Streaming technology, the technology that allows people the ability to view audio and video content without the need to download media files, is a relatively new kind of technology whose popularity has only been possible thanks to advances in networking and the fact that, these days, internet providers like spectrum internet mean that high speed internet is now fairly widely accessible, so people can now be constantly connected.
Streaming technology has made a huge impact on industries around the world and many of the things people now take for granted, such as browsing YouTube and binge-watching series on Netflix, would not be possible without it. However, it is not just the entertainment industry that has benefited from advancements in streaming technology.
In this article, we will explore how streaming technology has changed the way many global industries operate as well as what the future may hold for industries that cannot compete in the changing world.
Business
While live streaming technology is typically thought of as being primarily a tool for entertainment, the reality is that the business world has been changed dramatically by this emerging industry. The same technology that lets Netflix users watch the latest movies from the comfort of their couch has also brought several quality-of-life improvements to the business world, many of which are more noticeable now thanks to the increasing prevalence of remote working environments.
With the global Covid-19 pandemic forcing many businesses to adapt to new ways of working, the ability to host conferences and meetings with employees and customers from the safety of a home-office has proven an invaluable tool for businesses who, before this type of technology was created, may have been forced to shut their doors. In the present age, even people without access to a desktop computer can now connect with their colleagues across the country through devices such as the Google Chromecast, which can turn any TV with an HDMI port into a media streaming device that can be used for hosting virtual meetings, collaborating on documents including spreadsheets, and other business-related operations.
Chromecast can also be plugged into any android or iOS powered device to enable users across multiple platforms the ability to connect and share information and media, although some devices are easier to get connected to than others. To get a Chromecast working well with an Apple device like a Mac, users may need to follow a guide on how to Chromecast from Mac from a reputable source of information and guides such as Setapp, a company that focuses on putting the right tools for any job into the hands of their clients with just the touch of a button. To make your business operations even more streamlined, Setapp offers its clients access to hundreds of apps that focus on getting quality work done fast so that your business can take advantage of streaming technology to expand and thrive in the digital marketplace.
Marketing
Aside from connecting employees and allowing for easier remote working opportunities, streaming can also be a huge boon to businesses in terms of marketing, another industry that has seen massive changes since streaming technology took off.
Live streaming has opened up huge new avenues in the marketing industry as it allows businesses to connect with audiences in a way that previously was not possible. As consumers shift more towards digital marketplaces, where the same item or service can be found on multiple different websites with just a single Google search, building an emotional connection between consumers and brands is more important than ever before, and live streaming gives businesses the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Live streams are a great medium for businesses to connect with their audience on a human-to-human level. From in-depth looks into the day-to-day running of businesses, to live Q&A sessions, interviews with key employees and customers, and more, brands are using streaming technology in several ways that can help them boost their customer retention as well as attract new customers.
Education
Just as the global Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge effect on the business world, so have education systems across the globe been impacted by forced shut-downs and other measures that make it difficult for children to receive a decent education. The good news is, thanks to streaming technology, children don’t need to be put at risk to carry on learning.
Live video streaming has proven an invaluable tool for educators as it allows schools and universities to carry on operating even while countries are implementing lock-down measures and social distancing.
These kinds of measures have also proven to be effective tools in taking education to impoverished areas around the world as a single streaming-capable device in a community can give an entire village of people access to world-class education, as well as media that can facilitate learning on the ground. Educational videos have long been proven to be effective tools in teaching children about abstract topics that can be difficult to explain, particularly to students with a different home language to their teacher. Thanks to streaming technology, more children than ever before have greater access to learning materials that can facilitate the learning process.
Media
While streaming technology is having a positive impact in many fields, in terms of traditional media it could spell the end of an era. Thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of streaming and other digital media, the traditional media industry has been forced to undergo massive changes as it has had to adapt to changing consumer needs.
Traditional forms of media and advertising like newspapers, billboards, and even television are slowly disappearing as more and more people see the benefit of consuming digital media from sources that can offer round-the-clock coverage and access to information that previously was only available to journalists and people in the know. YouTube channels that offer viewers easy-to-digest content about world events are replacing newspapers who, with limited resources and dwindling profit margins, are struggling to stay relevant in a world where a person can get all their daily news at just a click of the button. As well as this, television stations battle to compete with streaming platforms like Netflix that offer users access to huge libraries of content on demand. Without the ability to adapt to a digital environment, we could see the end of traditional media in developed countries within our lifetime.
In the past twenty years, technology has fundamentally shifted the way people communicate, consume media, how they learn, and even how they do business. As the digital age progresses and technology becomes increasingly more “smart”, it is exciting to imagine what possibilities will be open to mankind in the next decade.
