Whilst the A/P Hdg hold argument is most fascinating.........
Anyway, time-on-type and differences training. Reading the report it seems to me that our chap completed his PPL then immediately went over to his new Cirrus. As one who trains pilots on G1000 aircraft, I would be a little intrigued if someone with so little apparent experience managed to get signed-off for glass panel (a differences training stipulation) in only 2 hours. That said, he could have previously trained on another G1000 type and therefore there may not have been any need for differences training. Regardless, he subsequently managed to 'survive' 23 hours of G1000 time and it would be reasonable to expect that, by the end of this time, he should have figured what most of the buttons did.
I believe all "Perspectives" have the magic blue button.