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Comment by MrZongle2 | Hacker News Reader

From the article: "Sadly, since the new Sync runs on a totally different hardware, vehicles that shipped with the old version will not get the new hotness."

This is the #1 reason why I'm not interested in high-tech displays and car automation from the car manufacturers.

I drive an 18-year-old car, mostly because I enjoy not having a car payment. I'd rather deal with an ancient cassette deck than have more of my dashboard functionality imprisoned in an ancient (and possibly poor-performing) UI that cannot be upgraded.

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dashboard functionality imprisoned in an ancient (and possibly poor-performing) UI that cannot be upgraded.

Doesn't that pretty much describe a cassette deck? :)

It's easy to fall into the version-chaser trap with easily upgradable digital systems. But I've come to realize, when it comes to digital appliances, do they really need to be upgraded? I don't think so. My Toyota has a basic touchscreen UI that will probably never receive a software update, but you know what? That's fine. The CD player works, the radio works, the bluetooth works, and it will all continue to work. It really isn't all that different from the cassette decks of my past cars.

Doesn't that pretty much describe a cassette deck? :)

LOL, yes, if the manufacturer components aren't intended to be upgradeable via software. A virtual speedometer or gas-gauge, for instance, should be simple enough to never need a patch.

Navigation and entertainment systems, on the other hand, can be a lot more complex. Not only does mapping software need to be upgraded, but I think there can be some temptation on the part of content publishers to endlessly tweak potential revenue channels (the continuously increasing number of apps on my AppleTV comes to mind).

What happens when one of these updates results in degraded performance? Again with an Apple comparison: I think about my iPhone 4S' performance after iOS7 rolled out. A vehicle's performance degrades as it gets more mileage, but it can be offset by care and maintenance. What happens when a manufacturer (or their subcontractor) pushes an update that turns your 2-year-old responsive console system into a sluggish mess? Would you have purchased the car if it had performed like that?

Which is why it doesn't need to be upgraded at all! All you need is map database updates- that road closed, this new road was put in, end of story. My Garmin works like that, and I've seen first-hand with it that map databases tend to stay current "enough" for years.

Through that lens, you could view the fact that pre-WiFi, pre-cellular dash systems can only be upgraded by invasive action at the dealer as a blessing...

+1; car companies write awful software, and trying to keep up with mobile dev is a losing proposition. CarPlay and Android's equivalent are the right moves IMO. I just want my car to tell me the speed and RPM, let me shift the transmission by hand, and maybe have a big dumb screen to show things from my phone on. L

If I were an auto mfg, I'd make a car with an iPad in the dash in a modular mount. If you wanted to replace it or whatever down the line, get the new mount for the newest whatever tablet. They'd save so much on software, since their car control stuff could just be an app (or just actual buttons), and owners would be happier because an iPad or Nexus tablet is lightyears ahead of the junk they currently put in cars.

I drive a newish Golf and all the tech available with the car was vastly overpriced. You want MP3? 800 bucks please. I just swapped the head unit for an aftermarket with all the things I wanted (with was just a BT receiver).

Right now I could just get a DIN2 system with Arduino and plug an OBD-II to the car to get info from the central unit, but what I have works for me.

Agreed, and even if the software was great (it currently isn't), I don't want a touchscreen taking up valuable space that could have been used for physical buttons. No matter how good a touchscreen interface is, it can't be used without looking at it (barring advancements in tactile feedback).

Luckily, it's still possible to buy a new car that doesn't have a giant LCD in the middle of the dashboard, but I don't know how long that will last...

Mine is approaching 30 years old (still performs great - I think periodic maintenance is largely responsible) and came from the factory with not very many amenities, but I've upgraded it with some extra sensors and a display for engine info/GPS/etc. I try to keep away from large, closed, proprietary systems whenever possible...

I simply put a Pioneer in place of the factory head unit on our ten year old Scion. It has Apple CarPlay, which is really all I need and is well-executed IMO. All of the modern tech I need for $700 and an hour's work Wish I could do the same with our Nissan Leaf, but the head unit is way too tied to all of the other systems.

I'd say this is more of an argument against manufacturer installed systems. I've had a number of aftermarket systems and they've all performed better (plus an aftermarket system is $500-700 and can be swapped out for a newer model relatively easily).

$700??

I bought a great Sony double-DIN head unit for like $250 and installed it myself. Now I have bluetooth handsfree + audio streaming and it make the stock speakers in my car sound amazing.

Best car upgrade ever.

This is a larger factor for me than is given weight by car reviewers (with the exception of Consumer Reports' negative reviews of Ford SYNC). Knowing how much better car interfaces can and will be, I have steered clear of the current crop.

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