Literature is one of the oldest art forms, and methods for relaying a narrative. From the Epic of Gilgamesh, to the Iliad, Odyssey, and modern novels like For Whom the Bell Tolls or Mrs. Dalloway, literature has endured centuries of change, development, evolution, deconstruction, and reconstruction. Throughout that time, a lot has changed, including the way we engage with these narratives.
In the digital age that is the 21st century, it shouldn’t surprise many that the way we engage with books is highly digitized. Tablets are a lot of people’s first choice, for example, even above physical books for many. But, while tablets, especially the Kindle, are often associated with books, the truth is that they can serve a much broader purpose. In this article, we are taking a look at all the different ways that modern tablets can come in handy.
Keeping Up with Sports
It is impossible for sports fans to be disappointed in the digital age. Their hobby is more popular than ever, with soccer alone having 3 billion fans worldwide (a number that is expected to rise). On top of that, online portals are constantly covering the latest big-time event. What is more, there are even ways to stream the latest match of any sport, in real time, using any electronic device, including a tablet. The best part is that this doesn’t require any brand new model. A fan could stream games and keep up with the news on a rather outdated tablet.
Of course, we would be remiss if we did not bring up an aspect of sports culture that has always been integral – betting. With tablets, fans can keep up with the betFIRST odds, as well as any bookmaker of their choice, whether they are at home, on the go, or out on a stroll. On top of that, gamblers could place their wagers whenever they feel like, because most sportsbooks on the internet are accessible to mobile devices.
But, it doesn’t just stop with sports betting, and following the games themselves. Tablets could also help hardcore fans of a sport with the hot new info regarding their favorite team, player, or event. By getting the right assortment of apps, and notifications, tablet users can get a constant source of information, beamed to their home screen. It is the best way for fans to ensure that they are never going to miss out on any bit of info.
Mobile Gaming Revolution
Relatively closely tied to sports are video games. After all, the word for competitive gaming has come to be called “eSports.” Not only that, but eSports are now thriving worldwide, and introducing more and more fans to the fantastic world of gaming. An interesting thing to note though, is that mobile gaming today is bigger than ever. For good reason too, as games made with smartphones, or tablets, in mind are no longer basic, retro titles like Snake and Pac-Man. They are, instead, complex, open world games, that allow for exploration, interesting gameplay, and fascinating characters.
The perfect example here would be Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Based on the name, many might assume the game is tied to League of Legends, an assumption that has gotten the developers into trouble before. In truth, Mobile Legends is an unrelated game in the same genre, allowing players to select and build up their champion, in an epic clash with the opposing team. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has quickly become one of the most popular titles, and is even the headline game in one of Asia’s most popular eSports tournaments.
Another example of gaming’s influence on tablets is the huge success of iGaming. Internet-based gambling has been around since the 1990s. But, it was only in the past five years that it truly became a force to be reckoned with. Unsurprisingly, it was also in the last five years that mobile gambling became a lot more available, and far less difficult to manage. Fans of casinos can now play on the go, not just on their smartphones, but even on their tablets.
Online Content
When we talk about online content, usually we mean YouTube or Twitch content creators. However, the internet has so much more to offer than just free videos by independent creators. For example, there is a world of web novels and serials out there, that very few are aware of. For the most part, these works are absolutely free, and are written with a broad audience in mind. So, grab your mini-reader, and find your favorite long-running novel. Most of them have days-worth of content, that you will not likely get bored of.
For those who prefer comics, the web-comic industry is booming as well. Particularly in Korea, where manhwa is being released for a mobile-using audience. These comics are drawn in a long-strip, vertical format, with the express intention of appealing to a person scrolling on their phone. The most popular manhwa today is Solo Leveling. However, it is far from the only quality title out there. It isn’t just action or adventure stories either. Manhwa is being produced for a wide audience, so you will find romance, fantasy, science fiction, and slice of life stories. In other words, there is something for everyone.
Of course, we should mention the growing success of video creators online. We alluded to them in the first paragraph, but websites like YouTube, Twitch, and even Tik Tok, have been quite effective in creating a community of fans and creators who have some rather fascinating things to say. On YouTube alone, one can find a video that tackles pretty much any interest. From the recreation of historical meals to out-door survival, car, tech, and video game-related content, YouTube has it all. Twitch, on the other hand, is geared primarily towards video games. However, there are people on the site who talk about social issues, political topics, and more. Finally, Tik Tok is, in many ways, just like YouTube, with shorter form content, designed for people who just want to kill some time, and immerse themselves in videos from multiple creators.
Markus lives in San Francisco, California and is the video game and audio expert on Good e-Reader! He has a huge interest in new e-readers and tablets, and gaming.