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If I’m fully engaged with a device a touch screen is great, especially when that device needs to do more things than you could reasonably make physical controls
by ojkelly 3y ago
If I’m fully engaged with a device a touch screen is great, especially when that device needs to do more things than you could reasonably make physical controls for.
But when I’m driving and need to adjust something, I don’t want to disconnect with driving to dive into a touch screen.
A physical control, in the same location means muscle memory can take over. And as we learnt decades ago, the controls themselves need to be physically distinct so that you can tell them apart without looking or thinking too hard.
I don’t think touchscreens need to disappear from cars, there’s a wealth of settings/config/etc they could be useful for.
But the core driving aids and temperature/volume control need to be physical.
- stevage 3y agoAlso, with a physical control, I find that I can glance over to locate the control, return my eyes to the road, then reach over blindly to touch it. That doesn't work with a touchscreen at all.
- natch 3y agoWorks for me. 1. Reach over, grasp the screen under the target area using muscle memory. Screen is strong as hell, you could put your full weight on it and it wouldn’t budge. 2. While continuing to hold the edge of the screen, move thumb to hover over suspected target area using muscle memory. 3. Glance and tap in one moment. Done. Not that I ever need to do this. Pretty much everything I need to do has a button. (And this in a car that the internet geniuses including here on HN are convinced does not have buttons). If steps 1, 2, and 3 sounded distracting or hard, see again the part where I said “not that I ever need to do this” and why.