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

Since its inception in the early 1900s, television has captivated households with its almost hypnotic broadcasts and central role in family and social life. Today, this cornerstone of home electronics is facing its greatest existential crisis since its invention, threatened by more flexible and immersive technologies like 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 location in the house may belong to the past. Caspar von Allwärden, a journalist with nearly twenty years of experience in digital media, suggests that televisions could be rendered 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 product Vision Pro (released in early 2024), exemplifies this trend: 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 benefits 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 allows for a customized viewing experience tailored to the tastes and space of each user. These new modes of interaction are poised to revolutionize 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 essentially individual nature also risks socially isolating users. Collective experiences, characteristic of traditional television, do not easily translate to these new tools: watching a movie with others on a mixed reality headset becomes nearly impossible, posing significant social and cultural challenges.