Privacy Article: Slate says your truck will never track you!

[KevinRS]

Bluetooth buttons on steering wheel would likely be simple "dumb" buttons, like you can buy to use for your phone that when connected to the phone, just register a button press. Usually they are used for phones for things like remotely controlling the camera. These would just be powered off of the 12v line in the truck, or maybe a 5v line, instead of a button cell. The buttons wouldn't get updates, they basically have no software.
What they do would be set entirely by the software on the phone, likely volume control, pausing streaming, maybe if there are bluetooth speakers compatible, handling handsfree calling.

 

[mattlach]

This right here - if they are willing to commit to it in a legally binding document - instantly makes the Slate truck the best EV on the market, bar none.

 

[NMNeil]

Even if the company enshitifies, you still need hardware to collect and transmit data

So beware the recall for your Slate that tells you it desperately needs to install a missing 'feature'
I'm old and all my cars have had a speedo, temperature and oil gauge or warning light and a fuel gauge.
Slate will probably have a battery capacity or estimated range gauge and a speedo.
Why do you need anything else let alone have it connected to Wi-Fi Bluetooth or the internet?

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Why do you need anything else let alone have it connected to Wi-Fi Bluetooth or the internet?

To check on charging progress while eating lunch without having to go out to the car to check a 'gauge'.