Finally, in February 2022, the dashboard accessory became available for general sale in the U.S. Then, the company released Car Thing in a limited, invite-only launch in April 2021.

The device was first hinted at in 2019, via a Spotify press release. But all it does is sit on the sidelines, hogging the one precious power port, while a smartphone plays content from Spotify over a car stereo via AUX or Bluetooth.

The dashboard accessory was meant to enable a “seamless and personalised in-car listening experience” for Spotify’s music and podcast streaming customers. In both name and purpose, Car Thing has been vague and silly from the beginning. This initiative has unlocked helpful learnings, and we remain focused on the car as an important place for audio. Existing devices will perform as intended. A Spotify spokesperson told Tech Crunch that, “the goal of Spotify’s Car Thing exploration was to better understand in-car listening, and bring audio to a wider range of users and vehicles.” On the discontinuation of the device, the spokesperson further said the following:īased on several factors, including product demand and supply chain issues, we have decided to stop further production of Car Thing units.

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