Idea
I'm delighted with the new picture-in-picture (PiP) feature recently added to Opera Developer. It's a great productivity boost to be able to keep videos playing in a smaller window while working on other tasks. Although Opera currently supports only one transparency setting, I suggest implementing it on an integer scale.
Feature Details and Purpose
This feature entails adding an adjustable transparency slider or control to the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) window. Users could then customize how opaque or transparent the PiP window appears. This is meant to improve multitasking and screen space management by allowing users to subtly overlay a video on their workspace without significant visual obstruction.
Impact on Workflows and User Experience
This feature would enhance multitasking by allowing users to seamlessly follow videos (tutorials, streams, etc.) while simultaneously working on other tasks without needing to constantly rearrange windows or sacrifice viewing space. The transparency option is especially valuable for laptop users with limited screen real estate, as it allows them to keep vital content from being covered by the video player. Additionally, this feature offers situational convenience for users who want to keep an eye on a live feed (security camera, news channels, etc.) while engaged in other work, minimizing major disruptions.
Screenshot of Opera Developer Implementation
User Scenarios
- Multitasking with Tutorials/Walkthroughs: A user watching an instructional video could increase the PiP window's transparency to follow along with the steps while directly working in the relevant software. This eliminates the need to constantly switch between windows or pause the video.
- Monitoring Background Streams: For sports, news, or live events, a semi-transparent PiP window allows users to stay visually updated without the video dominating their screen or demanding full attention.
- Subtle Visual References: When working with design or visual tasks, referencing an inspiration video in a semi-transparent PiP window allows for comparison and guidance without obscuring the main workspace.
Proposed Implementation
As you suggested, integrating this feature as a right-click option on the PiP window could provide intuitive control. A submenu titled "Transparency" could offer presets (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%) for quick adjustments, and potentially a slider for full customization. This balances convenience with granular control for diverse use cases.
Example and the Extension of Existing Feature from Opera
This feature would greatly improve Opera Developer's PiP implementation for Orion users. While Opera Developer already has a transparency setting, adding adjustability would allow users to customize the PiP mode according to their specific needs.