Hulu Plus

Google has announced that Hulu has added Chromecast support to its Hulu Plus app, enabling online shows to be viewed on the big screen – something it promised back in July.

Now you can easily enjoy your favorite shows, such as “Modern Family,” “New Girl” and “Parks and Recreation,” on your big-screen TV by casting from Hulu Plus on your mobile phone or tablet. It’s the same intuitive, remote-free experience you’ve come to enjoy with the other Chromecast-supported apps, and is as simple as pressing the Cast button which will now appear in the app … 
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Variety has the scoop:

“We are actively working with Google to bring Hulu Plus to the platform,” Hulu rep Meredith Kendall said. “At Hulu, we’re constantly innovating to provide our users with access to their favorite TV shows anytime, anywhere, on any device.”

What a stark contrast to when GoogleTV was released and Hulu blocked, yes BLOCKED, Google TVs from accessing Hulu content.  Yes, a few years makes a big difference and Hulu has since gotten comfortable on set top boxes, but I think the model where Google puts content owners in control has struck a chord with content distributors. They are 100% in control of what goes on Chromecast.

“Here’s how you put your content on a Chromecast. They are $35 and going to be everywhere. Do what you want” works.

Vimeo, HBO, Redbox, and many others are also jumping on board.
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Hacker “ReActiveDisorder” posted, well, a hack on the XDADevelopers forum recently that allows the Hulu Plus app to work with the Samsung Epic Touch 4G without a root.

“I have a Hulu membership and was angry cause our device wasnt “Compatible”. Talk about a total rip off. So I modded the apk to work with our device. It is 100% Fully functioning. I hope to contribute more later down the road. Maybe an ICS Rom ;-),” explained ReActiveDisorder on the forum.

Directions:
1. Download the Modded APK at http://db.tt/sq1AjQQu 
2. Sideload APK—it installs like other non-market apps.
3. Sign into Hulu Plus (membership required).

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[slideshow]
Hulu Plus is now available on seven Android tablets with a new user interface.

The “Hulu Plus” app is available on Google Play with an improved experience for the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Motorola Xoom, Motorola XYBoard 10.1, Toshiba Thrive, Acer Iconia, and LG G-Slate.

“This is just the beginning of our Android tablet rollout,” announced Hulu on its official blog.

Hulu is a flash-based service with ad-supported on-demand streaming video of television shows, movies, webisodes, and trailers from a variety of content suppliers, including NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS, and Nickelodeon. Hulu Plus is the $7.99 monthly subscription variant that officially launched in 2010 and allots subscribers an expanded content library. Like the free version, Hulu’s videos showcase commercials.

Video is available below.

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As promised, Hulu Plus just hit the Amazon Appstore.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be able to be downloaded for any devices (including my Galaxy Tab 7) besides the Kindle Fire (check Android market for full compatibility list).  Strangely, even after “Whistper-synching” it over to the Kindle Fire, it hasn’t shown up.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opnJA3FoCis]

Well, the advantages of the Nook Tablet are falling by the wayside as Amazon signs up more and more content partners at this late hour for its Kindle Fire.  Today Amazon announced that the Fire will also have Hulu Plus and ESPN ScoreCenter apps.

With Hulu Plus, Amazon Kindle Fire users can instantly watch thousands of TV episodes – including the entire current season of popular shows like Modern Family, Glee, Saturday Night Live, The Office, House, and Grey’s Anatomy – from top networks including ABC, Comedy Central, The CW, FOX, NBC, MTV, VH-1, and hundreds more.  Hulu Plus also offers entertainment fans access to classic TV favorites like Lost, Ally McBeal, and Battlestar Galactica and hundreds of popular and award-winning movies for $7.99/month with limited advertising. ESPN ScoreCenter brings Kindle Fire customers scores, news, and standings from hundreds of sports leagues around the world. Never miss another goal, pitch, basket, try, touchdown or wicket. Whether you follow the NFL or the Premier League, the Ashes or MLB, MMA or Formula One, ScoreCenter offers the most comprehensive global sports coverage available.

How are people going to pick competing 7-inch Androids when they don’t even have Hulu Plus?
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The Nook Color is getting a $50 price slash, which brings the e-reader tablet to $199 — Android Central found today. Along with the price slash the Nook Color will be receiving a new software update 1.4 that brings Hulu Plus and the music streaming services Rhapsody, MOG, and Grooveshark to the tablet. All of the music streaming apps come with free trials, and Pandora also comes pre-loaded.

With the price slash, the Nook Color is a certain buy for the upcoming holiday season and it also comes in at a nice Kindle Fire competitor. But how about the Nook Tablet?

For those of you who are big fans of Hulu Plus, you’ll be happy to know that the streaming service has landed on the Vizio 8. Currently, Hulu Plus is available on a total of ten Android phones– making the Vizio 8 the first Android tablet.

As This is my next points out, the Vizio 8 is available for $299 making it a nice cheap option to view Hulu Plus.