Since April it has grown in size (then: 4.5-inch by 2.5-inch) and price (in October it was $79.99), but its mandate remains the same: appeal to car owners whose ride lacks built-in infotainment systems.

In testing since 2019, Spotify began rolling out the device to an invite-only group of subscribers beginning last April before opening it up for limited release in October. Car Thing only works with Spotify Premium accounts, so freemium users would need to upgrade to get the Thing up and running. It accesses the internet (and Spotify’s vast catalog of audio) via your nearby phone through a bluetooth connection. The device also needs to be connected to a 12V power outlet nearby. To make the Thing work, you’ll need to connect it to your car stereo using bluetooth or cables. The company said the device’s microphones feature noise suppression technology to help tune out the sounds of the road - and an “adaptive interference cancellation technology” that helps the Thing prioritize your voice over all other sounds and voices. Users can also save their favorite music and podcasts to four available preset slots, then ask Car Thing to play them by clicking or calling out the preset by number. With voice control - which works through several microphones on Car Thing - users can ask Car Thing to play songs, albums, podcasts, playlists, genres, moods and more, as well as to “like” songs. Users can control what’s playing by using the touch screen, the dial or Spotify’s “Hey Spotify” voice control mode.

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