YouTube updates site with HTML5, makes YT app obsolete

So you know that Apple hates Flash. And you know that YouTube was powered by it. Apple, unable to ignore the HUGE audience of video consumers obsessed with YouTube, put a dedicated app in the iPhone to sidestep the issue.

Well, YouTube revamped its site this week to offer a touch-enabled HTML5 version — a fact that makes the dedicated iPhone app obsolete. Not only that, but it is more efficient, faster, has a better interface, allows for like/unlike flags and playlists, streams better quality video over 3G, and includes suggested searches. Plus, since it basically amounts to a web app, the site can be tweaked and enhanced faster than issuing updates for an onboard app.

That had to be a massive revamp, no? But if anyone could do it, it would be YouTube’s parent company, Google. That’s right: The creator of the Android platform was the one that made the video giant iPhone-friendly. That begs the question: Why?

SocialMediaSEO has a theory. This might be another strike by Google to undercut iPhone apps.

Case in point: Google Voice, a really useful free call-forwarding service, was blocked by the App Store. Not only was the app barred from entering, but third-party apps that tied into the service were kicked out. So what did Google do? It created a very handy web version that offers most of the functionality you’d expect from an onboard app. (It’s like saying to Apple, “Nyah, nyah! See we don’t need ya anyway!”)

Can’t say I’m very surprised. Apple didn’t really think they’d be able to control the Google experience for iPhone users, did they? With this latest item, it seems Google’s going on an offensive.

Whatever the case, as an end user, I’m pretty happy with this YouTube web app. Now if only I could click on an embedded YT vid on a site, and have it open the web app instead. Haven’t figured that one out yet. As soon as I do, I’ll let you know.

Via: Electronista, SocialMediaSEO

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EDITED: Some people get three options for a mobile, touch or desktop versions of the YouTube site. The post was re-worded to clarify that this post refers to the touch-enabled version. Thanks, TS75!