Key Points
• Spotify Car Thing has officially been discontinued and all units have been disabled as of today.
• The device, which was launched in 2022, allowed users to control music in their cars, but was discontinued less than a year after its release.
• Spotify has announced that existing devices will no longer be operational, and users can contact customer service by January 14, 2025 to discuss refund options.
As of today, Spotify Car Thing, the company’s first piece of hardware, has officially been shut down. The device, which was launched in 2022, allowed users to control music in their cars using a simple screen with a rotating dial and a few buttons. However, less than a year after its release, Spotify announced that it would discontinue the device and end sales.
Fast forward to today, and it seems that the death of Spotify Car Thing has finally arrived. Owners of the device have reported that their units have stopped working, with a message displaying that the device is "no longer operational" and reiterating refund terms. The window for refunds ends in January.
But don’t worry, Car Thing isn’t entirely useless. Thanks to the open-source files released by Spotify, there are efforts underway to create new experiences on this hardware that aren’t reliant on Spotify’s back end. While the extremely low power of the hardware prevents it from running Android effectively, there have been some clever solutions that have been found.
It’s the end of an era for Spotify Car Thing, but who knows what the future holds for this hardware? Perhaps someone will come along and breathe new life into this device. For now, it’s time to say goodbye to Car Thing.
Actionable Tip: If you’re a Car Thing owner, make sure to contact customer service by January 14, 2025 to discuss your refund options.
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