AfterDawn: News

Google TV users find workaround for Hulu block

All Google TV devices are supposed to have access to Hulu blocked but there is already a workaround available, giving early adopters access to the popular streaming site.

The relatively easy loophole consists of "changing the user agent" in the built-in Chrome browser.



Adjusting that setting is pretty simple, even for non-techie Google TV device owners.

Now that the workaround is available in the wild it is likely that the service will soon patch it. Users of Android devices running 2.2 Froyo used the same loophole earlier this year to watch Hulu content on their smartphones but Hulu tightened up security within days.

The site now uses Adobe Flash 10.1 to identify unauthorized access attempts from 2.2 users.

NewTeeVee has video of the service being blocked:



Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Oct 2010 1:00

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• 9 comments

• KillerBug

  Screw Hulu...they spend all their time trying to prevent people from using their company...now that they are charging for the service, they are trying to block their customers even more.

  19.10.2010 02:34 #1

• 21Q

  Why is the service blocked on google tvs anyway? Or even on androids?
  

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  19.10.2010 10:16 #2

• EET

  Originally posted by 21Q: Why is the service blocked on google tvs anyway? Or even on androids? Probably someone at Hulu's doesn't like Google too much.
  

  
  

  19.10.2010 12:07 #3

• plazma247

  Originally posted by EET: Originally posted by 21Q: Why is the service blocked on google tvs anyway? Or even on androids? Probably someone at Hulu's doesn't like Google too much. And thats why its far more fun just to rip it and watch it again on what ever i like :)

  19.10.2010 12:40 #4

• defgod

  Originally posted by plazma247: Originally posted by EET: Originally posted by 21Q: Why is the service blocked on google tvs anyway? Or even on androids? Probably someone at Hulu's doesn't like Google too much. And thats why its far more fun just to rip it and watch it again on what ever i like :) Like using stream transport then converting it to a high quality media file to what ever you like.
  

  19.10.2010 14:15 #5

• Daymon (unverified)

  Every time someone comes up with a way to get past Hulu, dumb ass wanna be talentless bloggers blow it for a few measly hits by posting it, and spreading it around so Hulu, and the like can find out about it and fix it.

  19.10.2010 21:12 #6

• KillerBug

  I fully support them blocking themselves. Maybe they can just die and go away and then someone with some common sense will take their place.

  19.10.2010 23:47 #7

• mscritsm

  It's not just Hulu. Most of the other TV networks are blocking Google TV access to their websites. And the "generic" trick no longer works with Hulu.
  
  Google TV is the first mainstream solution for playing any website video on your TV. The networks are taking a hard-line stance against it.

  26.10.2010 11:00 #8

• defgod

  Originally posted by mscritsm: It's not just Hulu. Most of the other TV networks are blocking Google TV access to their websites. And the "generic" trick no longer works with Hulu.
  
  Google TV is the first mainstream solution for playing any website video on your TV. The networks are taking a hard-line stance against it. It's just because the whiny crybaby networks want you to watch online video from your computer. Not your living room TV where they want you to watch everything live. They even have issues with dvr's. Because you can watch one show while recording others/theirs. They are still having trouble keeping track of who is recording to watch later. These idiots are still trying to control how you watch TV. They are acting like a stupid parent. Trying to forcibly controlling their children. Now the children are acting out and defying their demands.
  

  26.10.2010 18:07 #9