Mozilla is working on a new feature to improve the video viewing experience in its Firefox web browser: automatic picture-in-picture mode. This feature is currently available in Firefox Nightly 130 and may be rolled out in Firefox Stable later this year.
Picture-in-Picture mode is supported by most modern web browsers and allows users to watch video content in a separate window while doing other tasks. Previously, users had to manually activate this mode by clicking on an icon while hovering over the video.
With the new update, Firefox will open a Picture-in-Picture window automatically when you start playing a video and switch to another tab, removing the need for manual activation.
For users on the latest Firefox Nightly version 130, you can turn on the automatic Picture-in-Picture mode by following these steps:
- Go to about:preferences#experimental in the browser’s address bar or navigate to Menu > Settings > Firefox Labs.
- Enable the option for Picture-in-Picture: auto-open on tab switch.
Once activated, Firefox will automatically switch to Picture-in-Picture mode when you move to a different tab.
Moreover, when you go back to the video tab, the Picture-in-Picture mode will turn off automatically, ensuring smooth video playback without interruptions.
The testing phase has demonstrated that this feature operates seamlessly and enhances the user experience.
Firefox users who frequently watch videos in the browser will benefit from this update. Whether or not you have used Picture-in-Picture mode before, this automatic enhancement offers a convenient solution for users.
It is expected that Mozilla will provide a choice to enable or disable this feature, although it is yet to be decided whether it will be opt-in or opt-out.
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