In 2021, Spotify launched a curious little gadget called the Car Thing. It wasn’t a phone, it wasn’t a speaker, and it wasn’t even meant to stream music directly. So, what was it? And why did Spotify ultimately shut it down?
TL;DR: Spotify released the Car Thing as a companion device for in-car music control. It gave users a more tactile way to control Spotify without using their phones. People were interested, but not enough. In 2022, Spotify stopped making it, and in 2024 support officially ended.
What Was the Spotify Car Thing?
Despite its funny name, the Car Thing had a clear purpose: To bring better Spotify controls to your car. Not all cars have fancy touchscreens. Many people still use their phones on the dashboard when driving. Spotify wanted to make that safer and more enjoyable.
The Car Thing wasn’t a standalone player. It didn’t connect to the internet on its own. Instead, it synced to your smartphone and connected to your car’s audio system through Bluetooth or AUX. You needed a Spotify Premium account, too.
Here’s what it did:
- Displayed your favorite playlists, albums, and podcasts
- Let you scroll and select music using a dial
- Had voice commands: just say “Hey Spotify” and talk
- Offered touchscreen controls
It came with several mounting options. You could clip it to your dashboard, air vent, or CD slot. Imagine a rectangular little screen with a big knob—it kind of looked like a mini car stereo.
Why Did Spotify Make the Car Thing?
Good question! Spotify didn’t plan to become a hardware company. This was more about solving a problem than selling gadgets.
Many users stream Spotify on the go. But controlling music on a phone while driving can be dangerous. Spotify wanted to make things safer—and cooler—for those without high-tech in-car systems.
Spotify called it an “exploration.” They weren’t aiming to sell millions. Instead, they wanted to learn more about how people listen to music on the road. The Car Thing was their experiment.
How Did It Work?
The setup was simple:
- You connected your phone to your car’s audio (via Bluetooth or AUX).
- Your phone also connected to the Car Thing using Bluetooth.
- Car Thing displayed what’s playing and let you control playback.
You could use the knob, tap the screen, press one of the four shortcut buttons, or speak to it. It was faster and more hands-free than swiping through your phone.
It didn’t store songs. It didn’t have apps. Everything came from your paired phone. Think of it as a smart remote for Spotify—made especially for your car.
How Much Did It Cost?
At first, Spotify gave it away for free to select users (you just paid shipping). Later, it was sold to the public for around $80.
People were curious. It looked neat. And the free early access made it feel exclusive…
So What Went Wrong?
Three main things:
- It wasn’t essential. You could still just use your phone.
- Modern cars already have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
- Spotify wasn’t ready to support hardware long-term.
In 2022, Spotify quietly ended production. They said demand was limited, and keeping it going just didn’t make sense. The company lost money and had to refocus on areas that made more financial sense.
Then Came the Shutdown
On December 2023, Spotify announced that the Car Thing would completely stop working by December 9, 2024. Not just support—completely stop.
That means:
- The device will no longer connect to Spotify
- Voice controls, the display, and buttons will stop working
- It will be, quite literally, a brick
Why not let it keep working? Spotify said continued support would cost too much. They want to devote resources to their app and subscriber experience—not old hardware.
People Are… Not Happy
If you bought a Car Thing, you might feel a little frustrated. You paid money for it, and now it’s being turned off completely. There’s no refund or trade-in.
Some fans hoped it could still work as a plain Spotify remote or maybe get offline firmware. But Spotify confirmed there’s no plan to update or keep it alive.
That led a lot of users to call it an “e-waste fail.” We get it—no one likes to throw away tech that still looks brand new.
Can You Still Use It Until 2024?
Yup. As long as your account is active and you’ve got it paired with your phone, it’ll work until December 9, 2024. After that, it’s game over.
If you still have it:
- Use it while you can
- Don’t expect any new updates
- Back it up with your phone or car’s own system
Are There Alternatives?
Absolutely. Here are a few:
- Use Apple CarPlay if you have an iPhone and a compatible car
- Use Android Auto for easy in-car music control
- Mount your phone and use voice commands with a smart assistant
- There are also third-party car mounts with built-in buttons or knobs
None of these match the exact vibe of the Car Thing, but they get pretty close. And they won’t be shut down suddenly (hopefully).
A Funny Name, A Short Life
Let’s be real—the Car Thing was a cool idea. It made nerds smile and drivers happy (well, for a while). It was fun, unique, and felt a bit retro in a modern way.
But it wasn’t sustainable. Spotify doesn’t do hardware full-time. And for $80, most people chose to stick with their phones.
We’ll remember the Car Thing for what it was: a gadget with ambition, a splash of charm, and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it lifespan.
If you’ve got one sitting in your glove box, show it some love before December 2024. After that… it’s just a thing. Not a Car Thing.
RIP Car Thing. You tried. And we appreciate you.