The next version of the popular media player app VLC will come with a more modern user interface. The team is also working on online extensions, a browser version, and an IMDb-like project.
VLC 4.0 coming soon
In an interview with Protocol, it was revealed that VLC 4.0 will be released "in the coming months" with a revamped user interface and new features. "We modified the interface to be a bit more modern," said VideoLAN foundation President Jean-Baptiste Kempf.
This includes transparency, flatter icons, blur effects, and a media library, according to an earlier presentation. Kempf added it is exploring ways to integrate content from online services into VLC, although it is not clear if it will be included with VLC 4.0. "That is something that could work for VLC," he said referring to Plex's ad-supported video service integration.
VLC 4.0 from a 2019 presentation. Final release may look different
VLC has been downloaded over 3.5 billion times since it first came out almost 20 years ago, and it is one of the world's most popular open-source apps. The app is available on platforms like Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chrome OS, iOS and Windows.
VLC 4.0 will no longer support Windows XP and Vista, Android 2.2 to 4.2, macOS 10.7 to 10.10, iOS 7 and 8, and linux environments without OpenGL support, according to a presentation by the team.
The team has also been working on a browser version of VLC and the official presentation of VLC 4.0 outlined plans to support 3D, VR, and AirPlay output, although it is not clear if all features will end up in the first release that will be released in the coming months.
VLC 4.0 from a 2019 presentation. Final release may look different
VLC 4.0 from a 2019 presentation. Final release may look different
- Source: VLC, Protocol, The Verge
