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Hulu Plus app now works on Wii U
Wii U owners have been taunted by a Hulu Plus icon on the menu for two whole days. Now, the television service is active, allowing paid subscribers to watch TV shows and movies on either the ... well, the TV, or the Wii U GamePad.If you want to know how the Wii U app works, but not enough to go turn it on, you can get a preview in this weirdly thorough video Hulu put together. You'll know exactly which options are available from where.
Wii U's 'TVii' launching in December, video on demand (Netflix, etc) in 'coming weeks' [update]
Originally thought to be out at the system's launch, the Wii U's "TVii" feature is now slated for December. The TVii functionality, exclusive to the US and Canada, puts a TV program guide on the Wii U GamePad, and allows users to use the pad to view and control programming from cable and satellite, along with YouTube and popular video on demand services. Through the Wii U, TVii also allows commenting and sharing via Twitter, Facebook, and Miiverse.Speaking of those video on demand services, don't expect Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, and Netflix to work on day one. Nintendo now says that those services will be available "in the coming weeks."[Thanks, Eric!]Update: Netflix tells Engadget that its service will be on Wii U "at launch," but won't be part of TVii until Q1 of next year.
CBS and Hulu make content deal, stream back catalog shows starting in January 2013
CBS has been the lone Hulu refusenik among the biggest US broadcasters -- even with rumors of licensing discussions underway at least two years ago, we've usually had to visit the network's own site if we wanted a CSI fix without paying by the show. The deadlock is over at last now that CBS and Hulu have struck a deal. The agreement isn't quite what we'd hope for, focusing almost exclusively on back catalog titles like Medium and Star Trek, although celebrity gossip junkies will like knowing that Entertaintment Tonight segments will be viewable the day they air on regular TV. We'll have to wait until January 2013 for the selection to be ready -- not to mention shell out for Hulu Plus to get full access -- but there's at least an end in sight to one of the longer content droughts in streaming video.
Roku update adds cross-provider search over Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO, Vudu and Crackle
We've seen web portals that let you search for TV and movies on the internet across different services, but a new update for Roku is bringing that capability directly to its set-top boxes. Whether you're searching by movie, TV show, actor or director it will sniff out related content across some of the higher profile services it offers, including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Crackle, Vudu and HBO Go. The new Roku Search function is front and center (once your second gen HD or higher player has been updated to the latest version) and in our tests worked quickly, pulling up content wherever it was available and mentioning if it was available in HD. The only downside is navigating the onscreen keyboard via remote, although you can always sub in your mobile device thanks to those recently upgraded remote apps for iOS and Android. All in all Roku says it can reach its tendrils across around 130,000 titles and almost 100,000 actors and directors. Check after the break for a couple of screenshots and a quick demo video, hit the official blog for more info or force an update on your hockey puck to check it out yourself.
Hulu Plus app heads to Windows 8 PCs and tablets, tailored for new UI (video)
Windows 8 users, what with their "Modern" UI and pinned applications, won't have to stoop to using Hulu Plus in an antiquated internet browser any longer. Hulu today announced its brand new Windows 8 and Windows 8 tablet application, which is designed specifically for use with the tiled UI that Micrsoft's new multiplatform OS is based around. The new app aims to take advantage of that UI in a variety of ways -- pinning an episode or show to your start screen, for instance, or multitasking with other apps while Hulu continues playing in a smaller window, cropped to the left. We've dropped a video walkthrough of the app just below the break. Those with early access to Windows 8 can grab the app right now in the Windows Store through this link; the app will be available to the rest of us at launch on October 26th, and on Windows 8 tablets the same day. Update: The app is now available!
BuddyTV Guide app adds Hulu Plus integration
Even when you're watching TV alone, you've always got a friend in BuddyTV Guide -- the personalized listings and remote control app. Now, in addition to content providers Netflix, iTunes and Amazon, it's inviting another player to the viewing party: Hulu Plus. Subscribers to the service will be able to see all associated video content in the BuddyTV Guide listings, and better yet, access it directly from within the app. Intrigued, Hulu Plus patrons? Head on down to the source link, grab the relevant app and let the New Girl marathon commence.
Hulu Plus, HBO Go and Max Go apps for Android updated with support for closed captions
Sound familiar? Just days after the mobile apps for HBO, Cinemax and Hulu added closed captions support on iOS, a similar slew of upgrades have come to their apps on Android. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any change in the number of supported devices for any of them at this time. Hulu's upgrade also adds on the option to share videos via Twitter, Facebook and other services, although the 10 second rewind button added on iOS does not appear to have made the cut. As usual you should see the new versions rolling around in the app store, hit the source links for more info.
Hulu Plus, HBO Go and Max Go apps for iOS updated with support for closed captions
In a move that should please the hard of hearing and anyone trying to watch a video quietly sans-headphones, the Hulu Plus, HBO Go and Max Go apps for iOS devices have all recently been updated with support for closed captions. The portable apps for HBO and Cinemax got their refresh yesterday along some unspecified enhancements and bug fixes. For Hulu Plus, the update to version 2.6 not only brings a subtitle toggle for English and other languages, where available (on iOS 4.3 and higher), but also sharing via Twitter, Facebook and email, a 10 second rewind button and the usual unspecified other tweaks. Due to its market share Netflix has gotten most of the pressure when it comes to offering captions, but its good to see other streaming options getting on board as well. All the apps are free, even though the services aren't, hit the source links below to grab the latest versions.
Hulu Plus overhauled on PSN, now with colorful pictures
The Hulu Plus app on PS3 is redesigned to include "larger, more vivid artwork" that is easier to navigate than the previous layout, principal software development lead Daniel Bear writes on the PlayStation Blog.The new design has movies and TV shows in a "tray-style" format with programs recommended based on individual viewing history, popular shows, top 100 clips and trailers, similar to the Netflix layout. It also includes a "Shows You Watch" option for quick access to the latest episodes of regularly viewed content. Search results now appear directly below the search and the playback interface has been overhauled.Check out the details on PSN or on the blog post.
Hulu's PlayStation 3 app upgraded, is the first for the living room to deliver the 'new experience'
The folks over at Hulu have been focused on cleaning up content discovery and playback for a while, and now they've turned their collective eye to the PlayStation 3 Hulu Plus app. An update rolling out this evening brings a number of tweaks we saw hit its redesigned website in August, including the "tray-style" layout of shows, larger artwork, improved search with results that appear in the dropdown and simplified player controls. Take a peek in the gallery for a few screenshots of the new UI or after the break for an intro trailer. Although other platforms weren't mentioned specifically Hulu said the PS3 is the first living room device to show off its new experience, which leads us to believe other devices should get a similar look eventually. Subscribers can take a look on the PlayStation Network to see if they find any improvements, non-subscribers can, as usual, jump in on a free seven day trial.%Gallery-164901%
Hulu marks its first year in Japan by opening up access on Apple TV
It's been a year since Hulu launched its streaming video service in Japan, and to celebrate it's released its app on Apple TVs there. It hasn't all been roses for the last twelve months, with a price drop in April -- and we're not seeing any celebration of subscriber figures in the blog post -- despite including things like HBO that it seems unlikely we'll see on Hulu domestically. Just like the Apple TV app that popped up over here, Japanese users should simply find it on their devices, while prospective subscribers are being enticed with one month free subscriptions if they sign up via their hockey puck.
Microsoft store offering $175 off on Xbox 360 S Kinect bundle
While now may not be the best time to buy a new Xbox 360, this close to the holidays, we're certainly not going to judge your need of one. Instead, we're here to help you save some money – hey, look, a deal!The Microsoft store is currently offering a $299.99 bundle that tosses in the 4GB Xbox 360 console with a Kinect sensor and two games: Kinect Adventures, which is included with every Kinect sensor; and Kinect Sports Season 2, Microsoft's sequel to its initial sports minigame collection.The bundle also tosses in 12 months of Xbox Live Gold, a three-month subscription to Hulu Plus, an Xbox 360 media remote and an HDMI cable. It's the HDMI cable that really gets us.
Verizon's Viewdini appears on iOS: works on any network, hunts video from 11 sources
The Viewdini streaming metasearch service launched a few months ago for Verizon's 4G LTE-laden Android hardware, and now it's finally available on iDevices. While the droid app is exclusive to those with a 4G plan on Big Red's network, anything running iOS 4.3 and up can now make use of Viewdini, independently of carrier ties. As the screenshots above show, you're also good to go on 3G, although you better watch that data allowance to avoid any nasty surprises. Interestingly, the iOS version currently only digs through the catalogues of 11 content providers compared with 18 on the Android version, but you're still getting access to various big names like ABC, Crackle, Hulu Plus, Netflix and Verizon's own video service. More providers should be added to the list soon, and if you'd like to give Viewdini a try, it's available at the App Store now.
Fanhattan updates iOS app with WatchList feature, content from Cinemax, HBO and NBC
Fanhattan's often been praised for offering a one-stop hub where folks can keep track of all their cherished entertainment shows, which has led it to become a crowd favorite amongst iOS users. Well, today the application's expanding its TV guide services a little more, announcing it's now showing content from 10 new providers, including HBO, Cinemax, NBC and, better yet, The CW -- you know, because we just can't miss out on the latest Gossip Girl episodes. In addition to these channel inclusions, Fanhattan's also introduced a novel, Amazon-esque WatchList feature that pushes out alerts as soon as added shows (movies, too) are ready to be watched. If you've yet to give the handy application a try, you can do so now by grabbing it at no cost from Cupertino's well-known app mart.
TUAW Poll: What's the next video channel Apple should add to the Apple TV?
Today Apple suprised everyone by quietly adding Hulu Plus as a channel on the Apple TV. The addition of Hulu adds some serious muscle behind Apple's "hobby" device and puts it more in league with other multimedia streaming boxes like Roku and Xbox 360. No doubt Apple will continue adding channels in the future (perhaps leading up to a "real" Apple television), but we here at TUAW want to know what your choice is for the next video channel Apple adds to the Apple TV. Sure, ideally Apple would add all these channels, but let's say they could only add one. Which would you choose? (Keep in mind that some of the choices below, like the current channel options on Apple TV, would most likely only be available in specific geographic territories.) %Poll-76829% #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Daily Update for July 31, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Apple adds Hulu Plus to Apple TV
Apple has quietly added Hulu Plus to the Apple TV. The new channel is available not through a software update for Apple's set-top box, but via restarting the device. Users are offered a one-week trial, or can log in with their existing account (or, apparently, buy service through iTunes). See our gallery for images of the new channel. %Gallery-161454% Hulu Plus is a service in the United States that allows viewers to watch TV shows and movies from some of the biggest networks and studios including Disney, NBC, ABC, and Fox. As of 2011 Hulu Plus had 1.5 million users. Apple TV users outside of the United States will not be able to take advantage of the new Hulu Plus channel. The addition of Hulu Plus is promising for those outside of the US though. Here's hoping that Apple continues to add more streaming content outlets to the AppleTV -- like BBC's iPlayer. [hat tip MacRumors] #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Hulu Plus app live on Apple TV
We haven't seen any official information yet, but tipsters report and we've confirmed on our own that Hulu Plus is quietly rolling out to Apple TV set-top boxes this morning. It was on our hockey pucks when we turned them on, while reports on Twitter indicate losing the connection before the icon appeared once the box came back online. We're checking it out now, and like Netflix, it allows users to pay for the service via iTunes if they choose. The menus and UI are all appropriately Apple TV styled, if you're not seeing it yet on your box then it should probably be there after a reboot. Otherwise it's the same old Hulu Plus, just (finally) on Apple TV without any hacks or redirects needed, any new users can snag a 1 week free trial by signing up on the website or through the device itself. Update: We have official confirmation now, check the Hulu Blog for more information, or after the break for two quick demo videos. %Gallery-161452% [Thanks, Rune]
WD TV Play media hub revealed by the FCC, puts Texas Hold'em on the big screen
Western Digital must not want to leave casual TV gaming to the Roku crowd. Our friends at the FCC have just posted a filing that shows the as yet unannounced WD TV Play taking on its set-top rival with a dedicated gaming channel. We're only given a small peek into the new media hub's gaming universe through the pre-release user manual, but we know that a Texas Hold'em variant and other titles will find their way in through the gaming services Funspot and PlayJam. No signs have surfaced of a Roku-like motion control, either, although the remote has been given an overhaul compared to its WD TV Live cousin with prominent shortcut buttons for Hulu Plus, Netflix and Vudu. There aren't any immediate clues as to when the otherwise pedestrian-looking Play will take over store shelves -- that said, the virtually complete details hint that there's not long to wait.
Hulu Plus Android app tweaked for 7-inch, high res screens, officially supports more devices
The Hulu Plus app for Android has been updated, and after adding tablets in the last update it now officially supports a few more devices, most notably the Galaxy S II family, Galaxy Tab 2 and HTC One S, among others. While sideloading the APK previously worked for some unsupported hardware, now they can be directly installed from the market. Also noted in the changelog for this version are improved support for 7-inch tablets, and high resolution screens. Hey, we wonder if any new 7-inch Android tablets with high resolution screens might be arriving soon? [Thanks, Lee]
