We’ve gotten word that Hulu and Apple are working on a product for the iPhone/iPod touch and possibly an Apple tablet. While making a Hulu port for iPhone would be fairly straightforward, with Apple’s iTunes selling TV shows through iTunes and AT&T not wanting to break its network any further, it becomes more complex. Here’s what out tipster has told us:
- The service would be ad-based just like the desktop/browser versions
- The service will utilize Apple’s new variable bitrate HTTP streaming protocol. The quality will be good but not as good as iTunes versions
- It was originally hoped for release in September but rights issues have pushed the release back into late 2009/early 2010.
- The Hulu app only works on Wifi but it may "in the future" be allowed to run on carrier networks.
- AT&T will offer competing services on the iPhone. They will coexist.
- There will be ties to iTunes store links. For instance, if you are watching an episode of Lost, you’ll be able to buy prior seasons from iTunes with one click.
- Hulu is poised for international expansion in 2010. The iPhone version will expand with the full version
- The app won’t be free
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