However, the update came with several other changes as Coolwalk removes the status bar and relies entirely on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Like the Windows taskbar, this part of the interface allows users to launch apps and view additional information, such as the current time.
Depending on the head unit, the task bar can be displayed at the bottom of the screen or vertically on the side closest to the driver.
Many users feel that the lack of taskbar customization makes Coolwalk a failed redesign, especially since using a vertical design can save space, especially on smaller screens. However, the taskbar configuration makes perfect sense in Coolwalk.
The first thing users should keep in mind is that the size of the taskbar has not changed with the release of Coolwalk. It’s the same size as before the update, so it uses a similar screen on the head unit.
The vertical taskbar may seem like an improved experience, but it doesn’t.
When the taskbar has a vertical design, the quick controls that can be enabled through the settings are no longer available. These buttons, known as widgets, allow users to interact with other apps when Android Auto is running. When a navigation app has focus, users can control music playback from the taskbar using the play and pause buttons. When Spotify is running in full screen, this area of the taskbar is used to display the next turn for navigation.
The number of apps available on the taskbar is also different. When a vertical layout is used, only three icons are displayed in the toolbar. This is because the taskbar on portrait devices uses a smaller screen, so there isn’t as much space as in horizontal mode.
When the default configuration is enabled, the taskbar displays four icons.
Both Coolwalk and the previous version of Android Auto used the same approach regarding the available icons. The additional icon, which is only available when the taskbar is at the bottom of the screen, provides one-tap access to the most recent app if it differs from the other three.
At the end of the day, a taskbar at the bottom of the screen is the way to go, and Coolwalk doesn’t come with options to set it aside, which doesn’t make it a flop. Compared to CarPlay, where the taskbar is always vertical, Android Auto makes sense with a taskbar at the bottom of the screen. By design, this is not only where this feature is located, but also where it makes the most sense.