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> Unlike CarPlay, iDrive has a well-resolved, tactile and customisable physical interface. Several manufacturers (Audi for example) offer tactile, context-sens

by ak217 9y ago

> Unlike CarPlay, iDrive has a well-resolved, tactile and customisable physical interface. Several manufacturers (Audi for example) offer tactile, context-sensitive clickwheel and touchpad controls for CarPlay and Android Auto. Those function as well or better than iDrive, and have the long-term advantage of Apple and Google supporting them, against which BMW can't hope to compete. (CarPlay restricting third-party apps is definitely a huge problem though.) > Tesla doesn't support CarPlay at all, but you don't hear about hoards of people boycotting Telsa: because their system is also better than CarPlay. Tesla's system is not better than CarPlay with tactile controls. The reason people are not boycotting Tesla is that they are overlooking the enormous issues with their interface due to superior EV technology.

sjwright 9y ago
Controlling Android Auto and CarPlay with car controls is like operating a home theatre with a Logitech remote: it's great if you remember how third-party physical buttons map to the software. The superiority of iDrive isn't readily apparent until you live with it for a few weeks and you realise how straightforward the controls are for frequent tasks, and how the quick-access buttons can turn complex UI dives into one-button macros. I love having physical buttons for "drive home", for "open my GPS address book" button, for "stop nagivating", for "call my wife", for "show trip data" and "show program details for the current DAB radio station".
- izacus 9y ago
  All that superiority of iDrive immediately disappears when you notice that you can't even start Podcast playback in PocketCasts on Android over it. While you can on Android Auto. Same goes for Waze and other important services BMW will never upgrade (or will charge ludicrous amount of money and demand dealer visit to upgrade).
  - sjwright 9y ago
    I agree about Waze, and I said so in my OP. And you can’t play Angry Birds on iDrive either so wow it sucks.
    - thrillgore 9y ago
      If you really want to play Angry Birds on your dashboard while driving, you shouldn't be driving.
greglindahl 9y ago
Huh, I always use the steering wheel buttons to control Tesla's system, am I doing it wrong?

by ak217 9y ago

sjwright 9y ago

Controlling Android Auto and CarPlay with car controls is like operating a home theatre with a Logitech remote: it's great if you remember how third-party physical buttons map to the software. The superiority of iDrive isn't readily apparent until you live with it for a few weeks and you realise how straightforward the controls are for frequent tasks, and how the quick-access buttons can turn complex UI dives into one-button macros. I love having physical buttons for "drive home", for "open my GPS address book" button, for "stop nagivating", for "call my wife", for "show trip data" and "show program details for the current DAB radio station".

izacus 9y ago
All that superiority of iDrive immediately disappears when you notice that you can't even start Podcast playback in PocketCasts on Android over it. While you can on Android Auto. Same goes for Waze and other important services BMW will never upgrade (or will charge ludicrous amount of money and demand dealer visit to upgrade).
- sjwright 9y ago
  I agree about Waze, and I said so in my OP. And you can’t play Angry Birds on iDrive either so wow it sucks.
  - thrillgore 9y ago
    If you really want to play Angry Birds on your dashboard while driving, you shouldn't be driving.

greglindahl 9y ago

Huh, I always use the steering wheel buttons to control Tesla's system, am I doing it wrong?