- Proton VPN launches the "world's first" VPN blanket
- Proton teamed up with luxury streetwear brand Aries
- It comes with one month of free VPN protection
Christmas is fast approaching, and the UK has recently been buzzing with festive cheer, bustling markets and twinkling lights that shout that – yes – this indeed is the season.
But for expats and foreign students living in the UK, this period may not be all about delight. Clashing traditions and the absence of family and friends to celebrate with often amplify homesickness – a mood which none of mince pies, mulled wine or Secret Santa can alleviate.
If you fall into this category, you'll be thrilled to hear that Proton VPN, the creator of one of the best VPNs, has stepped in to sweeten the pill by launching the "world's first" VPN blanket.
Developed in collaboration with luxury streetwear brand Aries, the VPN blanket integrates NFC technology directly into its woven label.
By tapping it, owners can connect to a URL that provides one month of free access to Proton VPN's premium plan, unlocking content in over 120 different countries, while protecting users from digital snoopers thanks to Proton VPN's impressive security package.
The plush, cosy blanket keeps users warm, granting them access to familiar content, including TV shows that would otherwise be restricted due to their geographical location. The formula acts as an antidote to homesickness, bringing back a sense of familiarity when distance becomes too difficult to bear.
Beating the homesickness blues
The idea of combining these two contrasting worlds, namely digital security and everyday convenience, stems from a recent survey conducted by Proton VPN on 2,000 UK-based expats adults.
According to 88% of respondents, accessing familiar content helps to reduce feelings of homesickness, as a staggering 79% report suffering from the malady.
International students were particularly affected by homesickness, reporting emotional distress caused by being away from family and personal traditions. Participants also missed food and daily habits from their countries – and, of course, the weather, which was cited by almost half of those interviewed.
Founder and creative director of Aries, Sofia Prantera, who is herself an expatriate, explains 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 while navigating a digital world, where content brings us closer to familiar rituals, intimate memories and the comfort of homeliness.
"The VPN blanket isn’t just about tech, it’s about feelings close to the places and people you miss," Prantera explains.
The aesthetics are also symbolic: the blanket resembles a patchwork quilt, featuring quotes, images and references that celebrate multiculturalism.
If this sounds like the Christmas treat for you – or indeed your distant loved one – the world’s first NFC blanket can be yours for the tidy sum of £195.
And while not the cheapest blanket on the market, there might be no gift that says ‘I care’ more to your digitally vulnerable loved one than the world’s first NFC blanket.
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