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.”
