Spotify has officially stopped Car Thing, its in-car streaming device, with all units now disabled, the company confirmed to in a statement.
Earlier today, a user on X had observed that their Car Thing is actually was no longer functioning, instead it was displaying a message that which showed that it’s “no longer operational,” along with a notice of the refund terms valid until January 14, 2025.
Having being launched in February 2022, this device aimed to improve music control in cars lacking built-in infotainment systems. However, it was stopped in less than a year later due to its low demand and supply chain issues.
The company had before announced that the devices will no longer work starting on December 9, 2024.
When Spotify announced the shutdown, it faced significant criticism from users who felt they should be compensated for the $90 price tag. Customers now have a little more than a month to contact customer service and provide proof of purchase in order to receive a refund.
The company also recommends that users with the device should reset the factory settings and dispose it off according to their local electronic waste guidelines.
