In a time of unlimited content at your fingertips, all on one small device in your pocket, it might be surprising to see a resurgence of old-school analog technology.
Analog technology refers to physical, tactile devices: things you can hold, press, flip, or rewind. Think vinyl records, film cameras, landline phones, and printed books.
But this revival isn’t about rejecting modern technology. Instead, people are seeking experiences that feel more intentional and human, often enhanced by today’s digital connectivity.
Rediscovering Analog Tech
As technology has become an integrated part of our day to day, more and more people are starting to experience digital fatigue. The always-on screens, pinging notifications, instant streaming, and endless scrolling can feel overwhelming.
Analog tech slows things down one record, one photo, or one chapter at a time.
When you play a vinyl record, for instance, there’s a sort of ritual to the practice. Instead of opening an app and hitting “play,” there’s intention behind the action. You first have to flip through your collection of physical disks. When you’ve selected what you want to listen to, you slide the disk from the sleeve and inspect it for any damages. You place it on the platter, set the speed, power it on, and gently place the needle before hearing the warm, dynamic sounds that a phone or external speaker can’t quite hit.
The physical buttons landline phone, the grain in a film photograph, the feel of a pen on paper, and the beauty of album art are all created with the purpose to experience the action rather than the convenience. In a sense, analog tech feels personal and human in a way digital often doesn’t.
It’s an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the moment, and more people are seeking that experience in their day to day.
Plus, physical media has a sense of trust and longevity that may not be found in digital pieces.
Physical disks don’t disappear behind a login or subscription. A book or record still works decades later without the need for paid updates or licensing renewals.
A Modern Twist to Old Tech
Our digital experiences aren’t going away, and we’re not stepping back into the past. In fact, today’s analog tech often relies on modern connectivity behind the scenes to succeed in a way that it hadn’t previously. Many, if not most, of the newer forms of “old-school” tech are made more convenient and more connected with today’s enhancements.
Film photos are scanned and shared online. Favorite new artists are discovered through streaming before a vinyl is purchased. Retro video games are being revived through online forums. All of these are shared and discovered through online communities. The resurgence is happening because of internet connectivity, not despite it.
Hobby photographers are seeking out film as a format for shooting photos with intention. Rather than snapping 15 photos and editing the perfect one later, film is limited and allows for fewer shots. That said, many of today’s modern film cameras also store digital versions on an SD card. Further, there are dozens of cameras on the market that shoot digital photos with a simulated film look to them, blending nostalgia with modern convenience. Instant cameras are also popular, and digital scanners make it easy to share film photos online.
Vinyl records continue to grow in popularity as listeners seek warmer sound and physical ownership of their favorite music. In 2022, vinyl outsold CDs for the first time since 1987.
That doesn’t mean giving up modern convenience. Many turntables now feature Bluetooth connectivity, allowing listeners to pair them with wireless speakers while still enjoying curated playlists discovered through streaming platforms.
Landline phones are also seeing renewed interest — particularly as a reliable backup during outages. In recent years, major cellular disruptions have highlighted the importance of dependable communication.
In rural areas where mobile coverage can be inconsistent, landlines provide reliable access to emergency services. And while traditional copper lines are fading, many modern landlines now operate over fiber-powered voice connections, blending classic functionality with modern infrastructure.
As with vinyl records, more people are going back to purchasing other forms of physical media, like movies and books. When you purchase DVDs, Blu-ray, and printed books, you own the content for forever without worrying about licensing changes or disappearing titles. When you purchase a digital copy, more often than not, you’re purchasing a licensing agreement to access the media whenever you want, but you don’t own it. If the platform decides to remove the content from their library completely, you could lose access to it. Many people pair the convenience of streaming their favorite titles with purchasing a physical version, so they always have a backup at home but can still read, watch, or listen while on the go.
Reading as a hobby is rising in popularity as “BookTok” and “BookTube” (subsections of content on TikTok and YouTube, respectively) have grown. While printed books remain a popular form of consumption, the market shares of both eBooks and eReaders are continuing to trend upwards. With that increase, discovery has gone digital. Readers look online for their next reads, often in either the BookTok or BookTube communities or through forums like Goodreads. Most public libraries offer free access to eBook, libraries like Libby, with a library card. That’s not even touching on audiobooks as a form of reading, where the annual sales revenue has increased by over half in the last five years.
Technology always advancing, but that doesn’t mean that it must be “out with the old and in with the new.” Radio didn’t disappear when TV arrived, and print didn’t vanish with the internet. Similarly, analog tech isn’t a rejection of progress. Instead, we’ve found balance between physical and digital tools.
Technology Should Serve You
Fiber internet isn’t about faster scrolling. It’s about enabling discovery — whether that’s finding a new artist before buying their vinyl, sharing film photos online, or joining communities around your favorite hobbies.
Reliable fiber internet from DFN supports the connectivity behind modern experiences, without disrupting the intentional moments people value offline.
Technology works best when it serves how you want to live — both online and off.