YouTube and Spotify: no apps for Apple Vision Pro headset
It has been known for some time that the Netflix app will not work on the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset. Now Bloomberg reports that YouTube and Spotify also have no plans to develop apps for the mixed reality glasses. None of these services will launch a dedicated visionOS app. And the two companies’ Apple iPad apps won’t be compatible with the $3,499 VR headset either.
Apparently both YouTube and Spotify assume that the development costs will significantly exceed the expected sales. But this is only half the truth. Developing an app is no big deal these days. In the case of the Apple Vision Pro headset, the companies would also have to provide the appropriate content. And as exciting as mixed reality is, YouTube apparently can’t easily port existing content.
Instead, creators would first have to produce new 3D content. But even with a suitable content offering, the question remains how large the target group would be given the Apple Vision Pro’s cost of $3,499. This leaves only one option for now – the services will continue to be accessible via the browser. Of course, you don’t need a virtual reality headset for this.
The Apple Vision Pro can be pre-ordered starting today, with delivery scheduled for February 2nd. And while YouTube has its own app for the Meta Quest, Spotify has never developed an app for a VR headset, which doesn’t surprise anyone. Meta apps like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp will also be missing on the Vision Pro. However, Meta hasn’t confirmed its plans yet, so the apps may make the leap into virtual reality at some point in the future.
