When the mobile tech replaced my pealing yoke with the new updated one (under warranty) he hooked up his laptop to a plug inside the center console. Needed to change something to enable the new one to work with the center horn and new camera button. After that everything worked as designed. Service took about 30 minutes. Asked if I could keep the old yoke, and he said he was instructed to return it to service.
Latest yoke feels more solid and robust than the original. I have gotten used to the yoke and like the openness it gives to the cabin. Makes me feel like I am driving something unique and special. Have no objection to the traditional round wheel, but feel it would be a step backwards. The ultimate goal for the yoke will be it's combination with drive by wire steering, like in the CyberTruck.
If the yoke had steer by wire, it would be a step forward, as you'd have the excellent dash and windshield visibility of the yoke, and none of the downsides there currently are. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with the yoke since being so tall the steering wheel retrofit really blocks a portion of the driver's display. But if that weren't the case, steering wheel all the way. You simply have more control, are able to let the wheel slip through fingers when releasing it after a tight turn, and three-point turns/maneuvering is much easier - doesn't leave you grasping at air.
The funny thing is that I've found the best way of describing the whole yoke vs wheel argument is this: The yoke is excellent some of the time, - even
most of the time, depending where you live. But there are occasions, - how many will depend where you live and what you deal with on a daily basis - where the yoke is not ideal. Whether the yoke is good 80% of the time or 99% of the time, it's not 100%. The steering wheel is good
all the time. I can't think of a single time I've driven a car with a steering wheel through the decades where I've been like... oh darn... this steering wheel really gets in the way of my driving successfully and smoothly.
Anyway, - yes the new yoke material is obviously different from the old yoke material. We'll see how well it holds up over time, but it's an improvement immediately noticeable.