Tag: hulu (Page 2 of 3)

      Hulu Plus brings mediocre video to mobile devices

      June 29, 2010 /

      Jack and Liz looking fuzzy.The fabled Hulu Plus is real, it seems, delivering “HD” programming to your mobile devices and internet-connected TVs for just $10 a month. You’ll have access to full current seasons of shows like 30 Rock and Glee and a library of older episodes from shows like Arrested Development.

      I say “HD” because you should take a look at that screenshot above. Yes, that’s a screenshot. Notice anything? That it looks like shit, perhaps? That’s a shot from my iPhone 4 on a Wi-Fi connection and it looks like total crap. Sorry, Hulu, but you’re going to have to do better. Even worse than the quality, you still have to watch ads despite your subscription fee. You guys do know how to make me feel like a dollar sign.

      What I really want for streaming video is something more akin to the Netflix Watch Instantly system. It’s painless, easy, and for serial programming it’s better than anything (even NinjaVideo). I’ve been watching Party Down recently – updated weekly with the new episode – and I’ve fallen in love with the Netflix system. If anyone has the future of online video in hand, it’s these guys. It’s not as expensive as Hulu Plus and you get access to a library of movies as well.

      If you want to see Hulu Plus for yourself, download the free app and check out some preview episodes or opt-in to the preview invite system over at Hulu.

      Apps, Digital Media, News, Video

      Adobe brings Flash to the iPhone

      October 5, 2009 /

      Adobe Flash on the iPhone.Where there’s a will there’s a way, and Adobe’s found one. The iPhone was the only smartphone on the market that couldn’t comply with Adobe’s designs for Flash on every handset. Apple has refused to budge, insisting that blocking Flash increases security for the phone. There’s probably some truth to that, but it also isn’t out of the question to think Apple might have its own reasons.

      Well Adobe got sick of waiting for Apple to cooperate, so it developed away around Apple’s blockade. For now the fix comes in the form of an additional export method for Flash programs. One option supports Flash, the other makes the program usable on the iPhone. This really opens some doors for Apple developers who might have otherwise shifted to other platforms for support.

      To me this is just another great example of taking the control out of Apple’s hands. Sure, Adobe had to play by Steve Jobs’ rules, but it was still able to roll out a product that will have significant impact on the goods available in the App Store. Now what’s holding up that Hulu app?

      Apple, Apps, iPhone, News

      Hulu Has More Viewers Than Time Warner Cable

      August 30, 2009 /

      Silicon Alley Insider Hulu vs. Time Warner chart.According to Silicon Alley Insider, Hulu has passed the nation’s second largest cable provider, Time Warner Cable, in monthly viewership. The comScore report for July puts Hulu at 38 million viewers, while Time Warner was estimated to be closer to 34 million.

      As the SAI article points out, there’s not a whole lot to draw from this news. Cable is still drawing far greater revenues than Hulu, so it’s hard to say how the two will compare into the future. There’s also the matter of the content actually being watched. While it’s probably rare that someone would fire up the DVR just to watch a clip of the Colbert Report, those clips are probably a large part of the viewer count for Hulu. Then again, those Hulu viewers may end up logging more video time because accessing content is a little more active than flipping on the TV. In any case, the comparison isn’t quite one to one.

      News, Video, Websites

      Hulu Gets Disney

      April 30, 2009 /

      Disney and Hulu: Together at last.All I can think is, what took so long? Of course, the deal has been in discussion for some time now, and I’m glad to see it came through. I’m not a huge TV watcher, but when I do, I like it to be streaming high-quality video. That’s the obvious benefit for both viewer and network in this deal. And if that iPhone app goes through, even better. For my severely Lost-addicted friends, this is huge news (maybe we can finally get a beer on Wednesdays?).

      So why hasn’t CBS converted? A spokesperson recently gave us a lot of word vomit concerning CBS rights management and profitability in multi-platform blah blah blah blah. Seriously, get with it. Hulu is now the third-most-watched video site on the net, just behind Google (including YouTube) and Myspace. I would really like to see the CBS online viewing numbers, particularly after Hulu’s launch. Now people can catch everything they want in one place. Why bother with a slow CBS server when Hulu can stream anything else almost instantly? Did I mention CBS videos look like trash? I feel a strongly worded letter coming on. Now if they just had a show I cared to watch. I like you, Jay Mohr, but your show isn’t funny.

      Apps, Video, Websites

      Hulu on the iPhone

      April 26, 2009 /

      Hulu iPhoneRumors have been going around about Hulu coming to the iPhone and I couldn’t be happier. If it’s possible to get similar quality videos to stream to my iPhone as they do on Hulu.com, then I’m all in. Supposedly Hulu is planning for it to work over WiFi and 3G. Streaming full length Family Guy, Daily Show, and Heroes over 3G? Hell yeah!

      Of course there’s the issue of whether or not Apple will approve the app just like their hesitation to approve the Sling Player app but Silicon Alley Insider (the source for this story) has thoughts on that:

      Why would Apple and AT&T approve this app, which will use up a lot of bandwidth and compete with Apple’s iTunes video store? Because it will help sell iPhones, iPod touches, and AT&T subscriptions. And that’s the whole point of the App Store. (And if we were Hulu, we’d offer Apple and/or AT&T an ad revenue-sharing deal, too.)

      Let’s hope this app gets streamlined through Apple so we can all enjoy the free, limited commercial, beautiful quality, online TV and movie content of Hulu on our iPhones.

      Apple, Apps, iPhone, Mobile, News, Video

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