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Spotify appears to be working on its first wearable device, developing a "category defining product akin to Pebble Watch, Amazon Echo, and Snap Spectacles," based on a job listing discovered by Zatz Not Funny. The text from the job description, which has since been removed from Spotify's website, is below:
We are looking for a passionate and seasoned Senior Product Manager that will join the Platform & Partner Experience team working to build frictionless and creative Spotify experiences via fully-connected hardware devices. You will be 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. Above all, your work will affect the way the world experiences music & talk content.
There's no word on what Spotify might be planning to build, but the job description implies it may be a wearable device rather than something like a speaker, so it's possible the company is working on a set of headphones that are perhaps similar to modern offerings like the Bragi Dash and Apple's own AirPods. Other hints include internet connectivity and something developed by Spotify itself, rather than an integration with existing hardware, but it's ultimately entirely unclear what's being conceptualized.

A separate job listing also appears to hint at Spotify's interest in voice-based technologies. "Voice is quickly becoming a key interaction mechanism for control of digital devices and services," reads the description.

Spotify's job listing suggests any work on a hardware product is in the early stages of development, so it could be some time yet before we get a clearer picture of what the company might be developing, if anything.

Article Link: Spotify May Be Working on its First Hardware Device
 

ignatius345

macrumors 604
Aug 20, 2015
6,764
10,992
Seriously. Netflix has the right approach: build the service and support as many devices and platforms as possible.

Every internet-connected device I own has the ability to stream Spotify and a dedicated device would just be superfluous and I'd probably never buy it.
 

applesith

macrumors 68030
Jun 11, 2007
2,774
1,570
Manhattan
Because so many people want to wear multiple smart watches, let alone one.

I'm glad they are finding another way to lose money.
 

ArtOfWarfare

macrumors G3
Nov 26, 2007
9,541
6,026
Apple went from being a computer company to a consumer electronics company.
Amazon went from being an online store to running AWS.
Netflix went from renting out DVDs to streaming original content.

Expanding into new businesses sometimes works out quite well.

Maybe Spotify thinks they can cut Apple out of the picture. They can't afford to be dependent on the iPhone, given the iPhone comes with the competing Apple Music service pre-installed.
 

elvislives

macrumors 6502
Mar 28, 2011
315
311
London
what a waste of time! Why would bother? its already on every platform... there are not Hardware or OS company, it going to be a MASSIVE flop.
 

Tycho24

Suspended
Aug 29, 2014
2,071
1,396
Florida
Akin to Snap Spectacles, you say??

If that doesn't attract the top talent, I don't know what will!!!

=P
 

WinstonRumfoord

macrumors 6502
Mar 27, 2014
482
1,174
The only way I see this working for them, is if they make a contained boombox style unit that has some sort of unique feature, like being water proof with a killer battery at an affordable cost.
 

imlovinit

macrumors 6502a
Feb 8, 2012
693
466
Eh it seems a bit pointless but I'm not going to completely dismiss until I see what they come out with. Who knows? Whatever it may be, might be better than expected.
 

joueboy

macrumors 68000
Jul 3, 2008
1,576
1,545
Good for them now they can stop whining about Apple's 30% commission when people signed up through the Appstore. They can keep 100% of the profit because now they own the hardware. :rolleyes:
 

definitive

macrumors 68020
Aug 4, 2008
2,049
893
It's going to be called a MP3 Player, and it will contain a tiny hard drive, which will hold 5GB of storage. You will also be able to transfer data to and from the device using a FireWire cable!
 

macs4nw

macrumors 601
Apple went from being a computer company to a consumer electronics company.
Amazon went from being an online store to running AWS.
Netflix went from renting out DVDs to streaming original content.

Expanding into new businesses sometimes works out quite well.

Maybe Spotify thinks they can cut Apple out of the picture. They can't afford to be dependent on the iPhone, given the iPhone comes with the competing Apple Music service pre-installed.
You make a good point. But given what's out there already, that's a hard, risky road ahead.
 

BvizioN

macrumors 603
Mar 16, 2012
5,701
4,819
Manchester, UK
Maybe Spotify thinks they can cut Apple out of the picture. They can't afford to be dependent on the iPhone, given the iPhone comes with the competing Apple Music service pre-installed.

Facebook did try that, Amazon did try that. We all know how that ended.
Typical example of cat trying to be a dog!
 
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Aston441

macrumors 68030
Sep 16, 2014
2,606
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I would like a Spotify self driving hovercraft that runs on solar power with Netflix and porn on a giant screen and a microwave oven and popcorn storage and also built in Echo to control the mood lighting. Lots of velvet couches too and VR headsets. And hookers.
 

LinusR

macrumors 6502
Jan 3, 2011
332
515
Apple went from being a computer company to a consumer electronics company.
Amazon went from being an online store to running AWS.
Netflix went from renting out DVDs to streaming original content.

Expanding into new businesses sometimes works out quite well.

Maybe Spotify thinks they can cut Apple out of the picture. They can't afford to be dependent on the iPhone, given the iPhone comes with the competing Apple Music service pre-installed.

True, but they would need to come up with something that would revolutionise the market. Given their very narrow software portfolio (music streaming only), the only sensible thing would be to deliver a product tailored to the software, which wouldn't become a success; why have a music player only if you can have an iPod, a phone and an internet communications device all in one?
 
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