iOS 6 beta 4 came with a huge surprise for everyone. It appears like Apple has finally decided to remove all Google properties from stock iOS as the official Youtube.app is not to be found in the latest beta released to developers by Apple. It is too early to predict anything as things could change in the final version of iOS. Apple also removed the official Google Maps app and replaced it with it’s own Maps app that features maps from services Apple bought in the last few years. Interestingly though Apple has not given an alternative to the dedicated Youtube app, and if Apple is really going to remove it from iOS then the only way users will be able to watch Youtube videos is through Safari browser, or third party apps downloadable from the App Store.
One way of looking towards it could be that Apple has removed the Youtube app because it wants users to watch Youtube videos in HTML5 through Safari. The app that has been removed was quite outdated, as it wasn’t updated much by Apple/Google since it was first launched and HTML5 has become more mainstream than it was before.
Update: It seems like TheVerge has heard from Apple that Youtube app won’t be included in iOS 6 and Google is working on it’s own standalone app. That app of course will be released in the App Store after iOS 6 is available for download for everyone.
Here’s the official statement by Apple:
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.
You know the good thing about Youtube app coming from Google instead of Apple is we will get more regular updates and improvements to the app than before, which is always good.
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- Google rules Apple’s App Store with Google Maps and Youtube apps
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- Google takes it to Search homepage to promote Google Maps app for iPhone
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