For the first time, Spotify is releasing its own piece of hardware, an in-car entertainment system with the weirdly descriptive name “Car Thing.” As part of a larger effort to streamline its streaming, Spotify has created the Car Thing to make your life (streaming) simpler and faster on the go. To make it easier to locate, play, and enjoy your preferred audio content while traveling, Spotify Car Thing is made to work with any vehicle. In this article, we will explain what the Spotify car thing is all about, how it works, how to use it, and how to buy it.
What is the Spotify Car Thing?
The Spotify Car Thing is an in-car Bluetooth audio player designed to enhance your musical enjoyment on the road. Another way this gizmo can satisfy your car’s hunger. Avoid it or delay it. The Spotify Car Thing’s sub-$100 pricing and recognizable brand can make it an attractive compromise when deciding between a down payment on a newer car and purchasing the device.
The Car Thing requires a phone that is already connected to your car through an aux wire, USB, or Bluetooth in order to function. Connect the Car Thing to a 12-volt power source in your vehicle and turn it on. That reminds me: setup was a breeze! The controls are similarly intuitive. When you don’t feel like swiping and tapping, the right side of the 4.0-inch touchscreen features a rotating dial and a smaller back button. The 2.5-inch-tall Car Thing’s four tiny tab-like buttons are actually user-adjustable settings. A “Hey, Spotify” command should also get you to your desired track, artist, or podcast quickly.
How Does Spotify Car Thing Work?
If you’re familiar with in-dash multimedia systems, think of Car Thing as one that exclusively plays Spotify. Bluetooth pairing with your phone is necessary for data transfer. Connect to your car’s stereo by Bluetooth, AUX, or a USB wire. There is no speaker in the car. Here is how the Spotify Car thing works.
#1. Go Hands-on
In the event that an individual prefers not to utilize voice commands to operate Car Thing, an alternative option is to utilize the device’s dial. The Spotify platform enables users to engage in various activities such as browsing, selecting, playing, pausing, and exploring a wide range of music and podcasts available inside its extensive library. The Car Thing is a device with a screen and microphones made specifically to work for managing Spotify while driving.
#2. Control Other Media Apps
In April 2022, Spotify introduced an upgrade that enables users to exercise control over additional media applications. A comprehensive compilation of compatible applications is currently unavailable. However, this implies that the range of supported apps has expanded beyond solely accommodating Spotify.
#3. Voice Search
Car Thing enables users to utilize Spotify’s voice search feature for efficient playback of desired music or podcasts. To initiate a request on the Spotify platform, just address the application by stating, “Hey Spotify.” Following this, proceed to articulate your desired selection, which may include a specific song, album, artist, playlist, station, or podcast. According to Spotify, Car Thing is designed to work and possess the capability of comprehending user commands for playing music, even in situations where the volume is elevated or external noise is present, such as when the car windows are open.
#4. Answer Calls on the Car Thing
After an update in April 2022, Car Thing has been enhanced to include the functionality of answering calls. Users will have the capability to observe incoming telephone calls and choose to either accept or decline them. Though it is now iOS-only, there are plans to make it compatible with Android in the near future.
#5. See What You’re Playing
The touchscreen display of Car Thing allows users to conveniently access information on the current audio playback. The screen can also be utilized to view one’s library and the outcomes obtained from conducting a voice search. Alternatively, the touchscreen can be utilized to browse through the interface of Car Thing. Users have the option to swipe in order to continue browsing or skip, or they can tap to initiate playback. In addition, this concept can be easily understood.
How to Use the Spotify Car Thing
If you’re fortunate enough to get a Spotify Car Thing, this guide will show you how to use and work with it
#1. Use Voice Commands to Browse Your Library
The voice search feature in Spotify is similar to the voice assistants you may already be familiar with, such as Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa, or even the infotainment system in your own vehicle. Simply say, “Hey Spotify,” followed by your order to play a track, album, artist, playlist, radio station, or podcast.
Use the voice command feature to ask Spotify to play specific songs or playlists on Car Thing. In order to make sure that Car Thing can hear you even when the volume is up and the windows are down, Spotify installed four microphones along the top of the device.
#2. Song Selection Is as Simple as Turning a Dial
Use the dial instead of voice control if you’re more of a purist and prefer to make your music choices on your own, or if you just want to be more hands-on when browsing your Spotify library.
It’s likely that you already have a good idea of where to discover the songs and shows that will help you reach where you’re going; therefore, you can use the dial to rapidly assemble the perfect listening experience for your journey. Find the music you’re looking for quickly and easily by turning the dial to explore, choose, play, or pause.
#3. Check the Interactive Screen to Find Out What’s Playing
Similar to numerous automobile entertainment systems, Car Thing possesses interactive features that enable users to access and manage their Spotify library through a touchscreen interface. Additionally, it provides the capability to display search results obtained through voice commands. Also, users have the option to swipe in order to navigate through additional content or bypass it altogether, or alternatively, they can tap to initiate playback.
The addition of buttons on the Car Thing device facilitates time-saving functionality for users who utilize it while in motion. Simply enter your vehicle, engage the requisite controls, and start watching or listening to your favorite media while you drive.
Does Spotify Car Thing Work Offline?
You can still use Car Thing when your phone is offline, but not all features will be available.
You can’t use Spotify Car Thing unless your phone is paired with it via Bluetooth. If you have disabled data transfer on your phone, check to see if Bluetooth is still active. Car Thing works with iOS 14 on the iPhone and Android 8 or later on Android.
Also, if you have turned off mobile data on your phone, put it into airplane mode, or enabled “offline mode” in the Spotify app settings, Car Thing will still work to a limited extent. It will be expected that the Spotify app will enter “offline mode” when the user turns off data or activates airplane mode; however, this feature can also be activated manually under the Spotify app settings.
Does the Car Thing Work With GPS?
Using Car Thing, you can switch songs without leaving your GPS app on your phone, making it a more convenient option for those who rely on their mobile device for navigation. As an added bonus, the voice prompts allow you to keep your eyes on the road.
Features on Spotify’s Car Thing
Before now, Spotify Car Thing was thought of as a car music player that only operated with Spotify and could be controlled remotely. While the Car Thing was originally advertised as a simple device, the newest update has expanded its functionality to the point where it may now serve as a sophisticated driving aid. And as Spotify’s Head of Hardware, Andreas Cedborg, recently told MUO in an interview, this is especially helpful for individuals who drive older vehicles with less-than-modern in-car entertainment systems.
Saying “Hey Spotify” and using a voice command eliminates most of these tasks, boosting ease and reducing danger.
Users are already praising Spotify’s upgrade for its expanded features, which will undoubtedly come in handy. Call-answering and media-app-control functions are initially rolling out to iOS devices and will eventually make their way to Android. Let me run down the current features of the Spotify Car Thing app.
#1. Add Tracks to Playlist
Having the option to directly add songs or podcasts to the queue on the Car Thing was a much-desired feature. Of course, using your phone would be the simplest option, but that’s not the point of this gadget at all.
There are a number of options for adding fresh material to the queue. The first option is to select music from your list and then touch the Add to Queue button. The dial provides another option. Instead of pressing the dial once to play a song, you can press and hold it while the music is highlighted to add it to the queue.
Using your hands to adjust the Car Thing isn’t always possible, and you should be paying a lot more attention to the road, so you can also utilize the voice commands. Just say, “Hey Spotify, add [artist name] to the queue.”
Car Thing also supports voice commands, so you can tell it to show you the queue. Just saying “Hey Spotify, open my queue” will play all the songs you have saved. Alternately, while in “Now Playing,” pressing and holding the dial button will do the same thing.
#2. Respond to Incoming Calls
The implementation of the software upgrade allows customers to conveniently view incoming phone calls on their mobile devices through the Spotify Car Thing interface. When the mobile device remains in Bluetooth connectivity with the Car Thing, incoming calls will be displayed on the screen. In addition to presenting the caller’s identification and contact information, the screen will exhibit two prominently sized buttons that afford the user the option to either accept or decline the incoming call.
#3. Maintain Sway Over Competing Media
The ability to manage third-party media apps is one of the most significant new features, allowing users to take the Car Thing one step further in its expansion beyond Spotify.
If you have music or podcasts playing on your phone, Car Thing can serve as an audio output and let you control playback and track skipping.
#4. Voice-Activated Playlists
Given that Spotify is rife with playlists that are tailored to specific states of mind or activities, it only seems logical to be able to submit such requests through the Car Thing as well. All you have to do is choose what kind of music you want to hear. Use phrases such, as “Hey Spotify, play music for a relaxing Sunday” or “Hey Spotify, play music from the ’90s.” If you want to listen to music but can’t think of a specific band, Spotify’s Car Thing has you covered.
What Other Alternatives Exist Over Spotify Car Thing?
The Spotify Car Thing is a novel piece of hardware that serves the needs of drivers of older cars without a user-friendly in-dash media player. But what other options do you have for a media player that doesn’t cost $90?
#1. Android Auto and Apple Carplay
New automobiles typically include either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Both systems are great alternatives to the terrible infotainment systems that come standard in most new cars.
They go above and beyond the capabilities of Spotify Car Thing by allowing you to use other navigation applications, reading your text messages and allowing you to respond to them, and supporting a wide variety of media apps, including Pocket Casts, Spotify, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Also, you probably aren’t seeking to buy a Spotify Car thing if your car already has Android Auto or Apple CarPlay installed. Despite having a wonderful entertainment system, there may be a demand for a gadget like Spotify’s Car Thing because the company notes on its product page that it is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
#2. Smartphones
Most folks don’t want a Spotify Car Thing because they already have a smartphone. People who drive older cars without adequate in-car multimedia systems are used to mounting their phones to the dashboard or air vents and utilizing the voice assistant to navigate through playlists. Smartphones also feature every other app you may need, including built-in navigation.
But this is precisely where Spotify’s Car Thing comes into its own. A smartphone’s charging cord can be an annoyance when it gets in the way of using the device for navigation or listening to music. The Spotify Car Thing is tucked neatly away and is only brought out when necessary to stream music or podcasts. You can use your phone both as a music player and a GPS device.
Some users may find the Spotify Car Thing more suitable than using a smartphone alone due to its large, easy-to-use UI components and tactile buttons.
#3. Third-Party Entertainment Methods
Third-party multimedia systems are the only viable option for drivers who don’t want to use Spotify’s Car Thing. These are typically pricey and require installation in your vehicle, but they now include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for your convenience. Installing Android Auto or Apple CarPlay in your vehicle should make it function just as if it had come factory equipped.
Boss and Pioneer make some nice-looking and feature-rich multimedia systems, but they may cost as much as $300. A lot of money for a little extra convenience when listening to music in the car, but some individuals think it’s worth it.
Is the Car Thing Still Free?
At launch, The Car Thing was free, but now it costs $89.99. You can only receive one if you live in the United States, and you can do so by visiting their website. Warning: The device will initially only be available to Spotify Premium subscribers.
Can You Mod the Spotify Car Thing?
Yes, since supplies are running low, the price has dropped to an all-time low, but that’s not the best part; the killer feature is how easily it can be customized. Since some ingenious folks figured out how to bypass the Car Thing’s bootloader, it’s even cooler.
Spotify Car Thing Buy
The Spotify Car Thing didn’t last long. The automobile gadget, which was announced in the spring of 2021, was simplified using the Spotify mobile app. It served little purpose, and as we mentioned in our review, using a phone you already have on you was much more practical. The music streaming behemoth revealed in late July that Car Thing was going away. On the heels of the news, Spotify ran a massive clearance sale on the accessory, knocking $50 off the original price. Those who waited before purchasing the add-on will now be able to do so at a reduced cost.
Spotify is offering the Car Thing for just $30 as part of their Back to School promotion. The original price was $90, so you’re saving 60%, or $60. This is probably the best value you’ll see on the item if you’re still interested in it at all. Since Car Thing is no longer being manufactured, and Spotify runs out of its current supply, the arrangement is very unlikely to be renewed. This offer does not require a promotional code, as the last one did. To buy this Car Thing, simply visit the Spotify online shop.
The corporation has also assured customers that the product will continue functioning normally despite the fact that it no longer exists. If you decide to buy the attachment, keep in mind that you will need a Spotify Premium subscription in order to utilize it.
In addition, the Car Thing is an option for Spotify fans whose vehicles lack support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The high quality of its construction and user-friendly interface for navigation will at least make the car’s control panel more interesting.
Problems With The Spotify Car Thing: Always Room For Development
The Spotify Car Thing serves a niche market even if you learn all the voice commands and customize your settings. We don’t think drivers benefit nearly as much from having a multimedia system that supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Like the Spotify Car Thing, such phone-mirroring features have evolved to support voice commands. Long-pressing a button on the steering wheel will also activate Apple and Google voice controls, which aren’t as feature-rich as Spotify’s Car Thing but still get the job done. Once again, the significance of this Car Thing benefit is proportional to how frequently you engage in musical (and podcast) tangents.
Integrated automobile technologies offer benefits beyond their initial intended use. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now include split-screen capabilities, allowing you to view navigation and music data from your phone simultaneously. For vehicles with lower-resolution displays, this isn’t a huge benefit, but it’s still an option that the Car Thing lacks.
One of the editors kept accidentally clearing our four preferences. The top buttons on the gadget were frequently pressed and held while we moved it out of sight because we don’t like to leave phones, hardware, or other valuables on display when we park cars. We were more cautious as time went on, but it was always an issue.
Is the Spotify Car Thing Worth it?
Unless your vehicle arrives with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, all of that information is useless. This is where the Spotify Car Thing comes in handy. The Spotify Car Thing is perfect for music and podcast lovers who aren’t quite ready to invest in a brand-new or even slightly used vehicle.
Despite its high price tag (Gold proposes bundling a couple of months of Spotify Premium with every order), the Car Thing is a far superior streaming alternative to a phone clipped to a vent. Newer cars, however, increasingly have built-in phone-mirroring technology and rudimentary voice controls, making it more difficult to advocate the Spotify Car Thing. But if you’re attempting to put off buying a new automobile because of today’s sky-high pricing, what options do you have? It’s important to think about the Spotify Car Thing.
Bottom Line
If you’re a heavy Spotify streamer and you don’t use your phone for navigation when you’re driving, the Spotify Car Thing is a useful attachment. But if your car is compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the Car Thing’s tactile dial won’t add all that much. A basic phone mount can do the trick in vehicles that don’t have access to those systems
How Does Spotify Car Thing Work? FAQs
Does Spotify Car Thing Play Through Car Speakers?
With Car Thing, you can stream Spotify through your phone and into your car’s speakers.
Can Spotify Car Thing Download Music?
To keep you listening even in spots with a spotty internet connection, Car Thing will automatically download the next few tracks using your phone’s cellular connection.
Is Spotify Car Thing Good for Older Cars?
After using the Car Thing for a while, I think most people in older vehicles would be content with a phone mount and the built-in Spotify speech assistant. In a pinch, you can also ask Siri or Google Assistant to open the Spotify app.
Does Car Thing Need WI-FI?
You’ll need a Spotify Premium account and an iOS or Android device with Wi-Fi or mobile data to use Car Thing.
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