Op-Ed: Hulu Releases Software Client for Mac, PC

Hulu has released a software client for PCs and Macs. Users can now watch the movies and TV shows without a browser on their desktop.

Hulu, through its new Hulu Labs section, allows users to try new products and services for its video service. One of the new products launched today is the Hulu Desktop software client. It is a simple download and installs in minutes in your desktop, works in both Mac OS X and Windows computers. To use this program in your desktop, you need a minimum 2GB RAM memory, Core-Duo processors, Adobe Flash 9.0.124 or higher, 2Mbps Internet Connection and Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger or later versions. It is like the Windows Media Center. The buttons and navigation looks less impressive for now; hopefully they will improve it. When you start the Hulu Desktop, instead of showing the main home page it starts playing one of their pre-selected videos. PCWorld.com says Hulu Desktop responds to Apple Remotes and Windows Media Center Remotes, so you can navigate the video shows with your remote. Hulu users can log on change their personal settings and rate the videos. Since Hulu has major backing from Hollywood, it will be making more money through the advertising built-in the videos. Hulu Desktop is available only for the U.S. users.