The foldable smartphone market has stuttered in its short lifespan so far, with only 7.1 million units sold in 2021. These new-fangled offerings need a boost from somewhere, and developers could look to the online casino industry. The sector had a huge influence on the growth of smartphones in the 2010s and could do the same for foldables in the 2020s.
Online casinos helped boost smartphone sales
One of the main reasons why smartphones managed to become such global sensations was down to the fact that they provided instant access to some of the most popular entertainment online. Online casino operators realised how well-suited their pick-up-and-play offerings like slots and blackjack were to the smaller screen and began to put a greater focus on providing for mobile users.
Now, games like Vault Cracker and Penny Roulette are designed with the mobile player in mind, first and foremost. The synergy between online casinos and smartphones enabled both sectors to boom in tandem.
Foldables may need an edge
For foldables to avoid fading away as a brief fad in the timeline of the smartphone’s evolution, they may need their own unique edge to help them differentiate themselves from traditional models. Users know that they can already access their favourite online casino games on standard mobiles, so why do they need to turn to foldables?
It would be interesting to see if game developers begin to look to foldables to see if they can achieve something new. The first innovators on a platform tend to profit massively, but there is also some risk involved in being the initial company to try something new. Luckily, some fresh online slots ideas seem well-suited to foldables already. For instance, the Megaways engine involves the reels changing in size randomly. This could look more impressive on a wider display.
Smartphone industry might be in its final phase
Smartphones are likely to exist for a long time still, but the tech industry is moving forward to focus on more advanced devices. Augmented reality glasses will replace the smartphone in the years ahead, with the mobile device simply acting as a power source in the background for users of the futuristic hardware.
Reports suggest that this will be the case with Apple Glass, the AR glasses currently being developed by Apple. According to Techradar, users will be able to view information through both lenses of the spectacles and move elements around by waving their hands in front of themselves. This will be powered by the iPhone, which is likely to remain in the pockets of AR users most of the time as they find all they need through the new platform.
Because the smartphone industry could be in its final phase before making way for AR, the foldable concept might be one of the last stages of its evolution. Therefore, developers of these devices will be desperate for something to boost their success over the next few years, and this could come in the form of unique casino games.