Pluto TV doing something really weird

By glassheart, 30 August, 2022

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Before we go any further with this discussion, let me be very clear for clarification sake. This is with an iPhone, *not!* an Apple TV.

Running the most recent build of iOS 15, I'm having a really strange problem where if I play something on demand, the video starts up in landscape mode even though I have locked my orientation to portrait, but that's really not the issue, so hear me out.

Once the video controls are shown, If I try to double tap on the back button, or the exit full screen button, either/or, the video will go into portrait mode for about half a second, then will immediately switch back to landscape instead of taking me all the way out of the video screen and allowing me to get back to the main UI of the app where I can select another live channel, or something else on demand, etc.

I had my friend try it with his phone, as he's sighted, and also uses the app. He didn't have the issue at all until he turned on Voiceover, at which point he also was able to reproduce this behavior.

I should add that screen recognition, assistive touch, none of that extra stuff is turned on. I'm using just regular old Voiceover, and no bluetooth keyboard, although I did try that just to see what would happen, for the heck of it, and that also gave the same problem, so clearly, this is indeed most likely a Voiceover issue that the Pluto TV devs need to address. It didn't used to do this, and though I admit, Pluto TV's app never has been the prettiest by any means when it comes to accessibility, it is quite doable once you understand how it's laid out. And considering there are a few shows up there literally that I can't find anywhere else, to me, it's worth looking past these issues if it means me getting to relive some of those shows... Rescue 911 for one of many. LOL!

So, I guess, ultimately what I'm asking here is, first and foremost, have any of you all seen this, and if so, reported it to Pluto TV's developers, and second, has anyone yet seemed to find a work around when Voiceover is turned on to get past this and back out to the main screen, short of closing the app from the app switcher, then reopening the app? Certainly, I can do that, but man that's an aggrivating solution, at best.

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Comments

By gailisaiah on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 - 19:29

Hi Glass Heart, I tried the Pluto app a couple of years ago and it didn't work. I couldn't get to the other channels. So does it work better with voiceover now? Pluto has some channels I would really like.

By glassheart on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 - 19:29

As I said in my initial post: it's not the prettiest interface in the world, that's for sure, but yes. The app is definitely doable. It's a little hard to explain via text how to navigate, so perhaps I may do a podcast demoing the app, but the question is, would the Applevis team then be willing to publish it if I do so.

By gailisaiah on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 - 19:29

If you do get permission to do a podcast on Pluto, I would definitely listen to it. Thanks for being willing

By Drew on Friday, October 25, 2024 - 19:29

This issue should be fixed. It actually has been fixed for a while. Please let me know if it is not. I just checked on my own device and could not reproduce anymore.