A number of
job listings for developers up on Microsoft's website suggest the software giant is readying to launch some kind of a streaming video service called Cloud TV. The postings were put up on October 31 and November 1, and make mention of "an ambitious new project" that is described as a Cloud-based TV platform. The three positions to be filled in Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business include a Software Development Engineer, a Senior Software Development Engineer, and a Principal Development Lead.
While exactly what Cloud TV would be can only be guessed at, but it's easy to see Microsoft wanting to take some of the pie that services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu enjoy. As the listings call for experience and expertise with mobile and browser application development, including on the iOS, Android, Windows 8 an RT platforms as well as Internet Explorer and Webkit-based browsers.
While a timeline isn't revealed, Microsoft understandably seems to be in a bit of a rush, as the listings make mention of the ideal candidate being caoable of picking up new technologies rapidly and setting and maintaining a fast pace of execution.
Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business unit is charged with developing software for the Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, Zune Marketplace, and Mediaroom. [
via LiveSide]