Impact and Recommendations

As announced on the Car Thing website, the product is now discontinued and no longer operational. This means that owners need to take certain steps. Spotify recommends resetting their Car Thing to factory settings and disposing of it in accordance with their state or local electronic waste guidelines. Additionally, owners can contact customer service by January 14 to discuss refund options.

It's important to note that Spotify has no plans to release a new version or a replacement for Car Thing. However, users still have several ways to enjoy Spotify in their cars. They can use the Spotify app on their smartphones or connect via Bluetooth or cable connections, depending on their vehicle's capabilities. This allows for a seamless and personalized in-car listening experience.

Reasons for Discontinuation

Spotify cited several reasons for discontinuing Car Thing. The company aimed to streamline its product offerings and focus on developing new features and enhancements for Spotify. By doing so, they can better serve their users and stay at the forefront of the audio streaming industry. As stated in a July 2022 earnings report, the company took a $31.4 million charge as a result of stopping production.

A company spokesperson explained that based on factors such as product demand and supply chain issues, they decided to stop further production of Car Thing units. Existing devices will continue to perform as intended. This initiative has provided valuable learnings, and Spotify remains focused on the car as an important place for audio.

Introduction and Initial Launch

In April 2021, Spotify introduced Car Thing, describing it as a "smart player that fills your car with music, news, entertainment and talk." The product was designed to address users' need for a seamless and personalized in-car listening experience, aiming to bring the entire catalog of music and podcasts to a wider range of users across various vehicles. It was a promising addition to the company's product lineup.

However, despite its initial success, various factors led to the decision to discontinue Car Thing. The company's focus on becoming the world's No. 1 audio platform and its commitment to developing new features took precedence over continuing to produce hardware.

Future of In-Car Music Streaming

With the discontinuation of Car Thing, the future of in-car music streaming remains uncertain. While Spotify offers alternative methods such as using the app on a smartphone or connecting via Bluetooth, these may not provide the same level of convenience and integration as Car Thing. Users may be looking for other solutions or hoping that Spotify will introduce new hardware in the future.

It will be interesting to see how the music streaming industry adapts to these changes and how other companies respond. In the meantime, Spotify's decision serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of the technology landscape and the need for companies to constantly evolve and adapt.