On: Hyundai promises to keep buttons in cars

[tiedieconderoga]

Core functions like HVAC and hazard lights deserve dedicated controls, but modern cars also need a type of input that can be used with a tablet-sized display. What to do?

*Rotary Encoders*

The best type of input for a car is a rotary encoder, a knob with tactile "clicks" that register as you turn it. Good ones can also be pressed down like a button, and moved in cardinal directions like a d-pad.

Have one for your volume knob: pressing it down toggles muting.

Have one for the main controls: twisting moves the cursor, swiping changes which app is selected.

Have one on a steering wheel stalk, to cycle between display modes on one of the dashboard display's rounds.

We need more rotary encoders.

[LambdaComplex → tiedieconderoga]

Sounds like you'd like Mazda.

> Have one for your volume knob: pressing it down toggles muting.

Check.

> Have one for the main controls: twisting moves the cursor, swiping changes which app is selected.

Check.

> Good ones can also be pressed down like a button, and moved in cardinal directions like a d-pad.

Check.

[Unklejoe → tiedieconderoga]

BMW uses a rotary encoder for their iDrive thing. I have it in my 2011 3 series.

People trash talk it, but I actually like it.

[illiarian → Unklejoe]

I hated it because the software was shit. I only used it in rentals, so additional shenanigans were probably going on, but what I remember:

- on home screen icons for functionality would never stay in the same place. They were shuffled based on "recency"

- in some menus you could only scroll to the very top and to the very bottom, in others the scrolling would wrap around

- in some menus you went further down by shifting the knob right, in some by clicking

And other minor and not so minor annoyances

[nottorp → tiedieconderoga]

> Have one for the main controls: twisting moves the cursor, swiping changes which app is selected.

And... take your eyes off the road to see where the cursor is?