Tesla is set to roll out a significant update next week that will introduce support for the Apple Watch, which includes native phone key access. This means Tesla owners can operate their vehicles without a smartphone, providing convenience for scenarios like running quick errands or accessing the trunk without needing to carry their phone or wallet. The new Apple Watch experience will enable users to view their vehicle’s charge status, remotely pop the front trunk (frunk), and precondition the vehicle for a comfortable temperature, making it easier for users accustomed to a more streamlined technological integration. The update effectively renders third-party applications like “Watch for Tesla” obsolete, as Tesla rolls out a first-party solution that enhances convenience and functionality for its users.
A major enhancement in this update is the ability for users to access Dashcam and Sentry Mode recordings directly from the Tesla app on their phones. This feature allows owners to quickly save clips of events such as accidents for sharing with insurance companies or law enforcement, enhancing safety and accountability for Tesla users. Tesla has introduced its patented light show feature, which syncs lights and sounds across multiple vehicles to create a visually striking display. This year, they have added two new light shows, including a unique Santa mode tailored for Cybertruck owners, featuring an animated Tesla Bot in a sleigh, alongside functionalities such as applying wraps and custom plates digitally.
Tesla has also announced improvements to their auto-shift functionality. This feature, previously exclusive to the Model S and X, will now be available in the stalk-free Model 3, allowing the car to intelligently predict and automatically shift between drive and reverse gears. While this adjustment addresses a longstanding issue regarding user convenience, it has faced criticism as it tends to brush over prior cost-cutting decisions that affected how drivers interact with gear shifts. In response to consumer feedback, Tesla is attempting to mitigate these concerns with a valuable safety upgrade, introducing a rear cross-traffic alert system that warns drivers of approaching vehicles or pedestrians when reversing, along with a feature that reduces music volume automatically in such scenarios.
The software update also highlights a feature called “arrival energy at destination,” which allows drivers to set a specific battery charge limit for their Tesla upon arriving at their destination. This is particularly helpful for planning journeys where charging may not be available upon arrival and ensures that drivers have reserve energy for subsequent travels. Moreover, the navigation capabilities have been enhanced with options to search for places along the route, provide detour time estimates, and display weather and precipitation indicators for the destination, enriching the overall driving experience.
Other notable features include a new Sirius XM app for Models 3, Y, and the Cybertruck, alongside improvements to the TuneIn app. Users will now have access to in-vehicle maintenance summaries, the ability to adjust unoccupied passenger seats via the main screen, and door handle pull alert notifications to enhance convenience and safety. The update also has a lighthearted addition with a new party game called “Boomerang Fu,” along with a whimsical update to the fart app, which can now trigger amusing sounds when someone sits in a seat. Overall, these updates reflect Tesla’s commitment to enhancing user experience through continuous software development, addressing user demands while also adding entertaining elements.
