2021, Facebook announced its partnership with Ray-Ban to launch AR “smart glasses”. According to a Google AR Survey, 66% of people are interested in using AR for help when making purchasing decisions, and one can infer the percentage would be even higher at this stage in the pandemic. According to an e-commerce Shopify study, augmented reality is expected to continue to expand in the coming years and will be worth over $300 billion. The future of shopping will be virtual and immersive, and it’ll be exciting to see how it takes form.
3. NIKE BUYS INTO NFTS
Nike recently acquired Rtfkt (pronounced Artifact) a tech startup that creates NFTs of collectible and covetable sneakers. This indicates that Nike is going to dive deeper into the world of crypto-collectibles and virtual goods. Rtfkt already made huge waves in the world of NFTs and e-commerce at the end of 2021 with their partnership with artist Takashi Murakami called CloneX. The collab made almost $65 million in transaction volume, according to crypto tracker CryptoSlam. Just before the acquisition, Nike also launched a virtual play place on Roblox’s free online game platform where users could dress their avatars in Nike gear. Shortly after Nike announced this acquisition, Adidas announced a partnership with NFT brand Bored Ape Yacht Club. These developments further depict what brands and analysts have been telling us about the “metaverse” and virtual interactions — they’re here to stay, along with NFTs and cryptocurrency.
4. GAMING IS LEVELING UP IN 2022!
As a part of their presentation at CES 2022, Samsung announced the launch of their Samsung Gaming Hub and Game Launcher. This new platform would give Samsung SmartTV owners the access to play video games without a console or even PC. The gaming libraries of Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Utomik will be available at launch “with more to follow,” according to Samsung. This new gaming hub could serve as some competition for Microsoft that just announced something similar in this ad spot featuring Dave and Gata from the quarantine hit Hulu show, Dave. The spot “PC Game Pass at the Game Awards” is a fun and satirical way to announce PC Game Pass which gives users access to hundreds of high-quality games on Windows PC. Gaming has quietly been a key industry in the entertainment sector for years, but like many digital experiences, the pandemic helped fuel growth in gaming and game streaming. As gaming becomes more accessible, the identifiers that we hold up to see who can be a “gamer” are changing as well.
5. IF TIKTOK MAKES YOU HANGRY…
TikTok recently announced a partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts to create TikTok Kitchen. TikTok Kitchen is a delivery-only virtual ghost kitchen launching in 300 US locations, that will allow TikTok users to order the viral food on their fyp directly from the app. The collaboration is a projected success with TikTok having officially surpassed 1 billion monthly users at the end of 2021 and with Virtual Dining Concepts last virtual collaboration success with Mr. Beast Burger, their partnership Mr. Beast who was YouTube’s top creator for 2021. TikTok boasted that the in-app menu will feature offerings based on beloved TikTok creators and viral items including: baked feta pasta, the searched dish of 2021 by Google, corn ribs, pasta chips, and a TikTok smash burger. They also shared that new viral foods may be added to the menu regularly and that the proceeds will both support the creators who inspired the menu, and the up and coming creators who keep the platform going. The partnership will be operating out of restaurants and national chains around the country in the same ghost kitchen style popularized by the pandemic.
6. TV YOU CAN TASTE
A Japanese professor has developed a lickable TV screen called Taste the TV (TTTV) that feels straight out of Willy Wonka’s factory! The TV allows viewers to lick the screen to taste what they see. The demo video outlets are circulating shows that the flavors are blended from food flavors into syrups that are then sprayed on in a way that is disposable for multiple people to use, as well all kinds of practical ways it could be used, from restaurants to remote tasting for distance learning chefs, or aspiring travelers alike. Food connects us as human beings, and in our Covid-19 era, we’ve learned it’s one of the few things that can connect anyone, anywhere. This could end up being short-lived and gimmicky like 3D TVs at home or curved screens were, or it could end up changing the way people experience food media forever!
TAKEAWAY-
2022 represents a fresh start for everyone, as well as a new fresh new landscape for media in a world where we value connectivity more than ever. We see brands, creators, and users alike taking risks and finding new ways to relate to people and be accessible. As our entertainment and media offerings become more virtual and remote, it is essential to embrace change and celebrate all opportunities for togetherness! But as we embrace new media in the new year, it is increasingly important for us to constantly be pushing the ways we make these advancements accessible to everyone.
