Do you think your evening commute could be a bit more enjoyable with some of your very own perfectly curated playlists? Spotify has launched its own hardware to help you out — a smart media player that aims to enhance your in-car music experience and make your life easier. With the aptly named Car Thing, you can finally (and safely) enjoy your favorite music while driving.
In order to connect the Car Thing to your vehicle, you need to first connect the device to a 12V power outlet. Then, connect your smartphone to the Car Thing via Bluetooth. Finally, connect your phone to your car stereo via Bluetooth or an AUX or USB cable.
During the initial product launch, Spotify gave out the Car Thing for free to a very limited number of Premium subscribers in the US. Spotify has since expanded its sales to the public, so if you didn’t get your hands on one yet, now’s your chance! Let’s look at what the Spotify Car Thing is, what you can do with the device, how you can connect it to your vehicle, and some limitations.
What Is the Spotify Car Thing?
The Spotify Car Thing is basically a Bluetooth remote that allows you to control the Spotify application running on your phone.
Specifically engineered for in-car use, you can set the device on a magnetic puck that you can then attach to your car’s dashboard, fix it on a bracket and slip it into the CD slot on your vehicle’s stereo, or simply mount it on a vent using the included clips.
The Car Thing comes with a braided USB Type-A-to-C cable and a 12-volt dual USB Type-A power adapter. You can use the adapter’s second USB port to charge your phone while using the device, but keep in mind that you’ll have to use your own charging cable for this purpose.
The device also includes a couple of adhesive clips, allowing you to manage and neatly set up all your cables. It further boasts a large jog wheel that you can twist to scroll through your playlists and tap to make selections.
The device features a small back button and five physical buttons located on the top edge of the screen. You can customize four of these buttons as shortcuts to your favorite albums, playlists, or artists, while the fifth button allows you to access the settings menu directly.
Along with virtual and physical touch controls, the Spotify Car Thing boasts voice control as well.
What Can You Do With the Spotify Car Thing?
The Spotify Car Thing is incredibly convenient and easy to use. Here are some things you can do with the device:
Voice Search
With Spotify’s voice search, you can quickly play specific podcasts or music without taking your hand off of the wheel. You simply need to say, ‘Hey Spotify,’ and then state the name of the album, playlist, podcast, station, song, or artist you want to listen to.
According to Spotify, the device will be able to understand and follow your instructions, even if you have the music turned up and the windows down.
Go Hands-On
If you don’t feel like using your voice to control the Car Thing, you can use the dial. You can browse, play, pause, select, and discover podcasts or music to listen to with a simple twist and tap.
See What You’re Listening To
At any time during your drive, you can look at the Spotify Car Thing’s display and see what’s playing. The screen also displays your library and the results from your voice search.
You can also use the touchscreen to explore the device’s interface. Just tap to play, or swipe to skip to the next song.
Set Your Favorites
The Car Thing comes with four preset buttons that allow you to access your favorites quickly, such as a podcast or album. These buttons are customizable, so you can easily change them when something else catches your interest.
Answer Calls
Spotify updated the Car Thing in April 2022, allowing users to answer calls with the device. The screen will display incoming calls, and you’ll be able to dismiss or answer them.
Currently, this feature is only available with iOS devices, but the music subscription service plans to extend it to Android soon.
Control Other Media Applications
The Car Thing’s latest update allows users to control other media apps as well. As long as the media app is running on your phone, the device will function as audio output and allow you to pause, skip, and play tracks. The Spotify Car Thing is also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Connecting the Spotify Car Thing to Your Vehicle
The Car Thing is essentially an infotainment center that plays content from Spotify’s library. There are three simple steps you need to take to connect the Car Thing to your vehicle:
- Use the power adapter and cable to connect the Spotify Car Thing to a 12-volt power outlet.
- Connect your phone to the Spotify Car Thing using Bluetooth.
- Connect your phone to the car stereo using Bluetooth or a USB or AUX cable.
Once you’ve successfully installed the device, it will start wirelessly communicating with your phone’s Spotify app and will display the artist, playlist, and album information on the 4-inch color touchscreen.
While the touchscreen is a bit glitchy, the display is incredibly bright and visible in broad daylight. It also comes with an ambient light sensor that lowers screen brightness at night.
Can the Spotify Car Thing Be Used in Any Vehicle?
You can’t use the Spotify Car Thing in older cars. You need to pair your smartphone to the device via Bluetooth to establish a data connection. You’ll then need to use Bluetooth or an AUX or USB cable to connect your phone to your vehicle’s audio system.
So, the Spotify Car Thing will only work in cars that are compatible with Bluetooth or an AUX cable (on Amazon).
What Are the Limitations of the Spotify Car Thing?
The Car Thing doesn’t have a speaker and isn’t an audio streaming device for your car. It’s simply a remote control that allows you to directly connect your phone to your vehicle’s stereo, either via an AUX cable or Bluetooth.
If your vehicle doesn’t feature either of these options, the Car Thing will be practically useless, and you won’t be able to listen to your carefully curated playlists on the road.
Also, if your car is already compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, purchasing the Spotify Car Thing doesn’t make a lot of sense. These larger and more advanced touchscreen technologies offer better integration with a wider variety of audio streaming services, navigation, and app types.
The Car Thing only works with a Premium Spotify subscription, which seriously limits its usefulness if you stop paying or using the service.