Ref synthesizers (Score 1)

Strange how noone has yet commented on how similar this is to the development of digital sound synthesizers. When digital synths became the big frenzy in the late 80's, all the familiar knobs and switches disappeared, only to be replaced by time- and attention consuming menu entries. In fact to to such a big degree that it became impossible (in practice) to dynamically change the sound while playing (live), and thus limiting how you could perform your instrument. Fortunately for us keyboard players, the virtual-analogue retro trend is once again providing us with knobs and switches. One can only hope that car manufacturers would pay attention to lessons learned by early adopters of new technology, but so far it looks like they're heading down the same dead-end street. Not being able to perform while controlling a vehicle is likely to have a lot more impact on public health than not being able to perform a musical instrument... ZyF