sdw

We’re on the look for a new family car and I’ve been pleasantly impressed with the BMW X5/X6. 2023 models have nice climate controls: physical switches and a little screen showing mode, degrees, etc

Then I drove the new 2024 model. And got this absolute mess:

Carmakers, please stop using screens instead of buttons. This is not an upgrade.

Oct 25, 2023 at 5:46pmIvory for Mac
Show threadAdam Bell Oct 25, 2023
@sdw christ, this is like a debug menu
Show threadConstantin JacobOct 25, 2023
@b3ll @sdw it is probably used as one internally.
Show threadrun_atalanta -> beige.partyOct 25, 2023
@sdw This, a thousand times this!
Show threadCobyOct 25, 2023
@sdw this is why I drive a 2004
Show threadJamesOct 25, 2023
@sdw I wonder if they think people like screens or they just don't care and want to save costs.
Show threadsdwOct 25, 2023
@jamesbravo I think it's a general trend of BMWs traditionally grounded design changing to becoming very superficial and, frankly, worse.
Show threadmanoloOct 25, 2023
@sdw man dont understand how they keep doing that, do they never drive the cars and realize how much worse that is?!
i think audi isnt much different from this but maybe a cayenne? dont think the price is too far from bmw/audi, i got a ride in a 2024 a few weeks ago and its really nice. lots of screen but does have some physical buttons for AC and stuff
Show threadsdwOct 25, 2023
@manolo Porsche is starting to tempt!
It was so nice in 2023 :(
Show threadmanoloOct 25, 2023
@sdw yea it suck how theres so many nice improvements all over the place in most brands that just get overshadowed by the terrible UX that is touchscreens
every time i change the AC in my car it makes me happy that it has buttons, i dont need to look at anything but the road, my hand just knows where everything is 😂
Show threadEmanuel SaOct 25, 2023
@sdw our Polestar is the same, requires a co-pilot to change any setting 😂
Show threaddimsumthinkingOct 25, 2023
@sdw physical controls are IMO an essential safety factor
Show threadJohan HalseOct 25, 2023
@sdw total pet peeve of mine. Knobs!! I want KNOBS
Show threadLars ChristiansenOct 25, 2023

@sdw @dimsumthinking Car makers have not understood. If you have a touchScreen with options you need to look to choose. And you cannot « learn » how to choose, especially if choice depends on the state of the screen.
Button touch is like keyboard shortcuts your fingers have memory that will retain.

Think of how Braille liberate blind people.

Show threaddimsumthinkingOct 25, 2023
@thuro @sdw and some of them change screens over time. I understand that this is a very personal issue for me
Show threadLars ChristiansenOct 25, 2023
@dimsumthinking @sdw I think that it is an issue for most people, at least it is an issue of discomfort for me personally. I my new car I need to look at the screen to pick different radio. I dod not have to in my old car.
Show thread🇦🇶 Placebo DomingoOct 25, 2023
@sdw fuck this stupid trend. It's pure cost cutting, that's what it is.
Show threadScott PerryOct 25, 2023
@sdw it especially kills me that we buy these absolutely gorgeous motorcycles with wonderful design languages and then have to stare at a goddamn rectangle for information whenever we ride them
Show threadsdwOct 25, 2023
@numist oh yeah, I am not getting a rectangular TFT toting bike. I just can't. The 1200XE is bad enough with the round screen.
Show threadScott PerryNov 10, 2023
@sdw omg look the nightmare is ending. I hope their software stack uses polar coordinates https://www.bikeexif.com/2024-royal-enfield-himalayan
Adventure Time: The all-new liquid-cooled Royal Enfield Himalayan

Riding a Royal Enfield in the Himalayas is a bucket list item for many motorcyclists. This fact is not lost on the Indian company—they've just updated the utilitarian Royal Enfield Himalayan adventure bike with refined looks, better suspension, and a first-ever liquid-cooled engine. Unveiled at EICMA in Milan this week, the new Royal Enfield Himalayan sticks to the same ethos as its predecessor. It still has the appearance of a simple, robust machine, designed around the company's philosophy of “everything you need, and nothing you don’t.” That said, the new Himalayan does have some additional frills. For starters, it now

Bike EXIF
Show threadSimon HarperOct 25, 2023
@sdw totally agree. Far too much reliance on touch screens. Cheaper than physical controls I imagine. Take a look at the 2024 Land Cruiser. That looks lush.
Show threadAlex MabeOct 25, 2023

@sdw we are on second year lease on my 2023 X5 and we love it, excellent family car. When I saw 2024 model I got shivers, not sure what I’m going to do in 1.5 years when my lease comes to the end… :(

X5 was the only car in this segment with proper buttons, this update is such as waste…

Show threadsdwOct 25, 2023
@melonamin yeah, enjoy that 23 X5, it really is designed a lot nicer.
Show threadFabienOct 25, 2023
@sdw feel like with bigger screen comes bigger responsibilities for designers.
The fashion of full car-width screens make them fill them with far too many pointless and inappropriate while driving widgets.
This will cost lives.
Show threadBen WaltersOct 26, 2023
@sdw I just wrote a post on how poorly Subaru has implemented an all-screen infotainment because I’m beyond fed up with this trend! It’s downright dangerous at this point.
Show threadMichael SchwingesOct 26, 2023
@sdw I’m convinced that removing knobs, dials, and switches is really about lowering manufacturing costs and simplifying manufacturing processes – and banking the savings; it started with home appliances and now the auto manufacturers are doing it too.
Show threadsdwOct 26, 2023
@mschwinges oh, for sure. It's mostly cost cutting.
Show threadMax SeelemannOct 28, 2023
@sdw this screen is so ugly and convoluted 😂