You can now order a Tesla directly from the Tesla app

By Kevin Armstrong
You can now buy a new Tesla directly from the Tesla app
You can now buy a new Tesla directly from the Tesla app
Not a Tesla App

Want to buy a Tesla? There's an app for that. Sorry, but the old catchphrase still rings true. Apple introduced us to the world of Apps in 2009 with a marketing campaign around that slogan. The commercial also said there is an app for just about anything. Fast forward 13 years, and you can add buying a Tesla to the list.

For a company that has never spent a dime on advertising, its marketing continues to dominate. When Tesla announced that it would allow non-Teslas access to its vast Supercharger network, it also gave thousands of electric vehicle owners a reason to download the company's app. That allows Tesla access to countless warm leads. These people already have EVs and now have Tesla's logo on their phones. They will have to open the app to use the charging station, and while waiting, maybe they want to look at the other features in the app. Until recently, you could buy a hat, a shirt or a mug, but now you can buy a Tesla.

Tesla pushed out a server-side update that includes a new button that simply says Order Now, Shop for a new car. It's that easy. The Four Ps are popular marketing methods, product, price, place and promotion.

This small addition to the app hits every P. The product speaks for itself as a trailblazer in the EV sector. The price is market tested, and clearly, it's right because the vehicles are in high demand. The place is how you get your product in front of buyers, well, this app is right in the buyer's hands. Promotion is how the product is advertised. For this, all people have to do is look around at the charging station and all the Teslas there while enjoying one of the more than 35,000 Supercharger stations.

Not only is Tesla getting electric vehicle owners to consider its product, but the company also has direct access to its existing fans. Perhaps you are sitting there with your Model 3 and spot a shiny red Model Y with turbine rims. Maybe you want that model next time you are in the market. You think, I'll look it up when I get home. Now you can look it up right there on the spot. With just one tap, you're on to the model and down the rabbit hole.

The process is the same as the website with its incredibly simplified buying process. After you pick the model, you choose the exterior color and the wheels, then it's the interior color and your choice if you want Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self Driving. It's remarkably simple and oh, so easy to order, almost too easy!

Tesla Expected to Release 'Actually Smart Summon' and 'Tap to Park' Updates Next Month

By Not a Tesla App Staff
Smart summon in April update
Smart summon in April update

Elon Musk announced that Tesla will finally reintroduce Smart Summon and Autopark to its vehicles. According to the CEO, these features are scheduled for release in April. Tesla removed ultrasonic sensors (USS) from their vehicles in 2022, and with it removed several features, including Autopark, Smart Summon and Park Assist. However, since then, they’ve added High Fidelity Park Assist, a feature that recreates the surrounding environment in 3D. Although, it’s currently only available to vehicles without USS, that’s expected to change in the near future, and could also come bundled in with the new Autopark feature.

This update in April is not only expected bring these features back to vehicles without ultrasonic sensors, but Tesla is also expected to release drastically improved versions of these features, known as Actually Smart Summon and Tap to Park.

Major improvements coming for Summon & Banish (Autopark) next month - Elon Musk

Improved Autopark

Greentheonly, who regularly decompiles Tesla firmware, has indicated that Tesla's latest software, version 2024.8, already contains the code necessary for these new features, but they need to be remotely activated by Tesla. Additionally, Green says the new Autopark system will offer users the choice between parallel and perpendicular parking options. The new Autopark is expected to let drivers visually select a parking spot, exit the vehicle, and let it park itself.

New ‘Tap to Park’ Feature

With the introduction of High Fidelity Park Assist, Tesla laid the groundwork for more sophisticated features like "Tap to Park."

Tap to Park builds on the original concept of Park Seek, a feature discussed by Tesla in October 2022 that aimed to automate the parking spot search process. While the initial vision for Park Seek suggested a vehicle could autonomously search for parking, "Tap to Park" simplifies this idea.

With the deployment of FSD Beta v12.3 going to more users this weekend, the company continues to leverage AI to reduce code in favor of neural networks trained with real-world driving data.

Just last week, Musk posted on X: "Really cool stuff coming both this month and next." Since that post, FSD beta version 12.3 has started going to more users, and now it seems two other long overdue and highly anticipated updates are coming with Actually Smart Summon and Tap to Park. Still no word on auto wiper improvements.

Tesla Expands FSD Beta v12.3; Autopilot Director Confirms Ability to Reverse is Coming Soon

By Kevin Armstrong
FSD Beta v12 is living up to hype
FSD Beta v12 is living up to hype

Tesla's latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta v12 is reaching users after an extended rollout over the weekend. This update is not just another iteration; it represents a leap in self-driving technology, primarily due to its integration of end-to-end neural networks for vehicle control. So far, it seems to be living up to the hype.

A Neural Network Driven Approach

At the core of FSD v12 is a shift from traditional programming to neural network-based decision-making. This allows the vehicle to process raw camera footage and vehicle kinematics directly into driving actions, mimicking human cognitive processes more closely than ever before. Ashok Elluswamy, Director of Autopilot Software at Tesla, highlighted the monumental effort to surpass the capabilities of the previous v11, setting a new standard for FSD's future.

Ability to Reverse Is Coming

The release has garnered widespread acclaim, with tech leaders like Michael Dell praising its capabilities and likening the car to human-like driving proficiency. Many in the Tesla community have been posting their weekend drivers, including Chuck Cook, who was amazed during one point of his drive, referring to a move as “Robo-taxi navigation.” Cook believed he was in too tight of a spot to pull a U-turn, but his Tesla pulled it off. Elluswamy commented: “Reverse coming soon when the Actually Smart Summon and the FSD models merge together over the next few releases.”

There were numerous examples of v12.3 navigating complex driving scenarios easily, showcasing significant improvements over earlier versions.

“Reverse coming soon when the Actually Smart Summon and the FSD models merge together over the next few releases.” - Ashok Elluswamy

Next-Level Capabilities on the Horizon

Elon Musk has teased that v12.4 will introduce even more advanced features, emphasizing the continuous improvement in training compute constraints. In fact, he was so thrilled with the next update that he said it could be called version 13. He posted that “V12.4 is another big jump in capabilities. Our constraint in training compute is much improved.”

Update 2023.44.30.25

FSD 12.3
Installed on 3% of vehicles
85 Installs today
Last updated: Mar 19, 1:10 am

Tesla’s FSD trajectory seems to be hitting a new level, as it appears to be headed toward approval of use on roadways in Europe. While it is taking longer than initially believed, the dream of autonomous driving seems to be getting closer to reality.

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