Instrument Clusters Are Now Paid Extras In Two Hyundai Models

Instrument Clusters Are Now Paid Extras In Two Hyundai Models (caranddriver.com) 5 "Enshittification of car controls [is] rapidly accelerating," writes longtime Slashdot reader sinij, pointing to a new report from Car and Driver. From the report: Remember when iPhones used to come with free headphones and a phone charger (including the wall plug)? It didn't feel so much like Apple giving you free goodies as it did that the company was providing you with the relevant hardware to use the device. Apple stopped including headphones and charging blocks in 2020. Now, Hyundai is pulling some of its standard hardware from the box, at least for two models. Hyundai is charging customers extra for a driver's display in the new Elantra generation (more specifically, the Korea-market Avante), as well as the Ioniq 3, Motor1 reported. Both models feature Pleos Connect, Hyundai's new infotainment setup that pairs a center touchscreen with a slim 9.9-inch instrument cluster mounted above the dashboard -- except where it doesn't. In its domestic market, the instrument cluster screen is offered as a 350,000 won ($255) option for the base trim. Not the most expensive optional extra in the world, but still kind of a slap in the face for a feature traditionally viewed as standard fare. Things are more expensive for the electric Ioniq 3. In the EV's case, the base trim gives customers the full Tesla-screen experience, meaning if customers want the driver's display, they'll need to fork over the additional $5000 necessary to move up to the next-level trim. [...] Hyundai plans to have the setup equipped in 20 million cars globally by the end of the decade. Hyundai is charging customers extra for a driver's display in the new Elantra generation (more specifically, the Korea-market Avante), as well as the Ioniq 3, Motor1 reported. Both models feature Pleos Connect, Hyundai's new infotainment setup that pairs a center touchscreen with a slim 9.9-inch instrument cluster mounted above the dashboard -- except where it doesn't. In its domestic market, the instrument cluster screen is offered as a 350,000 won ($255) option for the base trim. Not the most expensive optional extra in the world, but still kind of a slap in the face for a feature traditionally viewed as standard fare. Things are more expensive for the electric Ioniq 3. In the EV's case, the base trim gives customers the full Tesla-screen experience, meaning if customers want the driver's display, they'll need to fork over the additional $5000 necessary to move up to the next-level trim. [...] Hyundai plans to have the setup equipped in 20 million cars globally by the end of the decade. Illegitimate offspring for $10k (Score:2) For an extra $10,000 they'll make it look less like the illegitimate offspring of Doctor Disrespect and a Squirtel. Or they are giving a discount... (Score:2) Why include a wall wart and headphones? (Score:2) Re: Why include a wall wart and headphones? (Score:2) My OnePlus 13R and 15 came with wallwart fast chargers and Bluetooth earbuds. If anyone wants to know why people buy vinyl (Score:2) This is why. It has nothing to do with sound quality. Digital makes these shenanigans possible. Digital data is handled by programmable devices. Programmable devices can be turned against you at the press of a button not if but when the manufacturer wants to. You can't look at something to see if it will do what you want it to do. Software-defined functionality means it can do anything and nothing and you will never know before or even after your money has been spent. That's the difference between tech enthu