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

[SigEp265]

Any old car can have the most modern latest tech in infotainment....go to any car audio shop...or crutchfield.com. The thing that sucks is the other way around. Modern cars have all kinds of built-in infotainment and if you don't like it, you are stuck with it because most (I said most, not all) have much more that just infotainment on the screen and removal will cause other issues.

Yeah I'm stuck with a newer car where everything is built into the media screen. No easy way to change out the stereo.

 

[FrozenShivers]

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.

Someone hasn't looked at modern cars, lots of them now have multiple screens....

 

[timber]

It's easy to imagine the use case for this but I think they should have launched it 10 years ago. The boat has sailed.

This sort of reminds me of those retrofit parking sensors. They were aiming at a shrinking market and too late.

 

[Boyd01]

I don't get it either. However, take a look at Garmin's dedicated GPS devices. The current models also rely on a bluetooth connection to a smartphone for many of the featues. I don't get that either - if you need a phone, why not just use an app on it instead of the dedicated device?

But in that case, Garmin's business model is based on selling hardware so it sort of makes sense. But that isn't the case with Spotify. This looks like a solution in search of a problem.

 

[unixinu]

It's easy to imagine the use case for this but I think they should have launched it 10 years ago. The boat has sailed.

This sort of reminds me of those retrofit parking sensors. They were aiming at a shrinking market and too late.

10 years ago only the newest cars had good connectivity for music (Bluetooth or aux). Not a large market then. Also, I don't think Spotify had the capacity to do something like this 10 years ago, when they barely had launched in the US.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

No thanks. We don't want more crap in our car. Partner with the OEMs. Support Carplay and Android Auto. This is crap.

 

[nalvarez2007]

This makes zero sense in a world of smartphones. Even if your car isn’t Bluetooth or usb enabled, the amount of cheap adapters to get this to work is too many to count.

 

[page3]

For those who need it I actually think this looks pretty good, and I even like the name

Pioneer do an excellent range of aftermarket systems that allow you to dock your iPhone.

 

[subi257]

Yeah I'm stuck with a newer car where everything is built into the media screen. No easy way to change out the stereo.

Yep, completely understand, If the newer ones are changed, steering wheel controls are questionable as is many other things. Some of the even have car functionality on the same screen.

 

[Expos of 1969]

And this is why I dumped Spotify years ago. Putting their efforts toward things like plastic car accessories and controversial podcasts, while ignoring one of the most important ways we listen to music clearly shows they don’t care.

I assume you did not move to Apple Music. The number of key issues which have been ignored or neglected in AM (particularly on the Mac) since 2015 is ridiculous for a company of Apple's resources and stature.

 

[b11051973]

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.

This was my question. I read two things, and saw nothing how it connected to the internet. If it gets its data from a smartphone, just use the smartphone!!

 

[subi257]

For those who need it I actually think this looks pretty good, and I even like the name

Pioneer do an excellent range of aftermarket systems that allow you to dock your iPhone.

View attachment 1757270View attachment 1757271

Ooooh, a TVR....what model? here in US we were only given the Tuscan and the Vixen

 

[page3]

Ooooh, a TVR....what model? here in US we were only given the Tuscan and the Vixen

Tamora. I'm impressed you've heard of them, most in the UK don't know what it is! 😆

 

[fel10]

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

Great thanks for letting us know

 

[SigEp265]

For those who need it I actually think this looks pretty good, and I even like the name

Pioneer do an excellent range of aftermarket systems that allow you to dock your iPhone.

View attachment 1757270View attachment 1757271

That's great. Before AndroidAuto, Sony used to have a headunit where your Sony phone was actually the main screen.

Sony's XSP N1BT Double-DIN Smartphone Car Stereo Phone Mount Is Available On Amazon And Crutchfield For $250

www.androidpolice.com

 

[subi257]

Tamora. I'm impressed you've heard of them, most in the UK don't know what it is! 😆

That looks nice. I am a car guy through and through and Europe, Italy and Japan always had/have nicer cars than here. I had a 1967 Triumph Spifire....loved it. We also had some nice blends....Sunbeam Tiger and Alpine.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Obviously aimed at people with older vehicles; think of it as a Sirius receiver.

 

[macfacts]

Went to the website and in very small print, it said:

Car Thing requires that you maintain a paid Spotify Premium subscription directly via Spotify and a smartphone with WiFi or mobile data connection. Eligible paying subscribers only. One Car Thing per eligible subscriber, while supplies last. Terms apply

So, you need a mobile phone with WIFI or cellular data, meaning this thing works off of your phones mobile hotspot?
Why aren't they being clear how this device gets it's data? If I have a mobile phone with hotspot, why can't I just use Spotify on my phone directly instead of this gizmo?

Very niche item.

Because apple controls the iOS app store and every apple fan was telling them to build their own device/platform

 

[yticolev]

Tamora. I'm impressed you've heard of them, most in the UK don't know what it is! 😆

I worked in Blackpool for 9 months back in 1998 and I didn't hear about them for years afterwards.

 

[BvizioN]

Reminds me Facebook and their flop smartphone.

 

[liquid05]

So it's just Spotify from your phone with extra steps?

 

[jerryk]

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

Cellular system. Just like Teslas in the US use AT&T for maps, browser, youTube, Spotify and other sources.

 

[tricouleur]

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.

You realize that the same phone you need for this system to work in the car has the ability to connect directly to those older units as well, right?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Eh, at least they’re trying something. I’ve always said that, for any company strongly complaining about Apple’s App Store and ecosystem, work your way out of it, then. If this is part of that effort, then they’ve earned a little respect from me. A future version could even be affiliated with T-mobile’s new service, $60 a month for that, add in 10 dollars for the subsidized device and you’ve got Spotify wherever you are.

 

[Rafagon]

I love the name.