touchscreens are back !
Was watching some reviews on the A8. I really have a hard time believing that Lexus made the right decision with no touch option (a least) and lack of iPhone or Android connection. Long term Lexus is going to suffer for their current set ups.
They are already suffering - with their current infotainment tech can only possibly appeal to old farts that don't use smartphones and technology.
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I have no problem with mousepads or even a force-joystick as on the old IBM Thinkpads. It just takes a little experience to master either of these, and because your finger is supported throughout, it's easy to make the selection you desire. Touchscreens however, unless supported by a finger-rest are difficult to operate while driving . . . and maybe that's the idea. Driving on anything but a glass-smooth roadway, sticking my finger out in mid-air to touch a tiny spot on the screen usually gets me something I don't want on the first try. I don't want to take my eyes off the road for long anyway, and trying to hit a moving target with an extended (also moving) finger is frustrating. Want a simulation? Try shooting skeet from a canoe.
Even the GUI designers are becoming aware of this, restricting the number of buttons controlling "driving apps" on your phone's touchscreen to about four, and making them each about the size of a quarter. No marksmanship required. While setting up my wishlist for my new Android, I've discovered:
. . . that simply offers access to your most often-used driving apps - GPS, Music, Text, and Phone apps - all under large buttons, or better yet, voice control via your phone screen or present in-car display.
Because phones and their apps update at least annually, you can always have the latest tech available in your present car - without having to replace the car too. In my book, that's a win-win. I can have the latest tech even in my 18-year-old minivan, and replace or update it at will. Why would I commit to a obsolescent tool that can't be updated?
Even the GUI designers are becoming aware of this, restricting the number of buttons controlling "driving apps" on your phone's touchscreen to about four, and making them each about the size of a quarter. No marksmanship required. While setting up my wishlist for my new Android, I've discovered:
Because phones and their apps update at least annually, you can always have the latest tech available in your present car - without having to replace the car too. In my book, that's a win-win. I can have the latest tech even in my 18-year-old minivan, and replace or update it at will. Why would I commit to a obsolescent tool that can't be updated?
I can't stand touch screens. The new A8 interior looks horrible,exterior is dull too. Nothing special or really luxurious about its interior anymore where the last 2 generations were really nice. Getting rid of buttons and switches for touchscreens ruins interiors and makes them annoying to use, it is really just to save money.
plus the steering wheel has controls

plus there's epic features like this

Last edited by bitkahuna; Oct 10, 2017 at 12:25 PM.
I see that as a step back for Porsche, looks less upscale. I read some reviews were they complained it is now more difficult and less intuitive to use the touchscreen interface then the previous one with buttons.













