The Return of the Not: The Nostalgic Return of MP3s

The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and thrown billions of people in front of computer, smartphone and tablet screens. Mark Zuckerberg, the creator and leader of Facebook, took advantage of this moment to radicalize cyberspace by introducing the concept of the metaverse, an integrated virtual world parallel to reality, into the global discussion.

However, this hyperlink caused many people to feel like they were overdosing on modern electronic devices and, in recent years, it has fueled the movement to reevaluate outdated technologies. While the smartphone market retreated for the first time in 2018, global sales of disconnected “dumb phones” have grown over the past three years, surpassing 1 billion units in 2021, according to Conterpoint Research. A wave driven by the resurgence of “brick cell phones” like the creations of pioneer Nokia.

Turntables, VHS tapes, landline phones and MP3 files are also embraced by nostalgic fans as an antidote to screen fatigue and excessive multitasking. The retro avalanche is also causing re-releases of classic video games like Atari and Nintendo, which have a legion of followers.

TikTok, the social network of nostalgia

Interestingly, TikTok, a social network with more than half of its audience under the age of 20, is becoming one of the drivers of nostalgia. Generation Z, born after the spread of the Internet, is beginning to take an interest in the culture of the turn of the century and supports the “retro economy”.

Content tagged “Y2K” inspired by the early 2000s on TikTok has been viewed more than 4.8 billion times. Publications are trying to recreate iconic costumes from popular movies like Legally Blonde and Lizzie McGuire even sharing your favorite childhood toys and treats.

A survey by The Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School shows that many young people believe life would be much better without inventions like social media. When Facebook was created in 2004, most of them were children. The generation grew up with feelings of social anxiety and competition created by the ubiquity of life on Instagram and Snapchat..

However, it is difficult to say exactly who or what fueled this nostalgia for the past. Researchers think that nostalgia is often seen in times of crisis, when people try to cope with feelings of uncertainty with comforting and reassuring memories.

Resurrection of the iPod

Introduced in 2001, iPods are among the devices that revive the retro wave on TikTok. While not the first of its kind, Apple’s device has surpassed Walkmans or portable CD players with the ability to carry a thousand songs in MP3 format. The media player changed music consumption habits and triggered an earthquake in the music industry with MP3 files and file sharing platforms like Napster, and decades of lucrative business melted away.

The iPod also helped transform Apple from a struggling computer maker to the world’s largest company. The device led to a number of inventions, including the Bluetooth speaker, and even made room for podcasts, as the format’s name suggests.

Steve Jobs’ company had several versions and models of MP3 players and their reign lasted for years and resisted with new releases until 2019. While its success was swallowed up by the arrival of the iPhone, the “whitewash” was stolen by music streaming services. .

Even if, The device continues to be sold in the Apple store. The most recent success of the iPod is due to TikTok videos praising the iPod Shuffle, popular between 2007 and 2008 and often used as a fashion accessory.

Everything goes to use the gadget, like customizing the case and updating the internal software and increasing the memory with a 1TB micro SD card. Most nostalgic, it uses the iconic Winamp, famous for allowing visual presentation with different skins, as a player for MP3 files.

Are MP3 players still useful?

One An MP3 player can be useful in certain situations, even if it means having an extra device.. The devices still perform the original music playback function, as they are cheaper and lighter than a smartphone. As it turns out, these devices are ideal for providing favorite music during workouts such as jogging where the size of the cell phone can hinder sports performance.

Dedicated to audio playback, the device frees up space on the phone for other tasks and provides longer battery life. Many devices also offer an FM player that lets you listen to the radio without needing a Wi-Fi connection or using your phone’s mobile data.

On the other hand, media players have very limited music library options compared to streaming services. Also, manual file transfers, system updates and other nuances are required where online platforms are more practical.

How to choose an MP3 player in 2022?

Most MP3 players on the market weigh less than 200 grams and cost less than R$200. New devices are readily available from major retailers and have a lithium battery.

The MP3 player does not have internet access, so storage capacity is the main feature when choosing the device. Current mainstream models offer between 8GB and 32GB, which is enough for 2,000 to 8,000 songs, equivalent to around 100 hours and 400 hours of audio inside the device.

In addition to MP3, most modern players allow you to play such formats as MP4, OGG, Opus, WMA, WAV and ALAC. Audiobook fans should pay attention to whether the devices are capable of playing AAX and AA files used by Amazon’s Audible.

Screens vary in size and the larger they are, the easier it is to use; however, it may be more difficult to move. The ideal is to find a balance according to need. The screen should be at least 2 inches for the artist and song title to be clearly visible.

Finally, it is necessary to check the quality of audio playback through the device, especially the headphones. Noise canceling accessories provide a more enjoyable experience.