Spotify May Be Working on its First Hardware Device

[MacRumors]

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

 

[budselectjr]

Waste of time and money. They already are on basically every hardware device through streaming and versions of the app can used on mobile watches.

The record company investors obviously are bored and want to blow some cash.

 

[Asarien]

Good luck to them. People are willing to carry only so many devices.

 

[Paradoxally]

And it's going to flop.

 

[ignatius345]

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]

Because so many people want to wear multiple smart watches, let alone one.

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

 

[Michael Scrip]

We've never made a profit on our service... so let's jump into the financially unstable world of hardware!

That's what we should do after 9 years in business, right?

 

[CrystalQuest76]

If the Spotify has this much money to through at a solution without a problem, then its time to give profits back to the investors.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

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]

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.

 

[macbookpro-file]

There might be value if it has storage and able to download for offline use, but I agree that the direction seems to be against the grain.

 

[Tycho24]

Akin to Snap Spectacles, you say??

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

=P

 

[farewelwilliams]

There might be value if it has storage and able to download for offline use, but I agree that the direction seems to be against the grain.

as opposed to doing it offline now on an iphone?

 

[WinstonRumfoord]

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.

 

[DrumApple]

So unnecessary. Totally wrong direction for them, they should focus on improving their service forget hardware.

 

[imlovinit]

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.

 

[RamsayBolton]

Hey Spotify! Give us LOSSLESS, not some stupid gadget destined for the landfill!

 

[joueboy]

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.

 

[definitive]

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!

 

[Solomani]

Spotify wants to develop their own self-driving car. Just like everyone and their aunt Ethel.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Spotify wants to develop their own self-driving car. Just like everyone and their aunt Ethel.

I'm surprised they didn't start developing their own virtual assistant... that seems to be all the rage.

 

[macs4nw]

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]

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!

 

[Aston441]

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]

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?