visionOS 26.1

Given that Apple has for years been unable to get Netflix to integrate with the Apple TV app, what makes Steve think that they're going to be able to convince them to ship a native visionOS app?

YouTube may be an easier sell, especially considering their relationship with Google. Even then, though, Google very clearly does what (and more importantly, when) Google wants when it comes to updating their apps for Apple platforms.

@Kevin I assume the TV app integration is a strategic thing—Netflix wants people in their own app. Whereas for visionOS, it seems like Netflix would agree that it’s beneficial or them, even if they don’t want to put any resources into it.

@Kevin YouTube not only refuses to make an app, they have C&D'd apps that tried to do it for them. And you can't even try with Netflix.

Meanwhile Disney is pulling the same game with YouTube by pulling all their sports content, yet trying to shame YT into carrying ABC "for the election."

These are enormous corporations moving money. Users are just leverage. They know what we want, they don't care. They'll do whatever they think gives them the slightest strategic advantage.

Giant-screen video on VisionOS probably requires way more bandwidth, so Netflix, et al. probably would prefer to get more money to provide such large video, rather than take less profit on each VisionOS user.

Also, if you have two people watching in a household, then that's 2x the giant bandwidth.

@else Not really. The screens in the Vision Pro are already topping at less pixels per degree than what is necessary to display a proper 4K image, so within the confines of that, a Netflix 4K signal is sufficient for a good enough experience (up to par with Apple’s 2D content).

How could Apple entice NF to make a Vision Pro app? Well, imagine a company that cares about its users so it offers financial incentives in the form of zero tax for registrations through the appleOS apps, as long as NF maintains the Vision Pro app. Crazy, I know.

In that case, if it’s not “we want to charge more but can’t yet”, then my guess is that it’s licensing issues. The studios probably license their videos for different viewing sizes, of which giant-screen immersion may not be one of them, or perhaps only some studios license it but not all, so a weird heterogeneous mix of some big and some would be a weird experience for users.

Seems like Disney wouldn’t have this excuse though, but I’m not familiar with if they have external content on that service or if they own everything.

If that was the case, Netflix would be charging differently for a 32" TV, a 65" TV and a projector.

I think you are overthinking it. I think it's just not a lucrative platform. There are a few thousands of Vision Pro owners, and having NF on it is not what is going to make them decide they will keep their NF subscription or lose it. And even if most of them decide to unsubscribe in protest, it's still a tiny, tiny amount of people. Meanwhile Apple's politics are so reviled in the industry, there is no good will left to do stuff for Apple because "it's cool", like it was years ago.

Yeah, I think it just comes down to 'not profitable enough to bother'. 'Follow the money' usually works in these situations when the obvious-cool-thing isn't happening.