So Spotify is hiring and it wants to build a team that can launch hardware to make as big of a gadget splash as Pebble, Amazon Echo and Snap Spectacles. That's right Spotify is following in Snapchat, Facebook and Amazon's footsteps and aiming to build connected gadgets itself.
The juiciest job listing is for a senior product manager - hardware. This person will be tasked with "leading an initiative to deliver hardware directly from Spotify to existing and new customers; a category defining product akin to Pebble Watch, Amazon Echo, and Snap Spectacles. You will define the product requirements for internet-connected hardware, the software that powers it, and work with suppliers/manufacturers to deliver the optimal Spotify experience to millions of users."
Read this: Samsung Gear S4 preview
What that actually means is unclear - we could be talking about a smartwatch, a smart speaker for the home (after making inroads with Spotify Connect) or some sort of Spotify hearable either build into smart earbuds or glasses. Spotify Specs anyone?
Also within the realm of possibility, we could be looking at a dedicated music streaming wearable like the Pebble Core for runners, before that got canned in the Fitbit acquisition. Whatever it is, the leap into "internet-connected hardware" is an exciting one.
Despite the concrete examples including a smartwatch, the latter two seem more likely. That's because of two more job listings: one for a product manager - voice and another for a director of product - natural language understanding. One thing's for clear - Spotify expects us to interact with its music streaming (and video/podcasts) service by talking to it.
How? "We focus on areas like desktop, TVs, speakers, cars, wearables, headphones and partner application integrations to make Spotify available wherever our users are."
Fancy your chances? You can apply here.
How we test