“We just can’t make enough to get them out there to consumers”.Ĭar Thing, which costs $110 in Australia, is especially convenient for users to navigate Spotify in cars with no, or older, infotainment systems.ĭrivers with a smartphone with a wi-fi or mobile data connection can turn on tracks, podcasts, albums or playlists inside Spotify’s library with a “Hey Spotify” command. “The #1 constraint for us at this particular moment… is chip shortages,” admitted Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. It didn’t expect 2 million to rush to sign on. But since this is just an “exploration,” it’s starting with English.Last month Spotify invited its premium privileged to go on its waiting list. However, the company explains that it would like to open up wider availability in the future - including more languages and regions. There’s no confirmation that will happen, or a timeframe for further news on the matter. Spotify says if the device becomes a full-fledged product, you can expect to pay around $80 for it. Free users aren’t eligible for this “limited release.” ![]() As you might expect, you’ll need a Premium subscription and a phone with mobile data or WiFi connectivity in order to use Car Thing. The company says it's doing this because Car Thing is its first hardware and it wants to learn as much as possible in the early stages. Spotify is making the hardware available for free during this early period, but users will be required to pay shipping costs. Sign-ups are live now at a website dedicated to the device. “Instead, it’s another step in our larger ubiquity strategy - creating a truly frictionless audio experience for our users, wherever they are and however they choose to listen.”Ĭar Thing is currently available as a limited product launch in the US only. “The limited release of Car Thing is not meant to compete with in-car infotainment systems,” Spotify explains in a blog post. ![]() While the company does gather voice and usage info (including audio recordings) to improve the hardware, it says it isn't collecting any more data than it does inside its mobile apps. Spotify also explains that the hardware isn't solely a means of collecting user data either. It explains that it “saw a need from our users, many of whom were missing out on a seamless and personalized in-car listening experience.” The company says that Car Thing offers “a superior listening experience” no matter the year or model of your car. Spotify is adamant a “limited release” of Car Thing doesn’t mean the company is now focused on creating hardware. ![]() And of course, you’re free to search for anything in Spotify’s massive collection of music and podcasts if you need to stream something else. Shortcuts on the Home screen are personalized and updated throughout the day based on your listening activity. In terms of content, Car Thing displays separate tabs for playlists, artists, albums and podcasts that you’ve saved to your library. The company says Car Thing’s four microphones will ensure the voice setup hears your commands even when music is playing or the windows are rolled down. “Hey Spotify” is handy for searching and playing what you’re looking for without reaching for the device, but it can also assist with saving songs to your library. You can ask the helper to play or show anything from artists and songs to podcasts and playlists. The company just added its own voice assistant to its mobile apps last week, and that tech gives you the option to use this hardware hands-free when needed. Spotify is showing off its voice control abilities with Car Thing. Overall, the interface design is very similar to the company’s mobile apps. Like Spotify’s Car View, the UI is simplified on the player, serving up album art and basic controls with bold fonts for visibility. ![]() Underneath the dial is a back button that takes you to the Now Playing screen, returns to Home or to closes the player interface. To navigate through your content library, you can rotate the dial and press it or tap on the screen to see specific track details for a playlist, album or podcast. You can also say “Hey Spotify” to play each of the presets if you can’t, or don’t want to, press any of the buttons. You can press and hold one of them to save whatever is playing or use a voice command to set them hands-free. Spotify says those four items are also stored for offline playback. Four preset buttons along the top allow you to save your favorite music, podcasts and news for one-touch access. It also reminds me of the satellite radio receiver I used in the pre-merger days of Sirius and XM Radio. The gadget is noticeably smaller than a smartphone, though it kind of resembles one due to the touch screen.
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