Hubbl review: new streaming device aims for the stars, but struggles to reach orbit

Hubbl review: Two-minute review

It feels like a lifetime since we’ve had a ‘new’ streaming box or stick on the market, but that could be for good reason. There are many established brands in the streaming media player space in Australia, including but not limited to Google, Amazon, Apple and Roku by way of its own fully integrated TV. The arrival of Hubbl – formerly known as Streamotion, the parent company of streaming services Binge and Kayo Sports – and its AU$99 Hubbl streaming media player, may be received with some puzzled looks. What could a new device bring that we don’t already have in one form or another? 

Hubbl’s answer is a more content-focused, rather than an app-focused platform. Indeed, Hubbl believes discovering new content from the best streaming services in Australia isn’t as good as it could be, or indeed should be. We have access to countless movies, TV shows and documentaries, yet we spend much of our time in front of the TV sifting through it all trying to decide which will be the best option for our personal tastes. Then there’s the fact that if you don’t subscribe to any of the streaming services, you’re never going to know what you’re missing out on. 

Hubbl – which is a jack-of-all-terms that applies to the brand itself, the operating platform and the products – is available as both the plug-in box on review here, and Hubbl Glass. The latter is a TV available in 55- and 65-inch guises and which only provides access to Hubbl’s own app-based platform. The two devices are essentially the same as Sky Stream and Sky Glass available in the UK, with the main difference being the Sky-based products give access to a huge selection of cable channels. Hubbl only supports the main streaming apps and live, free-to-air TV. Again, I hear you asking what Hubbl brings to the table. We already have plug-in devices and the majority of TVs in Australian living rooms are likely already going to have access to apps built-in, so why should you plug in an extra box? 

In practice, Hubbl’s platform does achieve its first mission in helping you discover new content. The homepage comprises multiple scrollable rows featuring new releases, recommended content and content you’re in the middle of watching. Content from all apps on Hubbl is shown, regardless of whether you subscribe or not, and updates on a regular basis based on what’s trending on each service. The intention is that you see something, think “oh, that looks interesting,” go to watch it and find you have to subscribe. This works more successfully if the app in question can be subscribed to through Hubbl, but if it can’t, you’ll be directed to visit the relevant web page on your computer or mobile device to complete the sign up.