Who uses the "trackpad" function of the lower screen?

[f1eng]

I had a second demo drive 9 months after my original order, to see if I still want one...
Having read about the lower part of the lower screen behaving like a trackpad, and having experience of a huge number of miss directions or total misses using a touch screen at arms length in a moving car I thought I would try it.

Despite using it with my left hand in a UK spec car it seemed a much more reliable way to use the system than stabbing the buttons in the middle screen.

If I had a LHD car it would be an obvious semi-solution of my hate for touch screens.

Does anybody use their car this way?

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[BigBob]

It's better for scrolling up/down top screen menus, rather than accidentally selecting something when you're trying to flip through a list on the top screen. But i usually forget to use it. I've not bothered using it for anything more complicated than scrolling. I'm left handed.

Would be better use of space as an actual screen eg one you could set as dedicated audio or something.

 

[WuffvonTrips]

If I had a LHD car it would be an obvious semi-solution of my hate for touch screens.

Does anybody use their car this way?

Not got mine yet, so hope to remember this option when it arrives, but your post prompted me to pay attention to how I use my workhorse laptop...and I've only just realised that- even when I have both hands free- I generally navigate by operating the trackpad with my left hand (I'm right-handed though type with both). Apparently, one million cups of tea and biscuits galore have caused me to develop some ambidexterity.

 

[f1eng]

Would be better use of space as an actual screen eg one you could set as dedicated audio or something.

Interesting, I quite liked it but I have an intense loathing of touch screens for everything but a phone where they are a convenient evil.

I prefer far fewer un-needed functions and ergonomic buttons.

 

[Kingske]

I actually do not use the lower touch screen, not because it is dysfunctional or anything, but because the Taycan's voice commands function seems to work remarkably well for entering destination addresses. In other cars, it typically did not work reliably. Must be my accent...

 

[BigBob]

I actually do not use the lower touch screen, not because it is dysfunctional or anything, but because the Taycan's voice commands function seems to work remarkably well for entering destination addresses. In other cars, it typically did not work reliably. Must be my accent...

I haven't tried voice control yet. Just assumed it would be awful like my other cars have been!

 

[daveo4EV]

almost 2 years in - never use it - love the extra screen - track pad functionality - heh - I often forget it can do anything - LOL

 

[pEAkfrEAk]

almost 2 years in - never use it - love the extra screen - track pad functionality - heh - I often forget it can do anything - LOL

Agree 100%. I also never used the track pad.

 

[Kingske]

I haven't tried voice control yet. Just assumed it would be awful like my other cars have been!

I was really surprised to find out how accurately it understood my address commands.

 

[Oink]

Protip: If you're regularly hitting next track during a drive, press it once on the screen and then just press down on the "trackpad" area to skip to next one. Very useful if you're like me, swapping tracks often.

 

[DL_AU]

Two weeks’ in, so others may have a clearer perspective on this…. My initial observations:

• I’m learning to let go of the analogue days, whereby there was a 1:1 relationship between a button and a function. By way of analogy: If you are editing a document and want to make a word bold, there are at least three ways to do this (control-B, right click to a menu, or use the menu…). Few people say ‘I want to be forced to use only one way’ to make a word bold. The Taycan is similar: Use either of two screens; use your voice; use to buttons on the steering wheel…. whatever you like! Seen in this light, the ‘trackpad‘ is another option - good for some things, and awkward for others; your choice
• Using the trackpad screen is something that I do only rarely, but when I do so I’m reminded that this is an effective way to operate. Using the top screen requires a degree of proprioception that I don’t have while driving!

 

[bsclywilly]

I think Porsche missed an opportunity here for more gesture control. You can adjust the volume using the trackpad by sliding two fingers up and down. Would have been great to also skip next/back track with a sideways gesture. Or better yet make the gestures customizable.

 

[Jhenson29]

The only thing I use the trackpad for is to access the 3D surround view that I didn’t pay for. ?

Touch screens can be very difficult to operate with an outstretched arm. This is a major issue in vehicles. My Macan touch screen is easy to mis-touch on.

However, (and I’ve mentioned this before) the ergonomics on the Taycan touch screens are outstanding.

The center screen has a lower shelf you can use to anchor your outstretched hand. I really have zero issue using this screen. A+ job Porsche.

For the dash/instrument cluster, you can anchor your hand to the side or behind (at least, w/o HUD; I don’t know about with).

And the lower center console screen is close enough with large enough buttons that I don’t typically need to anchor my hand. But the whole screen is also small enough that I can anchor my hand on the side and reach things if I need to. You can also rest your finger on the screen without “pressing”, which can help as well.

 

[whan]

I think Porsche missed an opportunity here for more gesture control. You can adjust the volume using the trackpad by sliding two fingers up and down. Would have been great to also skip next/back track with a sideways gesture. Or better yet make the gestures customizable.

Hadn't thought of this, but this is a fantastic idea. Would help offset the downsides of not having physical buttons for key functions.

 

[whan]

I was really surprised to find out how accurately it understood my address commands.

Does it do a good job with search-type commands for the names of certain locations? For example, of the reasons I love android auto is that it's linked to google search, so I can just say the name of my barbershop and it'll find it with high accuracy. My Lexus OEM infotainment struggles pretty bad with this, so you're left having to find the address first and then voice inputting it in

On top of that, you can use android auto to voice search for songs or playlists in spotify, which is another big plus

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