Last week the Apple Vision Pro launched with over 600 apps and games designed specifically for the iPhone maker’s new VR/AR headset. But a few notable platforms were missing, such as Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube. In a bit of a course correction, YouTube now says an app could be coming to the Vision Pro down the line, according to a recent statement the company gave to the Verge.
YouTube is reportedly “excited” about the introduction of Apple’s highly anticipated mixed-reality headset, and the company plans to release a YouTube app for the Vision Pro.
“We’re excited to see Vision Pro launch, and we’re supporting it by ensuring YouTube users have a great experience in Safari,” YouTube spokesperson Jessica Gibby told the site. “We do not have any specific plans to share at this time, but can confirm that a Vision Pro app is on our roadmap.”
While it is unknown what type of development timeframe or launch date YouTube has in mind, it is nonetheless a hopeful revelation. Prior to the Vision Pro’s release, YouTube, Spotify, and Netflix all rejected to develop native apps or allow their iPad apps to operate on the headset. So far, only Netflix has supplied an explanation, with CEO Greg Peters stating that “the device is so subscale” that he’s not certain it’ll “yield a return” for the streaming service. That’s a polite way of stating that, until Apple’s mixed-reality headset proves to be more than a passing fad, Netflix will continue to focus its efforts on more stable platforms.
YouTube announced in January that it has no immediate plans to support Apple’s headgear. In the past, YouTube and its parent firm Google were sluggish to adopt new Apple technologies, requiring years to add functionality. So it could be a while before we see a YouTube app for the Vision Pro. It’s also unclear whether YouTube would release a separate Vision Pro version of its app or just update its existing iPad app to work with the headgear. The Vision Pro currently only supports YouTube in Safari. Alternatively, Apollo developer Christian Selig has released Juno, an app for watching YouTube on the Vision Pro.
When will YouTube’s 3D videos come to the Vision Pro?
One of the Apple Vision Pro’s most appealing features is its 3D spatial video experiences. The iPhone maker collaborated with some of the greatest streaming services, like Disney Plus and Prime Video, to deliver 3D movies from launch. However, neither Juno nor the online version of YouTube allow Vision Pro users to see YouTube’s catalog of 360 and VR content.
Apple representative Jackie Roy explained to the Verge that “much of this content was created for devices that do not deliver a high-quality spatial experience.”
“In some cases, this content could also cause motion discomfort,” he said. “We’ve concentrated our efforts on providing the finest spatial media experience imaginable, including spatial images and videos, Apple Immersive Video, and 3D movies accessible on Apple Tv.
There is no news on whether the new YouTube app will enable 3D content on the Vision Pro. WebXR, an application programming interface (API) for web content and apps that can interact with mixed reality gear, might pave the way for YouTube VR compatibility on the web.
While Apple has stated that it is working on it, it remains a new standard with significant restrictions. Roy stated that WebXR does not yet fully use the power, performance, and interactivity capabilities of Apple Vision Pro and visionOS. However, the business is actively contributing to W3C web standards, which include WebXR.
