At the start of the 2000s, when streaming wasn’t mainstream, users loved to download movies and TV shows as opposed to streaming them online. Even today, you’ll meet a great number of people who prefer downloading content over streaming it, especially those who love movies and TV shows. I personally have five hard drives of 1 TB filled with content from over the years. And I’m sure I’m not the only one. However, all the content I have is pre-2015. Once Netflix and other streaming services became mainstream, I just stopped downloading content and started streaming.
Today we’ll be reviewing an app that is known for its downloading and streaming capabilities. This app was at its peak in the years 2013 and 2014, however, as time passed, people started looking for alternatives, and it no longer has the same aura it once possessed. Back then, it offered an ultimate Android solution for people looking to download their favorite movies and TV shows via a free platform. Though it’s still operational today, the demand for the app has gone down. This app is none other than ‘Hubi.’
What is Hubi?
Hubi is a streaming and downloading app where you can stream and download a wide range of content, including movies, TV shows, and anime. Unlike today, where smartphone streaming is quite usual, Hubi was a breakthrough app allowing smartphone users to download entertainment content for free. For users curious about how it used to work – Hubi wasn’t direct streaming or downloading app. It just served as a platform where you’d find links to various third-party websites. This rule of operation is implemented even today on streaming services.
List of Supported Services
The number of supported service on Hubi are as follows: 180 Upload, AllMyVideos, Billion Uploads, DaClips DivXStage, DwnSo, EcoStream, FileBox, FileNuke, MovReel, MovShare, MovPod, GorillaVid, MuchShare, NosVideos, NovaMov, NowVideo, Putlocker, Share Six, ShareRepro, SockShare, Stage Vu, Stream Cloud, Upload C, Upload Hero, Vee HD, Vidbull, Vk, Vodu, VReer, VideoWeed, VidexDen, Video Slasher, VReer, YouTube, Zalaa, and Zinwa.
What should you expect from the Hubi App?
Though back in the KitKat and JellyBean days, the user interface was clean, it doesn’t feel the same anymore. That’s because developers today are emphasizing on the form along with functionality. Since Hubi was shining in 2013 and 2014, the developers didn’t care to update the interface after that period. So, saying that Hubi’s interface is just outdated would be an understatement. Because, if you see it today, you’ll find it cartoonish with 3D elements. Much of which can be accredited to brands adopting a flat layout design. But again, it’s the developers who should’ve paid attention and must’ve innovated the app as per the market standards.
External Video Player
One thing I feel that streaming services lack today is flexibility. With these APKs, you were able to achieve a lot of freedom and do things your way. For instance, to watch a video, you weren’t just limited to the in-built player. You were allowed to use external players such as MoboPlayer, VPlayer, MXPlayer, and VLC. Even to this day, you can make use of this functionality. Personally, I feel that a lot of freedom in content consumption and operational functions have been dumbed down.
Sharing features
Social media platforms such as Reddit, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are instrumental in growing the popularity of various streaming services. Thus, it was only natural that a service like Hubi provides you with a social sharing option where you can share a particular stream with your friends and family. Not just that, it also allows you to keep track of the watched videos – A feature that we see in premium streaming services.
Download Options
Hubi allows you to download content on your mobile device. Not only can you download the content, but you can do so in the background. Earlier, you were required to stick on the app until the download was complete. However, that’s not the case anymore. You can download any content from the website and watch it offline at any given time. On top of that, even when you streamed online, the app used its built-in player, and you didn’t require a flash player to play the media.
Downloading Content
You can download content from any streaming sites, especially major sites such as YouTube and Vimeo. Though the download speed isn’t great, it does get the job done. The download panel is minimalistic and comes with a copy and paste button where the link copied in your clipboard can be pasted instantly.
Streaming Content
Streaming content on Hubi is not as simple as it sounds. Today, the service might not even work properly, given that it was developed keeping Jelly Bean and KitKat in mind. But even back then, the app didn’t allow you to download everything. Why? Because invalid errors used to pop-up frequently. So, there was inconsistency back then as well, which would drive viewers nuts and caused a dent to their credibility.
Hubi App Information
The app was first made available in the year 2010, and it’s fair to assume that it died in 2015. Hubi’s last major update was 0.50.3, which rolled out in 2015. In terms of size, the app even then was not a lightweight app, as the file size was above 15 MB. Ever since the 2015 update, there has been no update on the app, and as per portal, it works on any Android device version above 2.2.
How to access Hubi?
You should access Hubi directly by visiting the website. I don’t know why you’d want to download this app, but if you do, make sure you use a trustworthy website. Dwelling in nostalgia can prove to be costly if you rely on any other third-party streaming site.
Since the developers have taken the efforts to provide you the app via APK Pure, I guess that’s the safest way to download the app without risking your device. If you’re new to downloading APKs, then follow the points below:
– Download the APK
– Go to Settings > Security > Check Unknown Sources
– Install the app
Design
What do I even say about this one? Flimsy 3D icons and elements with blue borders on every button. The best I can do is refer to the feeling of using this app as nostalgic. The blue, black, and transparent panels with massive icons and outdated social media icons used to work back in the day. Today, it just comes off as a spammy app. One thing I loved about Hubi was that the interface wasn’t complicated at all. There were no thumbnails. Just search for the content, and if you find it, stream or download it.
App Homepage
The homepage starts with a gray header section. You’ll find a logo on the left and three options towards the right – ‘Share,’ ‘Clipboard,’ and ‘Additional options.’ Under these options, you’d find a search bar where you’re required to paste the link. Pretty similar to what the Utorrent app was like back in the day. Under the search bar, there was a massive ‘Play’ button followed by a sleek ‘Download’ button. Under that, you have a ‘Remove Ads’ option at the center, and social icons – Facebook and Twitter towards the right.
Inner Pages
There are no inner pages on this app. Since there was no in-built streamer, you can stream via the Android player or an additional third-party player. So, you paste the link into the search bar, and it’ll either redirect you to the external website if you want to stream or will download the app if you click on the download button.
Desktop/Mobile experience
My experience with this platform was good. Back in the day, I used to see it as a revolutionary service. However, it’s not relevant in today’s time because neither does it support the infrastructure, and it can’t keep up with the file size we have nowadays. So, we can just see it as a beautiful app with an amazing past.
Suggestions I have for Hubi
I don’t have much to say to the developers. Since they gave up on this app five years ago, I’m not sure if they would want to revive it. But if they do want to make a comeback, my primary suggestion would be to revamp the aesthetics.
Conclusion
In 2020, there’s nothing that’s going to excite you about this video downloader app. You can download it if you want to reminisce about past apps. However, it has nothing more to offer. Don’t get too worked up, and don’t expect much from this app.
