January 15th, 2026

​How People Actually Use Tech Now — and What That Means For Your Content

Digital access isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s a utility. We wake up, grab the phone, and we’re already “online.” In this post I try to break down what’s changed in how audiences use technology, why it matters, and the practical moves you can make today. Phones first. Vertical video. And a quick look at where smart glasses and VR will push discoverability next.
From “go to the internet” to “live on the internet”The internet started as a research network, then the Web made it usable, broadband made it fast, and smartphones put it in our pockets. The big shift: we don’t “visit” the internet. We live on it. That has consequences for how people find you and what they expect when they do.
Access keeps growing, but it’s not equalMost of the world is online and speeds keep getting better. But millions are still on slow connections or limited data. Design for both ends of that reality.

• Keep pages light and fast.
• Always include captions.
• Make downloads optional.
• Use CTAs that work even on patchy Wi-Fi.

The phone is the main screenNot the only screen. The default screen. Your creative has to feel native in the hand.

• Plan for vertical from the start.
• Lead with the point in the first three seconds.
• Design text that’s readable without pinching.
• Assume sound off. Caption everything.

Search still matters, but the “front door” movedPeople still Google. But younger audiences “search” inside YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. They watch first, then decide. Voice and AI chat are creeping into early discovery too.

• Publish for where people type and where they scroll.
• Structure content so it works as both: an answer and a clip.
• Treat recommendations as a channel. Optimize thumbnails, titles, hooks, and watch-time.

Buying online is a habit nowEcommerce pulled forward years of adoption and never snapped back.

• Favor “everyday conversion” over “one big sales day.”
• Use short product videos and social proof where they’re already watching.
• Reduce friction. One click to basket. Clear returns.

Video is the internet’s default languageIf your story works on mute, fits vertical, and delivers value fast, you win more attention.

• Hook in three seconds. Pay off in 15. Earn the next 30.
• Use chapters and on-screen text for scanning.
• Make the next step obvious: watch the full piece, join the list, grab the demo.

Three forces driving behavior right now

• Time online stays high. Attention is jumpy. Make it snackable and serial.
• Mobile speeds are up. Richer formats load instantly. Think shoppable video and AR try-ons.
• Mobile users dominate. Build for the thumb. Buttons big. Forms short. Links friendly to in-app browsers.

What’s next for discoverability: glasses and VRSmart glasses won’t replace the phone overnight. They will change context.

• Glasses. Visual search in the world. Live subtitles. Navigation and overlays. Hands-free capture that feeds short video automatically.
• VR and spatial screens. Not mainstream all day, but perfect for immersive product demos, virtual screenings, and room-scale experiences that click straight to purchase.

The rule won’t change: be where the eyes are.
Five takeaways you can use today

1. Mobile first. Design for a small screen and a moving hand.
2. Vertical video always. Shoot native vertical. Caption everything.
3. Multi-door discovery. Publish for search and for scroll.
4. Respect constraints. Fast loads. Offline-friendly. Clear CTAs.
5. Test the future. Pilot AR captions, visual search hooks, and “made-for-glasses” micro shots.

If you make content, do this next

• Take one existing horizontal video and re-edit it as true vertical with a new hook.
• Add on-screen text that lands the value by second three.
• Ship a 30–45 second product or project explainer that ends with a single, specific CTA.
• Check your site on a slow connection. If it hurts, fix that first.

​Have a look at my video presentation here and explore the presentation slides here