Vudu Intros 100 Apps, Partners with Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, Samsung
By Julie Jacobson
Best known for its 1080p streaming movie service, Vudu has added more than 100 apps to its Internet portfolio, but most of them are pretty boring.

Vudu is finally getting hip with the times, announcing its first real innovation since launching its hi-def streaming movie service in 2008.

At CES 2010, Vudu is introducing Vudu Apps, enabling access to hundreds of Internet services through TVs and other CE devices. Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Sharp, Toshiba and Vizio have announced televisions and Blu-ray players that would incorporate the new Vudu platform. [CORRECTION: Vizio is implementing the standard Vudu movie platform, but not Vudu apps] [UPDATE: Add Samsung to the list]




Mitsubishi, Vudu’s first TV partner, indicates that it will include Vudu in all of its Internet-enabled TVs.

More than 100 applications will be available on Vudu apps at launch, making Vudu’s own streaming movie service just another app – and a fine one at that, as it still appears to be the only one to stream 1080p video with 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus.

Most of the usual suspects are among the Vudu apps, including Pandora, Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, Twitter, Stock Quotes and a few news shows. The goofy stuff that nobody watches is available as well, such as Chat! Video Podcast and Stump the Chef (HD).

Notably absent from the service is anything concerning popular TV content, the likes of which are provided through such apps as Boxee, Hulu, Popcorn Hour and most recently DivX TV (more info to come on that one).

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