General EV Conversation
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,222
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From: Maryland
Why do they have to be? You could put all of those buttons on the screen if you wanted to, and engineer some way to turn the phone on by picking it up etc. Reality is they are better as physical controls and that’s why they are still physical controls.
The only company who has gear selectors in the screen is Tesla. You mention Rivian, they have the same gear selector my Mercedes has. Many carmakers have also said they are bringing some physical controls back.
The only company who has gear selectors in the screen is Tesla. You mention Rivian, they have the same gear selector my Mercedes has. Many carmakers have also said they are bringing some physical controls back.
Last edited by SW17LS; Dec 7, 2025 at 04:48 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,945
Likes: 3,839
From: California
Why do they have to be? You could put all of those buttons on the screen if you wanted to, and engineer some way to turn the phone on by picking it up etc. Reality is they are better as physical controls and that’s why they are still physical controls.
The only company who has gear selectors in the screen is Tesla. You mention Rivian, they have the same gear selector my Mercedes has. Many carmakers have also said they are bringing some physical controls back.
The only company who has gear selectors in the screen is Tesla. You mention Rivian, they have the same gear selector my Mercedes has. Many carmakers have also said they are bringing some physical controls back.
Why do they have to? Why did Apple get rid of the physical keyboard? Because they could
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,945
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From: California
. One my best friends is head of the iPhone hardware engineering and basically they got of rid of any buttons they could. Tell me how would you put a volume button in the screen for example? It wouldn't make sense put a volume button in smart phone screen, the process of turning up the volume would take too long, and their is not enough space. Even Tesla puts the volume controls on the steering wheel. I'm in IT, work with a ton of EE and Mechanical engineers, so I know how this stuff works
Last edited by AMIRZA786; Dec 7, 2025 at 05:09 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: California
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,404
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From: FL
For the record, we can't compare this to an Apple cell phone.
Why?
Because we're not supposed to be using our cell phones when driving due to safety reasons, Duh. Lol
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,222
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From: Maryland
Cell phones and cars are also different tools. For instance they haven’t created virtual keyboard laptops. iPads have available folios with keyboards because physical keyboards are better.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26,184
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From: Alberta
And you're right, I want an EV to feel like what I am used to...as do many many mainstream car buyers. You're looking for something different and high tech and cutting edge, people like me aren't. If you want people like me to make the shift to EVs then carmakers need to provide products that feel very familiar to us. Luckily, they are doing exactly that.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,404
Likes: 1,640
From: FL
However, I believe shifting on a touch screen might proove to be more user error prone which the mfgs should take seriously.
And they do, all of my saws have blade guards on them to keep me from chopping off my fingers. lol
Just ideas. 🫸🫷
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26,184
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From: Alberta
Remember this?
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-...322-story.html
Who is to blame here? I can't say haven't used that shifter type, but it seems way too complicated. And the car should NEVER roll if the engine isn't running, unless you force this condition in case the car needs to be moved when disabled.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,404
Likes: 1,640
From: FL
Why is swiping in a direction on a screen worse than doing a dance with a lever, "left and down" or some other nonsense. It's easy to blame the car (almost everyone does) regardless of shifter type.
Remember this?
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-...322-story.html
Who is to blame here? I can't say haven't used that shifter type, but it seems way too complicated. And the car should NEVER roll if the engine isn't running, unless you force this condition in case the car needs to be moved when disabled.
Remember this?
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-...322-story.html
Who is to blame here? I can't say haven't used that shifter type, but it seems way too complicated. And the car should NEVER roll if the engine isn't running, unless you force this condition in case the car needs to be moved when disabled.
And I see your point, the car is stopped when switching gears so it's not like having to take eyes off the road.
Swiping the screen to change gears, I just don't know if that's the best way.
But people like it so that's cool. 😁
As you point out, could be worse. Lol
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,945
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From: California
