In a move that surprises almost no one who’s followed the short and winding road of this gadget, Spotify’s Car Thing has reached its final parking spot. Once a promising attempt at bringing the streaming giant’s playlists straight into your dashboard, the device has now been officially discontinued—and yes, there’s still a sliver of hope to snag a Spotify Car Thing refund before it’s too late.
The sleek little puck once offered a dedicated portal to Spotify’s vast catalogue, connecting drivers to their favourite tracks without having to juggle their phones. Now that it’s toast, Spotify is telling owners they have until January 14th, 2025 to contact customer service for a reimbursement. After that date, the Car Thing morphs from a “smart car audio player” into just another piece of glorified e-waste—or a ripe target for tinkerers seeking creative repurposing opportunities.
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Spotify Car Thing’s Last Words and Key Dates
Earlier in December, Car Thing began issuing a final farewell message and Spotify Car Thing refund should happen. In a tone that might be described as politely apologetic, it announced its discontinuation, advising owners to seek their refunds and consider responsibly disposing of the now-defunct device. For those who’d rather squeeze extra mileage out of the hardware, some crafty enthusiasts have already started hacking Car Thing’s internals, transforming it into what they call “Desk Thing” or other offbeat projects. Although it’s too underpowered to run a full-on Android system, it’s gaining a second life beyond the car, defying the notion of “discontinued streaming gadgets.”
Why Car Thing Is No More
Spotify pulled the plug in May and promised a December shutdown. With the day of reckoning now behind us, the company notes it’s focusing on “new features and enhancements” for its platform rather than on physical gadgets. While some may lament the absence of a specialized controller, modern dashboards already offer “in-car music controls” via smartphones, infotainment systems, and Bluetooth connections. Other “car infotainment alternatives” remain plentiful, so drivers won’t be stranded in a silent vacuum.
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A Responsible Farewell
Spotify advises Car Thing owners to reset the device to factory settings and part ways with it responsibly. In other words, follow local guidelines for e-waste disposal or, if you’re feeling inspired, turn it into a fun desk accessory. After all, “recycled tech solutions” can be a commendable way to give old gizmos a second life.
Was Car Thing a well-intentioned experiment or simply a stopgap that no one truly needed? Probably a bit of both. In the end, this small gadget will serve as a reminder that even for tech giants, not every hardware venture can catch the green light.
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