Expanding Spotify's Mini-Player Functionality

[Skuka]

Hello, Spotify Team,

I’d like to share an idea that could significantly enhance the user experience on Spotify when used on a desktop or laptop.

Core Idea

Many Spotify users multitask while listening to music—working, playing games, or browsing the web. I propose introducing a fully functional mini-player with the following features:

1. Mini-Player Activation: A dedicated button within the app to launch a mini-player. Upon activation, the mini-player would appear as an overlay above other windows.             
2. Toggle Visibility with Hotkeys: Users can show or hide the mini-player with hotkeys, allowing it to run in the background without disrupting their workflow.    

Customization Features

The mini-player could include advanced settings such as:

• Customizable Hotkeys: Allowing users to define their own shortcuts for actions like play/pause, skipping tracks, showing/hiding the player, and more.
• Playlist or Track Display: Users can choose specific playlists or tracks to display in the mini-player.
• Search Functionality: Adding a search bar for quick music discovery directly in the mini-player.
• Resizable and Movable: Users can adjust the size and position of the mini-player on their screens.

API for Developers

Currently, Spotify's API lacks support for mini-player management, making it necessary to rely on window capture and other workarounds. I propose extending the API to include mini-player controls, enabling developers to create custom extensions or tailor the mini-player to users' needs.

Free Accessibility

This mini-player functionality should be accessible to all users for free, as it provides essential convenience for music playback.

Demo and Code

I have created a working version of this mini-player, including hotkey functionality, and I’d be happy to share a video demo and source code if you're interested.

Future Improvements

If this idea aligns with Spotify's vision, I’d be glad to collaborate further and suggest additional features to enhance the mini-player experience.

Best regards,

Video Example

This video demonstrates how the mini-player should work:

1. Play/Pause Tracks: The user can pause or resume playback using hotkeys.
2. Switch Tracks: The user can move to the next or previous track using hotkeys.
3. Show/Hide the Mini-Player: The user can hide the mini-player when it's not needed and bring it back with a hotkey.

Additionally, I suggest integrating

Kuanysh

**bleep**

[Skuka]

I hope you enjoyed my idea!