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How Updates and Advances in Handheld Technology are Keeping iGaming Fresh

A man holding a smartphone in a bedroom with a colourful monitor behind

Every year (and sometimes more frequently), we see the top manufacturers of handheld devices releasing something new. These events are usually a big deal and are streamed around the world as people want to see, for example, what the latest iPhone will feature and how the iPad will change.

Not all handheld devices are made by Apple, of course. There are also a lot of Android-based manufacturers releasing new models and trying to improve products.

AI

AI is now being built into devices. Apple Intelligence is one example of this, and it introduces many ways that people can potentially utilise their devices. The technology is included to do things like create summaries of emails or understand more about the user and how they use their phone.

We’re already seeing some clever features in new technology, such as your phone notifying you when there’s a coffee shop nearby with a promotion on, but how could this impact iGaming?

Mobile casino players will certainly be given more options and methods to use AI, and there may even be ways, in the future, that AI can analyse the game they are playing or provide tips. This technology hasn’t been announced, but AI programs may well begin to analyse a situation at a poker table, for example.

AI within handheld devices will definitely be able to read a user, and this could include things like providing relevant information on promotions at a time when somebody usually plays. A device could potentially find personalised offers based on the way a player usually engages, as all that data will be being collected and analysed behind the scenes.

AI opponents and simulations will also improve on handheld devices, and apps may allow people to practise their poker or blackjack strategies and skills.

A lot of online casino companies and sites are already using AI to give them a better idea of customer behaviours and to inform marketing campaigns. This is technology that the end-user doesn’t necessarily carry on their handheld device but is everything they do while using their phone, for instance, it may be recorded and used to feed an algorithm. Customer experience will likely become safer and more streamlined due to AI, even if users don’t notice this happening.

Better Displays

Displays somehow keep getting better. Everybody is looking for new ways to improve the display and give a crystal clear picture, as well as some other features.

However, it isn’t just about resolution and display, here. There are other factors at play and the newer handheld technology may be able to incorporate night modes. This means that when somebody is playing a game, they won’t have to process the blue light that often gets in the way of sleep and can cause negative effects. Night modes have been a popular innovation in recent years, and some devices automatically switch as the time gets closer to bedtime. AI (yes, that technology we can’t avoid) is also potentially able to know when a user sleeps and may be getting tired, based on behaviours, and then change to night mode automatically.

Manufacturers are often talking about the resolution of their screens. On small handheld devices, the improvements now made could have what people refer to as “diminishing returns”, as most of the possible innovations have already been made.

A switch to different displays and methods is also possible and screen mirroring has become huge in handheld technology. People can simply tell their devices to cast to a screen and view the gaming experience in a much bigger and more detailed display. Gamers in the digital world have always wanted to get the most out of the look of the game.

The ceiling for digital displays leads us nicely to the next point…

VR

A lot of people think that virtual reality is the next big jump in online gambling games. VR has been discussed for a long time and it feels like some of the technology is just bubbling under the surface and waiting to explode. A lot of big manufacturers are now making VR headsets. They’re not handheld in themselves, but they link to handheld devices in order to allow people to play games in a totally new and immersive way.

Virtual reality does have a barrier to entry at the moment, in the form of headsets, but like all technology that is relatively new, it is expected to become more affordable.

Improved Sound

The sound quality on phones is another aspect that has continually improved, as well as volume. It may seem like there aren’t many ways this can improve, but a lot of them rely on incremental changes to tiny components that make mobile technology better.

Many of us rely on these devices for things like listening to podcasts or music. Of course, we can connect the device to other speakers, but this isn’t always functional and we need the speakers. The sound on devices is continuing to improve and there are even ways to include new audio technologies, like binaural sound.

Phones and handheld devices are increasingly adopting binaural sound technology, delivering immersive audio experiences. Binaural sound uses two microphones to mimic how humans hear sound naturally, creating a 3D effect when using headphones. This technology enhances gaming and media playback on mobile devices. With advancements in components and audio processing, smartphones are improving spatial audio and noise-cancellation capabilities, allowing for more precise sound placement and better clarity. Brands like Apple and Samsung integrate advanced surround sound features like Dolby Atmos, bringing high-quality audio to handheld devices. It will never be as good as being in a cinema, but these developments elevate the overall user experience for iGaming.

Battery Life

Battery life could be seen as the holy grail for a lot of gamers who play on their mobiles. Online casino game titles don’t tend to be overly demanding for devices in terms of battery life, but a lot of people still report being worried about battery life. iGaming is all about having fun, but some phone features may be more pressing and urgent, so people are often nervous to let the battery trickle down.

Battery life is continually getting better as manufacturers look for new ways to make the phone operating systems more efficient, and Lithium Ion technology continues to improve, too.

Final Thoughts

Alex Hussain Gambling Journalist

Alex Hussain

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He/ Him

Online Gambling Journalist

90 Articles

Nobody knows exactly what the future holds for iGaming, but such a huge industry is likely to continue to adapt to the new ways technologies are being included in handheld devices like smartphones and tablets. The audio-visual experience and gameplay are being considered as iGaming companies seek to be the top brands, and device manufacturers seek more market share.

Alex is an expert in the field who writes on various subjects relating to online gaming, and he has been doing so for the last 8 years. Alex makes sure that readers have access to thorough and informative news coverage, addressing topics from the most recent developments in the casino industry to the latest trends in sports betting.

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