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Are Cars Just Becoming Giant Smartphones on Wheels?
(www.carsandhorsepower.com)
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
Software enables new revenue streams. Manufacturers can lock out features and force people to pay subscriptions. The industry wants to normalize that so they get bigger margins and a source of revenue that extends long after the initial sale. Motor vehicle as a service.
I like controls that don't distract from driving. Computers without any internet connection aren't a problem. I don't mind all the buttons and switches being connected to a micro-controller. It saves a lot of wiring and complexity. While I don't like screens I can see how they are useful for some people. Ideally you can use a vehicle offline and with the screens off.
You can turn a lot of this stuff off. Still. Most of the driver assistant stuff is optional still.
In another few years? Probably not. They will probably change insurance policies to hold you liable if you drive without it.