Spotify Announces the 'Car Thing' as its First Hardware Device

[MacRumors]

Spotify has today announced its first hardware device, the "Car Thing," which is an in-car dash-mounted music and podcast player (via TechCrunch).

Spotify is looking to provide a product for customers who want a "more seamless" and personalized in-car listening experience, especially in the large number of cars that do not support modern in-car infotainment systems.

The Car Thing is aimed at Spotify Premium subscribers with these needs and features a touchscreen, a knob for navigation, voice control features, and four user-configurable buttons for fast access to areas such as favorite music, podcasts, or playlists.

The user interface takes cues from the Spotify mobile app so that it is familiar to users, and there is the choice of touch controls, "Hey Spotify" voice commands, or physical navigation via the knob. The Car Thing works over Bluetooth, or via an AUX or USB cable, and there are a variety of mounts that come with the device to ensure that it fits to the dashboard correctly.

The device comes with three different types of dash and vent mounts to choose from, a car charger, and a USB-C cable.

Initially, the Car Thing will be made available for free for a limited period, with selected users only needing to pay for the cost of shipping. This is apparently because Spotify still sees the Car Thing as somewhat experimental.

When it reaches its full public release, the Car Thing will be available for $79.99, but it is as yet unclear when the retail release will take place.

Car Thing is now being offered on an invite-only basis via its website to U.S. Spotify Premium subscribers with a smartphone, where interested users can sign up to the waiting list.

Article Link: Spotify Announces the 'Car Thing' as its First Hardware Device

 

[wilhoitm]

I wish all of these TECH companies would come up with their own ideas and stop copying Apple! No thanks, I use my iPhone for that!

 

[adamw]

No thanks Spotify! No need for more hardware. I prefer my Apple devices.

 

[genovelle]

This must be for the 7 people still young enough to drive, but still have a flip phone.

 

[Rudy69]

Yet we still don't have offline playback on Apple Watch.....guys come on!

 

[nwcs]

I think I’d rather pay $10 for a device to mount my phone and use that rather than this, especially if it has its own battery charging needs.

 

[reubs]

This seems very much like an April Fool's gag that got posted too late.

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

This must be for the 7 people still young enough to drive, but still have a flip phone.

The funny thing is that this device requires a smartphone with internet and the latest Spotify version. So this is literally aimed at people who could just mount their phone.

 

[scottct1]

It reminds me of the old Slacker Radio.

 

[Mac Spec]

This reminds me of 10 years ago when I first got Sirius radio and it was not built into my car.

 

[sw1tcher]

I wish all of these TECH companies would come up with their own ideas and stop copying Apple! No thanks, I use my iPhone for that!

Copying Apple? Where's this Apple branded in-car dash-mounted device for listing to music and podcasts that connects via Bluetooth or an AUX or USB cable?

Next, you're going to tell me SiriusXM is copying Apple with their in-car devices

 

[LeeW]

I can actually see its use case, especially for those who want something more controllable and less of a 'fidget' to do things than on a phone. Niche certainly.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

How does it get it's content? Cellular? I'm not sure who this is really for?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I’ll wait for Apple to announce something similar.

 

[bacaramac]

What is this? 2000 era? No one wants a second screen in their car anymore. I’ll post up my iPhone if I really needed it in my face.

 

[one more]

As much as I enjoy Spotify, I cannot see the target market for it. If somebody already has a smartphone, Spotify is already on it and most probably already integrated in the car in some form. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[sw1tcher]

This must be for the 7 people still young enough to drive, but still have a flip phone.

As much as I enjoy Spotify, I cannot see the target market for it. If somebody already has a smartphone, Spotify is already on it and most probably already integrated in the car in some form. 🤷🏻‍♂️

How does one listen to Spotify if they're driving an older car with an old radio/no infotainment system?

2nd sentence of this post...

Spotify is looking to provide a product for customers who want a "more seamless" and personalized in-car listening experience, especially in the large number of cars that do not support modern in-car infotainment systems.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

I can actually see its use case, especially for those who want something more controllable and less of a 'fidget' to do things than on a phone. Niche certainly.

Well, there is something for that and it’s called Apple CarPlay. And best of all, it can be installed on any car. And it’s just few dollars more. And you can do it for cheap with do it yourself installation.

Double Din Stereo Car Audio Receiver - Corehan 7 Inch Touch Screen Car Stereo with Bluetooth Compatiable with Android Auto Car Play https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QYYZFLD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_T4Q2CGC7QGN3K8ZB5HHA

 

[mungo2k]

I find it hilarious/frustrating that car design is still so archaic that the only place to put your digital displays in view is by jamming something into the air vent or getting a clumsy rubber mount onto the windscreen. It's been, what, 10 years?, 15-20 if you include the Sat Nav days, since almost everybody driving their car has wanted to place a digital display in view.

 

[gomichaelgo]

I am so confused by this device. Why not just mount your phone if you don't have an installed device? Is this for the rare folks who pay premium spotify but still have a flip phone?

 

[swester]

Maybe this is intended for markets in developing countries, where cars are probably less likely to have Carplay integrated audio systems. I really don't know who else would be interested in this.

Also, it looks like those old XM satellite radios from the early 2000s. So outdated.

 

[mungo2k]

How does one listen to Spotify if they're driving an older car with an old radio/no infotainment system?

2nd sentence of this post...

Spotify is looking to provide a product for customers who want a "more seamless" and personalized in-car listening experience, especially in the large number of cars that do not support modern in-car infotainment systems.

Plenty of old-ish car stereos have USB or audio line in. Far fewer support displays and CarPlay.

 

[ururk]

Actually... I wouldn't use this in my car but in my workshop. I have a bluetooth setup and control it right from my phone, but sometimes it isn't convenient to pull out my phone and get it messy/dirty (sawdust, paint, grease, whatever).

Now... for $79 - I wouldn't pay that - but I'd certainly welcome one for free or even $29.

 

[Paul_a]

I assume this doesn't rely on Spotify and I can use my Apple Music on this and get to make the choice when I first switch it on, right?

 

[ingik]

How does it get it's content? Cellular? I'm not sure who this is really for?

It uses the phone, it's just a remote, as you still need to connect your phone to the radio in the car.