Consumer electronics and car electronics are increasingly starting to merge, especially since automakers are starting to incorporate the types of convenience and connectivity features typically found in other gadgets.

Customization of a home screen is nothing new; it’s been available for computer displays for decades and is now commonplace in most smartphones. We’re also now starting to see it on a limited basis in vehicle dashboards.

The 2012 Buick Verano with the IntelliLink system, for example, allows owners to populate the system’s home screen with icons for features they use most. As you can see in the video below, the system allows the owner to select a range of features and applications -- in this case auxiliary input, Bluetooth audio, USB input and tone controls -- and place them on the system’s main menu touch-screen for quick and easy access.

Automotive touch-screens aren’t always as intuitive as knobs and buttons, although some infotainment functions are duplicated with physical controls on the Verano’s center stack. But, as we reported yesterday, although sometimes frustrating, touch-based interfaces are likely the future of in-car user interfaces.

And even though the Verano’s home-screen customization is somewhat limited, anything that can help a driver get to a feature or function with less hands-off-the-wheel,​ eyes-off-the-road time is a step in the right direction.