The Apple Vision Pro App Store debuted without some notable apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify. However, there’s a glimmer of hope for YouTube enthusiasts, as the company hinted at a potential YouTube app for the platform in the future. According to a statement given to The Verge, YouTube expressed excitement about the Vision Pro launch and confirmed that an app is in the works, although no specific timeline was provided.
In their statement, YouTube emphasized their commitment to ensuring a seamless user experience for YouTube viewers accessing the platform through Safari. While they didn’t unveil any concrete plans, they confirmed that a Vision Pro app is part of their roadmap.
Historically, YouTube and its parent company, Google, have been known to take their time adopting new Apple features, making it uncertain when a dedicated YouTube app might materialize for the Vision Pro. In the meantime, developer Christian Selig has developed an alternative app called “Juno” for watching YouTube on the Vision Pro. Alternatively, users can still access YouTube videos through the Safari browser.
However, neither Juno nor the Safari browser fully support YouTube’s collection of 360 and 3D videos. According to an Apple spokesperson, this limitation is due to the content being optimized for devices that offer a superior spatial experience, with concerns about potential motion discomfort. Apple has prioritized delivering high-quality spatial media experiences, including spatial photos and videos, Apple Immersive Video, and 3D movies available on Apple TV.
There’s speculation about whether YouTube’s future app will support its 3D content, but no official word has been provided on this matter. Apple has mentioned that they are working on supporting WebXR content, which could potentially enable the viewing of YouTube VR videos on the web via Safari in the future. However, it’s noted that WebXR is still in its early stages and doesn’t fully leverage the capabilities of Apple Vision Pro and visionOS. Despite this, Apple is actively contributing to W3C web standards, including WebXR, paving the way for future developments in this space.
