Windows 10 users had a surprise these days when they opened their computers. Starting now, Hulu is available on Microsoft’s operating system.
Hulu’s streaming service was already available on several major platforms, including gaming consoles, desktop, tablet, mobile and other TV-connected devices. But, this streaming service was lacking support for one of the most important computing platforms, and this is Windows 10.
Well, it seems that this fact has changed today, because Hulu and Microsoft announced a new version of Hulu application, which seems to include Windows 10 specific features, like universal voice search via Cortana integration and Live Tiles.
Before this announcement, Microsoft had a Windows 8 version of the Hulu app available, but, this new launch promises to be a better alternative for users who have upgraded to the latest OS.
So, users who will open the Windows 10 Start Menu will see Hulu’s support for Live Tiles. Here, they will have the option to see a preview of what’s inside because Hulu’s app will feature images and other clips that are currently promoted on its masthead. Ben Smith, Hulu’s SVP of Users
Experience, declared that this Live Tiless will be an opportunity for users to have an even more personalized experience. For example, Windows 10 users will have the opportunity to enter their Hulu account to watch their favorite shows, and then see images related to those items in the Live Tiles.
Moreover, probably the most attractive feature that standouts in Windows 10 is the built-in voice search powered, Cortana.
Microsoft’s virtual assistant has integrations in Netflix, Uber, NPR and other 10 applications. But, starting from now, Cortana has integration in Hulu’s application.
This means that users will be able to say “Hey Cortana show me funny movies,” and Hulu will roll out funny movies. Talking to Cortana is a bit more involved, compared with other voice assistants that work on dedicated streaming media players, for example the Apple TV.
When it was first launched, Cortana was able to perform only a couple of tasks on Hulu, including to play a show for users or to help them search for shows or episodes. But now, the app is smarter and it will also resume the series or shows where users left off.
This means that if users are halfway through an episode, the app will pick up where they had paused it earlier. Of course, this is not the first time when Hulu app comes with voice integration, because the company already has it on Apple TV. However, Smith declared that it is early to talk about how much users are using voice interacting with Hulu’s service.
“We’re looking at how users interact with content and voice,” declared Ben Smith Hulu’s SVP of Users Experience.
For us – and I think this is true of everyone investing in voice – it’s a long-term play. It’s not about success in the short-term…it’s about understanding what in the eyes of the user will be successful,” he explained.
