←back to thread

Hidden interface controls that affect usability

(interactions.acm.org)
559 points cxr | 2 comments | 05 Jul 25 23:10 UTC | HN request time: 0.42s | source
Show context
WarOnPrivacy ◴[06 Jul 25 00:57 UTC] No.44476845[source]▶
I drive a Toyota that is nearly old enough to run for US Senator. Every control in the car is visible, clearly labeled and is distinct to the touch - at all times. The action isn't impeded by routine activity or maintenance (ex:battery change).

Because it can be trivially duplicated, this is minimally capable engineering. Yet automakers everywhere lack even this level of competence. By reasonable measure, they are poor at their job.

replies(13): >>44476881 #>>44476892 #>>44477024 #>>44477518 #>>44477594 #>>44477656 #>>44478016 #>>44478375 #>>44480180 #>>44480505 #>>44481914 #>>44482166 #>>44482519 #
aikinai ◴[06 Jul 25 01:06 UTC] No.44476892[source]▶
It's cost, not competence. These days making a touch screen is easier and cheaper than manufacturing and assembling lots of little buttons and knobs.
replies(7): >>44476984 #>>44477057 #>>44477062 #>>44477068 #>>44477087 #>>44477266 #>>44477517 #
gblargg ◴[06 Jul 25 03:11 UTC] No.44477517[source]▶
It allows UI designers to add nearly endless settings and controls where they were before limited by dash space. It's similar to how everything having flash for firmware allows shipping buggy products that they justify because they can always fix it with a firmware update.
replies(1): >>44479747 #
1. hulitu ◴[06 Jul 25 11:23 UTC] No.44479747[source]▶
> It allows UI designers to add nearly endless settings and controls where they were before limited by dash space

Except, they don't do it.

Just like your Windows PC is capable of drawing a raised or sunked 3D button, or a scrollbar, but, they don't do it anymore.

replies(1): >>44480891 #
2. TeMPOraL ◴[06 Jul 25 14:01 UTC] No.44480891[source]▶
The real cost saving is in the touch panel being a single component. It eliminates the need to optimize UI in physical space, and decouples the UI design and testing from the rest of the car design and manufacturing process. As a bonus, both hardware and software for the panel can then be outsourced do the lowest bidder or bought as a bottom-of-the-barrel COTS package.