Yes. Faking manual/geared transmission doesn’t actually give you the power of either of those, it’s just to ease people into a new gearless car.

I prefer manual over all, but CVT fixed the issue classic automatic transmission had of limiting the power you can exert. I think if manufacturers can improve the heat problem of the CVT belts and overall reliability then it may become a new standard that even enthusiasts wouldn’t mind.

Yes. And most modern phones nowadays let you play music through the charging port aswell

Car manufacturers need to realize that people already have a touchscreen that has a GPS, podcasts, music, and text messaging service in their pockets 24/7. Best option would be to make built in phone holders that are plugged in via USB C and connect to the sound system. Voila.

Stuff like this makes me very glad to own my 2015 Nissan Altima. I get occasionally let down by its somewhat lackluster engine and CVT transmission, but it cuts all the crap with infotainment bloatware in the dashboard and how it works. The only screen in my car is a small black strip that can only display text as most cars used to have. All you do is plug in your phone to the aux cord and use your phone as the touchscreen it was made to be, no need for another one. Physical buttons galore.

Yeah. Looks like some sedimentary rock that has a few shells fossilized. If I had to bet, the rock itself is limestone perhaps?