Mercedes shuns a return to physical buttons

[TC350]

The funny thing, though, is that you can touch-click 'accept' on the car's infotainment system, but not on the mobile phone.

That's just a button on my steering wheel that's accessible without removing my hands from the wheel.

Not that I'll use it anyway, because I disagree with holding telephone conversations whilst driving.

 

[Germgh0st]

This is what it says, agreed. And I suppose that the correct and legal way to make or take calls in these circumstances would be by using voice commands only.

The funny thing, though, is that you can touch-click 'accept' on the car's infotainment system, but not on the mobile phone.

I think you are allowed to touch 'accept' and 'end call' on your phone, as long as you're not holding it.

 

[NJSS]

I believe not! The RAC say:-

Hands-free phone use: the law​

There are two things to remember here:

1. You cannot hold your phone when behind the wheel, even momentarily (this includes when supervising a learner driver).
2. To use your phone for communication you must have hands-free access.

Any hands-free devices should be fully set up before you drive, so you can take calls without handling the device.

Source:- Mobile phone driving laws - what is and isn't illegal? | RAC Drive

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

When I heard that the Mercedes EQS might have touch screens instead of physical buttons I bought my Smart ForFour, because I wanted my next car to have physical buttons, and that’s something that the new EQS could never be.

It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the EQS 53 ANG would cost well over one hundred and fifty thousand pounds more. Nothing at all. Definitely about being physical buttons. No question about that. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

OK. Maybe a bit.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I believe not! The RAC say:-

Hands-free phone use: the law​

There are two things to remember here:

1. You cannot hold your phone when behind the wheel, even momentarily (this includes when supervising a learner driver).
2. To use your phone for communication you must have hands-free access.

Any hands-free devices should be fully set up before you drive, so you can take calls without handling the device.

Source:- Mobile phone driving laws - what is and isn't illegal? | RAC Drive

Handling and touching...... very different things. It is legal to answer/decline/end calls while driving as long as the phone is not in your hand.....so on a mount.

 

[MSG2004]

Handling and touching...... very different things. It is legal to answer/decline/end calls while driving as long as the phone is not in your hand.....so on a mount.

I'm not sure about that, therefore please post a link for a credible site.

Important heads-up about it being against the law to make a call when driving, in queue etc on a public highway.
You can use the phone iF calling the 999 number and it is not safe for you to pull over.


EDIT addition: Here is bit of research from the donkey's mouth:
You can use a device held in your hand if:

• you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop
• you’re safely parked
• you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example at a drive-through restaurant
• you’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely

From the donkey site​

Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving

It’s illegal to hold a phone or a sat nav while driving - you'll get penalty points, a fine and can be banned from driving.

www.gov.uk

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

The French ban drivers, and cyclists, from using earpieces of any description when driving, so you can't make calls (by using voice instruction), or listen to music when driving.

Obviously the French do live in their own little world. ("You must carry a breathalyser to check yourself to see if you have been drinking")

but it is possible that such.... nonsense... might cross the Channel one day.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Going back to Mercedes and the departure of physical buttons: MRDA.

Volkswagen, and the Koreans, are already proving that, while the Car designer & manufacturer may fancy something,

the customer / user still has the upper hand.


(Aston Martin Lagonda 1986)

 

[ALFAitalia]

The French ban drivers, and cyclists, from using earpieces of any description when driving, so you can't make calls (by using voice instruction), or listen to music when driving.

Obviously the French do live in their own little world. ("You must carry a breathalyser to check yourself to see if you have been drinking")

but it is possible that such.... nonsense... might cross the Channel one day.

View attachment 151867

Is it still 1995 in France???......who uses an earpiece to hear their phone in their car these day? Cant see that law affecting many.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Is it still 1995 in France???......who uses an earpiece to hear their phone in their car these day? Cant see that law affecting many.

Call quality is clearer, and your car interior is quieter, thanks to the noise reduction software,

For those without CarPlay, the voice activation is better,

For those without decent bluetooth audio streaming, the audio's clearer and better.

There's a whole generation out there who work, commute and live in their AirPods.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Fair comment......My 2009 car has voice activation for calls (making and receiving)....no car play in mine.....just part of what ALFA calls "Blue and Me"!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Navigate to Dog and Duck (using real time traffic)
Play “Pull up to the Bumper” by Grace Jones
Play “My Week in Cars” ….
Send text to “The Wife” “Working late…”

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Navigate to Dog and Duck (using real time traffic)
Play “Pull up to the Bumper” by Grace Jones
Play “My Week in Cars” ….
Send text to “The Wife” “Working late…”

I know which podcast you’ve just listened to, and yes it does give a good hifi a workout.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I know which podcast you’ve just listened to, and yes it does give a good hifi a workout.

All bow to The Harris.

43 years on, I've only just worked out the lyrics.

(It's been a quiet life)

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I know which podcast you’ve just listened to,

I trust you shout at Gifford and Cooper when they keep getting car facts wrong.

Please don't let it just be me.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I trust you shout at Gifford and Cooper when they keep getting car facts wrong.

Please don't let it just be me.

It’s mostly just you

 

[ALFAitalia]

I think the biggest issue with the lack of physical buttons is not safety related (unless you are stupid....in which case even buttons wont help)....but more that its part of the the car world’s obsession with technology that often answers questions no one has, and creates frustrations where there weren’t any. Solutions to problems no one was having!!!

 

[DITTRICH]

The s205 centre console switches are exactly the same all in a line. Its impossible to select them without looking at them or memorising them. The old w202 and s124 switch layouts were more intuitive. I could deal with these by touch alone.

 

[GrahamT]

Touch screens could have a limited life .

Car makers told to ditch distracting touchscreens

From 2026, crash testing body Euro NCAP will introduce rules that downgrade safety ratings of new vehicles that do not have easy-to-use buttons on the dashboard to control simple operations.

www.thisismoney.co.uk

 

[st13phil]

Touch screens could have a limited life .

Car makers told to ditch distracting touchscreens

From 2026, crash testing body Euro NCAP will introduce rules that downgrade safety ratings of new vehicles that do not have easy-to-use buttons on the dashboard to control simple operations.

www.thisismoney.co.uk

Not before time.

Odd how it's taken so long for the "experts" to voice what many of us have been arguing for a very long time.