Despite the absence of several familiar apps present on iOS and macOS, the Apple Vision Pro platform continues to see limited interest from major developers. However, it seems that the widely used VLC media player will soon be available on visionOS.
(Photo : VideoLAN)
VLC Media Player 3.0.18 update focuses on improving the app's security, stability, format support, and compatibility.
Expanding Reach Through Vision Pro
VLC's decision to develop an app for the Apple Vision Pro platform marks a significant step in expanding the accessibility of its popular media player.
While Vision Pro may currently lack some of the well-established apps commonly found on iOS and macOS devices, VLC's commitment to making its media player available on the new platform underscores its dedication to reaching a broader audience.
VideoLAN president Jean-Baptiste Kempf stated through an interview with Lowpass that this move not only enhances the versatility of Vision Pro but also provides users with access to a trusted and widely used media playback solution.
To commemorate VLC's milestone of five billion downloads, Kempf shared that VideoLAN, the organization responsible for the app, has been diligently working on adapting VLC for Apple Vision Pro. He mentioned that VLC has already been optimized to operate seamlessly on the Vision Pro platform.
Regrettably, it may take some time before the app is ready for release on the App Store. Kempf acknowledged that there isn't much incentive to prioritize the development of a visionOS app at the moment, citing the limited user base as a primary factor.
He expressed uncertainty about the existence of a compelling use case for the app, highlighting the relatively small number of Vision Pro owners.
Other Confirmations
The president of VideoLAN also expressed openness to the idea of creating a VLC app for Meta's Quest headsets. However, the initiative was halted as there are already numerous high-quality players available for the platform, rendering the development redundant for the time being.
As the development of VLC 4.0 progresses, Mac Rumors reported that there have been unexpected delays noting that the app's core has undergone a complete rewrite.
Recent nightly builds have shifted the focus to content, showcasing a revamped user library view instead of the default player window. However, Kempf cautioned that certain alterations might be reversed prior to the official launch of the app.
The ongoing popularity of VLC offers insights into the media landscape. VLC is known for its versatility in playing various media files, likened to a Swiss Army Knife for its ability to handle different codecs.
However, many users rely on it to watch downloaded movies and shows, some obtained from questionable sources.
As streaming services raise prices, reduce content, and limit features, they may push users towards piracy. Last year, piracy websites saw a 12% increase in visits, reaching 141 billion, highlighting a growing trend away from official streaming platforms.
