Apple has rolled out more than 600 dedicated apps for Vision Pro, but notable ones like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify are notably absent. YouTube had indeed announced previously that it wouldn’t develop native apps for Apple’s Spatial Computer and wouldn’t allow its iPad apps to run on visionOS.
However, YouTube has since reversed its stance. In a statement to The Verge, YouTube expressed excitement about the Apple Vision Pro launch and confirmed that a dedicated visionOS app is in the works, though no specific timeline was provided.
“We’re excited to see Vision Pro launch and we’re supporting it by ensuring YouTube users have a great experience in Safari. We do not have any specific plans to share at this time, but can confirm that a Vision Pro app is on our roadmap.“– YouTube spokesperson
It’s well-known that YouTube and its parent company Google typically take time to adopt new Apple features, sometimes taking years to embrace changes. The schedule for Google’s release of a YouTube app for Vision Pro is still uncertain. In the meantime, Christian Selig, the developer behind Apollo, has introduced an app called “Juno” for viewing YouTube on Vision Pro. Additionally, users can still access YouTube videos through the Safari browser.
Neither Juno nor YouTube on the web supports the extensive collection of 360 and 3D YouTube videos. There are claims that this 360 and VR content may never be compatible with Vision Pro due to quality concerns.
According to an Apple spokesperson, Jackie Roy, this is because the content isn’t of high quality and could cause motion discomfort. The content was originally created for devices that do not provide a high-quality spatial experience.
“We’ve focused on delivering the best spatial media experience possible, including spatial photos and videos, Apple Immersive Video, and 3D movies available on Apple TV,” – Apple spokesperson.
The compatibility of the upcoming YouTube app for Vision Pro with its 3D content is currently unclear.
Additionally, the Apple spokesperson mentioned that they are actively working on supporting WebXR content, which may eventually enable Vision Pro users to watch YouTube VR videos on Safari. However, this is still a new standard and will take some time to implement fully. Apple has been actively contributing to W3C web standards, including WebXR, but it doesn’t yet “take full advantage of the power, performance, and interaction capabilities of Apple Vision Pro and visionOS.“
Every new platform comes with its own set of challenges, but the good news is that a dedicated YouTube app for Vision Pro is on its way. The timeline for its release is not known yet, but hopefully, it will be available soon.
0 Comments