Hulu's Pluses and minuses on the iPad and iPhone (photos)

Can Hulu Plus provide enough for its $9.99 a month to convince a cable-cutting editor to keep the service? We run it through its paces on the iPad and iPhone.

Scott Stein

Dec. 28, 2010 1:59 p.m. PT

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Scott Stein/CNET

Hulu Plus (and its minuses)

The iPad interface for Hulu Plus is a lot like the Web version of Hulu, but it runs a lot more smoothly than the Netflix iPad app.

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Scott Stein/CNET

Hulu Plus (and its minuses)

Scrolling through the list of networks feels a little random--big-name providers are placed side by side with tiny, unknown entities.

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Scott Stein/CNET

Hulu Plus (and its minuses)

Adding individual episodes to your personal queue is an easy task, and necessary for building a playlist to avoid browsing.

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Scott Stein/CNET

Hulu Plus (and its minuses)

Video playback looked as good as HD on the iPad.

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Scott Stein/CNET

Hulu Plus (and its minuses)

The selection of "movies" on Hulu Plus--if we can deem them that--is pathetic indeed. Most people wouldn't even accept this content for free.

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Scott Stein/CNET

Hulu Plus (and its minuses)

On the playlist queue, episodes are broken up by show for easier navigation.

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Scott Stein/CNET

Hulu Plus (and its minuses)

Here's one advantage to having a 4:3 screen like the iPad's: classic TV shows in 4:3 have no letterboxing and actually look great. Seen here: "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour."