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I've mentioned it before on here, but the Citroen Oli is a cheap EV (prototype) car that is a) cute as a button, and b) sacrifices a lot of fluff that we have m

I've mentioned it before on here, but the Citroen Oli is a cheap EV (prototype) car that is a) cute as a button, and b) sacrifices a lot of fluff that we have misled ourselves into thinking are requirements. I'm basically the opposite of its target market, but really interested in it. One of the things that it has done (that your post reminded me of) is that it eliminated the onboard stereo. There is a dock for a phone (I think in this prototype iteration it only supports a single model of iPhone, but I assume that will change?) and there is a dashboard where a dashboard is expected that will integrate with the phone, and there are optional bluetooth speakers and corresponding mount points in the car (so you can take them with you or not have them at all if you like) This is the closest I've seen to your vision, and it makes sense. Dodge/Jeep do a good job of providing infotainment systems, but no matter how good they are, unless they're outsourced to Apple or Google (who will always be looking for a way to steer customers to their platforms) there's just not really any way for a car company to keep up with the feature velocity of either.

bonestamp2 4y ago
I like this concept for the most part, but I would like the option for it to have built in speakers (and an amp). I'm fine to plug in my phone or pair it with the amp to provide sound. It looks like a pretty bare bones car, and I like that it doesn't have a screen at all. I suppose if it needs a UI for configuring vehicle settings, I guess this could be done using a phone over bluetooth or wifi. That's about the only thing I use the screen in my vehicle for, everything else is from my phone.
- neuralRiot 4y ago
  The average lifespan of a smartphone is about 2.5 years, there are 20 year old cars driven daily. I hope you understand the problem here.
  - bonestamp2 4y ago
    No, I don't see the problem. It seems like the proprietary shaped bluetooth speakers and their mounting points will be more of a problem in 20 years than a simple analog sound input that goes to an amp and speakers. I can plug my iPhone 14 into a 50 year old stereo. I want that level of simplicity and compatibility! In 20 years it is going to be impossible to find replacements for those bluetooth speakers that fit in the proprietary holders they've designed. If they want to go minimalist and simple, go with analog speakers, that have a simple amp and a simple analog input that I can plug any analog source into (including a bluetooth receiver if I really need a wireless input).
WWLink 4y ago
Man I am loving the design & interior of that car. I wonder how you know how fast you're going though? There doesn't seem to be a speedometer anywhere.. Maybe in the little black bar at the top of the dash there's a screen hidden in there? Gotta have one for the legally mandated backup cam anyway.

bonestamp2 4y ago

I like this concept for the most part, but I would like the option for it to have built in speakers (and an amp). I'm fine to plug in my phone or pair it with the amp to provide sound. It looks like a pretty bare bones car, and I like that it doesn't have a screen at all. I suppose if it needs a UI for configuring vehicle settings, I guess this could be done using a phone over bluetooth or wifi. That's about the only thing I use the screen in my vehicle for, everything else is from my phone.

neuralRiot 4y ago
The average lifespan of a smartphone is about 2.5 years, there are 20 year old cars driven daily. I hope you understand the problem here.
- bonestamp2 4y ago
  No, I don't see the problem. It seems like the proprietary shaped bluetooth speakers and their mounting points will be more of a problem in 20 years than a simple analog sound input that goes to an amp and speakers. I can plug my iPhone 14 into a 50 year old stereo. I want that level of simplicity and compatibility! In 20 years it is going to be impossible to find replacements for those bluetooth speakers that fit in the proprietary holders they've designed. If they want to go minimalist and simple, go with analog speakers, that have a simple amp and a simple analog input that I can plug any analog source into (including a bluetooth receiver if I really need a wireless input).

WWLink 4y ago

Man I am loving the design & interior of that car. I wonder how you know how fast you're going though? There doesn't seem to be a speedometer anywhere.. Maybe in the little black bar at the top of the dash there's a screen hidden in there? Gotta have one for the legally mandated backup cam anyway.