Tesla’s holiday software update delivers unmatched fun just in time for Christmas. On December 25th, Tesla gifted an update that turns your car into a boombox, allows you to change your horn to farting noises, and more intriguing tricks alongside a number of other improvements.

• Driving Visualization improvements 

• New Toybox improvements

• Supercharge Display 

• Scheduled Department improvements

• Vehicle information 

• New games

Driving Visualization improvements

The refreshed driving visualization offers a much larger visualization than before which gives a clearer look at what is happening around a Tesla. Some features/indications have been moved around on the screen for easier access as mentioned below: 

• Quick access to the backup camera and wipers has moved to the bottom bar. 

• Indicator lights have been moved to the side of the touchscreen. 

• The next turn will now appear above the visualization if the navigation turn list is covered by another app.

• Autopilot set speed, Autopilot availability, and detected speed limit is now displayed next to the driving speed. 

New Toybox improvements

Boombox:    

The new Boombox mode allows Tesla drivers to customize their horn honk sound and driving sounds of newer models equipped with an external speaker. 

You can now change your Tesla horn honk sound to Fart, Goat voice, Applause, La Cucaracha, and many other interesting sound effects. Newer models are able to play sounds like Rock n Roll, Ice cream truck or Merry-go-round, and many more when the car is moving. You can save up to five custom sounds using a USB Key. 

The system also allows the vehicle to essentially become a boombox and entertain crowds with your music! But, this feature only works when the car is parked. 

The Boombox feature comes with an on-screen admonition to "Please check local laws before use in public spaces."  

Supercharge Display Improvement

Real-time Supercharger occupancy information was rolled out in February 2017 for the very first time. But now, Tesla has replaced the iconic Tesla Supercharger lightning bolt icon with a number that denotes - at a glance -the number of currently available chargers at a particular charging site. You can search for nearby amenities by tapping an amenity icon on the supercharger popup display. 

Scheduled Department Improvement 

The improved scheduled improvement emphasizes simple design for easier control of charging costs and interior comfort when ready to drive. You can now precondition the vehicle's cabin and battery even when your car is unplugged.

Vehicle information 

Tesla has removed the Tesla “T” from the top menu, which provides better use of the touchscreen display’s real estate. You now have to go into the control section and then to “Software” to see vehicle information. 

New Games and Release Note improvement. 

Tesla launched a series of new games for its Arcade collection, including The Battle of Polytopia, Solitaire, and Cat Quest. No changes were made to the platform itself!

Tesla owners can find release notes in the control menu. Each note has a quick description of previous and current features. 

This Holiday update confirms Tesla’s long-standing reputation as a company that makes fun products! The new features may not be earthshattering, but creativity isn’t lacking in these new additions to Tesla’s vehicles. Only time will tell if other car manufacturers will follow suit with “fun” UI updates or stick with typical luxury, sport, and reliability oriented feature sets.

Vinay Singhania

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