Spotify Discontinues Car Thing Device: What This Means for Users

United States of America
Available for purchase until February 2023
Last functional day: December 9, 2024
Limited functionality compared to modern infotainment systems
No reason given for discontinuation
Spotify discontinues Car Thing device
Spotify Discontinues Car Thing Device: What This Means for Users

Spotify, the popular music streaming platform, has announced that it will be discontinuing its Car Thing device on December 9, 2024. The Car Thing was a hardware attachment designed to make it easier for users to access and control their Spotify accounts in cars without built-in infotainment systems. However, production of the device ceased less than two years after its release in February 2022.

The news has left some Car Thing owners disappointed, as they will no longer be able to use the device once it stops working. Some have even called for Spotify to open-source the hardware or offer refunds, but the company has not responded to these requests.

Car Thing was originally intended to connect to car dashboards and auxiliary outlets for easier Spotify use. It had a four-inch color touchscreen and allowed users to control the service with voice recognition and preset buttons. However, its limited functionality compared to modern infotainment systems may have contributed to its discontinuation.

Spotify has not given a reason for the discontinuation beyond stating that it is part of their ongoing efforts to streamline their product offerings. The company recommends factory resetting the Car Thing and disposing of it after December 9, 2024.

The Car Thing was available for purchase until February 2023, and some users have reported receiving emails notifying them that the device will stop working later this year. The discontinuation comes as Spotify focuses on developing new features and enhancements to improve the user experience across all its platforms.

The Car Thing was a unique experiment for Spotify in the hardware space, but it ultimately failed to gain widespread adoption. Its discontinuation may leave some users feeling frustrated, but the company is urging them to explore other options such as using their phones or upgrading to cars with built-in infotainment systems.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Is there any plan to open-source the Car Thing hardware?
  • Will Spotify offer refunds for Car Thing purchases?

Sources

74%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

“Unacceptable”: Spotify bricking Car Thing devices in Dec. without refunds

Ars Technica Scharon Harding Thursday, 23 May 2024 20:32
  • Unique Points
    • Spotify announced it will be bricking all purchased Car Thing devices on December 9, 2022.
    • Car Thing owners are begging Spotify to open-source the gadgets instead of disposing them.
  • Accuracy
    • Car Thing was originally intended to connect to car dashboards and auxiliary outlets for easier Spotify use.
    • The device requires a phone with data or Wi-Fi connection via Bluetooth to work, making it seem redundant.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as the author only reports details that support the author's position of Spotify bricking Car Thing devices without refunds. The author also uses emotional manipulation by using phrases like 'disappointing', 'entirely unacceptable', and 'punished for supporting them'. There is no disclosure of sources in the article.
    • But it also required users to subscribe to Spotify Premium, which starts at $11 per month.
    • As of this writing, there are over 50 posts on the Spotify Community forums showing concern about the discontinuation, with many demanding a refund and/or calling for open-sourcing.
    • Spotify announced today that it’s bricking all purchased Car Things on December 9 and not offering refunds or trade-in options.
    • Car Thing becoming nothing
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by using the phrase 'entirely unacceptable' to describe the news of Spotify not offering refunds or trade-ins for their Car Thing devices. The author also makes an appeal to authority by quoting several individuals expressing their disappointment and calling for open-sourcing the device.
    • It's entirely unacceptable
    • A Spotify spokesperson declined to answer Ars’ questions about why Car Thing isn’t being open-sourced and concerns around e-waste and wasted money.
    • As of this writing, there are over 50 posts on the Spotify Community forums showing concern about the discontinuation, with many demanding a refund and/or calling for open-sourcing.
  • Bias (80%)
    The author expresses disappointment and frustration towards Spotify for bricking the Car Thing devices without offering refunds or trade-ins. She also encourages readers to demand that Spotify open-sources the devices instead of disposing of them. This can be seen as an expression of bias against Spotify's decision.
    • AaronMickDee: I’d rather not just dispose of the device. I think there is a community that would love the idea of having a device we can customize and use for other uses other than a song playback device.
      • Car Thing becoming nothing
        • Doesn’t feel great that there is literally no alternative other than trashing it. Feels like we’re being punished for supporting them.
          • Early demise
            • Spotify hasn’t responded to pleas to salvage the hardware
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            69%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Spotify is going to break every Car Thing gadget it ever sold

            The Verge Chris Welch Thursday, 23 May 2024 17:24
            • Unique Points
              • Spotify stopped producing its Car Thing dashboard accessory less than a year after it went on sale to the public.
              • Customers who bought the Car Thing are receiving emails warning that it will stop working altogether as of December 9th.
            • Accuracy
              • Car Thing was initially made available on an invite-only basis in April 2021, with Spotify later opening a public waitlist to buy the accessory later that year.
              • The Car Thing hardware went on general sale in February 2022 and production was halted five months later.
              • Car Thing was more of a remote control for Spotify on your mobile phone than any kind of standalone player.
            • Deception (0%)
              The author makes no editorializing or pontification statements in the article. However, there are instances of selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author only reports that the Car Thing device will stop working altogether as of December 9th and that Spotify is not offering any kind of refund or replacement for it. The author does not mention any potential reasons why the device may be discontinued or any alternative solutions for customers who relied on the Car Thing. This selective reporting creates a negative emotional response in readers, as they may feel frustrated or disappointed that they have wasted money on a product that will soon become obsolete. Additionally, the author does not provide any context about why Spotify is discontinuing the Car Thing or if there are any plans for a replacement in the future.
              • Rather, it’s just canning the project and telling people to (responsibly) dispose of Car Thing.
              • Customers who bought the Car Thing are receiving emails warning that it will stop working altogether as of December 9th.
            • Fallacies (85%)
              The article contains an appeal to authority and a slight exaggeration in describing Spotify's Car Thing as 'completely inoperable'.
              • . . . the device is about to be rendered completely inoperable.
              • Spotify isn’t offering any kind of subscription credit or automatic refund for the device .
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            95%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Spotify’s Car Thing will soon transform into Spotify’s Car Brick

            Engadget Will Shanklin Friday, 24 May 2024 02:05
            • Unique Points
              • Spotify stopped making Car Things in July 2022 but kept selling them until February 2023.
              • Car Thing was originally intended to connect to car dashboards and auxiliary outlets for easier Spotify use.
            • Accuracy
              • Spotify's Car Thing will no longer be operational as of December 9.
              • The device requires a phone with data or Wi-Fi connection via Bluetooth to work.
              • Production of Car Thing ceased less than a year after its release in February 2022.
              • Users are advised to reset their Car Things to factory settings and dispose of them following local electronic waste guidelines.
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (95%)
              The author does not commit any formal or informal fallacies in the provided text. However, there is an instance of an appeal to authority when Billy Steele's opinion is quoted. This does not affect the score significantly as it only represents one small part of the article and should be considered within context.
              • Billy Steele for Engadget
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            95%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Spotify Is Scrapping Its ‘Car Thing’ for Good

            Hypebeast Sarah Kearns Thursday, 23 May 2024 22:07
            • Unique Points
              • Spotify is discontinuing its Car Thing hardware and software as of December 9, 2023.
              • Production of Car Thing ceased less than a year after its release in February 2022.
            • Accuracy
              • Spotify announced it will be bricking all purchased Car Thing devices on December 9, 2022.
              • The device acted as a Bluetooth-enabled brick version of the Spotify app.
              • Car Thing was originally intended to connect to car dashboards and auxiliary outlets for easier Spotify use.
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            98%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Spotify to shut off Car Thing for good, leading users to demand refunds

            TechCrunch Aisha Malik Thursday, 23 May 2024 19:35
            • Unique Points
              • Spotify is notifying customers that their Car Thing devices will stop working after December 9, 2024.
              • Car Thing was intended by Spotify to learn more about how people listen in cars.
            • Accuracy
              • Spotify announced it will be bricking all purchased Car Thing devices on December 9, 2022.
              • Car Thing was originally intended to connect to car dashboards and auxiliary outlets for easier Spotify use.
              • The device requires a phone with data or Wi-Fi connection via Bluetooth to work, making it seem redundant.
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication