4 ms·

I doubt that'll happen. It'll probably take the same trajectory as (smart) TVs: these crappy designs become the industry norm and it becomes very difficult to f

I doubt that'll happen. It'll probably take the same trajectory as (smart) TVs: these crappy designs become the industry norm and it becomes very difficult to find alternatives.

Loughla 5y ago
This is the answer. I would prefer to buy physical switches and dials, but the options just aren't there. So I'm stuck with laggy, buggy, bad software and a stupid touchscreen full of features that I will never use. Seriously, who needs to be able to play movies in their car's center front console?
- the_snooze 5y ago
  At least as of two years ago, Honda pushed back against touchscreens dominating the center console: https://www.thedrive.com/tech/32797/long-live-buttons-hondas-not-sold-on-touchscreens https://www.thedrive.com/tech/32797/long-live-buttons-hondas... But looking at the 2022 HR-V, it seems like they've given up on that design philosophy: >The automatic climate control system offers a high-tech touch-screen interface... https://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v#interior https://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v#interior I'm of the opinion that the only touchscreen that belongs in a car is a barebones non-networked Apple CarPlay / Android Auto pass-through for sound and navigation. All other controls are physical.
- Schroedingersat 5y ago
  Also, why can't we just have a fucking shelf or a bracket. Ever since radios stopped being a standard rectangle, and the dashboard was filled with kevlar sacks and explosives there's nowhere to put anything down.
  - JohnBooty 5y ago
    As of 5-6 years ago some (many? most?) cars still had a good old standard double-DIN slot for the infotainment unit, if you popped off the dashboard's plastic cover. No clue if that's still true; I think it has become less true over time for sure. There are benefits to automakers for retaining that standard form factor. Most factory-branded infotainment systems are made by a handful of OEM manufacturers like Bose. Bose makes systems for multiple automakers. So the double-DIN form factor has persisted, it's just hidden. Problem is, for most cars, the climate controls and shit are all bundled into that infotainment system. So you can slot a standard double-DIN stereo into most modern cars, but you need a replacement dashboard panel and fairly elaborate kit to replace the OEM climate controls and whatever else. Metra is a company that makes those kits, I think they were pretty much the only game in town last I looked into this. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-57MGZyBW0Mm/fg_112200_FFBrand%7CMetra/Metra-Dash-Kits.html https://www.crutchfield.com/S-57MGZyBW0Mm/fg_112200_FFBrand%...
dfxm12 5y ago
On a somewhat related note, Mazda has said a few years ago that they will be staying away from touchscreens. I'm not sure if they've followed through. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1121372_why-mazda-is-purging-touchscreens-from-its-vehicles https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1121372_why-mazda-is-pur...
brokenmachine 5y ago
Can't wait until we get in-car ads!

I doubt that'll happen. It'll probably take the same trajectory as (smart) TVs: these crappy designs become the industry norm and it becomes very difficult to find alternatives.

Loughla 5y ago

This is the answer. I would prefer to buy physical switches and dials, but the options just aren't there. So I'm stuck with laggy, buggy, bad software and a stupid touchscreen full of features that I will never use. Seriously, who needs to be able to play movies in their car's center front console?

the_snooze 5y ago
At least as of two years ago, Honda pushed back against touchscreens dominating the center console: https://www.thedrive.com/tech/32797/long-live-buttons-hondas-not-sold-on-touchscreens https://www.thedrive.com/tech/32797/long-live-buttons-hondas... But looking at the 2022 HR-V, it seems like they've given up on that design philosophy: >The automatic climate control system offers a high-tech touch-screen interface... https://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v#interior https://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v#interior I'm of the opinion that the only touchscreen that belongs in a car is a barebones non-networked Apple CarPlay / Android Auto pass-through for sound and navigation. All other controls are physical.
Schroedingersat 5y ago
Also, why can't we just have a fucking shelf or a bracket. Ever since radios stopped being a standard rectangle, and the dashboard was filled with kevlar sacks and explosives there's nowhere to put anything down.
- JohnBooty 5y ago
  As of 5-6 years ago some (many? most?) cars still had a good old standard double-DIN slot for the infotainment unit, if you popped off the dashboard's plastic cover. No clue if that's still true; I think it has become less true over time for sure. There are benefits to automakers for retaining that standard form factor. Most factory-branded infotainment systems are made by a handful of OEM manufacturers like Bose. Bose makes systems for multiple automakers. So the double-DIN form factor has persisted, it's just hidden. Problem is, for most cars, the climate controls and shit are all bundled into that infotainment system. So you can slot a standard double-DIN stereo into most modern cars, but you need a replacement dashboard panel and fairly elaborate kit to replace the OEM climate controls and whatever else. Metra is a company that makes those kits, I think they were pretty much the only game in town last I looked into this. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-57MGZyBW0Mm/fg_112200_FFBrand%7CMetra/Metra-Dash-Kits.html https://www.crutchfield.com/S-57MGZyBW0Mm/fg_112200_FFBrand%...

dfxm12 5y ago

On a somewhat related note, Mazda has said a few years ago that they will be staying away from touchscreens. I'm not sure if they've followed through. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1121372_why-mazda-is-purging-touchscreens-from-its-vehicles https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1121372_why-mazda-is-pur...

brokenmachine 5y ago

Can't wait until we get in-car ads!