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Comment by ajsharp | Hacker News Reader

Related: Mazda is removing screen from future vehicles due to the clear safety issues. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1121372_why-mazda-is-pur...

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The Mazda puck control is awesome. Hands-down the best car UI.

I drive a Mazda and didn't even realize the screen was touchable because there is absolutely no reason to not use the puck.

(If you've never seen it, the puck is an all-in-one scroll wheel, button, and directional joystick - on the center console exactly where your arm naturally rests, no reaching necessary.)

100% agree. This is one of the main reasons why I chose a Mazda over the Honda/Toyota equivalents.

* touchscreen. All US cars still need a screen because of the government required backup camera.

Is that really true? Some backup camera systems used to display as part of the rearview mirror. (I don't know if the size and nature of the display meets the current requirements though and, in practice, I imagine all but the lowest end vehicles do use a screen for at least some entertainment functions. Big volume knobs are probably mostly a lost cause.)

Yes, but the ones in the mirror are too small. The big, wide angle backup cameras are wonderful. So much better than the limited mirror. They see a much wider area and below the bumper.

I just said they need a screen. And to display video you need a screen somewhere, so yeah it's true. And the government does mandate all new cars to have a backup camera monitoring system.

A technology I see a lot of apparent work on is light field displays which would be perfect for synthetic rear view mirrors.

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