Spotify is set to make an announcement on April 24th that could very well be its first venture into the world of hardware.
According to multiple job ads spotted over the last year, the streaming service has been developing a hardware product to better put it on par with rivals like Amazon and Apple.
An ad for an Operations Manager – Hardware Product posted in February would “contribute in the creation of innovative Spotify experiences” via connected hardware that will have an impact on “the way the world experiences music”.
It expanded upon a listing last year for a Senior Product Manager for Hardware to create a “category-defining product akin to Pebble Watch, Amazon Echo, and Snap Spectacles”.
There’s evidence to suggest the product has something to do with voice activation – last year the firm was also looking for a Product Manager – Voice to be responsible for the strategy and execution of voice efforts beyond its core apps.
Fresh rumours suggest the hardware will be something for use in-car.
Last month, Spotify partnered with Cadillac for a dedicated app that’s accessible within the dashboard, while some users spotted an interesting notification back in February.
Select subscribers received what looked like a test offer to preorder a device that would play Spotify in their car, which also supported Amazon Alexa and had 4G built in, priced at $12.99 or $14.99 for a monthly subscription.
On the other hand, Spotify could be set to make a big splash about its imminent launch in India, which MBW understands will happen this summer.
The April 24th announcement will take place in New York City where the streaming service launched its direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange last week.
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