【2002 Archives】

"Hey Spotify002 Archives play my favorites."

Starting Tuesday any Spotify Premium user can buy the streaming service's first piece of hardware. Car Thing, as the device is descriptively named, is made for listening to audio in the car in that it's hands-free and voice-controlled, which hopefully means no more scrolling and clicking through the Spotify app on your phone while driving.

It looks like a small tablet screen with Spotify's interface, and it can be mounted in the front console area of most cars.

Car Thing was officially announced in April and was available to only select Premium users in October. Now anyone who pays for the Spotify can buy the device for $89.99. It's just a one-time fee to own the device that connects your paid music subscription to the car.

It requires your phone and a data plan to work, so it's not a true standalone product. It plugs into your 12-volt power outlet (a.k.a. the cigarette lighter) and syncs with your phone to play through your car's stereo system.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

What you'll find inside the Car Thing box. Credit: Spotify

You just need to say "Hey Spotify" to find whatever song, album, artists, playlist or podcast you want to listen to. There's also a touchscreen and with physical buttons, so you can go hunting for a playlist the old fashioned way if Spotify is having a hard time with your voice commands.

New with the wide release, Spotify added some new features to Car Thing, including night mode. That dims the screen's brightness when it's dark out. Another addition is "add to queue." This voice command, well, queues up whatever you want to listen to next.

The device will be sold through the Spotify website. Now if anyone asks, "What's that thing in your car?" you can accurately respond, "It's a Car Thing."

---

Featured Video For You

---

10 car companies coming for Tesla's EV crown

---

UPDATE: Apr. 8, 2022, 9:27 a.m. PDT Spotify made some updates to Car Thing, rolling out this week.

The biggest change takes to heart one of my biggest complaints: When someone calls you the call will be available to answer on the Car Thing screen. You can also dismiss a call, which is equally important.

More updates include using Car Thing to control other media without having to switch devices. You can also use voice or the various buttons and touchscreen controls to add a song to the queue.

The improved Car Thing is only available for iOS device users for now.

Topics Music

• Entertainment
• Science
• Digital Culture
• Deals
• Shopping
• Games
• Life
• Tech

• SpaceX's Starlink will provide free satellite internet to families in Texas school district
• Android 7.1 Nougat won't bring Assistant to everyone
• A giant Putin poster randomly showed up on New York's Manhattan Bridge
• 5 fascinating details from the 'Walking Dead' comics panel at NYCC
• Ryzen 5 1600X vs. 1600: Which should you buy?
• Here's why Kylie Minogue won't be getting married yet
• Nigel Farage's potential successor in serious condition after 'altercation'
• No hurricane will ever convince people to buy clam chowder
• Nintendo Switch 2 preorder just days away, per leak
• Watch hyper

• EA haters started a campaign to stop parents from buying 'Star Wars Battlefront II'
• KFC releases Christmas tree decorations for the unrelenting fan
• Walmart's robotics partner just raised $17.5 million to fund more store automation
• GameStop temporarily halts the new PowerPass rental subscriptions
• Tesla is a 'hotbed for racist behavior,' class
• Your commute just turned into a workout session on this train
• Roy Moore's wife posts fake news on Facebook to discredit his accusers
• 'Justice League' is like a chocolate chip cookie with cockroach chunks
• Amazon offers Prime members cheap turkey at Whole Foods to kick off rewards program
• NASA releases wondrous aerial photos of giant new Antarctic iceberg

• The Best Gaming Concept Art of 2016
• Report: Fracking took 5.3 million gallons of water per well last year
• Here's why Kylie Minogue won't be getting married yet
• Dog refuses to part from beloved doughnut pillow
• Best Samsung Frame deal: Free Music Frame with Frame Pro art TV purchase
• Oculus is building standalone VR headset that doesn't need a phone or PC
• Scottish Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey readmitted to hospital
• A giant Putin poster randomly showed up on New York's Manhattan Bridge
• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for April 26: Tips to solve Connections #215
• Hero pug receives award from mayor after saving family from a fire

• Trump's new tariff plan spares some smartphones, laptops
• India collaborates with Facebook to get more people to vote
• Hey India, don't queue up outside stores to buy an iPhone 7 tonight
• One man was charged $40 to hold his newborn baby
• The State of 5G: When It's Coming, How Fast It Will Be & The Sci
• Sunday Funday gets a scavenger hunt farewell on 'You're The Worst'
• Duolingo adds AI
• What 'Overwatch' needs to change to be a better esport
• A Typical Wall Street Republican
• Mediocre mystery derails 'The Girl on the Train,' which is no 'Gone Girl'