![]() ![]() Users have the option of a touchscreen or a physical dial that scrolls menus and makes a selection.Ĭar Thing was initially offered to select Premium subscribers in April before being “launched” in mid-October on a limited basis.Īt this point it’s only available to US subscribers until the chip supply is resolved.įive years ago, Spotify was signalling plans to move into making its own hardware devices. “We just can’t make enough to get them out there to consumers”.Ĭar Thing, which costs $110 in Australia, is especially convenient for users to navigate Spotify in cars with no, or older, infotainment systems.ĭrivers with a smartphone with a wi-fi or mobile data connection can turn on tracks, podcasts, albums or playlists inside Spotify’s library with a “Hey Spotify” command. “The #1 constraint for us at this particular moment… is chip shortages,” admitted Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. It didn’t expect 2 million to rush to sign on. Spotify competes in the domestic streaming audio market with Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube Music and SiriusXM Pandora.Last month Spotify invited its premium privileged to go on its waiting list. ![]() Around 188 million of those users pay for Spotify via one of its many tiers of service Spotify starts at $10 a month for one subscription and goes up to $15 a month for a family account with a maximum of six users. ![]() “This initiative has unlocked helpful learnings, and we remain focused on the car as an important place for audio,” a spokesperson for Spotify told the technology publication TechCrunch.Īs part of its quarterly earnings report, Spotify said it added 19 million users in the three months ending June 30, to end the quarter with 433 million customers. It is unclear how many Car Thing devices hit the road, but it clearly didn’t resonate with users who could just as easily pick up their phone and play music while driving (though they shouldn’t) or switch audio content when parked or otherwise stopped.Ī Spotify executive said Wednesday that they intend to continue supporting existing Car Thing devices, and that customers who use them helped the company learn helpful information that will guide their decision-making processes when it comes to developing new features for people who stream Spotify content in their cars. This month, Spotify cut the price of Car Thing from $90 to $50 as part of a “summer sale” - one that will likely be permanent as the company seeks to liquidate its remaining inventory. It became available to purchase without an invitation in February. #HOW SPOTIFY CAR THING DRIVERS#It required drivers to pair their devices with a smartphone via Bluetooth, and used the phone’s data plan or files downloaded via the Spotify app to stream audio to the car.Ĭar Thing was announced by Spotify in April 2021 and was available for $90 with a special invitation. The device plugged into a car’s auxiliary port and was primarily aimed at users who lacked a screen-based entertainment system in their vehicles. ![]() The device also allowed passengers to play DJ by way of the gadget’s oversized control knob and multi-function button. It was designed to help drivers keep their eyes on the road by allowing motorists to search for albums, songs and podcasts using their voice. The announcement was made Wednesday during a conference call with investors after Spotify released its quarterly earnings earlier in the day.Ĭar Thing was a small accessory that was designed to be attached to a car’s air conditioning vent or somewhere else on the dashboard. Streaming music service Spotify says it has stopped manufacturing Car Thing, its $90 hands-free car accessory that aimed to make it easier for motorists to play songs and podcasts while driving. (Image courtesy Spotify, Graphic by The Desk) ![]()
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