Goodbye television: by 2035, this small device already on sale could equip all living rooms, sellers confirm.

Since its beginnings at the start of the 1900s, television has captured households with its almost hypnotic broadcasts and central role in family and social life. Today, this pillar of home electronics is going through its greatest existential crisis since its invention, threatened by more flexible and immersive technologies, such as smart glasses.

A changing landscape

Television has come a long way since its early days. But its nature as a fixed screen in a specific place in the house could belong to the past. Caspar von Allwärden, a journalist experienced in digital media with t3n, digital pioneers, offers a detailed analysis of this possible transition. With nearly twenty years of experience in digital technology, he suggests that televisions could be made obsolete by newer and more flexible alternatives.

In this movement, virtual screens emerge as the next big revolution. These screens are projected into the user’s field of vision through devices like smart glasses and head-mounted displays, offering unprecedented flexibility. Apple, with its Vision Pro product (released in early 2024), exemplifies this trend well: the device allows content consumption anywhere in the house without the need for a physical screen on the wall. Meta also emerges as a serious competitor in this developing field with its smart glasses.

The strengths and limitations of new technologies

Virtual screens bring adaptability and mobility that traditional televisions cannot offer. Imagine being able to move your “screen” from one room to another or watch your favorite series from the kitchen. This flexibility enables a tailored viewing experience, adapted to the tastes and space of each user. These new forms of interaction are set to disrupt how we consume media.

However, the transition is not without challenges. Prolonged use of devices like mixed reality headsets can become uncomfortable, leading to fatigue and headaches. Their predominantly individual nature also risks socially isolating users. Collective experiences, characteristic of traditional television, do not easily translate with these new tools: watching a movie together on a mixed reality headset becomes nearly impossible, raising significant social and cultural challenges.