Early enough in their lifespan to not have an official title, the idea of a digital park-like area in which adults can relax is rapidly gaining steam.
With strong Wi-Fi access, places to power and charge components, and separate areas to hang out with friends, the idea is analogous to modern-day coffee shop culture.
The difference is, that in the next generation, these systems could be free for users to experience, with funding coming from the government.
Digital park programs act as a natural extension of human needs and modern technology, so what about the specifics?
Requirements for the public
Digital park systems would require that they offer solid online and power connections, places for adults to hang out in groups, and social areas for new people to meet.
For an illustration of common use, consider casual entertainment like many online casino players enjoy.
Whether gaming alone or with friends, titles like the Slingo games at Paddy Power have low demands on speeds, so they don’t stress shared networks.
Entries like Slingo Inca Trail and Slingo Stampede also work just as well over mobiles and laptops, allowing easy connections for multiple types of devices.
As adult-based areas are built for people to relax, being available in a social environment raises enjoyment for everyone.
To watch a movie, play a game, or share work ideas, this type of freedom could be just what we need.
Technology to support this kind of functionality already exists, it’s just a matter of creating forward-thinking public developments to support it.
To test the concept, it might be possible to simply build on existing parks.
The Manchester City Council has already facilitated developments to existing locations like Heaton Park before with the Heritage Lottery Fund, proving there are avenues for expansion.
Developing standards
Existence in the 2020s means accepting how crucial technology and online connectivity are to our daily lives.
Whether working remotely or just relaxing with a few casino games on the go, having the internet available everywhere is already a target towards which the developing world aims.
Cities like New York and Seoul have invested in this idea by rolling out profound free WiFi availability, as explored by Cloud-Fi.
Allowing dedicated free environments in which people can explore the possibilities is, in this way, just getting ahead of the curve.
A measured approach
Sitting down and playing casino games is simple enough to cater to, but taking a broad lounge-like approach does raise concerns when it comes to remote workers.
Remote work has expanded rapidly in the last few years, with workers increasingly turning to places like Starbucks to set up shop.
There is a risk that public and truly free avenues might be overtaken by these workers, and this type of flooding would need to be protected against.
Dedicated public and enclosed spaces arriving for the public are a matter of time, and by being proactive, Manchester has a chance to get ahead of the curve.
Being able to embrace free opportunities to play games, send a few emails, or hang out with friends in a relaxed environment away from home has been a growing trend, and this isn’t going to stop.
With the right approach and investment, Mancunians could raise the bar for others in the UK to follow.
