There's a lot of wild speculation floating around the web about
some job postings for Zune specific positions up in Redmond. It seems MS is looking for people who have experience with interfaces such as accelerometers and touch screens to name a few, experience in mobile music technology (as on cell phones), and people to work on "Zune Xbox" and other "emerging" platforms." Hmmm what? Who wants to work for MS?!
A posting for a "
User Experience Designer" is asking for qualified individuals who have "Experience with human interface and navigation models requiring engineering prototypes of dpads, switches, accelerometers, touch screen input variables." Hmmm? While
some have speculated this posting could lead to getting VoIP on Zune (unlikely) from other qualifications calling for "Sensibility for mobile communications and entertainment applications", these are only desired experience of the target applicant. But, it's obvious MS is looking to expand the user interface and experience. Color me interested!
Another posting for a "
Software Development Engineer" hints at platform development. The successful applicant would be instrumental "in developing innovative user experiences for Zune client software, Zune Device UI, Xbox Dashboard, and other emerging platforms." Emerging platforms? Zune Mobile perhaps? It's interesting they also mention Zune and Xbox in the same sentence - leading some to believe further Xbox integration is near.
Yet another "
Software Development Engineer" posting hints at a mobile application of Zune Marketplace using Musiwave - a European mobile music company aquired by Microsoft this year. Musiwave, according to the posting, delivers the most mobile music for ringtones, and is second only to iTunes in delivering digital downloads. MS is looking for Musiwave to "help power Zune Marketplace." With Musiwave primarily in the mobile music space, could this be leading Zune into the mobile realm? Many indications point to YES.
And finally, there's a "
User Experience Designer" posting with the words "Zune Xbox" as in applicants would help "to work closely with the creative directors to propose innovative designs and content solutions for the Zune Device UI, Zune Xbox and Zune PC Application." Zune Xbox? There could be a ton of inferrences from that term. A new console? The marriage of the two marketplaces?
Zune as an external hard drive for the Xbox? It's safe to say that MS is looking to further connect the two platforms one way or another, just when and how is left ot be seen.
To recap, it looks as if Microsoft is pushing towards a broader user interface in the Zune device and software, looking to incorporate Zune into the mobile phone space, and converging Xbox and Zune to create a unique entertainment experience - but isn't this
stuff we've heard in the past? It looks as if MS is really pushing toward these initiatives - let's hope they come to being more sooner than later.
Accelerometers, and Touch Screens, and Prototypes? [Oh My!]
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