Au revoir, YouTube -- Apple is removing the pre-installed YouTube app from iOS 6, meaning that from this autumn the video-playing app will no longer be present on any iPhone, iPad or iPod touch that's running on the latest software. Google is beavering away on a replacement, according to Apple.
The app, which was one of the many bits of Apple software that uses an old-timey visual design* (in this case an old telly), is missing from the beta version of iOS 6, 9to5Mac observed.
Apple said in a statement sent to the Verge that its "licence to include the YouTube app in iOS has ended". The iPad-maker reassures its fans, "Customers can use YouTube in the Safari browser and Google is working on a new YouTube app to be on the App Store."
Apple alludes to a licensing issue, but I suspect Cook and company weren't too reluctant to drop YouTube, which is owned by rival Google.
Apple looks to be severing ties with the Android-owning search giant. iOS 6 will also see the Californian company drop Google Maps in its mapping application, instead opting for its own fancypants 3D location program.
Personally I won't miss the YouTube app too much. While I watch a lot of video on the iPhone and iPad, I tend to find those time-wasting clips through apps such as Twitter and Facebook, rather than firing up the dedicated software to have a browse.
The signs that Apple and Google are parting ways is much more interesting. Is it a sign that Apple thinks Google products aren't good enough? Or maybe the California company is starting to see Google's Android as a serious rival.
Will you miss the app? What changes should Apple introduce with iOS 6? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
*It's called skeuomorphic, big-word fans.
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Comments 38
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anonymous 7 August, 2012 08:59
"Is it a sign that Apple thinks Google products aren't good enough?"
Are you kidding me? This isn't a case of anything other than Apple hates Google and won't assist it in any way at all.YouTube owns online video and there is nothing Apple can do about that. This is simply 'you can watch YouTube, but we're not going to help you do it'. What would be interesting however, is if Google didn't allow access from iOS unless using Chrome.
James1973 7 August, 2012 09:24
Since I bought my iPad the you tube app has been one of the most frustrating apps on my iPad. It constantly stalls for no reason while watching. Hopefully google will issue an app that will work properly. I have to say though that I would pay google for an advertisement free app.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 09:44
does anyone even use this youtube iOS app? must be on of the least used ones that are already present on the phone. apart from voice memos.
well done apple for getting rid of it, it was barely used anyway.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 09:51
In all fairness, I use the Youtube app on Android 4.1.2 and it is excellent and reliable, I would of thought the iOS version would be the same, roughly anyway!
anonymous 7 August, 2012 09:57
I never used it. The YouTube web app works better. The iOS version is way too buggy and has had the same problems since using it on the iPhone 3G.
Wasted space since I cant delete it...
anonymous 7 August, 2012 10:34
I think google will make a much better youtube app, so I'm excited..
megh55555 7 August, 2012 11:03
Thats a bit of a loss for Apple owners. Youtube is probably one of the most used web entity or most users . Cmon - Who doesnt like YOUTUBE , its scary Apple has no license anymore for the app. Besides , no Youtube app on the Apple would actually mean Android Phones have the edge until google helps apple with a new App for iOS. With all these imitations Im really glad I made the right choice buying an android phone.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 11:06
@megh55555 how does that give android the edge over iOS? it's one app. there are plenty of apps that are available for iOS and not android..so i dont really see how it gives the an 'edge' over anything. the iphone 5 will soon prove that apple and iOS are still better than andriod, even with the thousands of phones android is run on, where as only three devices run apple's iOS. if there is any 'edge' here - apple still has it.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 11:24
About time Apple updated the You Tube app, as it's buggy and not very intuitive. I look forward to the new app!
joebhoy 7 August, 2012 11:51
Look at all the isheep "well if apple says we don't need it then surely we don't need it !!! All hail apple !!!!" :P
Ruffus Stone 7 August, 2012 11:54
Apart from the fact that Google are said to be replacing the YouTube Apps for both iOS and Android, with newer versions; Apple's move may also be related to the re-licencing process and the desire to "cut a good deal".
Bear in mind that Google would lose a fair deal of advertising revenue from YouTube, if the large iOS market is cut off from them.
The other thing to consider, is the even larger potential threat to Google if their search engine is removed as the default search engine on iOS and banished by Microsoft in favour of their own Bing equivalent.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 11:54
@jorbhoy says the android fan boy..
anonymous 7 August, 2012 12:34
@James1973
Have you ever thought Apple are making it intentionally sucky so there are less views/and revenue for Google?
anonymous 7 August, 2012 12:56
That line about maybe not being good enough was truly embarrassing.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 13:12
@joebhoy
Dude grow up and stop ranting about the 'isheep' thingy. There far more intelligent and smart people than you who uses apple priducts. that doesnt mean they know nothing about anything and just use them for the sake of it? comon, grow up. it's just a choice of products and nothing else.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 13:19
The sort of intelligent person who posts the same thing 6 times?
anonymous 7 August, 2012 13:21
and the intellegent person who can't spell 'products' or 'come on'. hmmm?
anonymous 7 August, 2012 13:30
I like the idea it should be more entertaing then what's out there now so I look foword to new formate they should work on spell cheak since dosenot help that much as you see here ! Nunzio
anonymous 7 August, 2012 14:20
I use the YouTube app every day. There's no bugs and it's nice and fast. I don't know why I'm the only person every app works for.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 15:56
Apple seems to hate everyone these days... Samsung... Google.... next it's going to hate AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. Apple really do need to grow up.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 16:21
Protube, rings any bells?
anonymous 7 August, 2012 16:22
Why dont you just go on You Tube in the first place?? Why use an ap? Oh yeh thats right its cos Apple suck and you cant lol.. Glittery losers.
anonymous 7 August, 2012 16:24
Apple won't be sad to be removing this App. Google won't be upset either as the iOS YouTube app does not display ANY adverts and thus creates NO revenue for Google. Google will be pleased to be able to offer an advert filled alternative.
Marc Liron 7 August, 2012 16:40
Mmm... I would still prefer a dedicated YouTube app rather than accessing via safari.
Pete Morgan 7 August, 2012 16:45
The deal made with Google originally allowed Apple to show YouTube videos free from commercials. It's that license that's expired.
Apple don't need to worry about that any more, since their App Store terms now allow full control over advertising on their platform.
joebhoy 7 August, 2012 17:39
@anonymous 13:14
Dude learn to spell before going on about intelligence !!
And to be honest I'm not bothered about apple or android I just like a little wind-up now and again :-P
You know like casting out some bait and see who bites !!!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anonymous 7 August, 2012 21:22
Obviously they would kill the app - the licence is up, so why should Apple pay Google for an app that people can now download through the app store?
Don't forget when this agreement was penned the app store didn't exist - now it does, there is NO need to pay for something which can be sourced another way.
anonymous 8 August, 2012 21:05
I will not miss the YouTube app if Google is coming out with an app. If apple does not let the new YouTube app on iOS6 then I will be switching to an android tablet.
anonymous 10 August, 2012 10:36
More concerned about replacing google maps - what's better than this?!?! It's an essential tool on my phone - help!
anonymous 13 August, 2012 13:05
Apple are just mad because they've lost so much ground to Android. They won't give google an inch. But with google's hold on the internet, it would be unwise for apple to severe ties with google as this would push more of its customers to Android.
anonymous 24 August, 2012 09:08
Hopefully the new YouTube app won't suck so much at handling comments and replies to comments, and account management in general. It's about time this app was updated or replaced. The LinkedIn app is hopeless too.
anonymous 20 September, 2012 08:37
Wish i had seen this thread earlier, my kids watch lots of YouTube on my iPad, they are not going to be happy. I'll make sure they don't upgrade until a replacement is found.
Why should the consumer suffer due to apples issues with a rival, they should realise its us that pay the money to them, so don't annoy us. I'll be looking at android too when my current contract runs out, apple aren't 'special' any more it seems
anonymous 20 September, 2012 10:28
I always ued that app. Kind of annoying that its gone
anonymous 22 September, 2012 02:17
This is not good. I understand that YouTube has rights to the app, but taking it down was not a good idea for the company. Think how many people will miss just using their device instead of having to walk to the computer and wait for it to load. It was simple convienence, and now, it's gone.
anonymous 23 September, 2012 13:11
this is total BS!!!! Youtube in Safari on ipad is terrible compared to the app. First MAJOR disappointment on my ipad in 2 years. Almost makes me want to go by a tablet that runs android.
anonymous 24 September, 2012 03:21
Damnit, I wish we still had the YouTube app.
anonymous 24 September, 2012 04:28
Upgrading my iPad to iOS 6 convinced me that this iPad was my last Apple device. Deleting two apps that I enjoyed using - google maps and you-tube was not something I expected. Blocking the option to download them from the app-store convinced me this was a company avanata carried out on the back of its users.
Don't know what make would be my next phone or next tablet but apple it won't be.
anonymous 7 October, 2012 07:13
apple i pad or iphone is there speciality li think apps which are best they doesnt need to remove or other way round atleast they can sale from app store ....????
without best apps there is no way forward...apple killing its market by its own decisions or whatever
or may google is charging too much for that in that case apple should develop its own ......