> Why would I want to be stuck with a 5-generation-old navigation/music player system when the car is still fine?
Why would you be? Isn't this a solved problem?
When you want to upgrade your entertainment system, you head to somewhere like Crutchfield or Sonic or Best Buy and buy a new one to plug in. In many cars, it takes less time to install a new car infotainment unit than it takes to buy a new iPhone from a carrier store. (It's often cheaper too).
For people afraid of wires, bored teens at Best Buy will install it all for you for an extra $70.
I think this was true for a while in the mid 2000s when radio units were more or less commodotized, but these days the big center console touch screens are deeply integrated with the car. Even settings like engine timings (sport/eco modes), suspension, steering feedback, etc. are a page or two away from the FM radio. Some have HVAC on the same system. There's also integration with steering wheel buttons, and sometimes the instrument cluster is actually a second screen rendered by the radio unit and displays the radio station or driving directions, etc. The FM radio and GPS may be part of the same transceiver package as the GSM "connected car" radio, and the Bluetooth and OnStar/automatic 911 dialing systems may share the same microphone, all running through the radio unit.
You can't just replace it and get identical/better functionality.
> I think this was true for a while in the mid 2000s when radio units were more or less commoditized, but these days the big center console touch screens are deeply integrated with the car
There's still dozens of brand-new cars that sell without a locked down center console.
For example, you could buy an 100% electric brand new 2016 Nissan Leaf. It ships today with an infotainment center you can "just replace it and get identical/better functionality" anytime you'd like. Despite being upgradable, it still supports many modern features (such as GPS, Apple CarPlay, Rear-view backup camera, etc)
At some point, people are making a choice. If you don't want to be stuck with an unmaintained computer in your car, buy any of the dozens of brand-new modern vehicles that let you freely upgrade whenever you like.
You're not wrong, but most people (even the tech minded) choose their new car by something other the center console features—there are many more important criteria to consider. In the 90s many people ended up with cassette players in their car when they would have preferred CD players.
On my car I had to open up the radio and modify it by hand to accept aux input. Still, I wouldn't have chosen a different car. The other parts of of it are far more important, even if it does irk me that the center console isn't DIN compatible.
What cars are we talking about? Modern cars integrate their entertainment system with a bunch of car-specific features, so it's no longer possible to swap "just the player" unit, like it was possible earlier.
I'm using a Toyota Yaris as an example. All recent models (including the current 2016 model) can be swapped out easily.
With Electric cars / Hybrids, I can see issues since they integrate environmental controls and other stuff in to their radios. I suspect as electric cars become more common, entertainment companies will start building units with support for those features.
Interesting... Wouldn't think anybody still does it. It's already impossible to do in 5th-gen Camaros, for example (2010-2015). I wouldn't be surprised that other Chevy cars are the same way.
> It's already impossible to do in 5th-gen Camaros, for example (2010-2015)
Is that actually true?
I'm no expert, but Crutchfield claims a 2010-2015+ Camaro can take almost any new infotainment box you'd like from their site. (Both Single or Dual DIN).
They claim you'll also retain all OnStar, audible safety alerts, and climate control functionality with your upgrade, regardless of the upgrade you choose.
Why would you be? Isn't this a solved problem?
When you want to upgrade your entertainment system, you head to somewhere like Crutchfield or Sonic or Best Buy and buy a new one to plug in. In many cars, it takes less time to install a new car infotainment unit than it takes to buy a new iPhone from a carrier store. (It's often cheaper too).
For people afraid of wires, bored teens at Best Buy will install it all for you for an extra $70.