Owners of Spotify’s Car Thing device are expressing their disappointment and urging the company to open source the gadgets instead of leaving them to be discarded in landfills. However, Spotify has not responded to these pleas and has announced that it will be bricking all Car Things on December 9 without offering refunds or trade-in options.
Car Thing was originally designed to connect to car dashboards and auxiliary outlets, allowing drivers to listen to and navigate Spotify. It was released to limited subscribers in October 2021 before becoming available to the general public in February 2022. However, Spotify revealed in its Q2 2022 earnings report that it had stopped producing Car Things due to factors such as product demand and supply chain issues.
The device itself featured a 4-inch touchscreen and a knob for easy navigation, as well as support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice control. However, it required users to have a Spotify Premium subscription and a phone with data or Wi-Fi connectivity via Bluetooth.
Even though Car Thing’s usefulness was already questionable, the news of its discontinuation has disappointed many owners. They have taken to online forums and platforms like Reddit to express their frustration and request a refund or the open sourcing of the device. Some users believe that there is a community that would appreciate the opportunity to customize and repurpose the device for uses beyond playing music.
One member of the Spotify Community forums, AaronMickDee, suggested that Spotify should unlock the system and allow users to write or flash third-party firmware to the device. This would enable owners to explore various alternative uses for the hardware instead of rendering it useless.
Open sourcing the Car Thing would not only benefit the owners but also contribute to reducing electronic waste. By allowing the device’s software and hardware specifications to be available to the public, developers and tech enthusiasts could potentially find new uses for the device or improve its functionality. This would extend the lifespan of the Car Thing and prevent it from ending up in landfills prematurely.
Furthermore, open sourcing the Car Thing could also lead to the development of community-driven firmware updates and enhancements. The collective knowledge and expertise of the community could result in new features and innovations that Spotify may not have considered. This would create a collaborative environment where Car Thing owners can actively engage with the development and evolution of the device.
In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the environmental impact of electronic waste. The disposal of electronic devices can contribute to pollution and the depletion of natural resources. Opening up the Car Thing to the community would align with the growing movement towards sustainable technology practices and would showcase Spotify as a company that values environmental responsibility.
While Spotify has not responded to the requests for open sourcing the Car Thing, it is important for consumers to continue advocating for the reduction of electronic waste and the exploration of alternative solutions. This could include voicing concerns through social media, petitioning Spotify directly, or utilizing other channels to raise awareness about the issue.
In conclusion, Spotify’s decision to discontinue the Car Thing device without offering refunds or trade-in options has left owners disappointed. However, there is an opportunity for Spotify to salvage the situation by opening up the device to the community through open sourcing. This would not only allow owners to repurpose the device but also contribute to reducing electronic waste and fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. It is now up to Spotify to listen to the voices of its customers and make a decision that aligns with their concerns and the growing need for sustainable technology practices.
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