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Hulu revamp uses 'like' and 'dislike' buttons to personalize suggestions
Hulu is determined to improve its recommendations, and one of its biggest upgrades will seem remarkably familiar to some. It's adding Netflix-style "like" and "dislike" buttons to indicate that you'd either like to see similar titles or never to see a show again. The feature is available now both through the web as well as Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, the Switch, the Xbox One as well as "select" LG, Samsung, Vizio and Android-powered smart TVs. More platforms are "coming soon."
Hulu brings 4K content to the Xbox One
Hulu is still in the midst of returning 4K content to its streaming service. As of today, owners of 4K-capable Xbox One models can play The Handmaid's Tale, Castle Rock and other shows (mostly Hulu originals) at full resolution. You can also expect 4K support on Amazon Fire TV devices and LG's webOS-based TVs sometime in the near future.
Hulu subscribers can finally download shows to watch offline
Starting today, Hulu subscribers on the $12/month No Ads plan can save shows and movies for offline viewing. You'll see download icons on the details pages for eligible titles, as well as a "See What's Downloadable" section. You can access your downloads from a dedicated tab at the bottom of the screen.
Why are there so many TV streaming services?
The days of television streaming with limited choices are long gone. The list of options grows longer almost daily, and some big names have plans to launch new services that will further silo the content you want to watch. Exclusives are the new streaming currency, and to get everything you desire, you have to hand over a lot more money than you probably want to.
How to get the most out of Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services
A Netflix or Hulu subscription alone won't cut it anymore. The streaming landscape is fracturing as bastions of old media rise up with their own services, offering a blend of originals and library material. Over the coming months, the streaming video options will multiply like Gremlins, as the likes of Disney, Apple, WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal and mobile platform Quibi hop into the game.
Tesla update with Netflix, 'Cuphead' and Smart Summon is rolling out now
Tesla is rolling out its biggest software update yet via an over-the-air update. Version 10.0 should be particularly welcome if you're looking for more ways to pass the time while you're waiting for your battery to charge up at a Supercharger station.
Disney+ public pre-orders are open, but without deep bundle discounts
If you didn't already buy into the three-years-upfront D23 plan for Disney+ streaming, the doors are open for subscribers, at the promised rates of $69.99 annually, or $6.99 per month. The service started taking sign-ups tonight during the Emmys while other streamers (mostly Amazon) took home trophies, but with more than 25 original series and ten films promised in the first year, it will be interesting to see if they're on the stage next year. Going for the annual plan is the only way to get a discount at this point, as those wanting to bundle their subscription with access to ad-supported Hulu and ESPN+ at a $12.99 rate will have to wait until the service launches November 12th to sign up. If you're still not sure if the service will be worth it at the start, there is a free 7-day trial period.
Hulu hackathon leads to eye-tracking controls for Roku
Of the 40 project ideas that came out of Hulu's annual hackathon this summer, more than a quarter addressed the needs of users with disabilities. Today, Hulu shared some of those accessibility-focused concepts.
Hulu's 'Castle Rock' season 2 teaser shows the origins of 'Misery'
Hulu is at last ready to offer a glimpse at Castle Rock's second season, and it's evident this won't be the feel-good hit of the year. A newly posted teaser for the Stephen King-based anthology focuses on the arrival of a younger version of Misery villain Annie Wilkes (Lizzy Caplan) in Castle Rock as she's "budding" into a full-fledged psychopath. The clip makes clear that Wilkes is acting partly out of a warped sense of duty to her daughter -- not that others (including her daughter) believe her.
Hulu drops support for Google’s Daydream VR platform
If you were a fan of watching Hulu videos on Google's Daydream View VR headset, we have some bad news. Hulu has dropped support for Google Daydream. According to the company, the latest versions of its Android app (versions 3.55 or newer) no longer support the VR platform.
Apple can make TV+ ubiquitous through brute force
Apple CEO Tim Cook didn't waste any time at the company's 2019 iPhone event. One of the first announcements he made was that Apple's highly anticipated video-streaming service, Apple TV+, will launch November 1st for $4.99 per month. Since introducing it in March, Apple has teased a number of the originals that will be exclusive to Apple TV+, including series such as For All Mankind, The Morning Show and Dickinson. And while Apple has managed to get plenty of A-list celebrities to join its push into original content (like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell and Jason Momoa), that may not even be the company's best weapon as it takes on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon and, soon, Disney.
Hulu nabs rights to the ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ book sequel
Hulu and MGM have announced they are developing Margaret Atwood's The Testaments for the screen. The Canadian author's sequel to her 1985 novel The Handmaid's Tale is slated to be published later this month, and has already been longlisted for the Booker Prize. According to Time, showrunner Bruce Miller, who developed the Emmy-winning Hulu series based on the first novel, is working on incorporating the author's follow-up.
Stephen King's 'Castle Rock' returns to Hulu October 23rd
Who knew that the Maine woodlands could be so terrifying? Hulu has announced that the second season of Castle Rock, the horror anthology series based on the stories of Stephen King, will debut on October 23rd. Showrunners Sam Shaw and Dustin Thompson will be returning to the show, as well as executive producers J.J. Abrams and Ben Stephenson. Like the first season, the second season will be set in Castle Rock, Maine, King's fictional hometown, and incorporate plots and themes from his various stories.
Hulu’s refreshed Live Guide arrives on Roku and Apple TV
Hulu today launched a much-requested redesign of its interface for live TV programs on a few select platforms. The updated interface is now available on on the web, Roku devices and Apple TV. Earlier this summer, the company unveiled a revamped Live Guide strictly for desktop. The streaming service is working on bringing the new Live Guide to other devices that support Hulu Live TV in the near future.
MIT experts find a way to reduce video stream buffering on busy WiFi
Is there anything more annoying that trying to watch a video on a slow internet connection shared with a bunch of other users? Skips, endless buffering, and ugly pixelation can ruin the experience of watching a movie or TV show when everyone in your house is trying to stream at the same time.
After Math: Things that shouldn't cost this much
Samsung unveiled the latest iterations its Galaxy Note line during which time the company showed off a plus-sized phone that costs more than a laptop -- specifically, the brand new Book S laptop debuting at the same dang press conference. That ain't right. And that ain't all. Take a look.
Disney's streaming bundle: Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $12.99
On their quarterly earnings call, Disney execs confirmed a pricetag for the bundled streaming offer they'd teased while announcing Disney+. While that service will cost $7.99 per month on its own, this push to bring cord cutters back into their fold adds on ESPN+ and ad-supported Hulu for $12.99 per month. That's about $5 less than subscribing to them separately -- and the exact same price as Netflix's standard plan -- and it will be available as soon as Disney+ launches on November 12th.
Facebook might bring major streaming services to its Portal for TVs
Last year, reports emerged Facebook was working on a video chat camera you'd plug into your TV. It sounds a bit like its Portal smart display, albeit without the need for a dedicated screen. One reported aspect of the device is that it'd offer video streaming, including Facebook Watch. It seems Facebook has been trying to strike deals with other major streaming services too.
Hulu's live TV service is coming to Android TV
You don't have to make do with on-demand video if you watch Hulu on an Android TV device. Hulu is rolling out support for its Live TV service to Google-powered devices in early August, including TV sets from Sony and Hisense as well as set-tops like NVIDIA's Shield and Xiaomi's Mi Box. You'll also get Hulu's latest interface as part of the launch.
Hulu's Wu-Tang Clan series debuts September 4th
Along with a season four renewal for its biggest hit to date, The Handmaid's Tale, Hulu had plenty to reveal about its programming slate at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. Among the announcements was a premiere date for Wu-Tang: An American Saga. It'll tell the true story of legendary hip-hop group the Wu-Tang Clan from their New York beginnings in the early '90s. Three episodes premiere on September 4th, with another arriving every week for the 10-episode run.
