Not only has Apple's ongoing war with Google cost us our sense of direction in iOS 6, but one of the best ways to watch YouTube videos was also a casualty. However, just because Apple pulled its preloaded YouTube viewer without offering a replacement, it doesn't mean we all have to run to Safari to watch the double rainbow guy.

If Google is indeed working on a universal version of its hastily assembled iPhone YouTube app, it might want to take a peek at third-party option Jasmine for a little inspiration. Its clean, elegant interface offers a level of sophistication rarely seen in video-streaming apps, and Jasmine raises the bar considerably -- not just for the new crop of YouTube clients, but for any app that searches the web.

Jasmine doesn't bombard you with a list of clips that other people like; rather, it rarely presents you with anything other than what you want to see, whether it's your subscriptions, user comments (with spam filtering) or simply the video you selected. Searching and playback are lightning-fast, and an attractive night mode adds dimension to your search results. A $1.99 pro upgrade brings a set of parental controls that passcode-lock certain functions, such as favorites or playlists, but without a way to filter content -- other than shutting off the search bar -- its usefulness is limited.

Unfortunately, third-party YouTube clients (even Apple's iOS 5 app) are at an automatic disadvantage due to licensing restrictions, and Jasmine is no exception. A note within the app says the developers will be "pushing for a way to sub-license some of these feeds," but it's doubtful they'll have any success. In the meantime, expect to find a lot of videos that simply won't play.

The bottom line. Jasmine is such a stellar YouTube client that even irritating licensing restrictions don't spoil the experience.