Scott LairdThis is fine. #Rivian
Dr.Implausible@laird Given the post, it reminds me of a question I've meant to ask: Are there any aftermarket back* mods for newer cars that would rip out the iPad a/o touchscreen and put in a useful, tactile, physical interface?
@drimplausible Almost certainly not in this case. *Everything* depends on the center screen (you can't aim the air vents without it!), and they push out updates every couple weeks with new features. So staying compatible would be a disaster.
@laird Ugh. Thank you for this somewhat depressing bit of information.
Guess I got some Binging to do...
@laird @drimplausible Alright, I've extensively studied this issue - that I've only recently become aware of - for the last 30 seconds, so I feel compelled to share with everyone my newfound expertise... 1/
@laird Looks like we might have a low-trim winner with the Hyundai Elantra: https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-hyundai-elantra-has-a-secret-touchscreen-less-base-model
@laird 3/ Ars gave us some data a year ago that can back up my hasty generalization: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/08/yes-touchscreens-really-are-worse-than-buttons-in-cars-study-finds/
4/ More here, if I'm in the market for a Porsche: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/03/buttons-are-back-at-porsche-as-we-see-the-2024-cayenne-interior/
5/ ...and I think I'm done here. this last one drove* (np) it home. Interfaces have gone the way of silence, and are a signifier of craft, wealth and luxury.
Need to make something cheap and mass market? Throw a touchscreen on it of some variety, and figure out the details later.
Want something tactile and usable, with affordances designed for use? That's gonna cost ya...
I mean, it has almost always been such, but the speed with which touchscreens became mass use is amazing.
@drimplausible years ago, I saw a bunch of interior shots of something that Icon (https://www.icon4x4.com/) built. It was all solid metal switches and looked like a tactile playground. For $200k, I guess that's the least I'd expect. I'd probably prefer a touchscreen entertainment center if I'm spending a lot of time in the vehicle (and have warranty coverage), but there's something magical about well-designed solid switches.
