If there really isn't any truth to it, then it is a cruel rumour indeed, but that bastion of technology prescience Playboy Magazine went as far to etch it into ink on paper that Hulu support would be coming to the Roku streaming set-top box. When pressed for comment, Roku representatives played dumb, which is what they'd probably do in either case if it were true or untrue — so no help there.

What do we know? We know that Hulu has historically been staunchly opposed to any molecules of its content library escaping the confines of your personal computer, thanks to its cat and mouse game with the Boxee media center and others. On the other hand, they just released this sweet, sweet new Hulu Desktop application that makes for a wicked and remote controlled viewing experience that looks great on, say, a computer hooked up to a television set (whoa, crazy idea!). It would also look conspicuously great running on, say, a Roku set-top box hooked up to a television set. And yet, Hulu went out of its way — nay, bent over backwards — to stipulate in the terms of service for Hulu Desktop that it is expressly forbidden to run the app on anything other than a personal computer:

"You may not download, install or use the Hulu Software on any device other than a Personal Computer including without limitation digital media receiver devices (such as Apple TV), mobile devices (such as a cell phone device, mobile handheld device or a PDA), network devices or CE devices (collectively “Prohibited Devices”)."

The Hulu Device Police (we picture them sorta like the Geek Squad) could arrive at your door any second now if their global surveillance network picks up any traces of the mere thought of having Hulu content, you know, somewhere else besides your laptop. If caught you'll face a stiff fine and a mandatory 2 years of service as an unpaid gopher to TV executives. Thus, it would seem a bit odd if Hulu were to suddenly change its tack and Do The Deal with Roku.

On the other hand, can they afford not to Do The Deal with... someone? Is it possible they, like Rupert Murdoch and Hearst, think that building their own proprietary device instead of partnering with existing services is going to be the answer? Or will this delay of game continue for so long that even non-geeky consumers will put in some elbow grease and figure out that hooking up a computer to your television is... well, actually quite simple?

We don't know. But Hugh Hefner seems to know. Doesn't that guy have enough already?

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