Kicking The Google Habit: iPhone 5, iOS 6 To Drop YouTube Support
Posted by Michael Nace on Tuesday Aug 7, 2012 Under Apple News, iPhone 5 Predictions
In the wake of Apple dropping Google Maps from iOS 6 and replacing it with its own in-house technology, new news that YouTube native support will be dropped as well. Will iOS be Google-free by 2013?
News broke yesterday that the native YouTube app for iOS 6 will be going the way of the do-do. The statement from Apple was posted originally on The Verge: “Our license to include the YouTube app in iOS has ended, customers can use YouTube in the Safari browser and Google is working on a new YouTube app to be on the App Store.”
For iOS 5 device users who love the YouTube app (which seem to be few and far between), it appears that the loss of the native support will only be for iOS 6 devices, and that older devices will be grandfathered in: “Engadget has also heard from Apple and learned that while iOS 6 devices will lose the stock YouTube app, iOS 5 devices will not. It seems that either Google’s licensing agreement permits it to stay on the older OS, Apple didn’t want to go to the trouble to push out a point update that takes away a feature, or some combination of both.”
To clarify, Google and YouTube won’t be going completely away from iOS — Google has explicitly stated that it will develop an app for their streaming video service, giving iOS users the option of adding the feature back into their mobile computing experience.
The general perception of the native YouTube support on iOS is that it stinks — there isn’t a great deal of heartache on the part of iPhone and iPad users over the loss of the YouTube app. But perhaps the reason why this is a big story worth thinking about is that the dropping of YouTube from iOS 6 and beyond is yet another example of how Apple appears to be scrubbing YouTube services out of their products.
The dropping of YouTube begs the question: will we see an Apple version of YouTube — perhaps through iTunes — sometime in the near future, in a bid to compete with Google’s services? We’ve already seen the replacement of the poorly-supported Google Maps with what promises to be an impressive Apple Maps interface. Now, with the eventual dropping of YouTube, Apple appears to feel as though they can offer their users some kind of replacement down the line.
I have also written more than once about what I believe to be Apple’s semi-clandestine attempt to someday compete against Google search with Siri. Evidence such as its heavy reliance on search engine Wolfram Alpha and its vast repository of data centers suggests that Apple is already in the search business, and offering Siri users a different kind of search engine that leverages stored data, as opposed to Google Search’s indexing of web pages across the internet.
I now wonder if it is possible to imagine that 2013 iOS devices could see the dropping of Google Search as well? The further development of Siri on iOS 6 will perhaps give us a better sense of how close something like that could be.
Post Script: Hard Times For Google
You may not know it, but Google is having a bit of a rough patch right now with its revenues. The losses are coming as a direct result of the degradation of its AdWords business (the ads that appear on this blog as well as in Google Search, YouTube, Maps, and other Google services). This, from Slashdot, really lays out Google’s recent decline:
“Rebecca Greenfield writes that during their recent earnings call, Google reported a 16 percent decline in Cost-per-Click (CPC), meaning the value of each advertisement clicked has gone down. This follows a 12 percent drop last quarter and 8 percent the quarter before that showing an unfortunate reality of online advertising.”
I would not be shocked if Wall Street has a big October surprise in the fall over Google’s earnings.
The cause of Google’s drop in ad revenues has a lot to do with search engine optimization, or SEO as it is commonly known, which is being used by small online businesses in place of Google “pay-per-click” (PPC) ads. Whatever the case, Apple might see this opportunity to jump into the ad game for itself in the upcoming years — since there is no other ad system that currently competes with AdWords — as well as an opportunity to really stick it to Google. Imagine for a moment how fewer ad impressions Google’s AdWords will receive once Maps, YouTube, and maybe even Search is gone from iOS devices.
The effect could be devastating for Google’s bottom line.
By Michael Nace
Michael Nace is the Publisher of the iPhone 5 News Blog and iPhone 6 News Blog. He has published articles about the iPhone since 2010.
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August 7th, 2012 at 10:38 am
I never use the Youtube app so I’m glad it’s gone and I wish some of the other standard apps were optional as well.
I also find it highly unlikely that Apple will attempt to compete with Youtube in the near future. Unlike maps where Apple can buy up some companies and go to work, the heart of Youtube is the users who upload their videos. Will apple be able to convince most users to upload their videos to their competing service instead of or in addition to Youtube? What would be the benefits? Most Youtubers are comfortable with Youtube and they like Youtube. What about all the videos that Youtube already hosts?
It would be difficult to kick Google search out of iOS as well. You can make another search engine the default but most people use Google and it would probably hurt iOS sales if people can’t perform a Google search from the search bar. I set Bing as my default search engine (when I’m not using Siri) but it’s definitely not as good as Google. Search is what Google does best and despite the rival camps that have developed, I might cross sides on this one. Sorry, Apple.
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August 7th, 2012 at 11:13 am
I agree with Thomas, I won’t miss the YouTube app, if anything I’ll just use Google’s YouTube app from the App Store. I would be very disappointed if Apple got rid of google search, though, because I use Google every single day whether it’s searching up iPhone 5 rumors or other tech stuff. But it’s a good look for Apple to separate themselves from Google.
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August 7th, 2012 at 11:40 am
I really hope the YouTube app that Google builds for iOS is similar to that on Android. I think it is very well done. The Apple rendition of YouTube is horrible. I feel the same way about maps. I hope Apple’s new maps app is at least close to as good as Google Maps on Android. My wife and I always use my phone for maps and navigation because it is far superior to that of Apple’s (right now). Case and point that Apple doesn’t dominate in every aspect even though they (and others) would like to think that they do. Apple can still use a few pages out of Google’s playbook. And thanks to competition, the products continue to get better.
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August 7th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
TechnoBuffalo just reported that Sprint has cut the iPhone 4S price by $50. This could help confirm the idea of a September 12th announcement. They’re trying to sell as many as possible before the price drops another 50 dollars. I think it’s a great idea on their part. Just thought I’d share.
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August 7th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
I wonder what kind of punch line Apple will advertise when they announce the event…”The week we’ve all been waiting for (no seriously, we’re for real this time)!”
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August 7th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
My non iphone self has a really dumb question – what will this do for gmail? I currently use gmail and am seriously considering the iphone 5 as my next phone because of all the problems I have had with the droid – but it makes me wonder because I don’t want to have to keep going into safari to get to gmail… I like being lazy so sorry for asking a really dumb question
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August 7th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
moving on to more interesting news. 9to5mac found this http://9to5mac.com/2012/08/07/upcoming-ios-6-is-scalable-to-taller-640-x-1136-iphone-display-shows-possible-next-generation-device-user-interface/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
We could be looking at some closer evidence that iPhone is for sure getting a size change.
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August 7th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Im glad. I never used that YouTube app anyway because I could never find the videos I wanted to find. The only reason I ever used it was if I wanted to show friends a video that I had saved in my favorites. I didnt read the whole article but i figured i knew where you were going with it & It seems Apple only looks for an improvement in the app. This is good news
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August 7th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Andrew you can set up gmail through Apple mail easily. You’ll never Not be able to use it
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August 7th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
I’m not allowed to say this, bur iOS 6 beta 2 still includes the f*****ng YouTube app. I really hope someone puts an effort to make a better one if it ends up as a standalone app…
BTW, the new maps (at least in my home country) sucks big time. Im praying that it will be fixed before final release of iOS 6.
Now I’ll go hide and wait for the Apple gorillas and lawyers who will probably come and beat me to death….
Hope they’ll enjoy their stay here in Norway…
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August 7th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
my 4 year old symbian phone has a better mapping app than the iphone… SYMBIAN PHONE!!! unbelievable imo.
for the youtube app… i nearly never use it. There nearly no 3g where i live, nearly all edge. (oh and we’ll start with 4G in a year or so) this means i’m only reading websites cause streaming takes too long.
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August 7th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@cocoapro13, if that is true I am going to be very underwhelmed. Not even a 4″ screen but a 3.99″ screen. Pardon me while I yawn…
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August 7th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
I wonder if apple might try to get in a partnership with Vimeo in the near future
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August 7th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
@Balle – It’s not a secret that YouTube is still on Beta 2? All the blog and tech sites have been reporting on absence of the YouTube native application in the newest beta (beta 4) … but if any gorillas are after you, I’ll definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers
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August 8th, 2012 at 6:02 am
Never used on my jailbroken iPhone(s), so it won’t be missed.
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August 8th, 2012 at 6:14 am
@Willem- I too prefer Nokia(os=symbian) Maps for navigation, on my Nokia N8 over all other. It’s completely free (voice), plus the maps are downloadable. So data on the go, never an issue. Android and ios, seriously need to offer the downloading of maps asap too. Nokia has offered this option for several years, already.
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August 8th, 2012 at 8:08 am
@hippie, totally agree about the downloading of maps. It would make the app totally win over google.
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August 8th, 2012 at 8:23 am
@Undfeatable- There you go.
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August 8th, 2012 at 10:40 am
YouTube app is just defective on both the iPad, and the iPod/iPhone. You should not have to tinker with DNS settings, and WiFi settings to get it to stream video properly.
25-30Mb conection, HD Video in other apps stream perfectly fine, yet YouTube buffers like a 1990 dialup connection.
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August 8th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
I hope Maps is good, I bought TomTom and in the 3 years since I have had it it has never found a satellite! Useless or what.
YouTube? Take it or leave it but I won’t miss it if it’s toast.
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August 8th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
I think since the iPhone and Android have offered free GPS applications, including real time traffic updates, Garmin and TomTom have suffered greatly.
I refuse, as many others prob also do, to purchase a yearly map update that costs 1/3-1/2 the original cost of the GPS device itself. Update the Map, or spend just a little more and get a brand new unit?
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August 8th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@core2, I agree, Apple and Google have decimated the GPS market. I bought Navigon 3 years ago, and it’s pretty good, however the lack of downloading maps makes the “realtime” apps clunky and inoperable.
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August 8th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
While they are at it, get rid of Stocks app and game centre, both I have never used… Or Atleast allow me to delete them?!
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August 8th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Maybe TomTom saved me some money then as I have never had to update it as it has never done anything.
I once drove a 700 mile round trip with it all switched on and working and I used the GPS system in my car but wanted to test the TomTom and it never found a satellite the whole way. If I had tried to rely on it I probably would still be on that journey as my sense of direction is terrible.
The fact that most cars have GPS built in now really negates the need for a Maps app unless you are walking or cycling so I’m not sure if I would ever use it.
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August 8th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@Luz
I agree, stocks and games to go….and whilst we are at it let’s get rid of the Clock app as it never shows the right time, always 10:15 and the Weather app always shows it is sunny and 23 degrees – doesn’t it know I live in the UK where a day of sunshine is a bi annual event?
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August 8th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
App icons that update a bit more would be a great addition. But how often should they really update? And what settings would control this?
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August 8th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Sounds like some Apple folks are wanting widgets. Yet again, another nice feature on Android phones. I will miss widgets if I ever switch over to the iphone.
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August 8th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
I missed the Google Navigation when I switched. However Waze works great for free GPS navigation app.
However I don’t miss the gazillion menu’s to adjust every little detail on a Android phone. It’s nice to be able to tweak your phone, but not so great to HAVE to tweak the phone to just work.
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August 8th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
“While they are at it, get rid of Stocks app and game centre, both I have never used… Or Atleast allow me to delete them?!”
Sounds great to me, I second that suggestion.
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August 8th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Does anyone else find it suspicious that 9to5 keeps ‘finding’ more evidence to support their story of an elongated form factor from back in May?
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August 8th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@ core2 I think Waze blows away the core IOS and Andriod GPS programs in the phones.
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August 8th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@JB,
For the most part it works pretty good. Why it will take a different route then my wife’s phone in the same vehicle, with identical settings still perplexes me.
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August 8th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@Core2, I had an interesting time in Boston, where I got to see a lot of the city, because the GPS I was using had no clue that the bridges that went over the Charles River did not intersect with the streets below them, so I’d get to the bridge, and it would tell me to turn left.
Well, with a bridge looming over me, I thought I’d just turn left after the bridge, which was… straight into the Charles River! After Mrs. in Everett and I discovered this, we gave the GPS a better name than “TomTom” (it wasn’t a TomTom, but more like dummy…).
As for your wife and your phones, it’s internal algorithm. Some have statistics on the streets (rating lesser used ones higher/lower than more used streets) and other difficult to make up reasons for the different routes.
Considering the map updates, it’s hard to justify those things. It’s not like a GPS is like watching election results or a sporting event where timliness of updates is critical to the users’ experiences. I mean, in the course of five years, how many new roads have been constructed in your neighborhood? Of these, how many did you need a GPS to manuever? Lastly, how many of these are actually in the database that the GPS manufacturers sell to people?
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August 8th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
@Jeff in Everett,
As to Map updates, I ran across a few places that the roads were recent, and my map was a couple years old.
It’s also nice to put just a business name and be able to navigate to it, especially if it’s fairly new.
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August 8th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
well at least google will be developing a new one, i use youtube constantly so it’ll be nice to have a replacement. idealy one that works a bit beter
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August 9th, 2012 at 8:55 am
Good luck watching any video on the web after that app is gone. I find it hard to believe that people say they never used it. Any time you click a link to a youtube video in safari on an iPhone it automatically opens in that app since there’s no flash support. People probably don’t even realize they’re using it.
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August 9th, 2012 at 9:32 am
@Mike H. Genuinely, I never use it.
I tried to use it when I first got my iPhone but it was/is so poor that I haven’t bothered with it for years.
Personally, I’ll not miss it when it goes.
You many well have a point about the surreptitious use of it when clicking on a link from another app or safari etc. though but as far as using it as an app itself, no joy.
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August 9th, 2012 at 9:33 am
I do hope the new maps are reliable and up to date though.
I tend to use the maps quite a lot and if it changes for the worse then it’ll be a real headache.
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August 9th, 2012 at 10:37 am
@Core2, that’s a good point about the businesses. I always just asked for the address, and let the address direct me (Streets in Washington are laid out pretty nicely, once you know the reference point they used), but in your case, I’ll concede the point.
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August 9th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Yeah I know I hardly used the app directly when I had my 3gs as well. I’m interested to see how the new maps app works as well.
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April 10th, 2013 at 12:21 am
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