YouTube and Spotify will not offer dedicated Vision Pro apps in time for the headset’s launch in a similar move to that announced by Netflix earlier today, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
YouTube confirmed its plans to snub a visionOS app in a new statement issued to the report, and the video-sharing service will also opt out from porting its iOS app to Apple’s first spatial computer. Just like Netflix, users who would like to access YouTube on Vision Pro will be left with no choice but to open it through Safari.
Similarly, sources familiar with Spotify’s plans also indicate that the music streaming giant will not offer a Vision Pro app at launch nor will it port its iOS-built app to run on the headset. Once again, users will likely be forced to use Spotify through Safari or other web browsers if and when they launch on Vision Pro.
The trio of exclusions is a considerable blow to Apple’s marketing efforts for Vision Pro as a serious entertainment device. While it’s easy to speculate that Spotify is giving the cold shoulder to Vision Pro over its long-running dispute with Apple, Bloomberg sources confirmed that snubbing the headset isn’t related to the App Store feud. Spotify similarly doesn’t offer apps on competing headsets like Meta’s Quest.
Earlier this week, Apple announced a round of entertainment and streaming apps coming to Vision Pro at launch. These include Disney+, ESPN, MLB, NBA, HBO Max, Discovery+, TikTok, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, PGA Tour, Tubi, Fubo, Peacock, Crunchyroll, Red Bull TV, IMAX, MUBI, and Pluto TV.
Customers will be able to pre-order Vision Pro starting from Friday, January 19, at 5 a.m. PST. Sales will begin two weeks later on Friday, February 2 on Apple.com and all Apple Store locations in the United States.
