Video is going to play a big part in the success or failure of the iPad. And Apple needs services and content providers to come on board quickly if it stands a chance of taking the device mainstream. Hulu and CBS have at least hinted they would be willing to support the iPad.
Apple iPad
The iPad was rumored for a long time before it finally arrived, being unveiled by Steve Jobs at CES 2010. Designed to fill the void between smartphones and notebooks, the iPad is a touchscreen device costing from $499 upwards.
Apple hopes the iPad will change the way we consume media such as television, music, and games. But for that to happen, the company needs the backing of content creators and distributors.
Apple Hates Flash(ers)
As soon as the iPad was unveiled, many people saw Hulu as the perfect service for the device. Getting Hulu on board would be a big coup for Apple, and no doubt help the iPad in its quest for mainstream acceptance.
The big problem is Apple’s insistence on not supporting Adobe Flash, which has been its stance for a long time. Apple thinks HTML5 will become the new standard very quickly, and eschew the need for Flash altogether.
The one problem with that stance (aside from annoying potential customers) is that many of the services Apple wants to attract to the iPad use Flash. Including Hulu.
Hulu On The iPad
Hulu already encodes its files in H.264, so it would be possible for a Hulu app on the iPad. But that’s not the only issue at stake here.
MediaMemo reports that Hulu is indeed considering an iPad option. But it would first have to decide whether the iPad constitutes a mobile device, and if so, work out a new deal with the networks with that in mind.
Either way, Hulu on the iPad is likely to be a premium service, or part of a larger premium service, that Hulu has already indicated will be coming in 2010. It just hasn’t decided what form it’ll take, or how much it’ll cost.
CBS On 99 Cent Shows
Another way Apple hopes to kickstart the iPad’s life is by lowering the price of TV shows on iTunes to 99-cents an episode. We’ve already heard that some U.S. networks warmed to the idea after the iPad’s launch. And now we have a more concrete view from one of them.
MediaMemo (again) reports CBS CEO Les Moonves as saying, “There are certain shows that will be sold on Apple for 99 cents.” Though this shouldn’t be taken as gospel, it implies the network is heading in that direction. Which can only be good for Apple.
Conclusions
Neither of these efforts – Hulu on iPad, 99-cent shows on iTunes – are likely to be finalized in time for the March launch of the iPad. So, permanent deals could end up depending on how well the iPad initially sells. Which is still up for debate.
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