Earlier this week, it was announced that Netflix would not be offering a dedicated app for the upcoming Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset. Now, it has been reported that two more major mobile entertainment apps, Google’s YouTube and Spotify, have also decided to skip the next hardware product launch from Apple.
According to Bloomberg, Google has confirmed that it will not be developing a dedicated visionOS app for the Vision Pro. Additionally, it will not allow its iPad app to be used on the headset. Similarly, Spotify will reportedly follow suit, as an unnamed source has indicated that the music streaming service will also not be developing a native app for the Vision Pro.
This means that three of the most popular streaming entertainment apps will not be available when the Vision Pro launches on February 2. While these companies could have allowed their respective iPad apps to run on the Vision Pro without any special visionOS features, the decision to block these apps from working on the headset is seen as a major snub towards Apple.
As of now, there has been no official word from Netflix, Spotify, or Google’s YouTube regarding their decision not to support the Vision Pro with native apps. However, customers will still be able to access all three services on the headset via Apple’s Safari web browser.
The upcoming launch of the Vision Pro has been heavily promoted by Apple as a high-end entertainment device. Despite the absence of these major streaming apps, a large number of smaller streaming services are expected to support the Vision Pro with their apps at launch. Additionally, Microsoft has announced that it will support the Vision Pro with versions of its Word, Excel, and Office apps for the device.
Pre-orders for the Apple Vision Pro are set to begin tomorrow, January 19, with a price tag of $3,499. Apple is reportedly preparing its retail store employees to demonstrate the Vision Pro with sessions that could last as long as 25 minutes.
Despite the absence of native apps from major entertainment providers, the Vision Pro is still expected to make a significant impact in the mixed reality headset market. However, the decision by Netflix, Google’s YouTube, and Spotify to not offer dedicated apps for the headset has raised questions about the device’s potential for widespread adoption.
It is unclear why these companies have chosen not to support the Vision Pro with native apps. However, it is possible that they have concerns about the user experience on the device, or they may have strategic reasons for not wanting to participate in the launch. Regardless of the reasons behind their decisions, the absence of these major apps is likely to be a disappointment for potential buyers of the Vision Pro.
Despite the setbacks, the Vision Pro is still expected to offer a wide range of entertainment options through other streaming services and productivity apps. With Microsoft’s commitment to support the device with its popular productivity suite, it is clear that the Vision Pro will offer more than just entertainment capabilities.
As Apple prepares for the launch of the Vision Pro, it is evident that the company is positioning the device as a premium, high-end product. The decision to price the headset at $3,499 reflects its status as a luxury item aimed at consumers who are willing to pay a premium for cutting-edge technology.
The launch of the Vision Pro is also an important step for Apple as the company seeks to expand its presence in the augmented and virtual reality market. While there have been mixed reactions to the absence of native apps from major entertainment providers, there is still significant excitement surrounding the potential of the Vision Pro to offer a compelling mixed reality experience.
As the pre-order date approaches, it will be interesting to see how consumers respond to the announcement from Netflix, Google’s YouTube, and Spotify. With the device set to launch on February 2, all eyes will be on the Vision Pro to see if it lives up to the hype generated by Apple’s marketing efforts. Regardless of the decisions made by these major entertainment providers, the success of the Vision Pro will ultimately be determined by its ability to deliver a compelling mixed reality experience for consumers.
