Netflix App Won’t Be Available on New Apple Vision Pro Mixed Reality Headset
The world’s largest streamer is saying ‘No, thank you’ to creating dedicated software for Apple’s new reality-altering device.
Apple released some new details about its new Vision Pro headset earlier this week. As part of that release, the company revealed which streaming services would be available to watch on the device, but conspicuously absent from the list was Netflix. A new report from Bloomberg indicates that purchasers of the Apple Vision Pro shouldn’t expect to see an app from world’s largest streamer on their device any time soon, either.
- Netflix will not create a new app for the Vision Pro, nor will it allow Apple to use the iPad version of the app.
- The company appears to be waiting to see if the Vision Pro will be a success before creating a new app for the device.
- The Vision Pro goes on sale Feb. 2 and retails for $3,499.
Why Isn’t Netflix Making an App for the Apple Vision Pro?
The report from Bloomberg states that Netflix will not be creating a new app to run on the Vision Pro operating system, nor will it allow Apple to migrate its iPad app to the headset for use. In short, there won’t be any cool digital environments on the Vision Pro based on shows like “Squid Game,” “Bridgerton,” “Stranger Things” or any other Netflix hits. Buyers will still be able to watch Netflix content on the headset, but they’ll have to find it through the web browser, and they won’t be allowed to download any content for offline viewing.
So why is Netflix refusing to build a new app for the device? It can’t be ignored that Netflix and Apple are competitors, as the latter company operates its own on-demand streaming service Apple TV+. But that probably isn’t the only factor involved; Netflix offers its app on Roku and Amazon streaming devices, despite the fact that both of those companies are streaming competitors too, not to mention the fact that Netflix is available on iPads and other Apple devices.
There is a real possibility that Netflix simply believes the Apple Vision Pro will be a flop. The headset retails for an eye-popping $3,499, and it may be hard for Apple to find a large customer base for it at that price point, even with the company’s army of devoted customers worldwide. If Netflix does foresee the failure of the Vision Pro, it makes some sense that it wouldn’t want to pay engineers to create a new app for the device, at least not right away.
What Will Apple Vision Pro Customers Be Able to Watch?
Netflix may not be making a new app for the Vision Pro headset, but plenty of other streaming platforms have decided to do just that. First among them is Disney+, which will allow the viewer to enjoy one of four Disney-themed reality-augmenting environments while using the app.
Other streamers available on the Vision Pro headset at launch will include Apple TV+, Max, Paramount+, Prime Video, Peacock, and more. In addition, users will be able to rent or purchase hundreds of 3D movies, including top titles like “Dune” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” The Apple Vision Pro will also include exclusive nature content, a special from Alicia Keys, and more.
The device will certainly be a fascinating gadget to use, but at a price point of $3,499 it will bear watching to see how many of them actually sell when they become available on Feb. 2. Netflix will be watching closely, as it almost certainly won’t create a dedicated app for the Vision Pro until its popularity is assured.
Netflix
Netflix is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 3,000+ movies, 2,000+ TV Shows, and Netflix Originals like Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Crown, Tiger King, and Bridgerton. They are constantly adding new shows and movies. Some of their Academy Award-winning exclusives include Roma, Marriage Story, Mank, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.