News intelligence
How we verify
DEVELOPINGTechnologyConfidence: LOW

Screenless GPS: Slate Auto says, "Remember the road atlas"

First reported Fri, 13 Nov 2026 14:45:04 GMT · Last updated

Latest update
Screenless GPS: Slate Auto says, "Remember the road atlas"
Ars Technica · published 2026-11-13 14:45 UTC
Screenless GPS: Slate Auto says, "Remember the road atlas"
Lead image via Ars Technica

Whether it's nostalgia or a sense that technology has gotten a bit too pervasive, there’s no denying that Slate Auto appears to be tuned into the particular moment. The startup has a simple pitch : an affordable electric truck with just the basics , leaving owners to DIY and BYOD for everything else, all for a sub-$25,000 starting price. Among the things Slate does without is an embedded infotainment system. The small digital display on the dashboard that shows your speed and range is also where the backup camera appears if you engage reverse, and there are two USB-C ports that provide power but not connectivity, and that’s that. But there is a solution to getting lost, and it's called “Screenless GPS.” Even though we don’t have a Slate truck to test it with, the OEM sent us a unit to review. That’s right, it’s a good old spiral-bound road atlas! “We believe you should use the devices you know and love,” Slate says, and it reckons that maps worked just fine for past generations, so they should still work now. Read full article Comments ]]>

1 source in this cluster

  • Ars Technica
    Screenless GPS: Slate Auto says, "Remember the road atlas"

    Whether it's nostalgia or a sense that technology has gotten a bit too pervasive, there’s no denying that Slate Auto appears to be tuned into the particular moment. The startup has a simple pitch : an affordable electric truck with just the basics , leaving owners to DIY and BYOD for everything else, all for a sub-$25,000 starting price. Among the things Slate does without is an embedded infotainment system. The small digital display on the dashboard that shows your speed and range is also where the backup camera appears if you engage reverse, and there are two USB-C ports that provide power but not connectivity, and that’s that. But there is a solution to getting lost, and it's called “Screenless GPS.” Even though we don’t have a Slate truck to test it with, the OEM sent us a unit to review. That’s right, it’s a good old spiral-bound road atlas! “We believe you should use the devices you know and love,” Slate says, and it reckons that maps worked just fine for past generations, so they should still work now. Read full article Comments ]]>

    Fri, 13 Nov 2026 14:45:04 GMT

Timeline

  1. 2026-11-13 14:45Ars Technica — Screenless GPS: Slate Auto says, "Remember the road atlas"

How to read this page

  • Headlines, quotes and facts come from the linked original articles (reporting).
  • "Newsei analysis" and "Why it matters" are AI-assisted synthesis (inference).
  • "Confirmed" means two or more independent outlets reported the same claim.

Methodology · Source profiles & bias labels · Corrections policy · Report an error: info@newsei.com

Advertisement

Share this timeline

Embed shows this story's live timeline on your own site and links back here.