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Hulu blocks Skyfire mobile browser from accessing videos
This development comes on a long, protracted battle between Hulu and Boxee, a media center application for OS X, Windows, and Ubuntu Linux that provides access to web video from dozens of sources.
After killing Boxee support, Hulu eventually launched its own desktop application, cleverly called Hulu Desktop. Does this mean that Hulu might be working on a mobile viewing device? I wouldn't be surprised if the company simply wanted more control over how users can interact with the media on its web site. On the other hand, since Boxee, Skyfire, and most other applications that allow users to watch Hulu video leave the advertising intact, I can't see how it should make much difference to Hulu and the company's content partners how you watch the videos.
[via AppScout]
Comments
10
Subscribe to commentschenchbrainJul 3rd 2009 7:06PM
This is silly. People who would view Hulu on phone would obviously view at home as well. They're just pissing people off. Rhapsody music service is also blocked for Skyfire. Great for account holders like myself.... for now.
PlasmaJul 3rd 2009 7:06PM
The reason is that it's a plot to take over the world. The commercial said so.
JordanJul 3rd 2009 7:06PM
Hulu: Google in sheep's clothes.
EvenioJul 3rd 2009 9:18PM
They really need to get it over with and block all access to all videos, period. The bandwidth savings will be incredible.
typoinkJul 4th 2009 10:24AM
Actually, I don't think they're really super-specifically trying to block Skyfire users. They're probably trying to block use of proxies to get around borders. Hulu's advertisers probably don't to pay for ad time in a country where they don't sell their products (or where their channel isn't broadcast).
It's also possible that this is a complaint from the content providers, not the advertisers -- if they're making money selling digital copies of their shows through iTunes and Zune and whatnot, they won't want Hulu content available free. Obviously this isn't a GOOD strategy...but content providers haven't been great at seeing which way the wind is blowing.
VirtuousJul 4th 2009 10:25AM
Boycott Hulu until Hulu's content providers capitulate.
Goreged BushedJul 4th 2009 10:25AM
It about time to kill off WhoLu, flash sucks, the movies available suck, and I sure will not be willing to 'pay' for their up coming service that they are planning for and watch commercials on top of that.
Goreged BushedJul 4th 2009 9:15AM
It about time to kill off WhoLu, flash sucks, the movies available suck, and I sure will not be willing to 'pay' for their up coming service that they are planning for and watch commercials on top of that.
ShadowGodJul 4th 2009 8:40PM
Well they better come out with native iPhone/Palm/WinMo/Blackberry official apps soon dammit.
JimScarJul 5th 2009 2:12PM
Luckily, it's not a problem for me as the new Skyfire update blocks itself from my phone. Granted, I'm running a cooked ROM with WinMo 6.5, but there are posts from numerous others having similar issues. Best of all, since I installed the update, I'm no longer able to re-install the first 1.0 release, which worked fine on my 6.5 cooked phone.