Post #2016952

2026-05-03 19:55 UTC

Swedish tests show touchscreens can take four times longer than physical controls to complete common tasks. https://etsc.eu/physical-buttons-outperform-touchscreens-in-new-cars/ &#39;According to the magazine’s conclusions, the easiest car to understand and operate, by a large margin, was the 2005 Volvo V70. The four tasks were handled within ten seconds during which the car drove 306 meters at 110 km/h. At the other end of the scale, was the Chinese electric car, the MG Marvel R. The driver needed 44.6 seconds before all the tasks were completed, during which the car had travelled 1,372 meters – more than four times the distance compared to the old Volvo.&#39;

Replies (6)

@leighelse@mastodon.nz 2026-05-03 20:26

On this subject, Mercedes Benz are restoring physical buttons. https://www.drive.com.au/news/mercedes-benz-commits-to-bringing-back-phycial-buttons/ 'The German brand remains committed to offering large screens in its models, but has listened to its customers and will offer physical buttons for key functions in future.'

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@commonst@social.vivaldi.net 2026-05-03 20:02

@leighelse omg yes. The touchscreens are terribly slow. And this winter I learned that if it is -25 you have to wait even longer.

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@jond@mastodon.nz 2026-05-03 20:15

@leighelse Thanks for sharing. Sample size of one: my impression (based on 18 months with my Hyundai hybrid) is that Android Auto is not as responsive as it was when I first got the car. I had intermittent reboots for about 6 months and then (I assume) an update sorted that out. Then 6 months of reliable and brisk usage. In the last 6 months, I have noticed slower and less accurate manual interactions and less accurate and responsive voice interactions. On a related note, I'd be keen to hear folks opinions on which Android podcast app plays best with Android Auto.

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@null0x0@fosstodon.org 2026-05-03 21:12

@leighelse Physical buttons are less distracting and offer more tactile feedback. Touch screen is :ac_distress: terrible overall.

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@nicole@queer.group 2026-05-03 21:36

@leighelse id call it notable how exactly once the origin country of any car is mentioned - in alignment with EU interests, tainting the chinese competition. i dont say anything here is factually wrong, least of all the implied call for physical buttons for improved usability and security, however i do wonder at what cost to an open mind towards chinese products that point is being made here

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@simplicitarian@cloudisland.nz 2026-05-04 04:38

@leighelse I haven’t owned a car for nearly 8 years and seldom drive, though recently I’ve been driving my mother (injured in a fall) to various places in her car. Her car is old and easy for me to drive. With all the technology added these days I’m seriously concerned that I wouldn’t be able to drive a new vehicle!

Open ##2078836