iTWire - Hubbl pricing and retail partners announced for Foxtel's streaming subs...

Wednesday, 21 February 2024 22:23

Hubbl pricing and retail partners announced for Foxtel's streaming subscription fatigue all-in-one solution Featured

By David M Williams

Foxtel has declared it has the solution to reigning in and managing the myriad of disparate streaming media products held by the typical household. The answer is Hubbl, a device that brings together a range of independent streaming subscriptions into one single unified interface that makes searching, viewing, and discoverability so, so much easier.

iTWire has been following the Hubbl news - the platform was announced in October 2023, and earlier this week, the initial line-up of streaming partners was revealed. Now the pricing and retail partners have been made known.

Hubbl has been designed as a hardware and software combination, with an entertainment-focused operating system that fuses the best of local and global content into a single, seamless, unified interface that blends content across all the supported streaming products.

It will be available in two forms: the first is a small device that plugs-in to a TV, much like other streaming media boxes. However, in a novel twist, the second Hubbl form is Hubbl Glass - a television with built-in Hubbl software, and bringing 4K Ultra HD Quantum Dot display with 8.2 million pixels, hands-free voice control, six powerful speakers, and 360 degree Dolby Atmos surround sound. Hubbl Glass only requires an Internet connection and power cord.

The Hubbl user interface has now been revealed for the first time, pictured below:

You can see this one screen shows trending content across multiple disparate streaming media apps, and similarly tracks the shows you are in the middle of watching, no matter the streaming service. Additionally, Hubbl's search facility will allow you to discover content across these streaming platforms. There is no need to go in and out of different apps with Hubbl. The unit - whether Hubbl Hub or Hubbl Glass - comes with one universal remote with voice control to find apps or channels, search, control playback, change settings, navigate straight to specific services, and also seamlessly add content to the watchlist with a dedicated "+" button.

Hubbl has now announced it will be available from Harvey Norman and JB Hi Fi, as well as via its own website, hubbl.com.au.

Hubbl MD Les Wigan said, “Hubbl stands out from the pack by offering live TV without an aerial, seamless subscription management at the touch of a button, more discoverability and personalisation as well as allowing customers to stack up to five eligible streaming apps and save up to $15 per month on their subscriptions. With the major free and paid apps available on Hubbl and more to come, there is nothing like the world of entertainment it unlocks.”

Hubbl executive director Dani Simpson said, “Hubbl is a unique product that simplifies the TV and streaming experience so you can spend less time searching for something to watch and more time enjoying the content you love. We’re proud to partner with leading retailers Harvey Norman and JB Hi Fi to help us reach customers in-store right across the country in addition to having our own digital shopfront at Hubbl.com.au.”

Pricing

Hubbl Hub will be available for $99. Hubbl Glass will be available in 55" for $1,595, and 65" for $1,995. Both sizes are available in five colours - anthracite black, ocean blue, racing green, dusky pink, and ceramic white. There is no subscription fee for Hubbl whether you use Hubbl Hub or Hubbl Glass.

Hubbl Glass will be available exclusively from Harvey Norman, while the Hubbl Hub will be available from JB Hi-Fi as well as Harvey Norman.

The release date is expected to be announced soon.

Hubbl supports freeview streaming apps (ABC iView, ABC Kids, SBS On Demand, 7Plus, 9Now, 10Play), as well as paid-for subscription apps (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, AppleTV+, Paramount+, Kayo Sports, Stan, Binge, Optus Sport, Flash, LifeStyle), plus YouTube. The paid-for services require separate app subscriptions, though Hubbl's executives imply there will be a discount for bundling services. Right now it is not known if this $15 discount is available by subscribing to any combination of subscription services, or if it specifically refers to those from the Foxtel group - Binge, Kayo, and LifeStyle.

iTWire will provide more details as soon as they are released.

Hubbl Glass specifications

The Hubbl Glass specs are here:

• 55" and 65" sizes available
• 3840 x 2160 resolution
• Over one billion colours
• 60Hz refresh rate
• Ambient light sensor with IR filtering
• Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HLG
• 3x outwards-firing speakers, central subwoofer, 2x upwards-firing speakers
• Dolby 3.1.2 audio output
• Dolby Atmos MS12, AC4, Dolby Digital formats
• HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC
• Up to 215W sound output
• DVB T/T2 TV tuner
• Captioning support
• Streaming apps listed here
• Glance Motion Technology (wake from standby)
• Far-field voice detection
• Parental controls supported
• Electronic Program Guide
• Quad Core ARM A55 CPU @ 2GHz
• 32GB Flash RAM
• 4GB LpDDR4 DRAM
• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.1
• HDMI-CEC
• 3x HDMI 2.1 inputs
• 1x USB-C port
• 1x 10/100Mbps Ethernet port
• Includes stand, but is also wall-mountable

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