Spindle is a handcrafted wooden music player that uses physical cards to cue songs from a linked streaming service on a Sonos speaker. After a one‑time two‑minute phone setup, users simply place a card to play music, making it easy for seniors or those with memory challenges to enjoy familiar songs without interacting with apps or voice commands. New cards can be ordered with any album or custom mix and mailed directly to the user.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Older adults and individuals with limited technology experience often cannot easily access digital music libraries, as existing streaming solutions require smartphones, voice commands, or complex interfaces that are difficult for them to operate.
Solution
Spindle provides a handcrafted wooden music player that connects to an existing Sonos speaker and streams music from the user’s Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or Deezer account. After a one‑time two‑minute Wi‑Fi setup performed by a caregiver, the device operates without buttons, screens, or apps: the user simply places a physical card on the player and the selected song, album, or playlist begins playing until the card is removed. New cards can be created from any track in the linked streaming service and mailed directly to the user, allowing fresh mixes or cherished recordings to be added at any time. The tactile card system leverages familiar, low‑tech interaction, enabling seniors, people with cognitive impairments, or anyone uncomfortable with smart‑speaker voice commands to enjoy their personal music collection independently.
Target Audience
Primary customers are caregivers, family members, or senior‑living facilities purchasing Spindle for older adults, individuals with dementia or limited tech proficiency, and anyone seeking a simple, tactile way to play personal music collections.
Features
- Hand‑crafted solid walnut enclosure with no buttons or display, designed for placement on a mantel or shelf
- Physical cards printed with song titles or custom images; each card triggers playback of a specific track, album, or playlist
- One‑time Wi‑Fi and Sonos pairing via a caregiver’s smartphone; no ongoing device interaction required by the end user
- Compatibility with major streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer) through the linked Sonos speaker
- Ability to order additional cards on demand; cards are printed and mailed directly to the user or caregiver
- Supports both existing Sonos speakers and optional Sonos units that can be added to the order