Spotify has announced that it will permanently disable all Car Thing devices on December 9, 2024, without offering refunds or trade-in options. 

It’s no surprise that users who invested in the gadget are not happy with the announcement. 

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What is Car Thing?

Car Thing, launched for select subscribers in October 2021 and released to the general public in February 2022. The device cost $90 device that required a Spotify Premium subscription, costing $10.99 per month. 

The device was designed to enhance in-car listening experiences for Spotify users.

It was meant to act as a dedicated controller and display for Spotify’s music and podcast library. Users could interact with it through voice commands, a touch screen, a dial, and preset buttons.

Car Thing connected to users' phones via Bluetooth and was powered by a 12-volt port. It could link to a car stereo either wirelessly or through an auxiliary or USB jack. 

Car Thing served as a secondary interface for Spotify, with a 4-inch touchscreen and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, its reliance on a connected phone for internet data made it somewhat redundant.

The End of Car Thing

Spotify first hinted at trouble for Car Thing in its Q2 2022 earnings report, where it cited "several factors, including product demand and supply chain issues," as reasons for halting production. 

Despite assurances that the devices would continue to perform as intended, Spotify's recent announcement admits that they will no longer function.

Many disappointed users feel the device, and their investment in it, is being discarded prematurely.

Spotify's official statement on a support page explains the decision:

"We're discontinuing Car Thing as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline our product offerings. We understand it may be disappointing, but this decision allows us to focus on developing new features and enhancements that will ultimately provide a better experience to all Spotify users."

The company provided no further guidance to Car Thing owners beyond advising them to reset the device to factory settings and dispose of it following local e-waste guidelines. Additionally, Spotify has no plans to release a successor to Car Thing.

Calls for Open Sourcing

The decision to brick Car Thing without any compensation has led to a significant backlash from users. Many have taken to online forums, including the Spotify Community and Reddit, to express their frustration and disappointment. Users are calling for Spotify to open-source the device to prevent it from becoming e-waste.

One community member, AaronMickDee, voiced a common sentiment:

"I'd rather not just dispose of the device. I think there is a community that would love the idea of having a device we can customize and use for other uses other than a song playback device."

Despite these pleas, Spotify has not indicated any intention to open-source the device or allow users to install third-party firmware. The lack of response raises environmental concerns about the disposal of numerous Car Thing devices and highlights users' dissatisfaction with their financial loss.

Spotify's decision to discontinue and brick Car Thing devices has left many users feeling abandoned and frustrated. As the December 9 deadline approaches, the community's calls for open sourcing remain unanswered, leaving the future of these devices in limbo.