Compared to the iPhone and iPad, Apple Vision Pro has a limited number of apps available in the App Store. Even so, developers have been exploring the device’s capabilities with different projects, one of which is the Formula 1 app “Lapz.” Unfortunately, the app may not even make it to the App Store.
Developers create F1 app for Vision Pro, but…
For those unfamiliar, Lapz is an app that lets Apple Vision Pro users watch F1 races on a virtual big screen while also being able to see the position of the drivers on a floating 3D model. The app was based on a concept video made by VFX artist John LePore to show what Vision Pro is capable of.
Lapz has been distributed via TestFlight, as the developers still want to improve the app before making it available to everyone. Even so, the app has gotten a lot of attention since the beta version was released. However, as reported by UploadVR, the dream seems to be over – or at least put on hold.
That’s because the developers have been asked to pull the app from TestFlight. Not by Apple, but by Formula One Group. The most likely reason is the unlicensed use of F1 content and branding – even though the app uses web views to let users log in to the official F1TV stream.
The team behind Lapz say they’re working on “securing a digital license” to get the app working again. But for now, Lapz has been removed from TestFlight and current users will no longer have access to the app after February 8 when the current build will expire. The developers say they plan to license the app to other motorsport groups if they don’t reach a deal with Formula One Group.
Although Formula One Group has the right to ask for the app to be removed, it’s unfortunate that Vision Pro owners will lose another option for streaming content on the headset. Last month, the popular YouTube client “Juno” for Vision Pro was removed from the App Store after a request from Google.
It’s worth noting that neither F1 nor YouTube have official apps for visionOS.
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