The latest car-related updates? It’s a thing here at launched its Car Thing gadget for automobiles in a limited release Tuesday, making it available at first only by invitation to a select number of its paid Premium subscribers in the US. Otherwise, it might be easier to connect your phone directly to your head unit instead. Spotify Car Thing could be the next big, er, thing in audio on wheels, but only if you’re after the added convenience of dedicated voice controls. to get one, however, and you’re expected to pay for shipping to your location. It plans to retail Car Thing for $80 (Php 3,877.56), but in the meantime, the device is available at no charge and by invitation only for select Spotify Premium subscribers. Moreover, Spotify is careful to label Car Thing as an exploration (referring to the experimental nature of the device), lest people get the wrong idea that the company is venturing into hardware as well. > Related: Best playlists for driving home after work Will this enhance or encumber your car audio listening experience? The last one involves four microphones which can be digitally switched off if you’re concerned about security. You can interact with the device through one of three methods: a large dial on the face of the device along with preset buttons on the top edge, directly tapping on the touchscreen, or through voice commands. Using Car Thing gives you access not just to the songs in your own Spotify playlists, but also news and the latest entertainment podcasts. The device can be mounted three ways, depending on your preference > Related: A guide on dashboard accessories in the Philippines and our recommendations There are three ways to mount Car Thing in your vehicle too, although the device needs to stay plugged into the power outlet as it has no rechargeable battery. It uses your smartphone’s data connection to access your Spotify account, with playback done through Bluetooth, USB, or auxiliary input on the car’s head unit (the device itself has no external speakers). In a nutshell, Car Thing acts as a Spotify remote. The device was first tested in 2019 to study the listening habits of Spotify subscribers Two years later, the gadget now features a more usable form factor. The device began life in 2019 as a product resembling an aftermarket phone camera lens attachment, developed primarily to study in-car listening habits of Spotify’s subscribers. Not the most creative of monikers, we know. The company understands that many of its mobile users are still driving around in cars that use older entertainment systems, which is why it launched a proprietary device called Car Thing. However, there are size limitations to physical storage, and streaming services like Spotify are increasingly becoming the norm for tunes you can take anywhere (as long as there’s a data connection).
Spotify car thing ebay how to#
> Related: How to choose the right head unit for your car Spotify says the Car Thing is part of its efforts to bring music everywhere Since then, we’ve gone through head units that can play 8-track cartridges, cassette tapes, compact discs, MiniDiscs, and even SD cards. In-car audio has been around from the time automakers managed to make the radio compact enough to fit in the dashboard.