Spotify tests voice-activated accessory for the car

Spotify has built an accessory for the car with Car Thing. A select group of Premium users are allowed to test the hardware, which makes it possible to give the Spotify app instructions with voice commands.

Spotify says on its website that it has started testing Car Thing; given the naming, a different name will probably be chosen for the final release. Few details are known yet; according to Spotify, testing is being done in the United States with a small group of users who have a paid subscription. It is not known when the hardware will be released for all users.

It is a small accessory that can be attached to a 12-volt socket for power supply. A connection is made via bluetooth to the user’s smartphone, which can then give voice commands. Based on those commands, the hardware can ensure that playlists or podcasts are played in the car.

According to Spotify, the main goal is to find out how people use Spotify in the car, and there are no immediate plans to release the hardware on a large scale. It is also not immediately clear what information Spotify hopes to gather. The company emphasizes that it remains a music streaming company and that hardware does not occupy an important place in its business plans.