A Closer Look at Tesla's Updated Spotify App in Update 2023.26

By Not a Tesla App Staff
Tesla has updated the Spotify app in software update 2023.26
Tesla has updated the Spotify app in software update 2023.26
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Tesla has a variety of streaming services available for users to listen to while driving, however, Spotify is one of the most popular.

The Spotify interface in a Tesla has been limited when compared to their desktop or mobile applications, however with Tesla update 2023.26 Tesla has added some much-needed features and completely updated the UI, making it more appealing and easier to read.

New Interface

The improved Spotify interface is cleaner and easier to navigate. The buttons at the top are now limited to Home, Browse and Your Library, reducing the need to scroll horizontally. Your playlists are now neatly tucked under the Your Library section.

Jump to Artist / Album

You can now more easily jump into an album or artist to view additional songs. Underneath the album name, you can now on the artist to reveal popular songs and a full list of albums by the selected artist.

Favoriting Songs

Each song in a list is now visually separated from each other, making it easier to see all the songs in a playlist or album. Although it's not immediately obvious, each song has a plus (+) sign next to it that lets you easily add it to your list of favorites.

It would be nice if this button added the song to your now-playing queue instead, but unfortunately, that functionality isn't included in this release.

Improved Playlists

Tesla has updated the Spotify app in software update 2023.26
Tesla has updated the Spotify app in software update 2023.26
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In this Spotify refresh, Tesla has improved one of Spotify's greatest limitations - the number of songs displayed in a playlist.

Playlists were previously limited to displaying the first 100 songs, however, that limit has now been lifted with this update. At the bottom of a playlist, you can now paginate through the playlist to view additional songs.

This is a big improvement that will now let users view their complete playlists, although there is still room for improvement. You still cannot sort playlists by different attributes and are forced to view them only in the default order they're presented.

Audiobooks

Spotify has a large collection of over 350,000 audiobooks. Some of them are free, while others are paid, but up until now, they weren't accessible in Tesla's Spotify app.

With this update you can now listen to Spotify's collection of audiobooks, bringing you a little more enjoyment during longer commutes.

Easier Login

Logging in to your Spotify account isn't something you do often, but with this update, it's now easier than ever. The app now displays a QR code that lets you scan it on your mobile phone in order to log in more easily.

This Spotify refresh is a welcome addition to one of the most popular streaming services in Tesla vehicles. It's available for all models with software update 2023.26.

Update 2023.26 recently started going out to owners, but it can take several weeks before it becomes available to everyone.

Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

By Karan Singh
@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

  • Manhasset, New York

  • West Covina, California

  • Los Angeles, California

  • Houston, Texas

  • Orlando, Florida

  • Westmont, Illinois

  • Tucson, Arizona

  • Phoenix, Arizona

  • Delaware

Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.

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