Answer Calls, Queue Audio in Spotify Car Thing's Latest Update
Less than two months after launching Car Thing in the US, Spotify is rolling out a handful of new features for its in-vehicle music player.
On top of streaming music and podcasts, users can now answer phone calls (iOS only; coming soon to Android), queue audio, and display and control other media, as well as connect to and mirror their handset.
A top-requested feature—the ability to queue additional songs and podcasts—is also now available in a variety of ways: tap the "Add to queue" icon next to a track; highlight a track then press and hold the dial; or say "Hey Spotify, queue [insert title here]."
Sometimes it's easier to let the road speak to you. Perhaps you've been inspired by the journey's views, or just want to silence the whining kids. Describe a genre, mood, or activity—for instance, "Hey Spotify, play cozy Sunday RnB"—and Car Thing will "do [its] best to instantly create a personalized playlist from your request," Spotify says.
The 4-inch smart player, launched as a limited test in 2021 and released to all US drivers earlier this year, attaches to your car's dashboard, providing access to streaming audio via hands-free voice controls. Its quartet of noise-suppressing microphones are designed to be easier and safer than fiddling with a smartphone or tapping a built-in entertainment system. The Android Auto- and Apple CarPlay-compatible touch-screen device lets users ask for a song, playlist, or podcast by saying "Hey Spotify."
Retailing for $89.99, it also features a prominent dial for scrolling through playlists, as well as buttons on top that can be configured for preset music sets. You'll need a paid Spotify Premium account ($9.99 per month) and available mobile data for streaming.
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