The web is a buzz with information that Apple may further develop iTunes into a monthly $30 subscription service for TV and movies as reported in Forbes today. Peter Kafka of All Things Digital indicates multiple sources indicate that Apple may be ready to take on the likes of Hulu and Zillion and tap into the growing trend of people's viewing habits shifting from traditional TV or cable and towards the internet.
As one of the people who uses Apple as the backbone of their home media/communication system this service would make things very interesting. I currently use a Mac Mini to watch TVu, Hulu and other such services. I'm also a beta tester for Zillion TV, which is very similar to Apple TV, and I'm afraid may not fair much better unless they can streamline their OS and be a bit more Hulu and TVu like.
I dont see it
How will it compete with hulu. when hulu is free.
Hulu the holder of precious things
Good question, I'm a Hulu watcher... well until I finished the six episodes of Family Guy in one sitting. Seriously, I am a big fan of Hulu (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain; Providence Equity Partners, GE, ABC and Disney) and what they're up to... commanding not just US, but world entertainment delivery systems - namely through the internet.
From a consumer perspective at this early time in the rise of internet TV, while I find Hulu good at getting new episodes of serial shows up, unfortunately they do rotate them and movies off too quick for my taste, and the selection is too limited for the resources at these players finger tips. Right now they're just building their brand and technology - free isn't so "free" when your the subject of corporate experiment.
The explosion of us watching TV and movies (legal and illegal) over the internet has not gone unnoticed, that is the only reason Hulu exists.
The current halcyon days of getting all this awesome free content off the web are numbered, don't believe otherwise. What's going on right now, I think, is some of the visionaries behind Hulu, Zillion TV and now possibly Apple are trying to figure out what we consumers want so that they can position their services and for Apple service plus hardware.
What Apple could offer that Hulu isn't, is everything in their vaults on demand for one flat rate which is seamlessly integrated with their desktops, laptops, tablets and iPhones. I think traditional cable TV would be in trouble then.
In my mind, while Hulu is the name sake, the real holder of precious things is how we the consumers shape where techology goes.
We will see.
We will just have to see about that.
Wait and see
Right on! Though I'm going to dive in and see what works and what doesn't, and talk about it. Hopefully readers like you pipe in and give your opinions too.
Thanks.
Thankx
Thankx John. You are a true samurai :-)