Bug 500348

Summary:	Changing audio devices shows an OSD, while changing the port of a device does not
Product:	[Plasma] plasmashell	Reporter:	Nate Graham <nate>
Component:	Audio in general	Assignee:	Plasma Bugs List <plasma-bugs>
Status:	CONFIRMED ---
Severity:	minor	CC:	cwo.kde, isma.af, kdedev
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	6.3.0
Target Milestone:	1.0
Platform:	Other
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Nate Graham 2025-02-18 20:45:13 UTC

Different audio hardware can be set up differently.

On some hardware, plugging something into the 3.5mm audio jack switches the port on the device. This does not show a Plasma OSD.

On other hardware, plugging something into the 3,5mm audio jack switches to a different device. This does show a Plasma OSD.

It's inconsistent and odd that these two codepaths don't both result in an OSD being shown, because we can't control how the hardware is set up. Either both should show OSDs (on the logic that they're useful) or neither should (on the logic that they're unnecessary noise).

Comment 1 cwo 2025-02-18 21:16:55 UTC

I'd argue for showing them in both cases - the OSDs are important because they show that the physical change was recognized and that the state of audio has changed. It's good to have confirmatory feedback on such state changes.

Comment 2 TraceyC 2025-02-18 21:20:56 UTC

Just my $.02 - I have never seen an OSD for changing / connecting / disconnecting an audio device. I wouldn't find the OSD useful.
If I plug in an audio device, and I hear audio from it, that's the feedback I need and expect. The UI telling me "headphones x were plugged in" would be redundant. I understand different people have different needs and expectations.

As long as this can be toggled off or on like other notifications, this should satisfy both cases.