A comprehensive timeline of Spotify's Car Thing from announcement to discontinuation showcases the device's brief life in the consumer electronics market.

May 17, 2019: Initial announcement of Car Thing as a prototype for select Premium subscribers, designed to study music listening habits in cars.

April 13, 2021: Spotify reveals redesigned Car Thing, offered free to waitlisted Premium subscribers. Daniel Ek announces 2 million signups, with planned retail price of $79.99.

October 14, 2021: Commercial launch begins at $79.99 for Premium subscribers.

February 22, 2022: Public availability expands to all Premium subscribers at $89.99.

June 30, 2022: Summer sale reduces price to $50, indicating potential discontinuation.

July 27, 2022: Production officially ends due to poor sales.

August 20, 2022: Final clearance price drops to $30, with updated green packaging.

October 20, 2022: Security researchers achieve root access; Spotify declares device "unsupported and end-of-life."

October 27, 2022: Sales cease, website transitions to support hub.

May 23, 2024: Spotify announces end of support on December 9, 2024, with planned firmware update to disable devices.

May 31, 2024: Refund program launches for verified purchases with original receipts, excluding third-party sales.

December 9, 2024: Car Thing API shutdown, marking complete end of service.

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