Apple Vision Pro headset won't have a YouTube or Netflix app, for now

[midian182]

Facepalm: Even the most ardent Apple fan will admit that the upcoming $3,500 Vision Pro mixed reality headset looks like a hard sell. But the company has hailed it as the ultimate entertainment device, even though it won't have a dedicated Netflix app (or YouTube app!).

The Vision Pro mixed reality headset, which Apple insists on calling a spatial computer, arrives in just a few weeks. Its enormous price tag has already raised plenty of questions about who would spend so much on something without a killer app and a battery rated for only 2 - 2.5 hours, meaning you wouldn't be able to watch all of Oppenheimer in one sitting.

Apple's senior vice president Greg Joswiak previously called the Vision Pro the "ultimate entertainment device," suggesting that the most popular streamer of them all, Netflix, will have its own app. However, Bloomberg writes that the streaming giant isn't planning on launching one for the Vision Pro. Netflix isn't even supporting its current iPad app on Apple's headset.

Netflix stands alone in its decision not to make a dedicated Vision Pro app. Disney Plus, Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount Plus will all have their own.

Update: According to Bloomberg, both YouTube and Spotify have decided not to release dedicated apps for the Vision Pro headset. YouTube confirmed it isn't creating a dedicated app for the Vision Pro and won't allow the current iPad app to pull the trick either. Similarly, Spotify isn't developing a Vision Pro app and won't make its iPad app available on the Vision Pro App Store. Users will be able to access YouTube and Spotify via Safari, similar to Netflix.

Vision Pro users will be able to watch Netflix using the headset, but it can only be done via the web. That means the features Apple has been pushing, such as immersive backdrops for videos, won't be available. Users won't be able to download content for offline viewing, either, and the resolution might be limited.

Netflix did develop a dedicated app for Meta's Quest headsets, though its outdated interface hasn't been updated in years

Netflix previously said that its iPad app would work with the Vision Pro, but it seems to have gone back on that promise. The company hasn't said why it isn't supporting Apple's headset, but the decision will no doubt disappoint buyers looking forward to watching Netflix originals in an immersive setting.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Apple will try to convince people to purchase a Vision Pro by using free in-store demos that last up to 25 minutes.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/101563-apple-entertainment-focused-vision-pro-headset-wont-have.html

 

[Neatfeatguy]

Just for that, I'm not spending nearly $3800 (after tax) to get one of these headsets. Nope, not happening. You just lost a sale, Apple!

 

[GoldenGoat]

I wouldn't support it either because Apple is oppressive to other companies. They won't let Netflix have an arcade app because they don't want anyone to compete with Apple arcade. So I wouldn't deal with them any more than is necessary to not upset my customers.

 

[themastergoose]

First they don't add support for my Pixel 8 Pro, and now no Netflix. Now what do I spend my $3500 on? /s

 

[Fearghast]

It is an Apple device ... seriously, you did not expect some basic functionality to be lacking or missing entirely?
When did any Apple device just worked on every platform with no issues ... pretty much never, so let us not act surprised something Apple is poorly implemented.

 

[Thanthan]

I don’t understand why you would WANT to watch Netflix on a VR headset? Can anyone enlighten me? Porn I get, there exists VR porn made for the format, gaming I get, there are VR games, work I get, there is work to be done in VR, but watching 16:9 aspect ratio content? I have a tv for a reason… if I want to enjoy cinema I… just feel like that would be better watched on a screen with similar aspect ratio and viewing experience to well… a cinema?

 

[kiwigraeme]

I don’t understand why you would WANT to watch Netflix on a VR headset? Can anyone enlighten me? Porn I get, there exists VR porn made for the format, gaming I get, there are VR games, work I get, there is work to be done in VR, but watching 16:9 aspect ratio content? I have a tv for a reason… if I want to enjoy cinema I… just feel like that would be better watched on a screen with similar aspect ratio and viewing experience to well… a cinema?

I'm not going to go back , but they were claiming like a big screen experience on it . Plus many people live in small apartments , kids have the TV playing games , flights etc, others sleeping . Maybe no use to you though
I like also to watch unhammered and free from sweaty face and closed off environment

 

[p51d007]

Without Netflix, they should drop the price to 1,999.99 LOL

 

[Julio Franco]

Update: According to Bloomberg, both YouTube and Spotify have decided not to release dedicated apps for the Vision Pro headset. YouTube confirmed it isn't creating a dedicated app for the Vision Pro and won't allow the current iPad app to pull the trick either. Similarly, Spotify isn't developing a Vision Pro app and won't make its iPad app available on the Vision Pro App Store. Users will be able to access YouTube and Spotify via Safari, similar to Netflix.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Oh no, I'm cancelling my order for the $7KAU headset immediately.

 

[Bobbydpue]

"Apple's senior vice president Greg Joswiak previously called the Vision Pro the "ultimate entertainment device," suggesting that the most popular streamer of them all, Netflix, will have its own app."

How can anyone make that assuption? It's Apple marketing it doesn't mean anything, since as far as I know there isn't much software developed for it, or there is, but Apple somehow hasn't mentioned any of it by now, which doesn't seem likely.

Why would anyone develop an app for a low volume niche device?

 

[brucek]

Any idea as to whether this is a temporary "we are not spending money to make a special app for the like 25 customers who are buying this in its first year" or a more permanent "our agreements with content owners do not allow us to offer it in this high-res format"?

 

[Jrfeimst2]

Considering that the Netflix app on the quest is absolute crap this doesn’t surprise me. It runs at an insanely low resolution and hasn’t been updated in years. So if they aren’t going to support the quest, which has millions of users, I don’t see why they would support the vision pro