Week 9

Feature: Enhanced Search and Filtering

A major focus of this development phase has been improving how users discover content. The search and filtering system now provides more control and smarter recommendations.

Smarter Search Filters

We have implemented backend support for advanced filtering options, allowing users to refine video results based on:

• Video duration, enabling users to select short or long-form content.

• Playable content only, filtering out videos that cannot be embedded.

• AI-assisted keyword shaping, which refines user-entered keywords to produce more relevant search results.

• Content restrictions, such as “kids only,” “shorts only,” and the ability to avoid specific words or themes.

• AI-generated summaries of video descriptions to further improve keyword curation.

These enhancements make the search experience more intuitive and ensure that users are presented with content that closely matches their preferences.

Pre-Made Categories

To streamline navigation, we introduced pre-made categories accessible both from the home screen and a persistent sidebar. This allows users to quickly jump into popular content themes without needing to perform a manual search.

Contributor: Lizzy (UI), Binayak (Backend & AI Integration)

Feature: Improved Video Playback Experience

Updated Video Player UI

The video player interface has been redesigned to create a more immersive and intuitive viewing experience. Enhancements include:

• A cleaner layout with simplified controls.

• Integration with the new navigation structure.

• Improved responsiveness across devices.

Skip Video Functionality

Users can now easily move to the next video in a channel using a skip button, ensuring uninterrupted viewing when a video does not match their interest.

Advanced Video Selection Algorithm

To prevent repetitive content, the recommendation algorithm has been updated to introduce greater randomness. Instead of always starting with the most popular or highly liked videos, the system now selects from a broader range of results, creating a more dynamic and engaging viewing experience.

Contributor: Sofia Garza (Skip Feature & UI Cleanup), Binayak (Algorithm Enhancements)

Feature: Account and Profile Management

AuroraTV is evolving into a more personalized platform with the introduction of an Accounts Center. This feature allows users to manage their identity and preferences within the app.

Key capabilities include:

• User authentication and login management

• Customizable profile information

• Profile picture selection

• Favorites, enabling users to save videos or channels for later viewing

These additions ensure that user preferences persist across sessions and devices, laying the groundwork for deeper personalization.

Contributor: Summer

Feature: UI and Branding Enhancements

Updated Navigation

The second screen has been refined to include a home screen option, improving overall navigation and making it easier for users to move between sections of the app.

New AuroraTV Logo

A new logo has been designed to better represent the identity and aesthetic of AuroraTV, contributing to a more cohesive and professional brand presence.

General UI Cleanup

Additional refinements across the application have improved consistency, usability, and visual appeal.

Contributor: Sofia Garza

Future Features

As we move toward the final stages of development, our focus will shift to polishing existing features and ensuring a seamless user experience. Upcoming priorities include:

• Finalizing the Friends Center and social sharing capabilities

• Completing the category sharing functionality

• Enhancing the Play on TV casting feature

• Further refining the recommendation algorithm

• Conducting usability testing and bug fixes

• Preparing the application for final deployment and presentation