Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by meristem 1487 days ago
I recall a Car Talk episode many years ago where the discussion about BMW’s big knob for multiple functions was filled with negative statements. Tactile feedback and navigation were issues.
1 comments

I have a 20y old BMW with the idrive knob. I find it excellent. This is because the knob contains a motor to simulate various detent and other virtual stops. So you actually have a really fine tactile feedback. You can navigate menus without looking the screen.

It can act as a spring, a rotary encoder, a joystick, small detent, big detent, etc.