Spotify’s Car Thing Is Hitting the Road—One Last Time

Well, it looks like Spotify’s “Car Thing” has hit a dead end.

If you own one, you've likely seen that chirpy little message telling you it's over after December 9, 2024.

"Car Thing will stop operating," it reads.

Not just some temporary glitch or “we’ll fix it in an update” situation—nope, this is the end of the line for Spotify's hardware experiment.

For those who missed the memo, Spotify’s Car Thing was meant to be a solution for people who wanted an easy way to control Spotify in older cars without modern infotainment systems.

To set up Car Thing in your car, you had to plug it into a power source using the included 12-volt adapter or a USB cable, and then connect your phone, which is paired with the device, to your car via Bluetooth or an aux cable.

For mounting, they gave you a few options: CD mount, dash mount, or vent mount—your choice.

The main issue? Most of the older cars that really needed a device like this didn’t even have Bluetooth or an aux port. Own a 2006 Volkswagen Golf? You're out of luck.

Think of it as a glorified remote for Spotify, designed to give you that premium hands-free experience without buying a whole new car. But apparently, it never quite gained traction.

It was niche at best—too niche, it seems.

The shutdown notice is blunt and final. They’re even offering refunds if you contact customer service before January 14, 2025. So, at least Spotify's playing nice with a refund option.

But the bigger question remains: who actually bought this thing? For many, the Car Thing felt like a product looking for a problem to solve that had already been fixed by smartphones or cheaper solutions like Bluetooth adapters.

What’s really comical is that Spotify’s entering the crowded market of smart home speakers and automotive integration through apps, then backing out with its tail between its legs on this front.

It seems like Car Thing is yet another piece of tech destined for the gadget graveyard—joining the likes of Google Glass, Amazon’s Fire Phone, and all those other quirky bits of kit that just didn’t catch on.

So, what’s the takeaway here?

Maybe Spotify should stick to its software roots. Their app is still king, dominating the world of streaming music. But when it comes to hardware, it’s a different story.

If you ask me, Spotify’s foray into gadgets felt more like a vanity project than a serious attempt to innovate in the space.

Goodnight, Car Thing. You’ll be missed… by a handful of people. Maybe.