How Phones are letting you watch Film & TV anytime, anywhere
In 2017, more and more of us are turning away from the big screen and looking to the small screen as the place we watch our films and TV. There are more ways than ever to consume our media, but in the last few years, phone manufacturers have made it easier than ever to view things right from your phone. Here are some of those ways.
1) Better Screens
Phones in the last year or 2 have really focussed on their screens. Take the LG G6 for example, which has a 5.7-inch 18:9 display that sits right between the 1.85:1 and 2.39:1 aspect ratios that are most common for films, meaning that there are very rarely any imposing black bars. The latest phones from Apple and Samsung are similar (with some small variation). However, it’s clear that larger screens – of a higher quality – have been a real help to those wanting a blockbuster experience on their commute home.
2) Better Services
It’s 2017 and if you’re reading this, you probably have a subscription to either/or Netflix and Amazon Prime. These services have been completely optimised for mobile, with, for example, Netflix offering mobile-first user experiences in its most recent update that allow users to rate content with a simple thumbs up or down – a simple action that smacks of mobile-first optimisation.
3) Better National Infrastructure
Thanks to various local and national government programmes, the UK has seen a significant boost in 3- and 4G network coverage in both urban and non-urban areas. Naturally, cities are the best equipped when it comes to the needs of ‘smart citizens’, but it should now be possible to stream films in many places around the UK. The Government plans to complete its 4G roll out by 2020.
4) Flexible Data Plans and Better Data
Phone networks also understand the needs of their customers. While basically all network deals have capped data allowances, there are now more options than ever, with some providers even offering 30-day rolling options rather than contracts, such as Asda Mobile SIM only deals. This means that if you think you’ll have a particularly film-heavy month, you could increase your data allowance to account for this.