Yesterday 04:40 AM
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgl8nj8nvzo
EXCERPTS: Gen Z are going retro. People in their teens and early 20s are increasingly turning to old school tech in a bid to unplug from the online world.
Amazon UK told BBC Scotland News that retro-themed products surged in popularity during its Black Friday event, with portable vinyl turntables, Tamagotchis and disposable cameras among their best sellers. Retailers Currys and John Lewis also said they had seen retro gadgets making a comeback with sales of radios, instant cameras and alarm clocks showing big jumps.
While some people scroll endlessly through Netflix in search of their next watch, 17-year-old Declan prefers the more traditional approach of having a DVD in his hands.
[...] He admits DVDs are a "dying way of watching movies" but that makes them cheaper. "I think they're just cool, there's something authentic about having DVDs," he says. "These things are generations old, it's nice to have them available."
Saul, 20, has been collecting vinyl records since 2016. With new vinyl albums costing about £35 on average, it might seem expensive compared to streaming, but Saul feels it's worth it.
"It's a more authentic sound," he says. "The grooves on the record make it feel real, you can hear the difference. It's about having something physical you can look at instead of just scrolling through your phone mindlessly."
For Saul, the appeal goes beyond sound quality. "You've got the actual cover art, and you put the disc down yourself, it's a hands-on experience." he says.
[...] While most people instinctively reach for their phones to take photos, 21-year-old Aoibheann prefers the deliberate artistry of traditional cameras. "There's something about the quality of them and the style of photo you get, it's unmatched compared to your phone." she says.
[...] Aoibheann believes the appeal of traditional cameras runs deeper than aesthetics. It is rooted in nostalgia, she says. ... "Gen Z enjoys the novelty of something we don't usually have. It's a break from phones and instant gratification.
[...] Kyle, 21 got a PSP to relive his childhood and enjoy the nostalgic simplicity of gaming without modern hassles like updates or downloads.
The PSP (PlayStation Portable) is a handheld gaming console made by Sony that became an instant hit in the UK when it was introduced in 2005 but was discontinued a decade later as technology moved on.
"... It feels retro," he says. "Obviously the screen isn't as good, the buttons aren't as good, it's a lot more unreliable, but that's not the point. When you play a modern PlayStation or Xbox, you can't just play, you need to download updates. With a PSP, you put a game in and play"... (MORE - missing detals)
EXCERPTS: Gen Z are going retro. People in their teens and early 20s are increasingly turning to old school tech in a bid to unplug from the online world.
Amazon UK told BBC Scotland News that retro-themed products surged in popularity during its Black Friday event, with portable vinyl turntables, Tamagotchis and disposable cameras among their best sellers. Retailers Currys and John Lewis also said they had seen retro gadgets making a comeback with sales of radios, instant cameras and alarm clocks showing big jumps.
While some people scroll endlessly through Netflix in search of their next watch, 17-year-old Declan prefers the more traditional approach of having a DVD in his hands.
[...] He admits DVDs are a "dying way of watching movies" but that makes them cheaper. "I think they're just cool, there's something authentic about having DVDs," he says. "These things are generations old, it's nice to have them available."
Saul, 20, has been collecting vinyl records since 2016. With new vinyl albums costing about £35 on average, it might seem expensive compared to streaming, but Saul feels it's worth it.
"It's a more authentic sound," he says. "The grooves on the record make it feel real, you can hear the difference. It's about having something physical you can look at instead of just scrolling through your phone mindlessly."
For Saul, the appeal goes beyond sound quality. "You've got the actual cover art, and you put the disc down yourself, it's a hands-on experience." he says.
[...] While most people instinctively reach for their phones to take photos, 21-year-old Aoibheann prefers the deliberate artistry of traditional cameras. "There's something about the quality of them and the style of photo you get, it's unmatched compared to your phone." she says.
[...] Aoibheann believes the appeal of traditional cameras runs deeper than aesthetics. It is rooted in nostalgia, she says. ... "Gen Z enjoys the novelty of something we don't usually have. It's a break from phones and instant gratification.
[...] Kyle, 21 got a PSP to relive his childhood and enjoy the nostalgic simplicity of gaming without modern hassles like updates or downloads.
The PSP (PlayStation Portable) is a handheld gaming console made by Sony that became an instant hit in the UK when it was introduced in 2005 but was discontinued a decade later as technology moved on.
"... It feels retro," he says. "Obviously the screen isn't as good, the buttons aren't as good, it's a lot more unreliable, but that's not the point. When you play a modern PlayStation or Xbox, you can't just play, you need to download updates. With a PSP, you put a game in and play"... (MORE - missing detals)