Google kills YouTube v2 API, borking older iPhones, iPads and smart TVs

tv-static — Many smart TVs just won't work any more

Chris Merriman
@ChrisTheDJ
22 April 2015

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GOOGLE HAS KILLED off version 2 of the YouTube API, taking support for a number of smart devices with it.

API Version 3 has been available since 2012, but many developers have not bothered, or not been able, to upgrade.

As a result, iOS versions below 7.0, older smart TVs with no HTML5 support, and first- and second-generation Apple TV boxes are now completely incompatible with YouTube.

It's not the first time this week that Google has brought multimedia services crashing down. The Chrome browser lost support for the ageing NPAPI plug-ins that power Microsoft Silverlight, borking Sky Go, Amazon Prime Instant, Now TV and BT Sport in a single swoop.

This latest move, although once again clearly marked on the calendar, has disjointed a lot of noses.

"Are you seriously claiming it is impossible for these devices to run v3 API apps? This stunt is unnecessary, inconsiderate to users, and environmentally irresponsible because of all the physical hardware you are declaring obsolete," wrote one commenter.

"Sony only notified us customers this month! For us it is not possible to 'move to the new API'. Please consider running APIs side by side like Google Maps. It would be a big disappointment to see YouTube support go," said another.

While many are upset with Google, still more are upset with manufacturers that build in obsolescence to products that are under five years old by not updating them.

It's a trick that Android users will know well from the many times devices are not updated to the latest firmware, even when it's possible.

The UK Sale of Goods Act states that a product should be good for its intended purpose for six years from the point of sale.

However, the Which? consumers association confirms that, although app support may be depreciated, there is no obligation to provide upgrades if a TV, for example, still functions as a TV.

Sony and Panasonic are among the big names that are not supporting upgrades for older models. Just this week, Sony released details of its first generation of Smart TVs running Google's new Android TV operating system.

YouTube has already migrated from Flash to HTML5 rendering on desktop machines, leaving users of older browsers in the lurch. µ