Currently you can choose for PlexAmp to automatically go to the newer album or the older one. This is awkward because obviously sometimes you want it to go newer and sometimes older. However this is generally dependant on which album you start listening from.
I suggest that instead of having a setting for which way to go, PlexAmp chooses direction automatically with a bias towards recency.
Say we have albums A, B and C with A being the newest and C being the oldest.
I suggest PlexAmp to go like this, depending on what the user starts with:
C -> B -> A
B -> A -> C
A -> B -> C
Why does it matter?
Because generally a bands/artist sound evolve over time, and if I put on the latest album, then I am in the mood for the recent style. But when that album ends, I’ll be transported maybe 20 years in the past to a completely different sound on the first album. The contrast here could be stark and unpleasant. If PlexAmp moved backwards here, it would generally be less of a contrast.
And the same can be said if I start with the first album. Then I am interested in that style. PlexAmp moving forwards is for the best then.
And finally, if I put on something in the middle of the discography, moving forwards seems to best be in line with the thinking of Plex (because radios already favor recency).
Also, if this were to happen, the setting for choosing direction could be removed entirely. It is kind of confusing in the sense that it might fool people into believing that AutoPlay is only about going to the next of previous album. I know I got fooled at first by that.
i’ve also heard that the album wrapping should be an option
the issue i have with your specific suggestion at first glance is that it might make things a bit too unpredictable, picture the next person saying “it went forward from this album, but backwards from this other album, why??”
it’s funny how autoplay is generally a hidden under-the-hood keep-the-music flowing feature; we’ve chosen to let you peek under the hood a bit here, and it definitely makes people want to open the hood wider!
It shows, and that’s why it’s so fun suggesting them
That, or having 2 separate cards. One for next album and one for previous. But none of those are particularly seamless.
Well, I think of it like this: If a user wants more control of what album comes next, then he or she can already queue them up more specifically. As soon as AutoPlay takes over, it should be about seamlessness. That seamlessness in itself would cause less eyebrows raised. The user is more likely to get pulled out of the flow from “stark contrasts” than confusion over which way PlexAmp moved imo. Well, at least I work like that.
And as a side note, to eliminate the surprise all together, you could also place a new option to the already existing dropdown in settings. Maybe “newer/older/dynamic” or something.
Yes it’s very fun I think this is why PlexAmp feels so fresh and is so innovative. It really feels like you’re doing this with the community. It has a bit for everyone to like, in a good balance.
the other interaction i’d considered is that each card could have “alternates” you can cycle through, so e.g. when it picks a similar album, you might have a few you can cycle through via tapping the card or something like that.
That sounds very nice. The possibilities would be endless.
Regarding that, I’ve been thinking to suggest some things regarding the cards. Instead of starting yet another thread, I will just list some thoughts I have had while using them here since we’re on the subject:
First, at least for me the way to side-swipe on Windows 10 with a mouse is super glitchy, and makes choosing cards difficult. Maybe they could have some small arrows next to them to flip them to the sides just by clicking? This would also be a good indicator that they even can be flipped. This could maybe tie in well with your idea of “alternates”. Maybe small arrows also up and down on the card for the alternates?
Second, currently the cards will only appear when the queued tracks are nearing the end. Maybe it’s just me, but I think it would be better if it was always visible on the bottom. Like if it was visible in it’s own space, so to speak, with the play queue scrollable above it. This would be nice if you just want to put on an album and immediately choose what will happen after.
Random related thought: That empty space on the opposite side of the new repeat button? How about putting a little “AutoPlay button” there? It would be a convenient place to turn it on or off without going into settings, and the silence card could be removed. This could also help if the “always visible” cards was considered, as they would only be visible if AutoPlay was turned on in the first place. It also would fit thematically, since it is the opposite effect of the repat button really
+1 for this. I like the similar album card, I find it better than random album radio for meandering through whole albums when that is how I want to listen. A few choices on those type of cards would be awesome.
Yep, I agree with this 100%. It’s especially painful on a laptop trackpad.
Good idea as well. Balance out the screen for us OCD sufferers
