Apple’s Vision Pro Headset and the Launch of the YouTube App

The Apple Vision Pro headset, a groundbreaking innovation in the realm of mixed reality technology, was released to the public with much fanfare and anticipation. The device, priced at a staggering $3,500, was quickly snapped up by Apple’s most loyal and deep-pocketed fans, leading to estimates of between 160,000 and 180,000 units sold during its opening weekend by well-respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Despite the impressive sales figures, one notable absence from the Vision Pro’s app library was YouTube. The video streaming giant, known for its vast library of content and popularity among internet users, had no immediate plans to develop a native app for the headset. Instead, users were left to rely on the Safari browser for their YouTube needs.

However, it seems that something changed the company’s mind in a matter of weeks. Reports emerged that Google, YouTube’s parent company, was planning to develop a native YouTube app for the Apple Vision Pro. The news was confirmed by a YouTube spokesperson, Jessica Gibby, in an email to The Verge’s Nilay Patel.

“We’re excited to see Vision Pro launch and we’re supporting it by ensuring YouTube users have a great experience in Safari,” Gibby reportedly wrote. “We do not have any specific plans to share at this time, but can confirm that a Vision Pro app is on our roadmap.”

The sudden change of heart from YouTube comes after the launch of an unofficial third-party YouTube app called Juno, developed by Christian Selig, the creator of the popular Apollo app for Reddit. Selig, a former Apple developer with a significant following among Apple device users, was disappointed by YouTube’s decision not to develop a native app for the Vision Pro.

“YouTube is probably one of the parts of the internet I consume the most, so I was more than a little sad when YouTube announced that they don’t have plans to build a visionOS app, and disabled the option to load the iPad app,” Selig explained in a blog post. “This leaves you with Safari, and the website is okay, but definitely doesn’t feel like a visionOS app.”

The Juno app, available at the Vision Pro’s launch, offered users a more native YouTube experience, complete with a floating screen displaying YouTube videos and a living room background. However, YouTube’s 3D and 360-degree videos, a key feature of the Vision Pro, were not yet supported in the app.

The reasons behind YouTube’s sudden change of heart are unclear. Some speculate that the strong sales figures of the Vision Pro and the success of Selig’s Juno app may have influenced the company’s decision. Others suggest that Google may have realized the importance of offering a native app to remain competitive in the mixed reality market.

Regardless of the motivation, the launch of a native YouTube app for the Apple Vision Pro is a significant development for both Apple and Google. It marks a step forward in the integration of video streaming into the mixed reality experience, and further cements the Apple Vision Pro’s position as a leader in the field.

In conclusion, the Apple Vision Pro headset’s launch and the subsequent development of a native YouTube app are important milestones in the world of mixed reality technology. The strong sales figures and the success of third-party apps like Juno may have influenced YouTube’s decision to develop a native app, offering users a more immersive and native YouTube experience. The integration of video streaming into the mixed reality experience is a significant development, and the Apple Vision Pro’s position as a leader in the field is further solidified by this move.