- Spotify (SPOT +0.9%) is planning its first push into hardware this year, via a voice-controlled in-car music player, the Financial Times reports.
- That's a move that could break it away somewhat from dependence on devices made by Apple (AAPL +0.9%), Google (GOOG +1.3%, GOOGL +1.3%) and Amazon.com (AMZN +0.8%), even as those three giants push their own music services.
- Spotify's device would be built by Flex (FLEX +2.3%) and cost about $100 -- cheaper than most brand-name car stereos, according to the report.
- It would sync to the car's system via Bluetooth, as well as feature preset buttons corresponding to playlists along with the voice control (based on its in-house Spotify Voice, which began rolling out last year).