Spotify to Discontinue Car Thing Gadget, Customers Facing Inoperable Devices

Spotify attempted to break into the hardware market with its Car Thing dashboard accessory, but the venture proved to be unsuccessful. The company ceased production of the gadget less than a year after its public release. Fast forward two years and now, Spotify is set to make the device completely inoperable. Customers who purchased the Car Thing are being notified via email that the device will cease to function as of December 9th.

Unfortunately for owners, Spotify is not offering any compensation or refund for the device. Instead, the company is discontinuing the project and advising users to responsibly dispose of the Car Thing. In an FAQ on their website, Spotify explained that this move is part of their strategy to streamline product offerings and focus on enhancing the overall user experience.

Customers are encouraged to perform a factory reset on the device and find a sustainable way to recycle it. Spotify has confirmed that there are no plans for a replacement or new version of the Car Thing in the future. The gadget was initially released through an invite-only system in April 2021, followed by a public waitlist later that year. The $90 accessory went on general sale in February 2022 before production was halted just five months later.