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Re:Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when th... by judge2020 on Thursday March 25, 2021 @11:39PM (#26588526)
Touchscreens in cars were seen as luxury so once they became super cheap they threw them in every car with few no-screen options whatsoever. This was cemented in 2018 with a mandate for backup cameras[0] and, when you already have a screen, it makes little sense to only put a screen for the camera unless that's the market segment you're targeting (which, in itself, is small since most people are fine with touchscreens). Unless mandated, profit and sales will trump safety systems every day.

Tesla-esque huge touchscreens are taking off because other infotainment systems have been the absolute worst UX of all mass-market software since forever. Tesla fixed this and is gaining market-share fast, so traditional automakers are trying to prevent more people from switching to Tesla by emulating these selling points (and some recent Mach-E footage shows that the infotainment isn't on the same level, although it is faster than SYNC 3[1]).

0: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backup_camera#Mandates

1: https://youtu.be/kqHmbrE11eg?t=40

Re:Phones and apps reduce your ability to focus even when th... by occz on Friday March 26, 2021 @02:56AM (#26589457)
Interesting - that backup camera mandate does explain it a bit. I wonder if the EU has something similar.

It still doesn't excuse the lack of care with regards to design, but I now have a bit more understanding on the matter. Thanks!