Spotify Sets Final Deadline for Car Thing Device Refunds
Spotify is offering Car Thing owners a final opportunity to claim refunds until January 14, 2025, as the device officially reaches end-of-life. The company has begun displaying shutdown messages on all Car Thing devices this week.
Car Thing display screen by Spotify
To receive a refund for the $90 device, owners must:
- Contact Spotify customer service before January 14, 2025
- Provide proof of purchase
- Follow instructions for claiming the refund
While the device is no longer operational for its intended purpose, tech enthusiasts have developed alternative uses:
- Desk Thing: Repurposes the device as a desk controller
- Nocturne: A custom operating system for Car Thing
- Various other community-developed software projects
Car Thing's brief timeline:
- Launched: February 2022
- Purpose: Simplified music control for cars without infotainment systems
- Discontinued: Less than a year after launch due to low demand and supply chain issues
- Final shutdown: December 2023
Spotify recommends users either:
- Contact customer service for a refund
- Reset the device to factory settings
- Dispose of it following local e-waste guidelines
The shutdown has sparked criticism from users concerned about both the short lifespan of the $90 device and its contribution to electronic waste. While the device will no longer function with Spotify's services, the community-developed alternatives offer ways to repurpose the hardware rather than adding to e-waste.
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