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Nocturne (software)

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Nocturne is an open-source software project designed to extend the functionality of Spotify's discontinued Car Thing device.

Nocturne
DeveloperNocturne Team
Release8 October 2024; 20 months ago (2024-10-08)
Stable release
4.0.6 / 12 June 2026; 5 days ago (2026-06-12)
Written inShell, JavaScript, Golang
Operating systemVoid Linux
PlatformARM Cortex-A53
TypeSystem software
LicenseMIT
Websiteusenocturne.com Edit this on Wikidata
Repositorygithub.com/usenocturne/nocturne

Background

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Spotify released the Car Thing in 2021 as a dashboard-mounted device to control its music streaming service,[1] but ended production of the device in July 2022, attributing the decision to limited consumer demand and supply chain issues.[2] Spotify officially discontinued support for the Car Thing on December 9, 2024, effectively rendering the device non-functional.[3]

Software

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The software is developed as an open-source initiative, allowing contributors to participate in the project.[4] While Nocturne enables the device to regain functionality, it relies on additional hardware due to the Car Thing's limited specifications, which include 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage powered by an Amlogic S905D2 SoC.[5] On initial release, users were required to pair the Car Thing with a Raspberry Pi to overcome these limitations. [6][7] Version 3.0.0 added software support for Bluetooth tethering, removing the requirement for a Raspberry Pi. [8] However, Version 4.0.0 dropped support for Bluetooth tethering in favor of a companion app due to reported issues with Bluetooth tethering usability in version 3.0.0, although support for use with Raspberry Pi devices remains. [9]

Nocturne functions either in vehicles, similar to the Car Thing's original use, or as a desktop music controller.[10] The software offers features such as full playback controls, playlist management, real-time interface updates, and artist and album exploration, requiring a Spotify Premium account to function.[11]

Companion App

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The companion app is used by the Nocturne software as a method of communicating with mobile devices. It is available on both iOS and Android, initially requiring iOS 16.2 or later and Android 13 or later respectively; although version 4.0.2 extended legacy support for Android 12 to the companion app.[12][13] The companion app originally required a subscription to use, however following user feedback a lifetime purchase offer was later introduced as an alternative to a subscription.[14] Lifetime users were also later granted access to "Mockingbird" (a 1:1 recreation of the Car Thing's original UI), previously a subscriber only feature[15].

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Perez, Sarah (2021-04-13). "Spotify launches its in-car entertainment system 'Car Thing' in US". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  2. ↑ Benedetto, Antonio G. Di (2024-05-30). "Spotify is refunding Car Thing owners before bricking their devices". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  3. ↑ "Spotify users refuse to let Car Thing die with new workarounds". Android Authority. 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  4. ↑ Purdy, Kevin (2024-11-12). "Spotify's Car Thing, due for bricking, is getting an open source second life". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  5. ↑ Snyder, Brady (2024-06-19). "Spotify's Car Thing joins a long list of misguided products always doomed for the landfill". Android Police. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  6. ↑ King, Ashley (2024-11-18). "An Open Source Mod for Car Thing Is Here — If You Like to Tinker". Digital Music News. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  7. ↑ Conway, Adam (2024-11-17). "Spotify's Car Thing is more proof that old tech doesn't have to go to waste". XDA. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  8. ↑ van der Merwe, Julian (2025-08-13). "Abandoned Spotify Car Thing revived by free firmware that restores original functionality and then some". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  9. ↑ usenocturne. "Release v4.0.0 · usenocturne/nocturne". GitHub. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  10. ↑ "Developers keep Spotify Car Thing alive with custom firmware". TechSpot. 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  11. ↑ Ion, Florence (2024-12-11). "The Dream of Spotify Car Thing Is Being Kept Alive by Devoted Tinkerers". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  12. ↑ Team, Nocturne. "Nocturne - Your Car Thing's Second Chapter". Nocturne. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  13. ↑ "Join the Nocturne Companion beta". testflight.apple.com. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  14. ↑ usenocturne. "Release v4.0.1 · usenocturne/nocturne". GitHub. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  15. ↑ usenocturne. "Release v4.0.2 · usenocturne/nocturne". GitHub. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
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