Hulu running on the BlackBerry PlayBook browser
One of the most asked questions thus far is if Hulu works on the BlackBerry PlayBook. The short answer is yes. While we haven't seen it yet, we'll change that right now. Kevin couldn't check it out (being in Canada) so I fired it up for a quick demo. The site itself loads well and everything shows up nicely. As you can see, there was a bit of a delay when loading the video, but after it gets started it runs super smooth. You can pop it into full screen and watch away - definitely very cool. Now you just need an HDMI cable to hook up to your TV (which unfortunately I don't have yet) and you can watch free TV until you pass out. So check out the quick video above then let us know what you think in the comments!
On a side note - I did try Netflix instant streaming as well, but unfortunately it says Our apologies - streaming is not supported for your operating system. Total drag, but it just means we realllly need to hope for a Netflix app.
mtmjr90 Apr 15, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Has Hulu explicitly said it allows this? I have a feeling it'll be blocked soon...
luqman24 Apr 15, 2011 at 5:02 pm
No need to because streaming on PB is based on your IP address and should work the same way as on your computer. If its a canadian ip address or any other country outside of the states then it should automatically block it.
kmartdanickel Apr 15, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Why would they shut it down or block it is a flash website, its the first mobile device to run flash(Ahem not apple) so its a good thing!
thomashedd Apr 15, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Have you heard of android?
hairydennis Apr 15, 2011 at 2:42 pm
How about Netflix? Dying to know if this will work in the browser...
Adam Zeis Apr 15, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Just tried Netflix and it actually won't let you stream - says the device isn't supported. Sucks.
gord888 Apr 15, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Doesn't netflix use Silverlight rather than Flash?
Mojoski Apr 15, 2011 at 2:42 pm
But what about Netflix streaming? That is the real question!! Will it run Netflix Instant Play movies?
scalemaster34 Apr 15, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Question is how long before Hulu blocks the mobile browser the PlayBook uses.
jjetson Apr 15, 2011 at 3:12 pm
What I wanna know is how many more people will ask if netfilx streams vs. how many more people ask how long it is until hulu blocks the playbook.
feldmen01 Apr 15, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Yes yes, but the real question that I think everyone is DYING to figure out is whether or not the Playbook will stream Netflix???? I guess it's only a matter of time before Hulu blocks the Playbook browser, am I right?!?!
BlackBerry Brian Apr 15, 2011 at 4:56 pm
LMAO
MadGasser Apr 15, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Why would Hulu block the playbook's browser from its site?
jjetson Apr 15, 2011 at 3:17 pm
mobile not allowed
bbquincar Apr 15, 2011 at 3:24 pm
is there away to make hulu work in cananda id love to use this on my playbook.
mapsonburt Apr 16, 2011 at 4:02 pm
You just need to use a US proxy server. Same trick the kids use to bypass content limits at school... :-)
AMorris71 Apr 15, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Wait, you mean you can do something on a tablet through its browser and not an app?!?! How can this be? The pre-release reviews I've read says the playbook is inferior to other tablets for lack of apps. This almost looks like with flash, you may not need those apps.
It appears to me that this tablet has the hardware & os to be a major business tablet (provided they get native email, calendar, etc. out soon), and this browser makes it a great, if not better in some respects, consumer-level tablet.
velkcro Apr 15, 2011 at 3:32 pm
email is already made for the playbook early bird email client
jsantiago21877 Apr 15, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Netflix requires Microsoft silver light to stream
pozi240 Apr 15, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Which RIM confirmed SilverLight support is coming with one of the updates (supposedly before the 19th launch as well).
Mojoski Apr 15, 2011 at 4:28 pm
That is good news. I hadn't heard that yet. Do you remember where you read that?
I keep seeing these references in personal comments to RIM saying the Playbook would support both Flash and Silverlight, but I can't seem to see Silverlight mentioned in any of the press releases and such.
Anyone have a link to something official? If Silverlight really will be officially supported in the Playbook, then it shouldn't be too tough to get Netflix to allow it as a supported device, I hope!
r0gueleader Apr 15, 2011 at 3:36 pm
No Netflix makes me VERY happy that I decided to wait until later this summer to upgrade from my iPad 1 to the Playbook. One of the things I use my iPad the most for is streaming the watch instantly videos on Netflix, and if I would've sold my iPad to pre-order the Playbook, I would've been thoroughly disappointed that I would have to wait around for a Netflix app.
So hopefully when I get a Playbook later this summer, there will be android apps and a Netflix app. :)
kingbernie06511 Apr 15, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Impressive to say the least... RIM spend time polishing the Flash port to Qnx rather than working on an email client... I would have preferred a client at launch, but VERY impressive....
kingbernie06511 Apr 15, 2011 at 6:14 pm
actually RIM gets a lot of criticism for not getting a few things right with the PB.... but they deserve credit for getting this very right, which is rather far more complex than a email client
hammers18 Apr 15, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Has there been any tests on how this handles MKV files?
djkbb Apr 15, 2011 at 7:35 pm
It doesn't...yet. Already confirmed for a later update though.
miamimanu86 Apr 15, 2011 at 9:43 pm
love it! i need one!
shaolinfinest Apr 16, 2011 at 12:10 am
I was playing with the Playbook today and that was the first thing we tried was Hulu. Than I said to myself, I hope no one mentions this on the web so Hulu would not block it lol
peacey Apr 16, 2011 at 8:41 am
Okay I'm going to go out and say this as I'm sure some people are dying to hear it. WTF? You people actualy _buy_ your movies? Seriously, it's 2011. And don't give me the speach about morals and faggotry like that. Wtere should be no excuse for doing this. Shame on you.
heateris Apr 16, 2011 at 5:23 pm
hey Adam, did you try XFINITYTV.com?
StAiChiLLiN Apr 16, 2011 at 9:32 pm
I 'am definitely buying this. Come on Tuesday.
Gamesdmc3 Apr 17, 2011 at 5:20 am
nice,now im waiting to see netflix running on it
webchetan Apr 20, 2011 at 11:37 am
I am a loyal BlackBerry fan and I still use a BlackBerry. I got a hold of Playbook yesterday and got it home. But sorry to say though it looks sleek and nice, it doesn’t have many apps as compared to what iPad 2 has.
I am sticking to my iPad 2 and its really great. Till the time Playbook gets all the different zillion types of Apps like iPad 2 does, Playbook is way behind the lead. So I had to return my Playbook back to Best Buy unfortunately. No Apps, no no for me!
Sorry RIM, we need more apps or else the Playbook is just another tablet!
Note: I used my BlackBerry as my only phone device, and I love it but I use iPad 2 for my tablet
Lisabfav Nov 4, 2011 at 8:10 am
Why do all these comments say HULU works on the playbook, when clearly is does not? The video above shows it working, but when I try it on the playbook, it says HULU not available on this system.