Tabbed Layout for Episode Playback Screen

Feature request
1

I’d like to suggest a possible improvement to the playback screen UI.

Currently, when playing an episode, AntennaPod displays all the relevant information by default. If the user wants to view the full show notes, they need to either swipe upwards or tap the “Show Notes” button underneath the episode image. While this works, it can sometimes feel a bit hidden or unintuitive.

I think it could be worth considering an alternative approach, similar to how Pocket Casts handles this.

In their player screen, they use a simple three-tab layout at the top:

  • Now Playing

  • Details

  • Bookmarks

Users can switch between them either by tapping on the tabs directly or by swiping left/right.

This tabbed structure makes navigation between playback controls, episode notes, and saved bookmarks feel faster, more consistent, more polished, and easier to discover for new users. It also helps keep the UI clean while still allowing quick access to everything.

Would the team be open to exploring a similar layout option for AntennaPod?

Screenshot_20250920_172836_Pocket Casts
Screenshot_20250920_172836_Pocket Casts1080×2340 126 KB

Screenshot_20250920_171048_AntennaPod
Screenshot_20250920_171048_AntennaPod1080×2340 162 KB

2

I am not convinced doing it that way is any better or any worse than the way it is now.

While I am sure the AP community welcomes new users including refugees from PC I suggest they try adapting their usage pattern to how AP actually works rather than push for effort to be spent on making it work more like what they were previously used to elsewhere.

3

Thanks @T3kn3vra for the suggestions. We’re actually already working on an updated player screen because we need to make space for new features. That work is going on here: Detailed task specifications for redesign player screen & adjacent features

To not have discussions in two places, I’ll set this discussion to resolved.

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