A clear tradeoff
Custom Firmware vs Carthios: Which Car Thing Revival Is Right for You?
Both approaches give Car Thing a second life. They solve different problems, so the useful question is not which is cooler—it is which one matches how you want to use the device.
Firmware-first
Custom firmware projects replace or extend the software on the Car Thing itself. This can be the right choice if you want a standalone player, enjoy reverse engineering, and are comfortable with USB recovery and unsupported builds.
Mac-dashboard-first
Carthios keeps the Mac in charge. The Car Thing becomes a tactile screen and controller for a wider dashboard: Spotify or Apple Music, weather, transit, private dictation, agenda, timers, coding status, and Mac or device health.
| Question | Custom firmware | Carthios |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Standalone tinkering | Daily Mac desk use |
| Setup | Flash, recover, pair | Install Mac app, connect USB |
| Main tradeoff | More technical risk | Requires a Mac nearby |
| Scope | Usually music-focused | Music plus everyday dashboard tools |
So which should you choose?
Choose firmware when the project itself is the point. Choose Carthios when you want to sit down, plug in, and use the Car Thing as part of your Mac workspace. You can read the Carthios documentation before deciding.
Try the practical route
Give your Car Thing a second life with Carthios.
Use the screen and dial as a tactile Mac dashboard for music, weather, transit, dictation, coding status, and more.
Explore Carthios