iPhone Savior: Apple Is Killing YouTube App With iOS 6 Launch

Google Maps is not the only native application making an abrupt exit with the upcoming launch of iOS 6 — Apple is planning to kill off their native YouTube app which has been a staple on iPhone since the device first debuted back in 2007.

Even though most of us know about Apple's not-so-secret war with Google — the company claims that the app is being removed because the license has ended according a statement obtained by The Verge.

"Our license to include the YouTube app in iOS has ended, customers can use YouTube in the Safari browser and Google is working on a new YouTube app to be on the App Store." Apple told The Verge.

But the bad news here is also the good news, since Apple's YouTube app is one that's suffered greatly from a lack of major improvements over the past 5 years. It still remains one of my own most unused apps to date.

With Google creating and updating its own YouTube app going forward — we should ultimately enjoy a far superior user experience from the tech giant. I hope that's not just wishful thinking on my part. Nilay Patel, from The Verge blog is expecting that consumers will end up being the big losers in this latest app dropping news.

"It seems like the only losers here are consumers — we'll get a less integrated YouTube experience in iOS 6, and probably end up watching more ads. Business as usual in the land of the free (web service)." - Patel wrote.

Apple has said that their native YouTube app "would remain on iOS 5 and older, and that includes iPhone, iPod touch and iPad" according to a report by Engadget.

An App Store launch date for Google's standalone YouTube app has not yet be announced. I would expect it to populate the App Store closest to the launch of the new iPhone on Friday, September 21 if the various reports and rumors hold true.