A job ad appearing on the Microsoft Careers website has suggested that a new Xbox console will be released in 2013.

The hint is the second in a week from the company, following a reps’ comments earlier that a new console will be released soon. Those comments were quickly squashed by Microsoft, saying that the comments were misunderstood and that they were actually talking about SmartGlass for Xbox 360.

Now, however, we have this job ad to irk our interest. Microsoft is looking for a Central Marketing Group Director, with the following posted;

“Over the next eighteen months Microsoft will release new versions of all of our most significant products including Windows (Client, Server, Phone and Azure), Office and Xbox, along with completely new offerings like Microsoft Surface. This wave of product launches will define the course of the company for years to come and thus provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to refresh and evolve our strategic brands. The Microsoft brand strategy team is looking for passionate, creative, team oriented branding experts to help us lead this transformation.”

SmartGlass is not really a “new version” of the Xbox, but if it actually takes off like Microsoft hope it could give the ageing Xbox 360 a new lease on life. That’s a big “if”, however.

All these leaks and rumours, misunderstandings and accidental confirmations really need to be ironed out: are we getting a new Xbox next year or not?!