[Highest Authority]

Many, many, many more things to go wrong!

[MarlonRando]

I hate modern cars. I’ll be driving down the freeway and suddenly the panel turns orange and starts flashing and I’ll think I’m about ready to explode, and it will say that I’m low on windshield wiper fluid or some stupid nonsense like that. Cars today just have too many sensors.

[Resolute Conservative]

Abd like a cell phone if you have gloves on or your finder is wet the clicking on screen may not work.

[PeterPrinciple]

Then the 2008 recession hit. Everyone needed to cut costs. Buttons were more expensive. Screens were the easy answer.

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from the article

[PeterPrinciple]

Some high-end brands are quietly moving back to analog gauges because they look special and give a car more character.

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I got used to my digital seiko watch, but they stopped making them, fashion said analog back in style.

[DesertRhino]

“But don’t expect dashboards full of knobs and switches to suddenly reappear. Screens are cheaper.”

Bullcrap. I doubt this is true. And how much cheaper? The explosion in the price of cars was because of the air conditioner button and a normal radio? Ok, sure.... whatever.

[ClearCase_guy]

Rule #1) Do not text and drive. Do not use your phone. Do not be a distracted driver.

Rule #2) Everything you need to know while you are driving is on a little screen on your dashboard. Refer to this frequently to stay informed about your trip.

[Vision]

It’s dumbfounding to me that someone hasn’t created an analog car model to counter all the nonsense and expense.

[doorgunner69]

I have to laugh. Local new BMWs are constantly being hauled by flatbed to the dealer.

Word is the total electronic control of the things is constantly glitching and disabling the whole car.

I am sure BMW owners are dazzled by the electronic wizardy when new, not knowing how vulnerable they were.

[EnderWiggin1970]

As the article mentions, cost is the big issue. Also flexibility - auto designers can use the same screen for almost any mix of control options in vehicles of different trim levels, without having to design multiple dashboards with difference mixes of buttons and dials for different features. Just have the software guys write up different code for the touchscreen for the various options.

The only thing I can see changing this is if the screens prove not to hold up over the life of the vehicle, leading to widespread complaints over the cost of replacing them. If physical buttons are more durable this could eventually lead to manufacturers switching back to buttons as a long-term value option. I'm skeptical of this scenario though. They are just too invested in the flexibility the screens give.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"The Overload Era (2020–Today)"

I HATE those things! I learned to drive in an era when you minimized distractions in the cabin, when you turned the dash lights down very low at night so you would not ruin your night vision. Now it's brighter than daylight in cabins with those damn gigantic displays!

Jony Ive (famous Apple designer) designed the new electric Ferrari cabin and his Rule #1 was "NO SCREENS".

Jony Ive Kills The Screen In The New $535K Electric Ferrari.

Alas, I can't pay a half-mil to rid me of those infernal screens.

[UnwashedPeasant]

When I use a rental car, simple things like changing radio stations require multiple button pushes while I look at the screen. If I click a wrong option (because I am trying to watch the road!) I get lost in a complex menu of options.

There should be a “simple mode” or “safety mode.”

[rexthecat]

I had a tech guy hack my dashboard screen so I can watch football games as I drive. But only when temporarily parked and off the road of course.

[cephalopod]

We just got a new car, a BMW. It is essentially all electronic controls with a single knob in the center console. Layer after layer of options and settings, some which actually need to be changed from time to time.
The car came with one electronic key, and a credit card sized ‘service’ key which allows reduced access. They program your phone to act as your key. My wife’s iPhone worked with the car, my older Samsung didn’t; I had to buy an iPhone.
We have had 3 training sessions for the car; dealer says a couple more should cover things. I have also watched innumerable YouTube videos covering car operations. We basically have it set up for my wife (she’s the primary driver) and can get around in it.
I owned a couple BMWs over the years; a 1972 model 2002, a 1994 540i. These were driving machines; strong, nimble a joy to be on the road.
I despise this new car. I despise this iPhone. My wife likes the power and handling, and liked it better than any of many other cars we shopped. She says we will get the tech set up and like it.
My career was in computers, I’m not a Luddite or afraid of the tech; I probably am behind the curve some now that I’ve been retired a while. Tech now isn’t about making life easier and doing things better; it seems to be about endless and unneeded options and alternative ways of doing things. To me, it’s no improvement; this car is going to get us killed.

[bigbob]

More cost-effective. Much greater flexibility. Engineering no-brainer.

[xkaydet65]

Why i keep my 10y/o Tuscon 2x3 inch backup and info screen. Everything id pushbutton to work the car. Center console and gear auto shift, ca p able of handshifting. My daughter had a 24 Kona. I literally cannot drive it. Hyundai just offered me a seven year $297 / mo for first 2 years then nothing.all major repairs dealer covered.

[Alberta's Child]

I think screens will disappear suddenly when auto insurance companies and the NHTSA have a decade’s worth of research to show how they make cars far more dangerous due to all the distractions for the driver.

[Rappini]

I have a 24 Corsair that I think is Demonic.

[9YearLurker]

Lol at Volvo putting their screens in cabinets when hiding TVs in elaborate living room cabinetry was all the rage.

[9YearLurker]

Car manufacturers have long positioned themselves as information companies more than car manufacturers, and the SaaS subscription model beckoned.

But now that AI usage fees are replacing SaaS “seats”, perhaps they’ll look to charge by the mile, or whatever.