Spotify Shuts Down Car Thing Operations After Two Years

Spotify announced it will officially discontinue Car Thing after two years of operations, giving users until December 9 to use the service.

Car Thing, the company's first hardware product, was sold for $90 in early 2022 and caused the elimination of the Car View feature from the mobile app.

Spotify Ends Hardware, Operational Support for Car Thing

Spotify first announced Car Thing in early 2021 and started selling in the U.S. in early 2022 for $90. However, the company quickly ended its sales only months after it was launched.

On a support page, Spotify shared its decision to discontinue Car Thing as part of its streamlining efforts. The company also detailed that the service's end opens opportunities to develop new features and enhancements for all Spotify users.

"This means that Car Thing will no longer be operational. This decision wasn't made lightly, and we want to assure you that our commitment to providing a superior listening experience remains unchanged," the company wrote.

Spotify Advises Car Thing Users to Discard Device

After December 9, Car Thing will officially cease to exist. It will no longer be operational to all users, leaving the device useless for car music listeners. Spotify has instructed users to use the app and connect it via Bluetooth to the car to enjoy the same music.

Owners of Car Thing are advised to reset the device to factory settings and safely dispose of the device based on the local electronic waste guidelines. Users can also connect with the state department to specifically get instructions on how to safely discard or recycle the hardware.

The company also clarified that there is no trade-in option for the Car Thing. Spotify also has no plans to release a replacement device or a new version of it in the near future.