DRIVERS are applauding a return of an old-school car feature that seemed long gone – and it makes driving much easier and safer.
Automakers are seemingly moving away from tech features that have never caught on among the majority of drivers – with some brands now backtracking thanks to consumer backlash.
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According to a report by Slate, one major change seems to be the attitudes around touch screens – which became popular over the last 15 years.
The feature became a staple in modern cars with Tesla largely influencing the revolution, with manufacturers championing their cost-efficiency.
But for many, these screens are dangerous, requiring drivers to look away from the road to navigate menus.
In some instances, it can take a driver up to 40 seconds, according to studies.
Despite voluntary guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, in 2013 to limit driver distraction – enforcement has been nonexistent.
Indeed, over the decade, carmakers have continued to prioritize touch screens – although growing consumer frustration has since sparked a revolt.
J.D. Power surveys and opinion pieces have regularly criticized touch screens – claiming they are unsafe, inconvenient, and unnecessary.
Brands such as Hyundai and Nissan never abandoned buttons – citing their safety benefits.
Mazda, too, are known for sticking with phyical buttons.
Indeed, on Reddit, gearheads cited the Japanese maker as being “right all along”.
But brands like Volkswagen and Porsche have begun to reintroduce physical controls to their cars.
However, other car makers, like Mercedes and General Motors, are seemingly doubling down on screens.
GM has even removed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from future models, meaning buyers must learn new systems.
The positive shift has been driven by market pressure, with federal regulators not getting involved.
This comes as VW recently scrapped plans to release a luxury sedan to the US market.
The German marque had previously planned to launch the stylish ID.7 EV model in North America last year – before announcing in May 2024 that it would be delayed.
But now, it’s been confirmed that the EV’s launch has been completely cancelled.
Apple CarPlay vs Android Auto
Both are phone mirroring apps for both operating systems that allow drivers to access contacts, make calls, and use navigation apps.
Many manufacturers allow access to both apps wirelessly, and all infotainment systems mirror your phone with a USB connection.
The idea behind phone mirroring apps designed for in-car use is to reduce distracted driving by making essential apps easier to access.
Key features of both apps are:
- Audiobook app access
- Podcast app access
- Navigational access (Google or Apple maps, which have your personal information already implemented, like your home address, work address, recent searches, and more).
- Phone apps, with contacts, favorites, recent calls, and more preprogrammed.
- Messaging apps that can read text messages aloud and transcribe a response through the vehicle’s microphone.
- Music apps like Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music (iTunes), or others with your personal information, playlists, recent searches, and preferences built in.
- Calendar events, your car can alert you to an upcoming event or conference.
- Access to Google Assistant or Siri with vocal cues.