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Comment by standardUser | Hacker News Reader

Given the 'single swipe' restriction, it's impossible not to extend that argument to changing the radio, adjusting your seat or turning on the AC.

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I think the difference is that changing tactile knobs and dials and buttons can be done without looking

Touchscreens lack that ability, you have to look at them to interact with them

There are cars that are primarily based on touch.

Yep and they should never have been allowed to exist. Tactile operation keeps your eyes where they need to be.

I think you are in agreement. Cars based on touch are good, yes?

Not touchscreens?

You can manipulate all these with minimal or no disruption of the driver. There are designed to be so.

What's the practical difference between changing the radio station on the built-in entertainment system and pressing the "next track" button on a playlist playing on a phone which is mounted on a dashboard mount in the same general area as the built-in entertainment system?

Playing the next track on the phone may actually be less distracting than changing the radio station because many built-in radios lack voice control whereas on the phone you might be able to use the phones voice assistant to change the track.

The practical difference is that physical buttons can be changed without looking, since they provide tactile feedback and they're physically present in the world. Touchscreens require looking, even if you're pretty familiar with the interface, because you can miss.

Of course even this is kind of moot, because a lot of car manufacturers put vital controls on the touchscreen. I mean, Teslas have the fucking gear shift on the touchscreen.

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