Apple Kicks Google's Native YouTube App to the Curb in iOS 6

There's no love lost between Apple and Google in the mobile space, each of which is vying for platform dominance with iOS and Android, respectively. As such, neither company is all that interested in helping out the other unless it's a mutually beneficial relationship, which is what they had by bundling Google's YouTube app in iOS. However, the latest beta release of iOS 6 no longer carries the app, leading some to wonder just how deep the rift is between these two companies.

On the surface, there's a simpler explanation.

"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," Apple said a statement.


Google's official statement was equally diplomatic and talked about how the company is "working with Apple to ensure we have the best possible YouTube experience for iOS users." That's all well and great, but it won't be sewn into iOS. The upside to that is Google will be able to deliver updates to end users on a much more frequent basis.

Word on the Web is that iOS 5 devices will not be affected by any of this and will continue to carry YouTube natively.