Is it just me, or is Hulu doing everything it can to get you to cancel your cable subscription? The popular video site has just released Hulu Desktop, a standalone program available for both Mac and PC that connects to Hulu's video library. You can even access your Hulu.com profile from it to see your queue.
Here's where it gets awesome: the interface is designed so that it also works with Apple and Windows Media Center remotes. If you have a Logitech Harmony universal remote, I tried mine and yep, it works very well with it too.
This was obviously designed specifically for people who have their computer hooked up to the TV, so they're really pushing for the convenience in getting free content. That's one thing that was bugging me about watching shows on Hulu.com. It's a fantastic service, but unless you have a wireless mouse and keyboard next to the couch, browsing the library is a bitch.
This is also my main gripe with Netflix InstantWatch—the fact that you have to add movies to your queue first via a computer. Looks like Hulu is one step ahead of Netflix this time. Hulu Desktop lists movies and TV shows by Alphabetical order, Channels, Studios, Popularity and Recent Additions, easily selected by your remote. It even provides a virtual keyboard for quick searching. Navigating it is even handier than my Comcast OnDemand service.
Hulu Desktop is still in beta form, so they're counting on you to test it and report the bugs you find. I've been using it for a day and so far no problems, though. Download it here. You won't be disappointed.
