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Comment by patrickk | Hacker News Reader

> Car infotainment systems these days should be little more than a largely dumb interface to my smart phone so that for the 10-20 years I own the car, I get regular updates on its utility as my smart phone and its apps improve.

That doesn't align with car makers incentives and business plans. Right now, all the talk is about mobility services (which don't make a profit for anyone currently) and chasing Tesla. They need something to replace spare parts and servicing, which is where all the profit is. With COVID, the EU commission fines on CO2, and the beginnings of EVs taking over (=spare parts and servicing will be reduced to almost nothing), they need a future profit generator. Except that doesn't line up with what consumers want.

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That doesn't align with car makers incentives

If does if lack of CapPlay/Android Auto prevents sales.

I won't buy a car that doesn't have them. I don't want to install more apps just for my car. I don't want to learn new systems when the native integration works just fine. I certainly don't want to pay for updated navigation when I get it "free" from Apple or Google.

For a while, that meant no Toyota/Lexus (it appears they've since caved and have native phone integration).

This is the worst thing about my 2017 Highlander. No idea why Toyota thought that infotainment system could compete - it’s pretty terrible.

I’ve seen videos of people installing CarPlay compatible head units while maintaining all of the original car features, but it kind of spooks me. I’ll have to build up the courage to make the switch.

If you're going to have the car for 10+ years, why in the world would it be a problem to learn the system in it?

a) many people dont' keep cars that long b) the system is probably poorly designed and implemented

You have no argument here.

the average loan for a new vehicle is 3-5 years. Is it your belief that you're likely to default on that loan, therefore why would you learn the system in your vehicle?

The average ownership length for a car is roughly 6 years. Taking the time to learn a system that you'll have for anywhere from 3-6 years is completely reasonable.

This is the very definition of #firstworldproblems.

I don't think it's that hard to understand. People want cars to be compatible with their phone system because it's easier and it works better.

You certainly can learn the lousy interface in your car and there is some value in that, but it isn't hard to understand why the sales & marketing team is emphasizing that you don't have to (whether or not true in practice).

Yep, I'm pretty sure that's the reason, they're having to be dragged kicking and screaming to give consumers what they're asking for.

Every time I took my car in for a service and would look at cars on the showroom floor, I would ask about Apple CarPlay options and tell the sales person how I have no inclination to buy a new car until the current one becomes problematic or the new ones have the option of me not having to rely on their not great UI for the lifetime of the car.

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