Ford Trying to Figure Out Buttons

[Ernest T]

Ford CEO Jim Farley Says Physical Buttons Still Being Figured Out

In Ford's survey, 96% of respondents preferred buttons over digital controls. Hallelujah! Maybe there is hope that buttons will make a comeback.

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[wireman]

With 96% of owners saying they want buttons, what the hell is there to figure out Jim?

 

[Red&Bad]

I still recall, fondly, my husband (BMW) getting in my Mazda2 (2013). He could not figure out the HVAC system and was befuddled by the lack of a read out. I calmly explained: left knob hot/cold (red/blue), center knob fan (1,2,3,4), and right knob where it comes out. He's gotten better, but the left knob still is somewhat a mystery to him.

 

[DWG]

This was a subject that came up before the 25 Bronco Sports came out with sync 4 and the larger screen. You could search the forum (see below for one thread) and the internet for pros and cons of loosing the buttons for larger screens. On my previous searching I have found that there are some manufacturers that went all in on loosing the buttons and have since come back to adding back some buttons. While I do like the larger screen on my 25 Escape, I do miss having buttons for features like climate control and air recirculation where I have to go into a screen to realize it turned off after I turned it on. The lack of buttons can be a distraction for the driver when trying to access features.

the-tyranny-of-touch-screens-may-be-coming-to-an-end.12202

 

[hellb0y]

I’m not replacing my 2023 till Ford brings back physical buttons for for HVAC

 

[RSH]

Ford has had buttons and knobs for years, what is there to figure out.

 

[Major Kong]

make foot pumps great again

 

[Warped9]

Countless studies have shown that physical switchgear results in less distraction for the driver and less time actually engaging the function over haptic controls and screens.

 

[aweston]

I need a smoke button in mine ...

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I’m still planning to upgrade my Covid built Badlands with a HVAC unit with temp shown in the dial as I hate having to twist the dial just to see what temp it is set on. And no, I cant just set it and forget it. Also, I use Apple CarPlay so the temp setting is not displyed in the banner as it is in sync 3.

 

[Dude]

I’m still planning to upgrade my Covid built Badlands with a HVAC unit with temp shown in the dial as I hate having to twist the dial just to see what temp it is set on. And no, I cant just set it and forget it. Also, I use Apple CarPlay so the temp setting is not displyed in the banner as it is in sync 3.

It’s an easy peazy swap … not
The video does look like fun however

 

[Escape2Bronco]

It’s an easy peazy swap … not
The video does look like fun however

Yea, not really easy peazy, but also not terrible considering.

 

[Warped9]

The #1 reason manufactures go with screens is cost. It’s cheaper to install a screen than designing and installing .physical switchgear with all the requisite wiring. The supposed “convenience” of screens and haptic controls is nothing but hype to convince buyers it’s better. The judgement is in, folks: it’s not better. It’s worse.

In hand with this is the minimalist interior design ethic championed by Tesla. The bland featureless interiors are simply easier and cheaper to make. So instead of appealing and interesting dashboards we get elongated tablets on a shelf.

Screens have their place, primarily as a rearview camera and displaying maps (if needed/desired). The prominent use of smartphones also necessitates an interface with the phone that allows for handsfree use. But thats it. Nothing else needs to be or should be accessed through the screen. Climate control, heated seats, glove box access, windows, door locks, rear defroster, trunk access or whatever should not be done through the screen, but with physical controls that are more intuitive and far easier to access and use. To emphasize, you can’t access a screen if you’re wearing gloves in winter, but you can manipulate physical controls.

Digital instrumentation is another cost saving measure. It’s just cheaper and easier to install a screen within an instrument binnacle than putting in mechanical gauges. I admit it took me getting used to seeing my instrument panel go completely black when the car is turned off.

 

[Whpony96]

Ford CEO Jim Farley Says Physical Buttons Still Being Figured Out

In Ford's survey, 96% of respondents preferred buttons over digital controls. Hallelujah! Maybe there is hope that buttons will make a comeback.

The sad part is all the people that "Hate" the integrated on-screen controls in the 2025+ get fixated on that part and not that you have the ability to adjust the temp and so much more by just saying "OK Ford, set drivers temp to 74" or "OK Ford, turn on the passengers heated seat". All you have to do is enable voice activation (This is DISABLED by default.) in the Sync 4 menu and now you don't even have to touch a single button or take your eyes off the road. All you have to do is use your voice. But, I can see it now "It's too hard to use my voice, it's such an inconvenience."

 

[jkernitzki]

The sad part is all the people that "Hate" the on-screen controls in the 2025+ get fixated on that part and not that you have the ability to adjust the temp and so much more by just saying "OK Ford, set drivers temp to 74" or "OK Ford, turn on the passengers heated seat". All you have to do is enable voice activation (Turned Off by default) in the Sync 4 menu and now you don't even have to touch a single button or take your eyes off the road.

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