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.
+100 on all you said.
To tell the truth, I really miss the black corded desk telephone. I miss Mom answering the phone circa 1959 and yelling “Hon, it’s Mom & Dad. Get on the extension.” The kids went outside to play and come back at dinner time. You did not bump into people on the sidewalks with their heads buried in their phones and wandering all over the place. I see one of them coming and scream “Hey, HEADS UP!” and that startles them awake out of their zombie trance...for a moment.
Yesterday, my iPhone decided to not route calls through the car system. Shut down and restart phone app. Reset the car console. Turn the phone off and restart it. Shut the car off and restarted it. No luck. 20 minutes wasted. Later that day, the phone calls were routed back to the car audio system. The funny thing is that my sister was telling me just the day before that HER phone (other side of the country) was not connecting to her Kia system.
I waste SO much time being the CIO of the household.
Having had the quality 1970s - 1990s BMWs I feel your pain.
Is your wife way younger than you?
“my older Samsung didn’t; I had to buy an iPhone.”
Or a new Samsung.
BMW. It is essentially all electronic controls with a single knob in the center console.
I have a Mercedes with essentially the same thing. I was trying to change the radio from fm to am and couldn’t figure it out. lol. Drove into the dealer and told them. He laughed and said….just talk to it. It has a voice button that you can talk and tell it what you want.