The End of the Road: Spotify Car Thing discontinued

Spotify discontinues its Car Thing accessory, leaving users with non-functional devices and offering refunds until January 14, 2025.

Spotify has officially shut down its first and only hardware product, the Car Thing, as Spotify Car Thing discontinued becomes final. Introduced in April 2021, Car Thing was designed to simplify Spotify music access for vehicles lacking modern infotainment systems. However, as of December 2024, the device has been rendered non-operational, leaving many users frustrated and seeking refunds.

The Introduction of Spotify’s Car Thing

Car Thing marked Spotify’s ambitious foray into the hardware market. Designed as a sleek and user-friendly in-car music accessory, it provided direct access to Spotify’s streaming service. For vehicles without modern infotainment systems, Car Thing was a practical solution.

The device featured a touch screen, physical controls, and voice commands. Priced at $90, it aimed to make Spotify a central part of users’ driving experiences. Despite its promising features, Car Thing faced an uphill battle from the start.

---

Challenges from Launch to Discontinuation

While Car Thing had potential, it was plagued by several challenges that led to its demise:

1. Low Market Demand:
   Many vehicles already feature advanced infotainment systems that integrate seamlessly with Spotify through Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or built-in apps. This limited the target audience for Car Thing to drivers of older vehicles.
2. Supply Chain Issues:
   Launched during a time of global supply chain disruptions, Car Thing struggled to maintain production levels, further hindering its success.
3. Competition from Smartphones:
   Most drivers already use their smartphones for Spotify access, which made Car Thing a redundant purchase for many.
4. Short Lifespan:
   Just five months after its release, Spotify announced it would stop producing Car Thing. Despite this, existing units continued to function until December 2024.

Also Read: Tesla Apple Watch App Turns Your Watch Into a Car Key

---

The Official Shutdown

On December 10, 2024, Spotify permanently shut down all Car Thing accessories. Users powering on their devices were greeted with a message:

“Car Thing is discontinued and no longer operational.
Thank you for being on this journey with us, safe travels. For more information, visit carthing.com. Contact customer service by no later than January 14, 2025, to discuss your refund options.”

The announcement came as no surprise to most users, as Spotify had earlier indicated that the device would stop functioning in December. However, the complete bricking of the device left many disappointed, as it rendered their $90 investment entirely useless.

---

Refund Options for Car Thing Owners

In an effort to ease the blow, Spotify is offering refunds to Car Thing owners. Users must contact Spotify’s customer service by January 14, 2025, to initiate the refund process. While the refund policy demonstrates Spotify’s acknowledgment of its responsibility, it does little to alleviate the frustration of users who had relied on the device.

---

Why Spotify Car Thing discontinued

Spotify cited a need to streamline its product offerings as the primary reason for discontinuing Car Thing. As a hardware product, Car Thing represented a deviation from Spotify’s core business model, which revolves around music and podcast streaming.

With the streaming industry becoming increasingly competitive, Spotify likely decided to focus its resources on enhancing its digital offerings rather than continuing to invest in a hardware product with limited appeal.

---

Comparisons to Similar Products

Car Thing wasn’t the first device of its kind to face challenges. Similar products from other companies have also struggled to gain traction:

1. Amazon Echo Auto:
   Amazon’s in-car Alexa device faced similar issues with limited adoption due to competition from smartphones and built-in infotainment systems.
2. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto:
   These software-based solutions dominate the market, offering seamless integration with a driver’s existing smartphone. Their convenience and compatibility overshadow standalone devices like Car Thing.
3. Other Niche Accessories:
   Hardware accessories for specific functionalities, such as navigation or media, have largely been replaced by multifunctional smartphones.

Also Read: Mercedes-Benz Apple Watch app for Effortless Car Control

---

Recycling and Disposal of Car Thing

Spotify has directed users to recycle their non-functional Car Things responsibly. Recycling programs are available to ensure that the devices are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

For users unsure of how to recycle their Car Thing, Spotify’s support page provides detailed instructions and recommendations.

---

The Future of Spotify’s Hardware Ambitions

The failure of Car Thing raises questions about Spotify’s future in the hardware space. While the company has not announced plans for other hardware products, the lessons learned from Car Thing could inform future endeavors.

For now, it seems Spotify is doubling down on its digital services, focusing on improving the user experience, expanding its library, and exploring new features like AI-curated playlists and spatial audio.

---

User Reactions and Feedback

The shutdown of Car Thing has elicited mixed reactions from users:

• Disappointment: Many users expressed frustration at the device becoming non-operational, especially those who had found it useful in their older vehicles.
• Appreciation for Refunds: The refund policy has been viewed as a positive gesture, although some users feel it doesn’t fully compensate for the inconvenience.
• Calls for Software Updates: Some users have suggested that Spotify should have offered a software update to enable Car Thing to function as a standalone device, independent of Spotify’s servers.

Also Read: Apple Teams Up With Sony to Enhance Vision Pro VR Gaming

---

What This Means for Spotify Users

The discontinuation of Car Thing underscores the importance of versatility and integration in today’s tech market. For Spotify users, this means relying on smartphones or built-in infotainment systems for in-car music access.

While Car Thing may be gone, Spotify continues to enhance its app, ensuring that users have access to a seamless and feature-rich streaming experience, regardless of their device.

Spotify’s Car Thing may have reached the end of the road, but its legacy serves as a valuable lesson in the tech industry. While the device failed to achieve widespread adoption, it highlights the challenges of hardware innovation in a software-dominated world. For Spotify, the focus now shifts back to its digital ecosystem, ensuring users enjoy a seamless streaming experience wherever they are.

---

10 FAQs About Spotify’s Car Thing Discontinuation