2017 Tech Roundup

Nintendo Switch

Gaming giant Nintendo’s newest console the Nintendo Switch is a system that adapts to almost any type of play. Designed for both portable use and home use, the Switch was launched in March 2016, along with the highly anticipated game “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”. The Switch comes with what is called “Joy-Con” for flexible gameplay. See this adaptable console in action in this video. After the Switch’s launch, there have been 2.74 million units sold worldwide.

Samsung Galaxy S8 (and Galaxy S8+)

After the fiery demise of the Note 7, Samsung needed to release a phone that will make consumers forget the past and focus on the future. The Galaxy S8 does exactly that. With an aptly named “Infinity Screen” the display on these phones is huge, clear and refined. Available for around $750 for the S8 and $850 for the S8+, these phones are pricey, but there is enough excitement surrounding them, that many are calling it one of the best on the market. Boasting a great battery life, camera and build, it’s no wonder people are excited for this highly anticipated smartphone.

Microsoft Surface Laptop

Launched May 2, the Surface Laptop is the newest product in Microsoft’s Surface product line. However, rather than the past Surface devices, this is a laptop, pure and simple. No detachable keyboard and tablet construction. But the best parts of Surface devices past are still around. The responsive touchscreen, a fabric alcantara keyboard, and Surface Pen compatibility. Running on the all new Windows 10S operating system, this new laptop is a high powered and beautiful device.  

Apple Rumors

Apple will be releasing multiple new items this year, including new iMacs, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, Apple TV, and maybe most anticipated the iPhone 8. There are currently no set dates for release, but there is a great deal of speculation over what each of these products will do, look like, and even more. Check out Macworld’s full list of update speculations.

Keep checking in for more tech news and updates.

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The eSports Revolution

eSports are taking the world by storm, and it’s great for gamers, fans and marketers. But what are eSports and why do we need to be paying attention to the growth of this emerging market?

What are eSports?

eSports refers to competitive videogame play. There are tournaments, live streams, big name players with sponsorships, teams and crowds of fans. Everything you would expect from a “real” or “normal” sport, with major differences in not only just activity level, but the fact that multiple games are played during the tournament. For instance: you don’t see a baseball game being played at the World Cup, but you may see players on League of Legends and on Call of Duty during the same eSports tournament.

The growth of eSports

Compared to most major sports, eSports are still in their infancy; but the rate of growth is so rapid that eSports will likely be able to catch up to major league basketball, baseball and football within the next few years. A big issue that eSports faces is making sure that the audience has a full understanding of what is happening on the screen. The changes of individual games and tactics is much faster than changing of decades, sometimes centuries old rules of other sports.

But this isn’t dissuading colleges and universities from moving into the future; in fact, the University of Utah recently announced that the school will sponsor a varsity eSports program, complete with scholarships. And the University of California, Irvine, opened an “eSports arena” that includes gaming computers and webcasting services.

eSports are currently poised to become a hugely influential financial market as well, in 2016, Goldman Sachs valued them at $500 million, growing into a $1 billion industry over the next 3 years. Even eSports platforms are benefitting. Twitch, an eSports streaming community was purchased by Amazon in 2014 for $970 million, and top gamers earning over $300,000 last year.

Marketing and eSports

Twitch streams were watched by over 2 million people in 2015, and the number has continued to grow, which makes this huge audience very appealing to marketers. However, marketing in this space is different than many other markets. Gamers want to see brands that do work to “benefit the space and not just the brand”, says Nathan Lindberg of Twitch. Brands that are loyal will receive loyalty in return. The majority of eSports advertising will also need to be digitally focused, as eSports haven’t majorly broken into TV yet. Marketing that feels natural and organic will do the best. See what eSports sponsor Coca-Cola has done for some excellent examples.

Get Involved With eSports

Want to see the eSports phenomenon for yourself? Check out Twitch, YouTube, and the all new FantasEsports to stream or play in a tournament.

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