Hulu free streaming becomes available on Androids
Hulu is now offering its free streaming service to its mobile app for Android devices. However, Hulu fans with iPhones will have to wait – Hulu's free streaming app isn't available for iOS.
The HULU Plus app displays an image of Ben Stiller as it plays a movie trailer for the film "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" on a Samsung Galaxy phone. Hulu's free streaming app is now available for Android devices.
Carlo Allegri/Reuters/File
Hulu is finally delivering on its promise to bring free programming to mobile devices. Back in April, the popular streaming service announced it would bring subscription-free streaming to its mobile app; prior to this announcement, free streaming was chained to desktops and laptops, and only paying Hulu Plus subscribers could use mobile.
After months of silence, the company just updated its Android app, which now lets users enjoy ad-supported shows from their smartphones and tablets. However, not everyone is invited to the party.
Android gets the green light, iOS still in the works
Currently, the new app is only available via the Google Play Store, which means it only supports Android devices. Apple iOS fans will have to wait indefinitely.
The complications could stem from Apple's app policy, which takes a 30 percent cut of all in-app purchases made within iOS. Hulu isn't the first company to gnash its teeth over this policy, but until it can find a way to sidestep Apple's tax and avoid sharing its profits, there will likely be no iOS version of Hulu's app.
In the meantime, Android fans can stream the same free content that was exclusive to PCs on their mobile devices. Users will even be able to upgrade to Hulu Plus directly within the app.
But before taking your tablet on a Hulu-streaming binge, take note: not all shows will be available on mobile. In its latest blog post, Hulu writes that while most of the content available via the app will mirror the ad-supported content on Hulu.com, there will be some exceptions. The company didn't elaborate further, but it doesn't sound like a major issue.
Louis Ramirez is a senior features writer for DealNews, where this article first appeared: http://dealnews.com/features/You-Can-Now-Stream-Hulu-for-Free-on-Android-Devices/1115587.html