Tesla made a big announcement late last night regarding the upcoming holiday update, set to be included in the 2024.44.25 update. This update is packed with several highly anticipated features that many of us had been hoping for.
To prevent any leaks, Tesla decided to reveal most, if not all, of the features that will be included in this year’s holiday update ahead of time. Employees have already started receiving the update, and customers can expect to receive it in the coming week or two.
Apple Watch Integration
The Apple Watch compatibility was previously leaked through an app update earlier this year. Now, we have a first look at the app, confirming that the Apple Watch can indeed be used as a phone key for Tesla vehicles.
The Watch app features buttons at each corner, allowing users to swipe between multiple vehicles. However, there are still some unknowns about the app’s functionality, such as whether the buttons will be customizable and if they can be added to the main screen of WatchOS.
Save Dashcam & Sentry Mode Clips on Phone
A highly requested feature, users will now be able to view their dashcam and Sentry Mode footage directly on their phones. Additionally, users can save 30-second clips directly onto their devices.
Tesla did not provide details on how the footage will be transferred to phones, but it is likely that the vehicle will need to be awake to stream videos from the USB drive to Tesla’s servers and then to the phone. Premium Connectivity may be required for this feature.
Autoshift Between Drive & Reverse for New Model 3
The Autoshift feature, which automatically switches between Drive and Reverse when the vehicle stops, will be available for the New Model 3. While Musk previously mentioned that Autoshift would eventually be available for all vehicles, it is currently limited to the New Model 3.
SiriusXM Streaming Service
Tesla has confirmed that SiriusXM will be available as a streaming service for the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. While the Model S and Model X already have satellite hardware, other models will receive the streaming version of the service.
Additional details on pricing and promotions for this new service will be announced later.
Set Arrival Energy at Destination
Users will now have the ability to choose their desired state of charge upon arriving at their destination. This feature will allow the vehicle to determine the optimal charging strategy to reach the destination with the desired energy level.
This feature is expected to be available in the Tesla app following the Holiday update.
Search Along Route with Estimated Detour Times
Tesla has enhanced its navigation system by adding the ability to search for stops along the route, such as restaurants or coffee shops.
While some users may have preferred improved mapping features, such as 3D buildings, Tesla has focused on enhancing user experience with this latest addition.
Precipitation Map & Weather at Destination
In addition to existing map overlays, Tesla is introducing a new Weather Precipitation map. Users will be able to view precipitation levels, including rain or snow, on the map.
The update will also include the ability to view the weather at the destination, providing valuable information for planning trips.
Details on premium features requiring Premium Connectivity will be provided by Tesla.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear cross-traffic alerts, a feature long requested by users, will finally be available. Despite potential limitations due to camera field size, Tesla has included this feature to enhance safety for users.
We are uncertain about the timeline for the implementation of this feature, but it is a valuable addition. Even if a person is within the view of your rear camera, there is still a possibility of not noticing them, so having a visual and audible reminder is beneficial.
Looking back at previous statements, Musk had mentioned back in 2020 that Tesla would include this feature. Sometimes, due to other priorities, features take a while to materialize, but Musk generally delivers on his promises.
It is worth noting that HW4 vehicles have cameras with higher resolution, leading to Tesla cropping the video displayed on the screen more compared to HW3 cars. The rear cross-traffic feature likely utilizes the uncropped video feed to alert drivers to objects not visible on the screen yet. However, it is unclear if this feature will be available on HW3 vehicles due to resolution differences and increased cropping on HW4.
We believe that this feature should be available on HW3 vehicles because, as mentioned, it is crucial to alert the driver even if someone is in view while backing up. When a Tesla encounters a road closure, it will report the data back to Tesla, allowing Tesla to share that closure with other vehicles. In FSD V13, Tesla described the feature as “Dynamic routing around road closures, which displays them along an affected route when they are detected by the fleet.” This feature is now available to everyone with the Holiday update, allowing Tesla’s navigation to dynamically route around road closures based on data gathered by other Tesla vehicles.
The Energy app for Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck now includes the Consumption tab, displaying and graphing the amount of energy used over a selectable time period. This feature was missing on these vehicles compared to the Model 3 and Model Y, but is now available with the update.
With FSD V13.2, Tesla vehicles will now attempt to park at their destination, scanning for nearby parking spots. The update also includes a feature where the music volume will automatically lower when reversing, as well as improvements to the rear screen remote for easier video playback control.
The Christmas update also brings a Cybertruck-inspired Santa Mode, unique assets for the Cybertruck, the ability to play games on the rear screen, and the option to customize vehicle wraps and license plate visualizations. These features add to Tesla’s reputation for customization and personalization options for their vehicles. Tesla offers a variety of options for customizing your license plate image, or you can upload your own image for a perfect match.
The holiday update for this year includes some incredible features, but there are still many questions that remain unanswered. Fortunately, the Christmas update has already been rolled out to Tesla employees, so we can expect to see more images of these new features soon.
While we are eagerly anticipating what’s to come, it’s important to note that Tesla has not specified any restrictions for these features. Some features may only be available with Premium Connectivity, specific models or regions, or certain hardware like MCU 3 or HW4.
Overall, there is much excitement ahead, and we can’t wait to see what Tesla has in store for us in the near future.