TV Blackbox Viewer’s Advocate Steve Molk opens the box and gets deep and dirty with Foxtel’s new integrated streaming/FTA TV external device built into a television(!).
We’re past the basics, and now Molk has a chance to intimate with the TV version of Foxtel’s big new thing — the aptly titled (and echoing the UK iteration) Hubbl Glass.
This isn’t so much a basic look (you can check out his first-look at the Hubbl external device here) as it is questions around the benefits of the device built into the TV, what are some key features, and how does it integrate into a multi-Hubbl home?
There’s a deeper view into settings, and what the actual TV does and looks like. There’s some features unique to the unit that aren’t available with the smaller external device!
This review was recorded literally 30 minutes after the installation team left, so there’s some raw feelings that re-surface about logging in to everything (again…AGAIN…), and some surprises along the way. It’s a real time, no edits review, so you can see the response of the device from clicks and changes.
So…is the TV a giant killer? No, it’s not meant to be. Would it be worth it in your home? Absolutely, especially if you subscribe to at least 3 of the major streamers available in Australia, and sometimes watch free-to-air TV. Is it worth the price? Well, that depends on how you see its value in your home (and if you have the cash/need to drop the cash on it).
Hubbl Glass costs $1595 for the 55″ unit, and $1995 for the 65″ unit (both one-off, no ongoing costs; does not include monthly streaming subscription costs). The TV’s are both available in 5 colours, and launch Sunday 10 March 2024.
The unit is available for purchase in-person exclusively from Harvey Norman, or order online from hubbl.com.au/glass.
Great work as usual. Is there functionality where I can sign into Hubble account on the Web via my PC. Then on my PC Hubble Account sign into Binge, Netflix. Will that then save me having to sign initially on the Puck or Glass?
Darren Lutchner Thanks mate. If you’ve connected those accounts into your Hubbl account, they’ll show natively but only for ones that are ‘inside’ the ecosystem. They’ll be made available immediate once you log in with your Hubbl account on a Hubbl device. Things like Apple TV+ – which aren’t inside (or D+) – don’t have that ‘login save’ feature.
Sorry proably wasn’t clear. Can you connect those accounts using a PC/Web or do you have to do it via a Hubbl Device?
Steve Molkentin if you subscribe in Hubbl it’s easiest set up on the web in My Account – and then when you login to a device, those accounts log in.
Geoff Harrison I for one really love that Steve does that
Steve, what day is JbHiFi releasing the pucks? They aren’t even showing on the jb website
Matthew Goodyear Sunday.
TV Blackbox thanks. I’ll be around jbhifi lakehaven when the doors open 😅
Matthew Goodyear https://www.harveynorman.com.au/hubbl-streaming-device.html (Glass is also listed on HV)
Matthew R Brawn theirs is Monday though
So like Fetch but built in
Hi Kate – and a bit more than the Fetch, frankly.
I’ll have to read more because I need a review that’s like a vs. I need to also know how this differs from Google TV, fetch. At the moment it sounds like something that already exists.
Hi, Just a question, are you able to advise or check out for me, if it has an accessible menu? The Sky UK version under accessibility has a screen reader so blind people get to hear the different menu options, and TV guide. This is a bit like VoiceOver on the iPhone or Apple TV or what is on Fire TV and Google ChromCast. So an example would be when you demoed the TV guide, the screen reader would read it out. I did try reaching out to FoxTel but didn’t get a real answer that was helpful back from them.
Many thanks and love your reviews..
Hi Thomas – I did have a look in accessibility and there is audio description options, but no mention of a screen reader.
Hi steve, thanks for that, much appreciated. That’s a shame as it was a great opportunity to have a fully accessible TV device for all Australians. You can check out what Sky UK have done with the demo below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gK_iioCrWg
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0lujVqKgTg
Many thanks
Thomas