Spotify has officially discontinued Car Thing, its in-car streaming device, and all devices have now been disabled, the company has confirmed to TechCrunch.
Earlier today, user X noticed that his Car Thing was indeed no longer functioning, displaying a message that it was “no longer working” along with a reminder of the refund policy in effect until January 14, 2025.
Launched in February 2022, the device was intended to improve music control in cars without built-in infotainment systems. However, less than a year later, it was discontinued due to low demand and supply chain issues.
The company had previously announced that the devices would stop working on December 9.
When Spotify announced the shutdown, it faced a significant backlash from users who felt they should be refunded their $90 purchase. Now, customers have a little over a month to contact customer support and provide proof of purchase to receive a refund.
The company also recommends that users restore the device to factory settings and dispose of it in accordance with local e-waste regulations.
