Tesla has redesigned the in-car phone app with the 2021.12.25.6 release

By Nuno Cristovao

With software update 2021.12.25.6 Tesla has redesigned the car’s phone app. The functionality of the app itself has only minor changes, but it introduces a new multi-pane layout that makes it easier to navigate and see more information at once without having to go back and forth.

To go along with these UI updates, Tesla has also introduced a new text message alert chime that is more subtle and soothing. Although unfortunately, we still can not adjsut the volume at which text messages are read.

Updated Tesla phone dialer and recents UI

The phone app now takes up a much larger portion of the screen, taking up the same width as the map and it now features two columns for most tabs, making it easier to look at content like contacts.

The Calls tab features your recent phone calls much like it did before, but the dialer is also introduced in the right pane instead of having its own dedicated tab.

The Messages tab, which shows your recent text messages during this trip now has people you exchanged messages with on the left and the selected person’s messages show up on the right.

Updated Tesla phone messages UI

The Contacts tab is similar to the Messages tab in that it shows the contacts on the left and information on the selected contact on the right side. A nice improvement here is that if you have addresses listed for any contacts, the address will now show up with a ‘Navigate To’ icon, which allows you to navigate to the destination with one tap. Each contact now only has an option to call, with the message icon being removed (Correction: Message icon is there after a restart!).

Updated Tesla phone contacts UI

Lastly, the Favorites tab shows the same information as it did before, but the buttons are now much larger and the tap targets are much larger, making it easier to use while driving.

Updated Tesla phone favorites UI

Take a look at the full 2021.12.25 release notes to view other undocumented features in this release.

Breaking Tradition: Tesla Hits the Social Media Advertising Road

By Kevin Armstrong
Model Y Advertising
Model Y Advertising
Tesla

Tesla has prepared us for a slower sales year, but just how slow may be showing up on social media. No, I’m not talking about X, which is where 99% of Tesla news comes from, but social platforms owned by a guy that Elon Musk once wanted to fight.

Tesla advertising has been shown on Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook and Instagram accounts. While Musk has talked about utilizing more conventional advertising for more than a year, Tesla has only sporadically shown up on a few digital avenues; now, it appears to be a full campaign.

The Return to Meta and Zuck

The year 2018 marked a significant moment in Tesla's history when Elon Musk, in a move reflective of his disdain for Facebook amid the Cambridge Analytica scandal, deleted Tesla and SpaceX's Facebook pages, both of which boasted millions of followers. Fast forward six years, Tesla has reinstated its presence on Facebook and launched advertising campaigns across Meta-owned platforms.

Musk is now paying Tesla money to a guy he challenged to a cage match and once joked/threatened to drive by his house and fight him. There are two takeaways here: Meta is a dominant force in online advertising, and Musk is willing to do whatever it takes to advance Tesla’s mission to a sustainable future.

Embracing Traditional Advertising Amidst EV Market Changes

Tesla's advertisements, including ads on Cars.com, which highlight the Model Y, demonstrate the company's adeptness in utilizing Meta's sophisticated targeting capabilities to reach potential customers. Tesla's avoidance of traditional advertising was once heralded as a visionary move, saving the company billions and contributing to its mystique.

However, the electric vehicle landscape has evolved, with early adopters now equipped with their chosen EVs, making it imperative for Tesla and its competitors to reach a broader audience. Tesla's advertising initiatives on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube reflect this strategic adjustment, aiming to capture the attention of potential buyers beyond its core fanbase.

Despite Elon Musk's historically critical view of advertising and his complex relationship with the social media advertising sphere, Tesla's foray into paid advertisements represents a significant evolution in the company's marketing strategy. This shift acknowledges the necessity of diversified marketing approaches in sustaining growth and expanding market reach in the contemporary automotive landscape.

Tesla Advances with 5G: A Future of Enhanced Connectivity for Cars and Robotics

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla building 5G private network
Tesla building 5G private network

Tesla appears to be planning an ambitious project to build a private 5G network. This initiative would revolutionize connectivity for its vehicles and the robot, Optimus, as well as any other plans the company is likely to develop in the future.

Innovative Job Posting Reveals Big Plans

Although now removed, a recently spotted job posting for a Cellular Systems Integration Engineer on Tesla's career page shed light on the company's intentions. The role demands expertise to elevate Tesla's vehicle and Optimus robot connectivity, promising to push the boundaries of low latency and high data rates.

Tesla's journey from 3G to the anticipated 5G upgrade will bring about ultra-reliable communication and high-speed data transfer, crucial for over-the-air software updates, autonomous driving features, and real-time data analytics. These communications could be product to product, such as vehicles communicating with each other or with other products such as Optimus. However, the job posting also talks about products being able to communicate with Tesla’s internal 5G network. It’s not clear whether the private network would be internal such as at a Gigafactory, or a broader network out in the world.

Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication
Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication

The Strategic Role of Private 5G Networks

Deploying its private 5G network, Tesla aims to create a seamlessly connected environment in its manufacturing facilities, research labs, and outdoor spaces. This infrastructure is not just about enhancing vehicle connectivity; it's also pivotal for the operational efficiency of the Optimus robot in various scenarios, including warehouse operations.

Tesla's foray into private 5G networking places it in an advantageous position in the automotive and tech industries. This strategic move aligns with the global trend towards adopting private 5G networks, which promise to revolutionize industries with their reliability and speed. Tesla's efforts to develop a private 5G protocol stack that integrates with any cellular infrastructure globally will set new industry standards.

With 5G, Tesla vehicles and Optimus robots will benefit from significantly reduced latency, offering under 5 milliseconds compared to the 60-98 milliseconds of 4G networks. This technological advancement is expected to enhance the functionality and responsiveness of Tesla's products, paving the way for advanced autonomous driving capabilities and efficient robot operations.

Tesla's interest in developing a private 5G network is a logical step. By building an infrastructure that supports the fastest connectivity standards, Tesla is preparing for its vehicles and laying the groundwork for sophisticated robotics applications. This endeavor reflects Tesla's ongoing commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of transportation and automation.

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Although we share official Tesla release notes, we are not affiliated with Tesla Motors. We are Tesla fans and supporters.

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