Angela B. Tech 01.25.2024 22:Jan PM EST

Netflix Executive Explains Why a Dedicated App on Apple’s Vision Pro is Unlikely

Apple's VR headset is so close to release, but the company is still trying to secure other apps for its device. Netflix, despite being one of the leading streaming services, still refuses to create a dedicated app to make it easier to watch its content on the VR headset, and the co-CEo explains why.

Apple Vision Pro — (Photo : JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Netflix Co-CEO Questions Relevance of Vision Pro

It looks like future users of the Vision Pro will have to stream Netflix content through the web as the company still refuses to create an app for Apple's VR headset. Netflix's co-CEO was clear about why an app is unlikely to be developed any time soon.

According to executive Greg Peters, they have to be careful about making sure that the company is "not investing in places that are not really yielding a return," adding that they are still uncertain whether the Vision Pro would be "relevant" to most of their members.

As for the possibility of Netflix ever making a dedicated app, Peters said that they will see where things go with the Vision Pro, as reported by Gizmodo. It's a sound reason, especially since Apple's VR headsets aren't exactly cheap.

While Apple is not known for having cheaper choices when it comes to its products, the Vision Pro headset is particularly a little heavy on the budget. The starting price is $3,499, which isn't exactly something the average Joe can afford.

Netflix is already available on various devices such as smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, and consoles, so users will have a lot of choices if they feel like opening the streaming service on a browser is too much of a hassle.

It certainly won't be a loss for Netflix if a few subscribers are not putting in screen time while they're using the Vision Pro. According to Peters, the service has gained over 13 million more subscribers in the last quarter of 2023.

It's Not Just Netflix

Netflix is not the only company that seems to think that creating a dedicated app for the Vision Pro is not worth the effort. YouTube, like the former, can only be accessible through a browser. Streaming apps don't exactly have the best interface in web versions without a keyboard or mouse.

A YouTube spokesperson said that despite not creating a dedicated app, the company will still make sure that YouTube users will have a better experience on Safari, as reported by Tech Crunch, which is better than nothing.

Other than Netflix and YouTube, Spotify is also no app club. All three have no plans to enable the iPad apps to run on the Vision Pro. As for Spotify, there's always the option of opening the web player, which has almost the same interface as the app.

In the meantime, Vision Pro users can already access several apps on the VR headset. More than 150 apps are already available for download, including TikTok, Disney+, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, and more.