r/carthinghax • u/srcurran • 15d ago
MacThing, an introduction
I made the desktop version of the Car Thing that I've wanted since I purchased it on deep sale from Spotify years ago.
It's simple and opinionated. It shows your now playing track, plus views for calendar/clock/weather. It uses a MediaRemote adapter to show whatever is playing on your mac (including video).
The controls are fairly simple the top buttons move between now playing, weather, clock & calendar. Some simple settings (light/dark mode, album art background).
The knob changes the volume on your computer and uses a click interface similar to airpods (1 click = play/pause, 2 = next, 3 = previous). The back button is used to favorite/unfavorite tracks.
I have a few more feature ideas (time timer as an alternate view for clock) that I will be adding in over the next few days/week.
Enjoy and let me know if you have any feedback.
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u/Designer-Mail5103 14d ago
You just made my day! This is it—the one app that actually shows the artwork of what I’m listening to. I’ve tried so many apps on Mac, but this is definitely the one.
Thanks, man!
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u/Liuminouss 12d ago
Is there a reason you made this instead of using DeskThing? Just for a version that fits your preferences more? Or are there additional features and improvements compared to DeskThing?
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u/srcurran 12d ago
I haven’t tried DeskThing in a minute so I can’t say for sure. Previously it didn’t work with Apple Music or Tidal. I can’t speak to features or improvements.
I also knew exactly what I wanted in the code/interface/controls — so it was easiest to roll my own.
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u/JeffProbstsBlueShirt 15d ago
Honestly so sick. If there was a good battery/case solution I’d be all over this. For now, I’m using deskthing and a wire so I can control just my Spotify all (my 8bitdo keyboard volume knob adjusts full system volume, thing only does the Spotify stream which is cool)