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Spotify tests streaming device for cars

Car Thing plays music and podcasts on voice command, but it's only being used to understand how people listen to music while driving.

Corinne Reichert Senior Editor
Corinne Reichert (she/her) grew up in Sydney, Australia and moved to California in 2019. She holds degrees in law and communications, and currently writes news, analysis and features for CNET across the topics of electric vehicles, broadband networks, mobile devices, big tech, artificial intelligence, home technology and entertainment. In her spare time, she watches soccer games and F1 races, and goes to Disneyland as often as possible.
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Spotify is testing a device to figure out how people listen to music while driving.

 Spotify

Spotify is testing a voice-controlled device for cars that'll play music and podcasts.

Spotify says it's only using the Car Thing device to test "how people listen in the car," as the company's focus isn't on developing hardware but on being the world's biggest audio platform.

"We don't have any current plans to make this specific device available," Spotify said. 

"We might do similar voice-specific tests in the future, so don't be surprised if you hear about 'Voice Thing' and 'Home Thing.'"

For now, Car Thing is aimed at figuring out how to help drivers make it through their long commutes. The music streaming giant says Americans spend 70 billion hours driving every year.

A small number of Spotify Premium users have been invited to take part in the tests, which will run in the US only.

"The learnings from our test will dictate how we develop experiences everywhere you listen," Spotify explained.

Spotify in April hit 100 million subscribers, double the number of people on Apple Music, and is currently offering three months of Premium for 99 cents.