YouTube finally arrives on the Apple Vision Pro, but was it worth the wait? Two years after the initial tease, Google delivers on its promise of a native YouTube app, just in time for the headset's anniversary. But is this release all it's hyped up to be?
The new app opens up a world of YouTube content for Vision Pro users, allowing them to access all types of videos, from 3D and 360-degree experiences to VR180 and even Shorts, although the latter may not be as captivating without the full immersion.
All the familiar YouTube features are there, too. Users can access their watch history, subscriptions, playlists, and more, seamlessly integrated into the headset's interface. And for those with the latest Vision Pro M5, the app supports 8K footage, a rarity on the platform due to the limited availability of such content.
But here's where it gets controversial: Google's timing is curious. Why the delay? And why release the app now, two years later? Was it a strategic move to coincide with the headset's anniversary, or is there more to the story? The initial lack of support for visionOS apps and the redirection to Safari raised questions, especially when third-party developers filled the gap with unofficial apps.
One such developer, Christian Selig, created Juno, a YouTube app for Vision Pro, which was swiftly removed by Apple due to alleged API and trademark violations. This incident adds an intriguing twist to the story, leaving us wondering about the dynamics between these tech giants.
With the YouTube app now available on the Apple App Store, users can finally experience YouTube on their Vision Pro without compromises. But will it live up to the expectations set by the long wait? That's for the users to decide. And this is the part most people miss—the power of user feedback. So, what do you think? Is this app a game-changer, or just a late addition to the party?
