Top hobbies in the UK influenced by technology

Technology influences so many aspects in our lives, especially when it comes to our hobbies. It provides us with the tools we need to create new experiences and access great resources like the internet.

Technology has developed at a tremendous pace and some of the tech we use to enjoy our favourite pastimes now was nothing but science fiction a few decades ago.

Here is a round up of some of the top hobbies that people enjoy, such as bingo in UK, and how technology has enhanced our experiences of them.

Playing games

Gaming is a hobby that is popular with people of all ages, young and old.

When we think of gaming, we may think of a teenager playing on a console, but in reality, there is such a vast array of gaming experiences now available to us on computers, consoles, smartphones and tablets, meaning there are games to suit every demographic.

Older people can now play games online that they used to play offline and in person, with online bingo being a very popular choice.

Traditionally, to play bingo one would have to visit a bingo hall local to them but the development of the online version of the game has allowed many to switch to playing at home from their smartphone or computer.

This has increased the accessibility of the game and made it far more convenient for those that have mobility issues or are just too busy to spare enough time to go out to a physical venue.

The digitally savvy younger generations have also hopped onto the trend of enjoying online bingo due to technological innovations care of bingo providers.

The internet has reduced the stigma of bingo and revolutionised things to entice the younger generation to get involved. The endless options of bingo online, for example the different themes and a wider range of bonuses available; it is truly hard to say no.

The forecast for popularity of bingo in the future is predicted to continue to rise, especially with more technological innovations and software development within the industry. Now more games suitable for all age groups and preferences are easily accessible.

Accessibility has been at the heart of many gaming technology developments in recent years. For example, the development of virtual reality (VR) headsets allows players to explore completely new environments without going out and the technology is becoming more affordable.

Augmented reality (AR) has also enhanced the gaming experience.

Pokemon Go was one of the most downloaded smartphone games ever and used AR technology to pinpoint Pokemon characters on a real world map where players used their smartphone camera to see Pokemon displayed in the real world.

Game streaming services now allow players to play games with a subscription without having to purchase a copy. It also means they can play the latest games without high powered gaming PCs.

Reading without a book

Aside from gaming, technology has also changed how people consume literature.

Reading is something that most people can enjoy, from non-fiction and historical texts to fantasy and adventure novels, there are genres to suit all tastes.

In the past, you would need to visit a library or bookstore to purchase reading material. However you can now get online and easily download texts onto your e-reader, tablet or smartphone.

Marketplaces like Amazon sell books that can either be shipped as physical texts or downloaded via the kindle app.

Readers can now save so much on storage space, rather than needing shelves to hold all their books, they can store them all on one small device that can be taken with them wherever they go.

You can also add annotations and notes to digital texts if needed.

Those that enjoy books don’t even need to read to enjoy novels thanks to the latest tech. Audio books read out the text and allow you to sit and back and relax, or even play the audio to help you fall asleep at bedtime.

Creating art 

Technology has given those who enjoy arts and crafts as a hobby for mediums to express their creativity.

Rather than painting art onto a canvas, you can now digitally sketch a design onto a tablet or put together graphics on your computer.

Digital art can be as beautiful and meaningful as more traditional pieces and you can even sell your creations on sites like Etsy and Redbubble for customers to print off at home.

One of the wonderful things about creating art on a tablet or computer is that it can be done in any location that is convenient for you and doesn’t require all the equipment and time to clean up that traditional painting or sketching does.

You can also now use social media sharing sites like Pinterest for inspiration. Using Pinterest you can search for similar art styles and concepts to what it is you are looking to create and save them to boards.

Exercise

Working out has never been easier and there are now so many more options for working out from home.

You can join workout classes online with a live instructor, which is ideal for those that enjoy group workouts but don’t have a gym membership or the time to visit a club.

Some video game consoles have workout games too, these workouts can be done without equipment or using adaptations on your normal controller.

Also, for those that prefer to workout outside of the home there are a whole range of fitness apps that can show you walking and running trails and connect you with like minded users to share workout ideas and advice with.