Google will be free to provide new features, more frequent updates and ads in its own app

Aug 7, 2012 09:11 GMT  ·  By

Both Apple and Google have confirmed that YouTube will not be built into the upcoming iOS 6, which will power the iPhone 5, the rumored mini iPad and any future iPad Apple has planned for the next year. The YouTube app has been built into the iPhone since launch, in 2007, and it was one of the big features back then.

Given Apple's recent trend, the move is not that surprising. But Apple seems to be cutting off its own nose to spite its face.

That's because Apple can't possibly replace YouTube with its own service, like it's planning to do with Maps. Even matching Google in the maps department may be a tall order.

Doing your own version of an already popular product has been Microsoft's strategy. And just look how successful Bing, Bing Maps and so on have been.

People may be disappointed that they're getting an inferior maps app in iOS 6, but maybe they won't care as much since Apple's app will be so shiny and nice-looking.

But they're really going to have a hard time figuring out why YouTube is no longer there. Online video is one of the most popular things on a smartphone, especially in a social context.

At first glance, it does look like Apple is once again overreacting and hurting its own product in the process. Android will have one more thing that iOS is missing.

But it's not as bad as it looks and it may actually not be Apple's fault. For one, Apple was paying Google to have the YouTube app in there and to keep it ad-free.

Apple said that its agreement with Google had expired and that it was not renewing it. However, the app will still be there in iOS5. It may very well be that Google asked for more money than Apple was willing to pay. Or it may be that Apple really wants to cleanse its devices of any Google service. Probably a combination of the two.

But this may actually be a good thing for users. Apple has been building the YouTube app so far and it hasn't seem much change since its introduction five years ago. Google is already working on its own YouTube app for iOS, which will land in the App Store in time for iOS 6's launch.

From then on, Google will be able to add new features and update the app at will, potentially providing a much better experience. Already, the Jelly Bean YouTube app is looking quite interesting and advanced compared to previous versions. Of course, this also means that iOS users will start seeing ads in their YouTube app. So Google may actually be happy with the removal.