Spotify's Car Thing device experienced a brief and tumultuous existence from its announcement to its ultimate discontinuation. Here's a comprehensive timeline of events:

May 17, 2019: Initial announcement of Car Thing as a data-gathering experiment for select Premium subscribers.

April 13, 2021: Spotify reveals redesigned Car Thing, offered free to waitlisted Premium subscribers. Two million people expressed interest, with an expected retail price of $79.99.

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

February 22, 2022: Price increases to $89.99 for all Premium subscribers.

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

July 27, 2022: Production stops due to poor sales.

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

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

October 27, 2022: Sales cease completely; website transitions to support only.

May 23, 2024: Spotify announces end of support on December 9, 2024, including a firmware update that will disable devices.

May 31, 2024: Refund program launches for verified purchases with proof of serial number.

December 9, 2024: Complete shutdown of Car Thing API.

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