In fairness, nothing prevents that from occurring today no matter what vehicle one drives. On long trips my wife watches movies just as when in a plane. I have never done it, nor would I, but a driver could do the same.
Yeah, me too. I always store out of site when parked for that reason, and often take it with me anyway because the larger screen of Mini makes use easier than phone. Have to admit I only take iPad on longer trips. Most trips which are close to home I don’t need or use GPS at all. I think that’s approach Slate is taking — don’t add cost on things that are rarely used or needed.
I believe they have an accessory that allows you to bring an iPad/tablet into the vehicle to act as the screen. Not practical for all, but I am sure there are folks that would utilize it for gps or music control…. I wonder how many will use it to watch videos while driving. 🤦🏻♂️
“Dumber than a sack of bricks”? 😀
Whoever thought the entire planet would cow down in fear without pushing back hard doesn’t understand humanity, or different cultures at all.
That’s a good question. I don’t know but see similarity in size to the smaller previous generation. Toyota site shows 2026 Crown with shorter length, etc., so even if related apparently hasn’t been updated to recent all-new platform yet. The new ES is offered both HEV or BEV, so maybe Crown will follow.
An apparent difference is that on new Lexus ES, they went from base fuel-efficient and proven 2.5L hybrid to all-electric and skipped the optional and newer Crown’s 2.4L Turbo hybrid option. Obviously turbo hybrid offers more power, but given fuel efficiency is so much lower than more-traditional hybrid powertrain, it makes little sense to me. I still think most hybrid buyers are biased towards fuel efficiency more than acceleration. Buyers who value acceleration more so may go to a BEV, leaving Turbo hybrid in no man’s land.
I can’t stand using my phone for navigation either due to screen being too small, but have had success with iPad Mini for years, and expect it would be fine for a truck like the Slate which is meant to stay close to home in the first place. I already know where I’m going so it’s mostly to check traffic congestion anyway. It’s unfortunate the screen behind steering wheel is so small on Slate, otherwise maybe it could display navigation. Pictures show tiny screen no bigger than a phone, and much smaller than iPad Mini, so it wouldn’t help much other than being located closer to line of sight.
Anyway, what I really love about the Slate approach of getting back to basics is eliminating over the air updates, other than what can be accomplished through phone when necessary. The approach Tesla started of having cars that are rolling computers is not appealing to me for the most part. I prefer (for myself) a basic vehicle that happens to be driven by electricity, not a car designed for future autonomous driving. I understand the advantages of OTA updates, but don’t like associated compromises.
InsideEVs article on Slate basic function and updates is interesting.
https://insideevs.com/news/757681/slate-ev-screen-software-updates/
I've got it on my 38' fifth wheel. Installation of the sensors is a pain because you've got to dismount the tires to have them placed, but the rest was super easy. The system works great other than an occasional fault due to losing signal on one sensor, but it's not a big deal as it doesn't happen often, and it's usually back in a few minutes. Looking back, I would do it again.