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Spotify’s Car Thing stopped working after December 9, 2024, leaving owners with a device they had bought for $89.99. After public criticism, Spotify introduced a refund process for buyers who could provide proof of purchase. That was a route to request a refund—not a documented automatic payment to every owner.
What happened to Spotify Car Thing?
Spotify launched Car Thing publicly in the United States on February 22, 2022, at $89.99. The dedicated in-car player was designed for Spotify music and podcasts, with voice commands, a touchscreen and physical controls. Spotify positioned it as a way to control listening in a wide range of vehicles.
Spotify discontinued the product in 2022 and later told owners that the hardware would stop operating after December 9, 2024. Because Car Thing depended on Spotify’s service, a software shutdown removed its intended function even though customers had purchased the physical unit.
Consumer Reports said the device was sold publicly for about five months and reported a $31 million write-down after Spotify discontinued it. Those figures are Consumer Reports’ account, not an independently audited finding presented here.
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- Push To Talk - Connect to your Smartphone’s Android and IOS assistant with the push of a button via Bluetooth. This unit Lets you access information, accept commands, and keep driving
- Switchable Tuner - The selectable tuner function allows you to adjust this receiver's tuner to receive radio broadcasts in the US & Europe
- Bluetooth - Answer/make calls and be hands-free with no distractions. The built-in microphone picks up your voice and your car speakers let you hear the person on the other side. Play and control your music and apps like Spotify/Pandora wirelessly
- Auxiliary - Compatible with the audio output from smartphones as well as MP3 players
- Inputs - The USB port gives you the option to have a vast library of audio files at your fingertips. The auxiliary input is a convenient way to hook up to your MP3 player. Advanced Bluetooth supported profiles include A2DP, AVRCP and HFP
Why owners and consumer advocates objected
The backlash centered on two issues:
- A purchased device was disabled. Owners could not keep using Car Thing as a Spotify controller after the service shutdown.
- Electronic waste. Consumer Reports argued that Spotify should refund buyers and create a recycling program rather than leave unusable connected hardware headed for landfills. That was the organization’s advocacy position, not a regulator’s ruling.
The criticism intensified because Car Thing had been marketed as a finished consumer product, yet its useful life depended on a service Spotify later ended.
What refund did Spotify offer?
TechCrunch reported on May 30, 2024, that Spotify had instituted a refund process for Car Thing buyers who had proof of purchase. The reporting does not establish that every owner qualified, that refunds were unconditional, or that owners without documentation were automatically covered.
Rank #2
- Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity: Car stereo with Bluetooth technology allows you to enjoy hands-free calling and high-quality wireless music streaming from your iPhone and Android devices.
- Powerful, Clear Audio Performance: Equipped with a built-in MOSFET amplifier, this Pioneer car stereo delivers up to 50 watts per channel to four speakers for rich, dynamic sound across your entire vehicle.
- High-Quality Music Playback via USB: Enjoy clear, detailed sound from your favorite tracks using the front USB input—compatible with FLAC, MP3, and WMA formats.
- Compact 1-DIN Design: Single din radio is designed with a super-short chassis to make installation easy, even in vehicles with limited dash space, without compromising on performance.
- Simple Sound Customization: Dedicated Direct EQ Keys let you adjust bass, treble, and balance settings on the Pioneer stereo to match your personal listening style.
What proof-of-purchase wording means
Eligibility depended on demonstrating the purchase. The published reporting does not establish a single universal document list or guarantee that a second-hand buyer, gift recipient or owner who lost the receipt would qualify. Anyone seeking a refund should rely on the latest instructions from Spotify rather than assume the 2024 process remains open or unchanged.
Is the refund program still available?
Current eligibility, deadlines and the legal status of any related dispute are not established by the cited reports. Since the device’s shutdown date has passed, check Spotify’s current support or account communications before treating the earlier refund route as active.
Rank #3
- Enhanced Connectivity: Stay connected on the go with the KENWOOD Car Stereo KMM-BT270U, featuring Bluetooth technology for seamless wireless audio streaming and hands-free calling from your smartphone
- Powerful Sound Performance: Experience exceptional audio quality with the built-in MOSFET amplifier, delivering up to 200 Watts Max power output, ensuring crystal-clear sound and deep bass for an immersive driving experience
- Versatile Media Options: This digital media receiver supports various media formats, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music via USB, AUX input, or even connect your iPod or iPhone for seamless playback.
- Convenient USB Charging: Rapidly charge your compatible smartphones and devices while driving, thanks to the USB connection feature, ensuring your devices stay powered up and ready for use.
- Trusted KENWOOD Quality: With the KENWOOD brand, you can trust in the durability, reliability, and superior performance of this car stereo, making it a perfect upgrade for any car audio system
Car Thing timeline
| Date | Event | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| February 22, 2022 | Spotify announced U.S. public availability at $89.99. | Spotify Newsroom |
| 2022 | Spotify discontinued the product after its launch period. | Consumer Reports says it had been sold for five months. |
| May 2024 | Owners were notified that Car Thing would stop operating after December 9. | TechCrunch and Consumer Reports reporting |
| May 28–30, 2024 | Consumer Reports called for refunds and recycling; TechCrunch reported a proof-of-purchase refund process. | Advocacy recommendation and news report, respectively |
| December 9, 2024 | Spotify’s announced operating cutoff passed. | Shutdown date reported by TechCrunch |
What can you use instead?
No replacement reproduces Car Thing’s exact interface without depending on another service. Choose based on your car’s stereo, phone support and how much control you need while driving.
| Option | What it provides | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in infotainment or Android Auto/Apple CarPlay | Audio playback plus controls integrated with a compatible vehicle and phone. | Features vary by vehicle, head unit and phone; specific compatibility must be checked. |
| Bluetooth connection to the car stereo | Phone audio through the vehicle’s speakers, often with basic steering-wheel or stereo controls. | Usually offers fewer dedicated controls than Car Thing and relies on the phone. |
| FM radio | Local broadcast radio without a streaming account. | It does not provide Spotify’s catalog or Car Thing’s interface. |
| Bluetooth FM transmitter | Relays phone audio to a car stereo that has FM radio. | It is only a conditional option for an FM-equipped stereo, can face interference, and does not restore Car Thing. No specific model is verified here. |
Spotify’s original device and its mounts do not solve the shutdown. A replacement should be evaluated as a separate car-audio choice, not as a way to reactivate Car Thing.
Rank #4
- 【Bluetooth Upgrade for Older Vehicles】Upgrade your vehicle with this single DIN Bluetooth radio and enjoy wireless music without replacing your entire car audio system. The Bluetooth car stereo pairs with a compatible smartphone to stream playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks through your vehicle’s speakers, giving daily commutes and road trips a more convenient, cable-free soundtrack.
- 【Hands-Free Calling & Push-to-Talk】The built-in microphone and dedicated answer/end button let you hear calls through your car speakers and talk without holding your phone. Once Bluetooth is connected, press the push-to-talk button to access a supported phone voice assistant for calls or music, helping reduce phone handling while driving.
- 【FM Radio with 18 Presets】This FM car radio covers 87.5–108 MHz and supports automatic and manual station search. Save up to 18 favorite stations, while the memory function keeps them ready for quick access to music, news, weather, talk shows, sports, and local traffic information.
- 【5 Ways to Play & Multiple Audio Formats】Enjoy music through Bluetooth, FM radio, USB, AUX input, or TF/microSD card. This car stereo supports MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, and WAV files, giving you flexible listening options with or without mobile data. Rear RCA outputs also support connection to a compatible external amplifier or powered subwoofer.
- 【50W x 4 Output, EQ & 7-Color Lighting】This single DIN car stereo delivers up to 50W x 4 maximum output across four channels. Choose from Pop, Rock, and Classic EQ presets to match different music styles, then select one of seven LED button colors to complement your dashboard and personalize your driving space.
What owners should do now
- Locate the original receipt, order confirmation or other purchase documentation.
- Check Spotify’s current support channels for any active Car Thing refund instructions and deadlines.
- Do not assume a used unit or a device without proof of purchase qualifies.
- If no refund route is available, follow local electronic-waste rules instead of putting the device in household trash.
The Bottom Line
Spotify did respond to the backlash with a reported proof-of-purchase refund process, but the evidence does not support saying every Car Thing owner was automatically refunded. The hardware was scheduled to stop working after December 9, 2024, so current eligibility must be confirmed directly with Spotify.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Sony DSX-A410BT Bluetooth FM/AM USB AUX Digital Media Player Bundled
- Wirelessly connect your first phone to play music, get directions and communicate with contacts · Add a second phone to make additional hands-free calls on the move
- Connect two smartphones with Dual Bluetooth: Pair your first phone using DSX-A410BT for full access to navigation, music playback, and communication features
- Control by talking: Enjoy helpful smartphone features without taking your eyes off the road
- Voice control lets you manage music, get real-time directions, and communicate with contacts – all via simple spoken commands
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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