AudioPick

A Chrome Extension to pick a preferred audio output device for HTML5 audio and video elements

AudioPick

A Chrome Manifest V3 Extension to pick a preferred audio output device for HTML5 <audio/> and <video/> elements

How it works

The extension finds HTML5 <audio/> and <video/> elements within the document tree and manipulates the sinkId in order to switch to the preferred audio output device. Since version 0.3.8 it also finds Audio, Video and AudioContext objects that have not been inserted into the document tree, e. g. Spotify and SoundCloud should now work with the extension, too.

Since it’s now possible to store/remember a preferred audio output device per site/domain, the extension’s option panel and hence the option to set a global preferred device (for the browser) has been removed. This also significantly reduces the number of microphone permission that the extension acquires (see below).

Note that the Media Capture and Streams API requires media (microphone) permissions to be granted to every site with audio sinks that need to be manipulated, which – as a result – allows those sites to access your microphone. Hence AudioPick only acquires permissions when the user actually picks a non-default device for a site and restores permissions when the user reverts back to using the default. Since version 0.3.10 a smartMicAccess mode can be activated in the UI which further reduces the number of microphone permissions granted by the extension.

Check the FAQ and the ChangeLog for more information.

Free/Libre Open Source

We publish this/our software as Free/Libre Open Source licensed under GPL-3.0 to ensure that you have and continue to have the following four fundamental freedoms:

  • the freedom to use the software for any purpose,
  • the freedom to change the software to suit your needs,
  • the freedom to share the software with your friends and neighbors, and
  • the freedom to share the changes you make.

– The Foundations of the GPL

While Free/Libre Open Source refers to free as in free speech, not as in free beer, we have chosen

Though we accept ❤Gratuities.

Privacy

Privacy and Liberty go hand in hand. You should not be forced to willingly or even unwillingly disclose personal data in order to be able to use a software or access information that is important for you. Hence neither our software nor our web pages collect usage data or require registration.

Our web pages are static HTML documents and do not set cookies. They do not contain any JavaScript code, unless it is required to provide a very specific function, e. g. local search, or to demonstrate some code in action.

Our software, in this case the AudioPick extension, does not track usage data by itself, though you need to be aware that installing an extension from the Chrome WebStore and using it in the Chrome Browser generates usage data which is shown on the Chrome WebStore and Developer Dashboard, e. g. how often the extension is installed. We have opted out of using google-analytics to track and evaluate usage data ourselves. Also note that downloading the extension from GitHub probably leaves a trace, too.

If we get access to usage/user data, e. g. IP or email addresses, it’s most likely unavoidable and we do our best to get rid of unneeded information, e. g. rotate log files of web servers we control. In any case, we do not transfer or even sell any usage/user data to 3rd parties.

Gratuities

That all being said, you may show appreciation for our work by paying a completely voluntary tip. For that purpose we have created a ❤Payment link on Stripe which allows you to give any amount between 1€ and 10€, defaulting to 3€ to keep the processing fee ratio in check.

Sadly, using this link/page for tipping does not work anonymously, e. g. Stripe requires you to enter a valid email address, but we haven’t found a better / more private way, e. g. online cash, to show monetary appreciation over the internet. Hence you should only use the link/page, when you are aware of and agree to its privacy implications.

Contributions

The Manifest V3 (0.3.X) versions originate from a complete rewrite (of our Manifest V2 version) which has been kindly contributed by @XanSama. 🎄 Thank you! 🎄