(Image courtesy of Gizmodo)

For a generation of new media consumers, the ultimate dream is to have access to a service like Hulu without being tied to their computers. It may happen, but are they prepared to pay for what they’ve been getting F.O.C. thus far?

Rumors have abounded that the Hulu service, which provides free (ad-supported) streaming video content from the major television networks and even a variety of feature films, may be coming to Apple’s new iPad. But according to Gizmodo, the latest rumors claim that it won’t be a free ride.

Quoting a New York Times article, “people briefed on Hulu’s plan believe it may test the subscription approach with its iPad app. They could not say when such an application might be available.”

Of course, that’s not totally an admission that there will even be an iPad app to begin with, but at least it seems one step closer to being possible, at the very least.

The question is, will the Hulu huggers continue to love the service so much when it’s no longer free? And what if Hulu decides to double-dip with both a subscription fee and embedded advertising? You be the judge in the comments.