YouTube API change: some older devices can't update to new app

[HEXUS]

Data API v3 introduction will hobble some older iOS, Android and Smart TV devices.

Read more.

[Neostar]

Wow so many people with old phones will be annoyed ...guess this means there will be a lot of users buying a new phone this year

[aniilv]

"devices running Google TV version 2 and older will unfortunately not be able to upgrade".

i dunno to laugh or cry... banning less than 4 year old hardware?! The same goes for TV's, google is now expecting everyone to get new TV every 2 years or less?

[Biscuit]

I wonder if XBOX 360 will be affected. Im pretty sure I had an update to the youtube app on it fairly recently but it would be a real blow for me if support was canned.

[watercooled]

Various Smart TVs and Consoles are also affected but if they have a Flash or HTML5 supporting browser built-in then these can be used to access YouTube without much fuss.

I wonder how VP9 will affect this? Because even some PCs struggle to decode VP9 in software, and very few devices support hardware decode.

All they'd have to do is detect decode capabilities and stream h264 instead where software VP9 decoding is not ideal. I wouldn't count on it though - plenty of Chromebook users have been complaining for a long time with unwatchable Youtube videos because of VP9 being forced. I've been following a few of the bug report threads and not much seems to have improved from what I've seen.

[The Hand]

I wonder if XBOX 360 will be affected. Im pretty sure I had an update to the youtube app on it fairly recently but it would be a real blow for me if support was canned.

It probably still will be supported. I doubt Google would want to encourage XBox 360 owners to possibly upgrade to an XBox One, maybe at the expense of getting an Android TV (like the 2015 Sony Bravias) be it HD or 4K.

[Chadders87]

II read this as new devices can update to a newer app; while older devices are stuck with what they have already. At least they aren't removing it completely.

[watercooled]

II read this as new devices can update to a newer app; while older devices are stuck with what they have already. At least they aren't removing it completely.

From Google:

If you're using Apple TV 2nd generation or older, unfortunately there's no current way to watch YouTube on these devices.

[LSG501]

I'd say this is more to do with the fact that some older devices don't show adverts more than anything else....

Apparently Apple TV 2 users have been enjoying an ad-free YouTube experience thanks to their older app.

Likely my samsung tv's won't get updated either, they struggled with youtube player as is, luckily it's very rare that I use youtube on the tv

[Percy1983]

...Looks at non smart TV with HTPC attached and feels smug...

[nitro912gr]

This is why I prefer to make a dumb tv smart with a small HTPC on it.

edit: oh didn't noticed the same answer above before I post

[cheesemp]

Can't see this being that big a deal. Some old devices (that on the face of it aren't well supported anyway) will not work. I've got 2 consoles, 2 bluray players, chromecast and nowTV box that play youtube on my TV and I don't think any of them are affected.

If youtube on TV is important to you a chromecast will do the job for ~£20 and should stay supported for at least a few years.

[satrow]

See also the earlier discussion re. Smart TVs here.

[kryton666]

Had the same with i-player a year or so back on my blu-ray.
Now losing you tube it can't be classed as smart anymore :-(.

[smilertoo]

"devices running Google TV version 2 and older will unfortunately not be able to upgrade".

i dunno to laugh or cry... banning less than 4 year old hardware?! The same goes for TV's, google is now expecting everyone to get new TV every 2 years or less?

Shyster tech companies will keep doing this until users say enough, and refuse to buy new stuff.