Juno for YouTube removed from Vision Pro App Store

On October 1, 2024, Christian Selig, the developer behind the popular Juno for YouTube app for Apple's Vision Pro, announced that his application had been removed from the App Store. This development comes just eight months after the app's initial release, leaving Vision Pro users without a native YouTube experience on the device.

Juno for YouTube, launched in February 2024, quickly gained popularity among Vision Pro owners. The app filled a significant gap in the device's ecosystem, as YouTube had not developed its own native application for the spatial computing platform. Selig, known for his previous work on the Apollo app for Reddit, created Juno to provide users with a more immersive and intuitive way to watch YouTube content on the Vision Pro.

According to Selig's blog post, the removal stemmed from YouTube's concerns about the app's adherence to their guidelines. YouTube contacted Selig a few months ago, stating that Juno "modifies the website in a way they don't approve of" and alluded to issues with trademarks and iconography.

Selig defended his approach, explaining that Juno functioned essentially as a web view, similar to a browser extension. The app primarily modified the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to make the YouTube website and video player look more "visionOS-like." He emphasized that no additional logos were placed beyond those already present on the YouTube website, and the app did not block advertisements.

Despite Selig's arguments, YouTube remained firm in its position. After both parties failed to reach an agreement, Apple removed Juno from the App Store. This decision highlights the challenges developers face when creating third-party applications for established platforms, especially on new devices like the Vision Pro.

The removal of Juno leaves a noticeable void in the Vision Pro's app ecosystem. Users who have already downloaded the app can continue to use it for now, but it may cease to function if YouTube makes significant changes to its website that conflict with Juno's modifications.

Selig expressed disappointment but maintained a pragmatic outlook on the situation. "Juno was a fun hobby project for me to build. As a developer, I wanted to get some experience building for the Vision Pro, and as a user, I wanted a nice way to watch YouTube on this cool new device," he wrote in his blog post.

The developer chose not to pursue a prolonged dispute with YouTube, citing his experience with the shutdown of his Apollo app for Reddit in 2023 due to API changes. Instead, Selig plans to focus on his other projects, including the iOS app Pixel Pals.

This incident raises questions about the future of third-party apps on emerging platforms and the balance between platform holders, content providers, and independent developers. As of now, Vision Pro users are left to access YouTube through the device's web browser, which lacks the native features and optimizations that Juno provided.

For those who already have Juno installed on their Vision Pro headsets, the app should continue to function until YouTube implements changes that might break its functionality. However, no further updates or new installations will be possible.

The removal of Juno for YouTube from the Vision Pro App Store serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between developers, platform owners, and content providers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital media and emerging technologies.

Key Facts

• Juno for YouTube was removed from the Vision Pro App Store on October 1, 2024
• The app was launched in February 2024, filling a gap left by the absence of an official YouTube app
• YouTube objected to the app's modification of their website and concerns over trademark usage
• Developer Christian Selig chose not to pursue a prolonged dispute with YouTube
• Existing users can continue to use Juno until potential future changes to YouTube's website affect its functionality
• The removal highlights challenges for third-party developers on new platforms like Vision Pro