Tesla has now released update 2023.38 to roughly half of its fleet. Now that the update is in the wild, a couple additional enhancements have been spotted that are only available in certain regions.
Predictive Charger Availability
Tesla has continually improved Supercharger information in the vehicle. In the past couple years they've added the ability to view the number of chargers available at site Supercharger location, as well the number of stalls that are out of order. They also show how busy the Supercharger is at various points throughout the day.
If you thought live data was the best Tesla could do, they have a surprise in store in update 2023.38. If you're navigating to a Supercharger, Tesla will now predict how many Supercharger stalls will be available at your arrival, and display the predicted wait time, if any.
Tesla says they will factor in your travel time to the Supercharger, as well as other Tesla vehicles' travel times, to predict the charger's availability when you arrive.
Tesla continues to open up Supercharger to other electric vehicles, and while the number of non-Teslas charging at Superchargers may be a small percentage right now, that number is expected to increase as more manufacturers adopt Tesla's charging port. It'll be interesting to see how well Tesla can predict Supercharger availability when they may not be aware of all vehicles routing to each charger.
This feature is currently limited to the U.S., but is likely to expand to other regions as Tesla gathers more data and determines its accuracy.
When Tesla officially announced the feature on X, it wasn't clear which update the feature would feature the updated feature, but it has now been spotted in update 2023.38. The updated light pattern is currently only be available in select countries, including the U.S. It appears to not be available in most of Europe at this time, but that may change in a future update.
Vampire Survivors: Multiplayer Gaming
Update 2023.38 also brings other features, such as an update to Vampure Survivors. Just in time for Halloween, Tesla owners and their passengers can team up in a co-op mode, mowing down hordes of the undead. The gameplay allows up to four passengers to participate, turning your vehicle into a virtual battleground against zombies. This feature, however, has its prerequisites.
It requires MCU 3, making it exclusive to the recent Model S/X and 3/Y models. For those ready to dive into this electrifying experience, shift the Tesla into Park (P), navigate to the Tesla Arcade, and then choose Vampire Survivors. Remember, each player needs their own controller, which can now be wired or Bluetooth.
Location Sharing: Enhanced Transparency
Update 2023.38 also notifies drivers if they are being crept on, known as location sharing. A new icon now appears at the top of the touchscreen when any app — including the official Tesla app — requests live location data from your vehicle.
Tesla also introduces a practical modification that could prevent window or door damage during a vehicle update. We know that the window goes down just a little bit when the door opens and closes because of the distinct frameless door design. However, the windows can not adjust during software updates, increasing the chances of window damage. This update brings down the windows just a little bit to facilitate door opening and closing. Once the update concludes, the windows revert to their former position.
With every update, Tesla gets just a little bit better. We are just a few months away from the epic Christmas update. The countdown is on!
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Elon Musk has always maintained that he wants a Tesla to be the most fun you can have in a car. During the holiday season, Tesla is by far the most festive automobile on the road. Tesla owners are a little more festive this time of year as well because we all know the best update of the year will soon be downloaded to all the good Teslas.
This article, the third in our series on the Holiday Update Wish List, focuses on advancements in in-car entertainment and digital connectivity.
App Store for Third-Party Apps
A significant leap in Tesla's software offering would be an official App Store. We’ve seen a few hints of this, but clearly, owners want it as this feature would open a new realm of possibilities, allowing drivers and passengers to download and use third-party apps directly on the vehicle's interface.
Integrating an App Store could bring various applications, from navigation aids to productivity tools, and more entertainment options. This move would actually help free up Tesla engineers from the continuous cycle of developing and integrating additional streaming services, such as SiriusXM, YouTube TV, Fubo, Amazon Music, and many others.
Games would also be a major attraction to Tesla’s App Store. With an App Store, Tesla could rely on game publishers and other third-party developers for porting andn developing games that could be played in the vehicle. This move would shift how we perceive car infotainment systems, turning Tesla's impressive touchscreens into hubs of personalization and utility.
Elevating the Music Experience with Spotify
The Tesla community has long requested improved Spotify integration, particularly regarding streaming quality. With the potential increase in Spotify's streaming bitrate to 320 kbps, Tesla could offer an audiophile-grade listening experience, leveraging the vehicle's premium sound system to deliver rich, high-fidelity audio. Such an upgrade would not only please music enthusiasts but also reinforce Tesla's commitment to offering premium, cutting-edge vehicle features.
A realistic possibility is the inclusion of Apple Music podcasts which has been hinted at by Greentheonly after finding some references to them in one of Tesla’s recent software updates.
Advanced Bluetooth Audio Support
In line with enhancing audio experiences, Tesla owners are asking Santa Musk to support higher-quality Bluetooth audio. This improvement would cater to an increasingly discerning customer base that values superior sound quality for their media consumption. Musk previously hinted at lossless audio and AirPlay integration in Tesla vehicles, but its not clear whether Tesla ever started development on these features.
By introducing an App Store, enhancing streaming quality, and upgrading Bluetooth audio support, Tesla would build upon its already good set of entertainment offerings. These features are not just about providing entertainment though; they're about creating an immersive experience that resonates with the lifestyles and preferences of Tesla drivers, who are often at the forefront of technology. Are these items on Santa’s shopping list? We will have to wait until the holiday update is released.
Tesla is offering the Cybertruck Foundation Series to its first customers
Paul / niccruzpatane/X
The first Cybertrucks will be part of a limited edition called the Cybertruck Foundation Series. Nic Cruz Patane (@niccruzpatane), unearthed source code showing that this limited edition, fully optioned series will offer a suite of premium accessories and features.
According to some early Cybertruck reservation holders, they’re now being invited to configure their Cybertruck Foundation Series at a price of $119,990.
Lifetime Premium Connectivity and Accessories
One of the most notable inclusions in the Foundation Series is the lifetime premium connectivity. This feature currently costs $99 a year. The only other vehicles that include free premium connectivity for the life of the vehicle are vehicles ordered before June 2018. After this date Tesla introduced the premium connectivity package for $10/month or $99/year. By reintroducing it as a lifetime offering, Tesla is enhancing the value proposition of the Cybertruck, possibly saving owners $1,000 or more over the vehicle’s life.
PowerShare: The Next Level in EV Technology
In addition to this, the series comes with an updated universal wall connector with “PowerShare” capabilities. It also includes a new PowerShare mobile connector, which Tesla has yet to unveil.
The new universal wall connector with PowerShare capabilities is a standout feature. This innovative technology allows the Cybertruck to receive power and send it back to the home. It transforms the vehicle into a mobile power source, a concept that blurs the lines between automotive and home energy solutions.
Similarly, the new PowerShare mobile connector is a step forward in bi-directional charging technology. There’s little that’s known about this new mobile connector, but some text on Tesla’s site reveals that there will be outlets on the connector itself. This will allow owners can hook up devices directly, using the Cybertruck as an alternative to traditional generators. This feature particularly appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and professionals requiring portable power solutions.
Although details are scarce, the PowerShare home backup seems to be the final piece in Tesla's puzzle to enable the Cybertruck to power a home. This feature would control and limit when the Cybertruck could feed energy back into the house. These new features could position the Cybertruck as a critical component in home energy management, especially in emergencies or off-grid living.
The exclusive badging on the Cybertruck Foundation Series and Cyberbeast
Also, there is a mention of Exclusive badges, which seems a little off-brand considering there are no logos or badging on the vehicle, as the Cybertruck doesn’t need it. Foundation Series trucks will have the words Foundation Series in a Cybertruck-typical font displayed on the vehicle’s fender. There will also be a special “badge” for Cyberbeast on the bottom right of the tailgate, which will three wolf-like heads joined together.
Community Response
The announcements has many enthusiasts expressing eagerness to configure their truck; however, others are understandably shocked at the price and are ready to wait for prices to fall in the future.
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Tesla Android Project enables you to run Android apps in your Tesla. The platform is Open Source and you can deploy it on your own Raspberry Pi 4. Consider supporting the initiative by donating or purchasing the Compute Module 4 Bundle that delivers the best experience. Get $20 off by using the code: NotATeslaApp
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