Are seasonal themes still a thing?

[ryderjj89 33]

Almost a year later but wanted to bump this. The seasonal themes are still missing for Emby for Windows, Emby Web, and Emby for Android. I have them on my Google TV, but that's about it.

I guess a workaround for now would be to find something to use with the Stylus extension for Windows at least or try to find some extensive custom CSS for Settings -> Custom CSS.

It would be nice to have the seasonal themes back natively though. Any idea on when these might make it back @Luke?

[Luke 42077]

4 hours ago, ryderjj89 said:

Almost a year later but wanted to bump this. The seasonal themes are still missing for Emby for Windows, Emby Web, and Emby for Android. I have them on my Google TV, but that's about it.

I guess a workaround for now would be to find something to use with the Stylus extension for Windows at least or try to find some extensive custom CSS for Settings -> Custom CSS.

It would be nice to have the seasonal themes back natively though. Any idea on when these might make it back @Luke?

When you install apps on devices, isn't it normally the devices UI that does this sort of thing, and not each individual app?

From my perspective, the harsh complaints from those who don't want this have taken the fun out of it, which is all it was meant to be in the first place.

[ryderjj89 33]

2 minutes ago, Luke said:

When you install apps on devices, isn't it normally the devices UI that does this sort of thing, and not each individual app?

From my perspective, the harsh complaints from those who don't want this have taken the fun out of it, which is all it was meant to be in the first place.

I don't think so. I use Stylus to at least apply a theme through Emby Web, but that's all. On Android, the themes drop down in the profile settings -> display just has some basic ones like Dark, Blue Radiance, etc. The seasonal ones used to show up as an option to switch to on a user level. I wouldn't say it should be something that automatically changes, but at least have them as an option. Then the ones who don't like them won't have to worry about them.

I just thought it was weird that my Google TV has the holiday themes, the suggestions, sounds, etc but nothing else I use does. There's no parity. I'm someone that really likes to get into holiday spirit lol. Lights, decorations, etc.

Android, the app for Windows, etc aren't affected by the OS UI to change something like that. Maybe light or dark mode if anything, but applying a seasonal theme for Halloween, Christmas, etc would have to be the Emby app itself, which has been missing for a while now.

[Luke 42077]

3 minutes ago, ryderjj89 said:

I wouldn't say it should be something that automatically changes, but at least have them as an option. Then the ones who don't like them won't have to worry about them.

Right and therein lies the problem. These are not quick throw-ins like most settings normally are. Seasonal themes are a lot of work, not just initially, but ongoing to keep them compatible. Therefore if they can't be enabled by default then I'm not sure it's the best place to put our developer resources given the low number of people that will end up using them. It's not that I don't like the seasonal themes, it's just that these are hard decisions that we often have to make.

[Spaceboy 2573]

15 minutes ago, Luke said:

When you install apps on devices, isn't it normally the devices UI that does this sort of thing, and not each individual app?

From my perspective, the harsh complaints from those who don't want this have taken the fun out of it, which is all it was meant to be in the first place.

i don't recall it this way. in fact the opposite. like this guy, most people wanted the seasonal themes but just wanted more control over them.

[ryderjj89 33]

1 minute ago, Luke said:

Right and therein lies the problem. These are not quick throw-ins like most settings normally are. Seasonal themes are a lot of work, not just initially, but ongoing to keep them compatible. Therefore if they can't be enabled by default then I'm not sure it's the best place to put our developer resources given the low number of people that will end up using them. It's not that I don't like the seasonal themes, it's just that these are hard decisions that we often have to make.

Do you have any kind of analytics that shows how many people really use them? Would it be worth having an "automatically enable seasonal themes" toggle and then announcing that in a blog post or change log? Really get it out there to folks. I understand the resources it would take and if people won't use them, what's the point. That's a sad reality. If it's something you don't think could happen, I understand. The devs over at theme-park have done a nice job on the themes they have available, but they only work for certain things and can't apply everywhere. Plus, they don't have seasonal themes.

With that being said, is it possible that the apps that currently have these themes may cease to have them in the future?

[Luke 42077]

4 minutes ago, Spaceboy said:

i don't recall it this way. in fact the opposite. like this guy, most people wanted the seasonal themes but just wanted more control over them.

OK maybe Roku is the only one that does that, but I thought I remembered some other devices with their own themes. 

[solidsnakex37 55]

On 10/19/2023 at 1:01 PM, Luke said:

When you install apps on devices, isn't it normally the devices UI that does this sort of thing, and not each individual app?

From my perspective, the harsh complaints from those who don't want this have taken the fun out of it, which is all it was meant to be in the first place.

Hey Luke, would it be possible at all in the future to allow server admins to control when these themes are applied? Not sure if this is hard-coded in the app or on the server side...

I love the themes...and I wish that the Halloween theme would start on Oct 1st and end on Halloween, not start on Halloween. If there is a way I can change this via API, or anything at all I would love to. The themes are such a fun part of Emby and I look forward to it every year, but it's so short lived.

I know I can apply the theme manually in the settings, but I am wanting to change the automatic application and keep the howling/jingle bells etc

[nweishar 14]

Anyone open to reviving this topic? Themes would elevate the experience quite a bit

[Ronstang 293]

If I remember correctly you can apply the theme whenever you want and then turn it off whenever you want so why does it need an auto apply setting.  Last year I turned on the Halloween theme in mid October and then turned it off the day after Halloween.  Is that really so hard?  You are using emby so you should know that a Holiday is over and you can turn it on as early if you like.  

I will avoid the Christmas theme as I get enough of that with my wife having Christmas movies on all the time now starting in early October.  Seems to creep a little each year, pretty soon we will only have a week without them.

[Carlo 4560]

I try and shop all year long when things go on sale, or I think something is likely to get sold out before Christmas. It spreads the cost of purchasing gifts out and makes it kind of fun vs being under pressure last minute.

I loved the Halloween theme. When starting up the app getting the Howl, my dog would get freaked out and run out of the room.

[chrisrobbins1970 82]

How do you turn on the seasonal themes? and does it work on Roku?

[ZanderKeen 72]

3 hours ago, chrisrobbins1970 said:

How do you turn on the seasonal themes? and does it work on Roku?

I haven't seen them kick in on anything except the fire & google tvs but those platforms have a seasonal themes option in settings.

It threw me off-guard the first time someone mentioned it was on their TV because I didn't even know it was a thing since I don't use those platforms. I've never seen it on our Roku's, appletv's, web, or emby theater on windows & linux. Looking at past posts it seems its not really supported anymore which sucks..

Edited November 18, 2024 by Zander3768

[chrisrobbins1970 82]

i undestand..thank yoyu