- Proton VPN launches the world’s “first” VPN blanket
- Proton partnered with luxury streetwear brand Aries
- Comes with one month of free VPN protection.
Christmas is fast approaching and the UK has recently been full of festive cheer, bustling markets and twinkling lights that scream that, yes, ’tis the season.
But for expats and foreign students living in the UK, this period may not be all about pleasure. Conflicting traditions and the absence of family and friends to celebrate with often amplify homesickness, a mood that neither mince pies, mulled wine, nor Secret Santa can alleviate.
If you fall into this category, you’ll be happy to know that Proton VPN, the maker of one of the best VPNs, has stepped in to sweeten the pill with the launch of the world’s “first” VPN blanket.
Developed in collaboration with luxury streetwear brand Aries, the VPN blanket integrates NFC technology directly into its woven tag.
By tapping on it, owners can connect to a URL that provides a month of free access to Proton VPN’s premium plan, unblocking content in over 120 different countries, while protecting users from digital snoops thanks to Proton VPN’s impressive security suite.
The plush and cozy blanket keeps users warm, giving them access to familiar content, including TV shows that would otherwise be restricted due to their geographic location. The formula acts as an antidote to nostalgia, returning a sense of familiarity when distance becomes too much to bear.
Overcome the sadness of nostalgia
The idea of combining these two contrasting worlds, namely digital security and everyday convenience, comes from a recent survey conducted by Proton VPN of 2,000 expat adults living in the United Kingdom.
According to 88% of those surveyed, accessing familiar content helps reduce feelings of nostalgia, while a staggering 79% say they suffer from this illness.
International students were particularly affected by homesickness and reported emotional distress caused by being away from their family and personal traditions. Participants also missed the food and daily habits of their countries and, of course, the weather, which was mentioned by almost half of those interviewed.
Aries founder and creative director Sofia Prantera, who is also an expat, explains that she intended to provide a solution to that unique feeling of displacement, recreating that mix of longing and warmth that one feels when encountering memories of their homeland.
The blanket was chosen as a vehicle for the experience, to symbolically convey a sense of intimacy, familiarity and warmth as we navigate a digital world, where content brings us closer to family rituals, intimate memories and the comfort of home.
“VPN coverage isn’t just about technology, it’s about close feelings about the places and people you miss,” explains Prantera.
The aesthetic is also symbolic: the blanket resembles a patchwork quilt, with quotes, images and references celebrating multiculturalism.
If this sounds like a Christmas gift to you (or even your distant loved one), the world’s first NFC blanket can be yours for the hefty sum of £195.
And while it’s not the cheapest blanket on the market, there may be no gift that says “I care” more to your digitally vulnerable loved one than the world’s first NFC blanket.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
