Bug 282000 – [GStreamer] MPRIS controls are not useful (WhatsApp Web App)

• Component: Media
• Status: NEW

[Angelo Schirinzi]

Created attachment 473022 [details]
Screenshot of the issue

After upgrading to version 2.46.1, when using WhatsApp, a persistent incorrect notification appears. This notification means nothing and has no function: it appears after receiving the first notification after opening the app or after listening to the first voice message.

[Michael Catanzaro]

That's MPRIS. It means the web page has a media element (audio or video).

[Angelo Schirinzi]

(In reply to Michael Catanzaro from comment #1)
> That's MPRIS. It means the web page has a media element (audio or video).

I just got into buzilla to write this :)
I noticed, in fact, that the issue persists with any multimedia content played in WebKit.
As mentioned, the notification is persistent and there is no way to delete it.
Furthermore, as you can see, the icon of the app that generated it does not even appear.

[Philippe Normand]

Please attach logs.

[Angelo Schirinzi]

Created attachment 473050 [details]
Log file

[Philippe Normand]

4 media-players, one of them remains paused, hence the notification. Not sure we can do much about that. Seems like an issue on the web-app side.

[Angelo Schirinzi]

(In reply to Philippe Normand from comment #5)
> 4 media-players, one of them remains paused, hence the notification. Not
> sure we can do much about that. Seems like an issue on the web-app side.

I don't think it's a web app issue. It's an error that occurs with any multimedia playback of any website. The only way to eliminate the persistent notification is to close the web app or browser tab. It didn't happen before.

[Philippe Normand]

By "before" you mean when media-session (MPRIS) was disabled?

[Philippe Normand]

(In reply to muten619 from comment #6)
> (In reply to Philippe Normand from comment #5)
> > 4 media-players, one of them remains paused, hence the notification. Not
> > sure we can do much about that. Seems like an issue on the web-app side.
> 
> I don't think it's a web app issue. It's an error that occurs with any
> multimedia playback of any website. 

This bug was reported about Whatsapp. If that issue happens on "any website", we're getting offtopic. I can't debug "any website". Sorry.

[Michael Catanzaro]

Let's keep the scope focused on Whatsapp.

[Angelo Schirinzi]

(In reply to Philippe Normand from comment #7)
> By "before" you mean when media-session (MPRIS) was disabled?

I mean with the previous version of WebKit 2.44.X

[Angelo Schirinzi]

(In reply to Philippe Normand from comment #8)
> (In reply to muten619 from comment #6)
> > (In reply to Philippe Normand from comment #5)
> > > 4 media-players, one of them remains paused, hence the notification. Not
> > > sure we can do much about that. Seems like an issue on the web-app side.
> > 
> > I don't think it's a web app issue. It's an error that occurs with any
> > multimedia playback of any website. 
> 
> This bug was reported about Whatsapp. If that issue happens on "any
> website", we're getting offtopic. I can't debug "any website". Sorry.

Yes, I opened the issue focusing on WhatsApp, but immediately after I realized that the problem is generic and is not limited to WhatsApp. And I immediately reported it in the second comment.
If you can't debug it, it doesn't matter.
I just do my duty as a user of open source software by reporting what doesn't work or pointing out what can be improved.

[Angelo Schirinzi]

(In reply to Michael Catanzaro from comment #9)
> Let's keep the scope focused on Whatsapp.

That's fine with me. I just reported some new information that may be helpful in understanding the cause of the problem.

[Angelo Schirinzi]

Can you add a specific option in the browser (and webapp) to disable MPRIS when we don't want it? This behavior with WhatsApp is annoying and now, with the new version of GNOME, the notification also appears on the lock screen. Turning off notifications for WhatsApp may not be a viable option, since it is a messaging app and notifications are necessary.

[Angelo Schirinzi]

(In reply to Angelo Schirinzi from comment #13)
> Can you add a specific option in the browser (and webapp) to disable MPRIS
> when we don't want it? This behavior with WhatsApp is annoying and now, with
> the new version of GNOME, the notification also appears on the lock screen.
> Turning off notifications for WhatsApp may not be a viable option, since it
> is a messaging app and notifications are necessary.

Temporary workaround: I created a configuration file in /etc/dbus-1/session.d that lets me keep MPRIS disabled in Epiphany. For the time being, it's the best solution. At least for my use case.