TechCrunch reports that an “industry insider” has revealed that Hulu, the second largest video service in the US is working on a non-flash player to bring its content to iPad and hopefully the iPhone.
Hulu currently requires Flash player, which is not supported on the iPhone or iPad.
TechCrunch reports:
One rumor I've heard from an industry insider is that Hulu is working on an iPad-friendly version of its site that should be ready by the time the iPad hits the market. Hulu itself is still vague about its plans. When asked directly by Om Malik whether Hulu has any plans for the iPad, CEO Jason Kilar recently hemmed and hawed about how he is a big believer in mobile, but wouldn't confirm or deny anything.
YouTube had recently released a new video player (currently in beta) that supports HTML5 and doesn’t require the Flash plug-in. However, the HTML5 version does not support ads (they can only play on the flash player), which is a major source of revenue for Hulu. So it will be interesting to see if Hulu chooses to adopt HTML5 or develop a native iPhone app.
TechCrunch notes that "putting Hulu on the iPad boils down to a business decision, not a technical one" as Hulu’s videos are already encoded in the H.264 format that is used on the iPhone and iPad.
YouTube iPhone app has been available ever since the iPhone was launched so it’s high time Hulu’s website works on the iPhone and soon-to-be-available iPad. What do you think?
[via TechCrunch]
Hulu getting HTML5 running sweet on the iPhone serves two purposes
1st Mr Jobs having a proper reason to disallow flash
2nd gives Apple reason to buy 51% of Hulu and call the shots
Apple with it's HTML5, will make every apple owner be the last ones to have anything that's good with the web now. Well If hulu decides to which I don't see no time soon because of the ads that pay the bills. It's just sad apple it's just sad.
I dont know what you are getting at Tim, but Apple needs to support todays web technologies because if they dont the competition will/does, HTML5 is easier said than done.
sigh just call adobe apple
ads are a big part of hulu that keeps it alive and free. without ads there will be huge chunk of loss revenues.
HTML5 works, so Apple refuse 'buggy' Flash player
Apple secure a say in Hulu to prevent flash from being released and promote HTML5
Does it really matter? As long as SOMEDAY apple finally gives in and allows Flash!
What did you just say?
i have flash on my itouch because i can alter anything on it because i want. So i dont really need to wait for apple to get with the technology.
Tim, You are and idiot.
There's no magic here. HTML5 is just the next major release of the HTML spec and happens to support streaming video natively without the need for processor (thus battery) hungry plug-ins such as Flash (which does much more than video.. providing more attack vectors for hackers to break your stuff). Ads can be integrated using other native HTML technologies such as JavaScript and CSS. The major hurdle is getting everyone to upgrade their browsers so they support the new HTML standard. As an aside, I've developed software on many platforms, and Flash's programming model leaves a lot to be desired. HTML5 should simplify things a bit for video streaming.
The problem that you and most people don't get is if Hulu switches to HTML5 then it will be very easy for people to get around their commercials and to capture their videos. The HTML5 spec is lacking any kind of DRM in it and until this gets resolved Hulu and sites like it will stick with flash. Hulu has basically said as much when they said HTML 5 doesn't meet their needs and so they are sticking to flash.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/hulu-says-html5-doesn-t-yet-meet-all-of-our-customers-needs