Netflix is testing a picture-in-picture mode for desktop users

Attention power users: Netflix is testing a new feature that’ll allow you to watch videos without disrupting your work.

According to Engadget, the streaming video service is testing a “pop-out player” that shrinks the video player into a smaller window. Basically, it’s picture-in-picture mode on desktop.

Following Engadget’s initial report on the experimental feature, Netflix responded to the tech site with an image featuring “it’s only a test” text. 

Mashable reached out to Netflix for further clarification on the pop-out player, but didn’t receive a response by publishing time. If Netflix replies, we’ll update this story.

According to Netflix’s reported description of the feature, the pop-out player lets users “multi-task while it stays on top of other windows and applications.” The picture-in-picture window is also resizable and can be moved to anywhere on your computer screen.

The only downside to the pop-out player appears to be the lack of subtitle support. Makes sense since closed captions would be more difficult to see and render on a smaller window.

Despite Netflix telling Engadget the feature’s only a test, we’re really hoping the pop-out player gets released. Other streaming video services, such as Hulu, support picture-in-picture mode on their mobile apps (weirdly enough, Hulu previously had a picture-in-picture mode for Chrome, but it was removed).

That said, Netflix frequently tests new features. Some recent tests include new ads, an instant-replay button, and cheaper mobile-only subscriptions. Most of Netflix’s test features tend to anger its users, but a pop-out player would be something they’d probably welcome.