If you haven't heard the news already, Hulu Plus is finally here. For $9.99/month, you get more shows and the ability to stream via WiFI or 3G to your iPhone, iPad, or Sony Playstation 3 (with further Internet TV support to come). So, is it worth it? We've got a quick and easy guide for those still on the fence...
OUR QUICK AND EASY GUIDE:
- Count your devices. Hulu Plus truly is valuable for those who've been longing for mobile TV on their portable devices. This includes iPhones and iPads (no Droid support, for now). Or, if you've been an avid Boxee user who's been struggling to get a good experience with Hulu on your TV, you can utilize the new upcoming support on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 (Early 2011) to see the integrated software truly shine.
- What's another $10? You've got yourself a Netflix, Xbox Live!, and a digital iPad subscription to Dwell - a few more bucks wouldn't hurt, right? Well, $10 x 12 months = $120, which could be used to help with the oil spill cleanup, purchase a new Wacom tablet for your kiddo, or something more important than TV. Also, keep in mind that Hulu Plus is still ad-supported, even though you're paying for it.
- Will it complement or compete against Google TV/Boxee?. Both services are still in the works (or invite only beta testing), so it might be worth it to see how well Hulu gets integrated within Google TV/Boxee or if they'll go rogue and try to separate themselves from the services altogether. From our experience, there's nothing more aggravating than having to go in-and-out of multiple applications to just do something that should require only a few steps.
HULU PLUS:
GOOGLE TV:
We're one to play it safe and adopt later unless we're really dying to see a particular show on TV. Aside from the convenience factor, it's hard to justify yet another service to fill our entertainment needs. Unless you've got a mild TV addiction and must have your shows everywhere you go, we think this one can wait.
What do you guys think? Is Hulu Plus worth it for you?
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At $9.99 Hulu can kiss my butt, unless they get rid of the ads. I'd pay MAYBE $4.99 a month to watch ad-riddled television shows. Considering that most of the shows I like are available OnDemand or are viewable online on the network's website free of charge, I'm not really willing to pay extra to view them with the ads still in place. Netflix has managed to stream me lots of content ad-free for the same price.
Not all content is created equal. Basically what Hulu is selling here is a cable package for ten bucks. If the content they have matches your tastes then 10 buck seems reasonable to me, but it's a taste thing.
And for some reason I don't believe in Google TV. I think it might be because Google hasn't really "gotten" good UI yet, and that seems to be the most important part of a product in the living room. They seem to just be throwing their hat in.
Oh and don't be surprised when the online offerings start to dwindle to the previous 5 episodes everywhere, I think that will be the model moving forward.
@mlhdrain - this is hulu on the couch via PS3 and XBOX360 or iPad, which isn't available unless you tether your pc to your tv.
watching tv perched over your keyboard while slinking back on your desk chair is totally different than curled up in a ball on your futon.
Also to consider: what country do you live in?
Hulu is always telling me "our video library can only be streamed within the United States"