The new Apple operating system iOS 6 is still in the pipeline and is giving surprises to the industry everyday announcing features like Siri, a new share screen, etc. But the latest one to stun the world is the news that there will be no YouTube app in iOS 6. This came after Apple announced the replacement of Google Maps with its own Maps application, a couple of months ago.
The effect of this change would be to the users who now will be forced to watch YouTube videos from within the browser. It is clear that Apple wants to keep Google out of its operating system and hence from its devices.
Here are the reasons why.
1. They are Competitors
It is not very surprising that Apple wants to keep Google away from its devices. They have been the archrivals for a few years.Where iPhone is one of the largest selling Smartphone powered by Apple’s own iOS, Google powers more than half of the world’s Smartphones with its Android.
And now with the purchase of Motorola, Google is entering into hardware which is likely to prove a stiff competition to Apple. It is common business sense not to let a rival prosper in your territory.
2. Mapping is big business
Apple launching its own alternative to Google Maps makes complete sense as it is a great business. It makes a way for the people to a respective company’s products. By allowing iOS users to run Google Maps, Apple was giving the search company promotion of its brand, the Android mobile operating system. Moreover, it also allowed Google to earn advertising dollars from Maps and Search. Now that its own Maps application will replace in iPhones and iPads, Apple doesn’t need to worry about that anymore.
3. Don’t forget about Lala
Years ago, Apple acquired Lala, a music-streaming site, and immediately closed it. The question still haunts everyone, why it did so. Many assessed that it acquired the team to work on a streaming video service. With the announcement of YouTube ousted from iOS, it can be guessed that Apple is probably working on its replacement too, though it is just a speculation.
4. Apple vs Motorola
Apple is by no means happy with Motorola, even if it wasn’t owned by Google. In fact, Apple sued Motorola for patent infringement in its mobile devices. It’s entirely possible that Apple doesn’t want to partner with Google now simply because it owns Motorola.
5. Apple’s lawsuits revolve around Android
It might be possible that a key component in Apple’s decision to drop Google apps from iOS 6 could be its ongoing differences with Android vendors. Apple doesn’t want to look like it’s playing both sides by offering the same native applications as Android. By offering two applications of Google, it may prove to the judges that Apple doesn’t have that big of an issue with Android as it seems.
6. Could Apple be lining up a Google lawsuit?
There is also a possibility of Apple preparing for a lawsuit against Google. The decision of Apple’s fight with Samsung pending and is expected to turn in Apple’s favour. If that happens, it could take the battle to Google’s doorsteps. So, partnering with the company now would make that a bit more difficult.
7. Mobile advertising is in
Apple realizes that the future of the mobile space will revolve around intra-app ads, and it doesn’t want to give Google two places, i.e., Maps and YouTube, to use advertisement and earn cash from every iPhone and iPad owner out there.
8. Apple wants to leverage revenue opportunities
Taking into account mobile advertising, Apple surely wants to make some cash itself. Thanks to its iAd platform, Apple could integrate ads into its Maps application and any program it might use to replace YouTube. Apple’s revenue opportunities might even extend beyond advertising to other options, like virtual goods or company lists in Maps.
9. Apple wants to control
Apple is known for its control in the market. The company hates allowing other companies to impact the overall usability of its operating systems. As a result, Apple might have finally decided that all native applications running in iOS 6 should come from its own developers. If owners want anything else, they’ll have to go to the App Store to find it. This might just be another one of those decisions which revolve around Apple’s penchant for control.
10. Doing this with iOS 5 would have been a bad idea
If Apple would have ditched two popular mobile applications in iOS 5 and launched the barely updated iPhone 4S at the same time, critics would have hit it hard. But now that Apple is expected to launch a major iPhone hardware update this fall, the lack of a few popular competing apps might be overlooked.
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