Understanding the Spotify Car Thing

In 2022, the popular music streaming platform Spotify introduced the Car Thing, a unique piece of hardware aimed at enhancing music listening experiences in cars. This device was designed for those with older vehicles, providing a modern interface to navigate and enjoy Spotify’s vast music library. However, its practicality has come into question, especially as it is set to be discontinued.

What Was the Car Thing?

The Car Thing was not entirely without merit; it served a specific need for car owners. This device could be connected to vehicles via an auxiliary audio cord, allowing users of older cars to access Spotify easily. Nevertheless, this feature primarily catered to a narrow audience, as many users could simply utilize an adapter to connect their smartphones directly.

Moreover, the Car Thing functioned essentially as an interface for the Spotify app on smartphones. Lacking its own data connection, it could not serve as an independent Spotify player. Instead, it depended heavily on users having a compatible smartphone to access their Spotify account.

Consequently, while the Car Thing offered features like voice commands, preset buttons for playlists, and an optimized user interface for in-car use, most users preferred the convenience of directly using their smartphones. The device’s high price of $90 further complicated its appeal. Discounts did make it more attractive, but it still seemed like an unnecessary purchase for many drivers.

If your vehicle supported advanced features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the necessity for the Car Thing diminished significantly. These systems seamlessly integrate smartphones with cars’ touchscreen interfaces, enhancing both safety and user experience.

What Happens Now?

Announced discontinuation of the Car Thing is set for December 9, 2024. On this date, existing devices will become inoperative, as Spotify has indicated that the Car Thing will no longer function. The company has urged users to find responsible recycling options for their discontinued devices.

It is perplexing that the Car Thing will cease to function entirely, considering it is not independently connected to the internet. This raises questions about whether Spotify’s app will no longer communicate with the Car Thing post-discontinuation.

While it could be argued that the Car Thing offered a unique utility for certain users, many had cheaper and simpler alternatives available. From a practical standpoint, smartphones combined with the Spotify app remain the most efficient way to access music while driving.

Spotify has acknowledged this reality, affirming that users can continue enjoying its services through various methods like smartphone apps or Bluetooth, depending on their vehicle’s features. Therefore, while the Car Thing may find itself relegated to the history books, the core Spotify experience in cars is here to stay.