When we talk about "digital revolutions", we often think about its impact on millennials and those from generation Y. However, the digital revolution also has an impact on the older generations, particularly those of pension age. Whereas traditionally technology has bypassed pensions and focused on other parts of the financial services industry, it has now reached the forefront of thought, and is beginning to change the way that some pensioners manage their money and their pension. Here, we'll look at why digital is the next step for pensions.

Trapped in a World of Paper

It couldn't be simpler than ever for people to check their current account's balance these days. You can do it online in a matter of seconds, or even on a mobile app. For most customers nowadays, you don't even need a password, and can just use your fingerprint to sign-in. Once you're in, you can transfer cash, make payments, check a balance or even upgrade your account.

However, pensions accounts are still trapped in a world of print and cumbersome treks to the branches. So, what can we do to change it? Well, the FCA has been urged to do a lot to bring pensions into the smartphone age.

Investment in Technology

However, insurers are beginning to pour money into pensions, bringing them into the 21st century. It is hoped that the move will help to engage those of the younger generations who are yet to take up pensions options.

In short, pensions companies must get with the times and drag their offering from the stone age and into the digital age, adding apps, PINs, fingerprint recognition and other forms of technology for mobile customers.

What Does the Future Look Like?

The government hopes to create a "digital dashboard" which will allow a saver to access all of their pensions in one place, allowing them the same form of online access they expect from other forms of financial services.

In recent years, interactive tools such as retirement income modellers and calculators have been made available to pension customers. While companies such as Bestinvest also introducing online platforms so that customers can apply for a SIPP online or read eBooks. However, some companies are looking further into this, particularly at how they can further engage younger potential customers, such as gamification.

To conclude, the digital revolution has often bypassed pensions. However, now, the government and leading companies are ready to invest so that pensions can keep pace with current accounts and online banking.

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The average number of people using their mobile phones to browse the Internet has skyrocketed throughout this decade. What was a costly and fiddly process on the WAP-enabled button phones of the early 21st century is now a fully integrated part of daily life.

The smartphone boom has resulted in the vast majority of people carrying devices in their pockets and bags that are capable of finding and collecting information, playing videos, music and games, and much more.

Businesses in every industry are always looking to make sure that they are doing all they can to put themselves on that handheld screen as much as possible.

It is therefore no big surprise that many online casino websites have invested heavily into making their sites as mobile-friendly as they could possibly be, and the result is people playing casino games on their mobile phones a whole lot more often.

Why so much focus on mobile?

2016 was the year of the ‘mobile first Internet' - the year that mobile searches finally surpassed desktop searches on the search engine powerhouse, Google.

In response to this, Google increased its efforts to ensure that sites which rank well in their search results offer an equally good user experience, whichever device the user happens to be using to access the page.

To this end, since the second half of 2016 Google has been pushing mobile responsive sites ever higher in rankings, offering a tantalising incentive to those web developers who have yet to take the plunge into mobile offering.

The shift from Flash to HTML5

One of the biggest driving forces behind the massive growth in popularity of using mobile phones to browse the Internet is the emergence of HTML5 as the engine behind website content.

Its predecessor, Adobe Flash, was completely eschewed by Apple due to a combination of factors including disagreements between creators as well as security concerns. This meant that iPhone, iPad and iPod users - a huge chunk of the Internet's browsing audience - were all unable to access Flash content. Flash enabled websites to offer a great deal of functionality in the 21st century, but over time more and more exploits were found and well, exploited.

As well as being completely unsupported on iPhone, it was often incompatible with Android phones. With more and more people wanting to access the content on their mobiles, something had to change, and HTML5 came into prominence early in the 2010s.

It is debatable whether the shift from Flash to HTML5 was the cause or the effect of increased mobile browsing - but it is clear that the Internet overall has been moving in the direction of increased mobile-friendliness for several years now.

Major developments from Netent

As one of the main game developers for online casinos, NetEnt have naturally been the trailblazers when it comes to providing games which look as brilliant on mobile phones as they do on desktops.

NetEnt Touch® is the brand of games produced by NetEnt for the mobile market. They work on both iOS and Android devices, and the portfolio of games offered is absolutely massive. Slots, Blackjack, Roulette, Bingo, and lots more are on the menu, all coming complete with superb graphics, and enhanced experience optimised for mobile users.

In-Browser Casinos vs Casino Applications

Playing a game in your mobile phone's browser is convenient as it prevents you from needing to download an application which will take time to do as well as occupy space on your phone. Anybody with a 16GB iPhone will know only too well the constant battle to keep storage space free.

However, if it is a game that you play regularly, or one where progress needs to be saved, applications come into their own. It may take slightly longer to download it in the first place, but once you have, it's there all the time and loads in a matter of seconds, with your progress and preferences to boot. What is more, you may be able to play the game even when away from an Internet connection.

As far as the mobile casino trend goes, the browser version is still useful for ascertaining how much you enjoy playing at that particular online casino. Online casino developers have gone to great lengths to ensure that their games can be played on any device, so whether you decide to go for the app or the website, you're sure to be satisfied.

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The advent of mobile gambling has propelled the industry forward, and it is still regarded as one of its most important milestones. Playing casino games on a smartphone is easier than ever, as the latest devices are powerful enough to run even the most demanding slots. Modern casinos, such as the one reviewed at https://holymolycasinos.com/casino/gala-casino-review feature, almost exclusively mobile-friendly games. The only significant decision to be made is whether to play in a browser or download a dedicated app. As the mobile gaming revolution goes to the next step, Instant and Progressive Web Apps come into play.

The Mobile Gambling Story so Far

Convenience is one of the main strengths of online casinos and the quality they are keen to build on. This explains why instant play casinos using Flash and HTML 5 technology are so popular among recreational punters. They are granted access to a wide selection of games that includes all popular genres, such as slots, table games, video pokers, and instant win games. Live dealer games are also supplied, and there are no compatibility issues since instant play games can be enjoyed on all operating systems.

The advantage of choosing an instant play casino is that one doesn't have to download third-party software on their device of choice. There are few shortcomings, but the fact that it takes longer to find the game and the need to log in each time can be a bit frustrating. When playing casino games on their smartphones and tablets, they can run slightly slower in instant play mode.

A mobile casino app grants players one-tap access to an entire portfolio of games that run smoothly, even on older smartphones. There's no need to login, and navigation is a breeze, while players can also tap into the generous offers that casinos have prepared for mobile gamblers. On the flip side, not all the games available in instant play format can be enjoyed through the app, so players might have to sacrifice variety. Then there's also the issue of downloading an app that takes space and requires more processing power.

Gear Up for the Arrival of Instant Apps

Android Instant Apps are supposed to represent the next important milestone in the mobile gambling revolution. These modern apps have all the advantages of their classic counterparts, without requiring players to complete the installation process. The name is self-explanatory, and these instant apps grant immediate access to the games while delivering the same great graphics and immersive experience.

Smartphone owners whose devices are running on Android 6.0 or above can take advantage of the instant apps. By accessing the phone's settings and enabling the feature, when supported, players can launch instant apps and take mobile gaming to the next level. At the time of writing, only a fraction of the apps available are instant, but those who are available in this format will have the word "Instant" written next to them. They load up quickly and can be used in the same way as any classic Android application.

Embrace the Change of Progressive Web Apps

Software developers know that even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you sit there. Progressive web apps are the natural evolutionary link, building on the current web capabilities of mobile apps to deliver a better experience. They empower users to take advantage of native and web app features, share them via a link, and they are fully integrated with the operating systems. The result is a seamless user experience while being reliable and immune to volatile network conditions. Last, but definitely not least, Progressive Web Apps allow users to install a native application that also works offline.

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