How do I integrate Songbird with the desktop?

Question

I would like to know if I can have a better integration of Songbird into Unity and Gnome. Specifically, can Songbird:

• be controlled through the panel sound menu, like Banshee in Ubuntu 11.10?
• show notification bubbles when songs change?

I would rather use these features with Songbird. Although general suggestions on how to implement a better consolidation with Ubuntu are welcome!

Answer 1

It's possible.

1. Open System Info and select "Default Applications". Change the default music application to "Songbird".
2. Install the ubuntu-notifier addon.
3. Install the MPRIS addon.

Be aware that Songbird no longer supports Ubuntu, and in turn, people developing Ubuntu integration have faded away. I am not even sure if the addons listed above work anymore; if they do not, your only option is to code Ubuntu integration yourself.

As for the technical details for doing this (and these should become AskUbuntu questions in their own right):

• This is how you register an music player in the sound menu.
• This is how you send pop-up messages.