“Unacceptable”: Spotify bricking Car Thing devices in Dec. without refunds
Spotify Ends Car Thing: No Refunds?
Spotify has announced that it will deactivate all Car Thing devices on December 9, offering no refunds or replacements to customers. This decision has led to backlash from users, who are urging the company to open-source the device to prevent waste and allow further use. Despite the criticism and pleas from its user base, Spotify remains firm on its decision, emphasizing a shift in focus towards enhancing other features and services for a better user experience.
What specific reasons did Spotify cite for discontinuing the Car Thing device?
Spotify cited several factors for discontinuing the Car Thing device, including product demand and supply chain issues1. The company announced the decision to stop manufacturing Car Thing in July 2022, and later decided to render all purchased Car Thing units inoperable by December 9, 2024.
How has the decision to discontinue Car Thing influenced Spotify users’ perceptions of the company and its future hardware projects?
The decision to discontinue Spotify's Car Thing has significantly impacted user perceptions of the company, particularly regarding its ability to manage hardware projects. Many users feel let down by Spotify's handling of the Car Thing's discontinuation, especially since the device is becoming inoperable without any refund or trade-in options offered by Spotify. This has led to frustration and disappointment among customers, as expressed in various online forums and community discussions.
Users are particularly upset about the waste of money and the environmental impact of disposing of the device, which could have been mitigated by open-sourcing the hardware for further use. The lack of responsiveness from Spotify to these user concerns has only added to the discontent, making some customers wary of investing in future hardware offerings from the company. This situation illustrates a broader mistrust that could affect Spotify's future endeavors outside its core streaming service, potentially hindering its credibility and attractiveness in launching new hardware products.