It looks like those of you sporting an Android smartphone will soon be able to catch your favorite shows upon Hulu without having to purchase an iPod Touch.
While Hulu’s embrace of Android is a good thing, it looks like they are taking a cue from Skype as far as Android adoption goes.
During Samsung’s keynote at CES today, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar announced for the first time that Hulu is working to bring the Hulu Plus subscription service to select Android™ phones (running Android OS 2.2), and gave the audience a sneak peek at the Hulu Plus Android app during the presentation. Hulu Plus will be available on select Android mobile phones in coming months; we’ll announce further details as soon as we have an official launch date and complete list of Hulu Plus-enabled Android phones. We hope you’re as excited as we are! (Official Hulu Blog)
Note: Emphasis mine.
Although it’s understandable why Hulu is choosing Android phones running Froyo (version 2.2), it doesn’t make any sense as to why they are limiting their market share to select Android models.
Unless Hulu is receiving cash from a major carrier (my guess would be either AT&T or Verizon), reducing their initial outreach upon Android will benefit rivals as well as encourage users to find ways to “hack” around the limitation.
Although companies like Hulu are probably nervous about Android due to the fact that it is designed to be hacked, hopefully the company will reconsider their position in light of Android’s increasing popularity.
Originally posted on January 7, 2011 @ 2:52 pm