Spotify’s Car Thing, a dashboard accessory launched in 2022 that allowed drivers to control Spotify playback and access features with a touch screen or voice commands, is being discontinued as of December 9th, 2024. Despite its sleek design and positive reception for being Spotify’s first foray into hardware, the Car Thing only enjoyed a brief stint on the market. Production ceased less than a year after its public launch, and now, two years later, existing devices are reaching their end of life.
Spotify is not offering refunds or replacements for the Car Thing, citing their focus on refining their core software features and providing a more robust overall Spotify experience. This decision has left some Car Thing owners disappointed, particularly those who found the dedicated hardware controls to be a welcome departure from relying solely on their smartphones. In a statement on their website, Spotify recommends users reset their Car Thing devices to factory settings and dispose of them responsibly through local electronic waste recycling programs.
While the Car Thing hardware itself was praised for its aesthetics and user-friendly design, its functionality may have ultimately limited its appeal. The Car Thing essentially functioned as a remote control for the Spotify mobile app, offering a touch screen and voice command interface for features already accessible through a smartphone. This redundancy, coupled with the increasing integration of Spotify into car infotainment systems, may have contributed to the Car Thing’s short lifespan. The discontinuation of the Car Thing marks the end of Spotify’s foray into hardware development, as the company has confirmed no plans for a successor or a new iteration on the Car Thing concept.
