Spotify’s touchscreen and voice-activated car gadget are finally arriving as a limited release for some eligible users in the U.S., but luckily you have one.
Tracks Car Thing was on his way appeared recently in both FCC and iOS code files. Now, the company has officially done so awakened its screen with Spotify-specific handles for accessing playlists and podcasts on the go. While Spotify explicitly stated that it was focusing on its streaming service rather than becoming a hardware company, he added that it created the gadget “because we saw a need from our users, many of whom were losing perfect and personalized information, a car listening experience ”.
The device is compatible with vehicles regardless of make or model, and will display a home screen, a voice-controlled search function, and a Your Library tab. Like other voice-activated smart devices, hands-free browsing works by asking for “Hey Spotify” before requesting a playlist, podcast, song, or artist. Spotify says four microphones that cover the top of the device ensure that the device can hear voice commands even with the windows down or the volume up.
While the gadget has a touch screen, a dial offers another way to navigate playlists and audio, as well as play, pause, and select audio from the menu. As for the touch screen, Spotify says the device works by allowing you to swipe to search. Finally, the device includes four predefined buttons to quickly browse podcasts or music and can then be reprogrammed. However, you will need a smartphone that supports Bluetooth.
Based on a practice with the device published by Virgin, there seems to be no actual speaker included in the device. Instead, Car Thing can play music through a car’s speakers when a smartphone is paired via Bluetooth or with an auxiliary cable. The Verge added that Car Thing comes with three mounting accessories to connect to a respirator, dashboard or CD player.
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Spotify says the device is available to “select” premium subscribers at no cost other than shipping. Unfortunately, the company says ‘Car Thing’Limited release is offered by invitation only. However, if you want to try pasting one, you can sign up for the waiting list right here.