Spotify turns car devices into bricks and tells owners to throw them away

The short-lived Car Thing will end production in 2022, and Spotify will discontinue service for it later this year

Technology equipment comes and goes faster than ever these days, but hey, there’s usually a way to squeeze some life out of it once it’s past its prime. However, in the case of Car Thing Spotify, well, don’t even bother. They basically break every device they have ever sold.

The media giant graciously decided to take these units off the service on December 9, and here’s something that basically tells owners to just throw them in the trash. Yes, there are no credits or refunds. Classy move, Spotify.

Read: Tesla removes Steam gaming support in new Model S and Model X

The move comes almost two years after Spotify stopped producing the devices. Designed as a test for Spotify, the “Car Thing” device was pitched as an upgrade for older vehicles. Priced at $90, it never really caught on, despite largely positive reviews. Modern cars with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have made this somewhat redundant. According to Spotify, funds allocated to Car Thing will be redirected in December.

“We will discontinue Car Thing as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our product offering. We understand this may be disappointing, but this decision allows us to focus on developing new features and improvements that will ultimately provide a better experience for all Spotify users.”

Interestingly, Spotify does not have a very innovative solution that would save these devices from being thrown into the trash. Instead, they simply advise owners to ask around.

“We recommend that you reset your Car Thing device to factory settings and dispose of it safely in accordance with your local e-waste guidelines. Please contact your state or local waste disposal department to determine how to dispose of or recycle Car Thing in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” it says in the Frequently Asked Questions section of its website.

Overall, this is a bit disappointing as the units are probably capable of doing more than just streaming music. Google noticed a similar problem when it canceled its Stadia gaming service, but it has found a solution. This allowed owners to convert Stadia-branded controllers to Bluetooth mode for use on other platforms. Granted, it still allowed Google to stop spending money on the device.

Could Spotify find a way to do something similar? Some current users install the device in their homes rather than in their vehicles. Others have proven that the device can be hacked. There may be a way to keep the device going well beyond December – but we’ll have to wait and see.