The Vizio Tablet has gotten a software update that promises to enhance overall performance. A somewhat laggy interface was a major issue that plagued the otherwise favorable budget-friendly tablet. The update brings the Vizio Internet Apps Plus (VIA Plus) custom interface up to version 1.2, while it continues to run on top of Android 2.3.2 Gingerbread. 

We reviewed the Vizio Tablet back in August and generally liked the 8-inch size and the unique hardware features, including an integrated IR blaster and three speakers for proper stereo sound in both landscape and portrait orientations. Its customized VIA Plus interface completely disguises the Android underneath, but looks pleasing and is intuitive. However, performance benchmarks were a bummer and the interface was noticeably sluggish at times. 

A new 8-inch Tablet manufactured and distributed by VIZIO, the Irvine-based LCD HDTV company, will soon be used with the Hulu Plus subscription entertainment service. Users will have access to a library of TV and film content for $7.99 per month. By using Hulu Plus with the product, they will be able to select and watch a large variety of popular shows on their own schedule. 

VIZIO’s Android-based Tablet hit retailers worldwide at a price of $299. The company is promoting the product’s promise of “entertainment freedom” by giving the WiFi-enabled hardware features such as a three-speaker configuration in landscape or portrait modes, a built-in universal remote app for home theater control and an HDMI port for high-definition playback on the big screen.

Like Netflix and Skype video chat, Hulu Plus is being certified on Android devices one-by-one — presumably out of an abundance of caution that the streaming video can’t be easily recorded — and a total of ten phones are currently on the compatibility list. That makes today’s news that the Vizio 8 is now Hulu Plus-ready particularly interesting, since it’s the very first Android tablet to get Hulu’s seal of approval (albeit a tablet on Android 2.3, not Honeycomb). It also makes this the cheapest way to get Hulu Plus up and running on a tablet-sized display, period, since the Vizio 8 runs $299.

Portable entertainment – that is the name of the game for many hardware manufacturers and software developers these days. Once you have fantastic hardware alongside a stable software platform to deliver digital media to a portable device that can be carried around anywhere, and you’ve got yourself a winner – if the price is also sensitive to what folks are comfortable with, of course. 

VIZIO has released one the first tablets to support Hulu Plus subscription service. The VTAB1008 8-inch Wi-Fi Tablet, powered by Android 2.3, comes equipped with unique features like a three-speaker configuration for enhanced audio in landscape or portrait modes, built in universal remote app for home theater control and a HDMI port for HD playback on the big screen. 

NetFlix is starting to show up all over the place in the world of Android. We’ve also gotten word that Hulu Plus is working with select Android phones.  As far as officially endorsed Android tablets, Hulu Plus is headed to the Vizio tablet first.

Vizio’s 8″ tablet comes with Android 2.3, Gingerbread, instead of Android 3.0 Honeycomb, like the rest of the wave of current Android tablets. The Vizio tablet is a little different though. Of course it’s not the standard 10″ tablet, or the upcoming 7″ tablet. It’s actually more of a square device than a rectangle, but more importantly it integrates as your home remote better than the best “multi purpose” IR Remote controls.  Check out the video below of when we had our first demo of the Vizio tablet.

If you’ve read our comprehensive review of the VIZIO Tablet and you’re still looking for one more reason to make up your mind about purchasing it, here’s one: Hulu Plus. VIZIO has just announced today that its VIZIO 8″ Tablet with WiFi will support Hulu Plus, giving you access to your favorite TV shows and films on the tablet. This announcement makes the VIZIO Tablet the first Android tablet to support the premium version of the video streaming service.

Hulu Plus has found its way to a handful of Android devices these past few months, but today it makes its first official appearance on an Android tablet — just maybe not the one you were expecting.

Vizio on Wednesday had the rare distinction of becoming the first Android tablet maker to get official Hulu Plus support. The 8-inch Tablet's use of the older Android 2.3 has let Hulu adapt the streaming TV service to the slate. Access lets owners reach the full Hulu catalog online at the same $8 per month as elsewhere. 

Hulu Plus is now available on the 8-inch Vizio tablet, making it one of the first Android-based tablets to support the premium streaming video service, Hulu announced on Wednesday.

Vizio launched its tablet earlier this month, later than expected and at a deep discount. The Wi-Fi-only tablet was originally set to cost $380, but Vizio knocked the price down to $299.