Distracted, binge-watching, or sleepy subscribers will be interested to hear that “resoundingly positive feedback from customers” has led Comcast to roll out “Video Playback Controls” as the default view on X1 after first testing it as a feature in its “Labs” section. The updated design has a simplified interface with collapsible accessibility buttons when not in use, and quick navigation to continue watching episodes or playlist content. Removed are the redundant fast forward, rewind, and jump buttons from the on-screen display, but subs can still use them from the remote.

A new “Jump Back” button sends viewers to the beginning of a program, and the new “Live” button joins them in progress to the program or recording they’re watching. “Next” lets a customer quickly access the next item in a playlist. A new “lightning mode” feature allows subscribers to find where they left off quickly, say if they fell asleep while watching. Customers can traverse content in under 12 seconds regardless of program length, and it works for both fast forward and rewind.

On the accessibility front, subs can also check the status of those settings (DVS, SAP and CC) directly from the playback controls.

In the Labs testing section, X1 is trialing new screen saver options as well as a light sleep mode for smaller IP-based boxes. When not in use, this power saver mode will turn off components in the X1 set-top that tend to use more power. Comcast reports this mode will only use as much energy as a nightlight.