Shortly after Apple began seeding developers with beta builds of iOS 6 earlier this summer, it was discovered that when the final version of iOS 6 reached consumers this fall, it would no longer feature the built-in YouTube app that has been a staple of the OS since the beginning. Apple followed up with a statement noting that their agreement had run out and that Google intended to release a standalone YouTube app via the App Store sometime later.
Well, the day has come and the new, free, YouTube app is now available on the App Store. Here are the release notes from the YouTube blog:
– Tens of thousands more videos: Watch official music videos like Taylor’s latest hit.
– New YouTube channel guide: Swipe your finger from the left edge of the screen to reveal a guide with your subscribed channels on YouTube, giving you instant access to everything from Alli Sports to YOMYOMF.
– Find awesome videos faster: Get to videos like “Gangnam Style” faster with new search tools that give suggestions while you type, and let you sort through videos or channels. Flip through related videos, comments and more info, all while watching a video.
– More ways to share with the people you love: Share that incredible video you found on YouTube on Google+, Facebook or text message in the app, as well as from Twitter and email.
The reason “tens of thousands more videos” are now available, is due to this new app’s ability to display ads. This explains why previously, in the built-in YouTube app some videos, say, from your favorite band, were unavailable- the app didn’t support ads, and if content providers couldn’t show you ads, you didn’t get to see the video.
Also, worth noting is the fact that this app only natively supports the iPhone as of right now. However, the New York Times reports that an iPad-native version is on its way.
I use the built-in YouTube app heavily, but I must admit, it was beginning to feel dated, and clunky. Plus, it was frustrating not being able to watch some of the YouTube content through the app, but if I accessed the same content through Safari on the same iOS device, I was allowed to view the video. Hopefully, this app improves the YouTube user experience on iOS devices. And even if it doesn’t, Google should be able to quickly release updates to fix (UI and other) problems now that it is unpaired with the OS.
Lastly, and this should go without saying, this move further highlights the differences that have grown between Apple and Google since the iPhone was introduced in 2007. At the time, they were inseparable partners, now they are the staunchest of competitors. Times change, people fall in and out of love, and someone gets the YouTube app in the divorce.
Continue reading:
- Everything New Apple Just Announced (Septembe
- Apple Watch Pre-Order
- Apple Research Kit launches with 5 Apps
- Apple TV now only $69
TAGS: ios 6, YouTube
