Over the years, the device's hardware and industrial design evolved from a smaller item plugged into the car's cigarette lighter to a more consumer-friendly product with a big knob, colorful touchscreen, voice control features and lots of different connection and mounting options.

The company first began its experiments with Car Thing to learn more about how Spotify users engaged with its service in the vehicle. The device itself works with USB, Bluetooth and Aux.

The now $89.99 device - a $10 increase from its limited public release in October - is largely targeted toward vehicle owners who don't have a built-in infotainment system offering easy access to Spotify, like Apple's CarPlay or Android Auto.Ĭar Thing connects with the Spotify mobile app on your phone, then uses the phone's cellular signal (or Wi-Fi, if available) to stream your music or podcasts over the car's sound system. Spotify's oddly named in-car entertainment system, ' Car Thing,' is now available to the general public after initial tests that began in 2019.

Spotify car thing waitlist