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Tesla Software Update Hints at Support for Apple Music

When I bought my Y, I knew I would miss Carplay but I have gotten used to being without it. I think the issue is that Carplay requires takeover of the entire screen. That's not going to work with Tesla's unless it only took a portion of the screen due to all of Tesla's controls being on screen and no other buttons/knobs.

I would love to have Apple Music native as that is where my library is, but I did subscribe to Spotify for a 3 month trial because of the integration into Tesla for the time being. Hopefully this will come out soon as another option, just like the Taycan has Apple Music standalone.
 
Rigby said:
You don't have to pay the premium connectivity fee to use the Tesla nav system. Routing etc. works perfectly fine without. The only nav-related feature that requires it is the traffic visualization on the map.

I pay the fee primarily for Spotify and podcasts (via TuneIn, and recently also added to the Spotify app). I probably wouldn't if the car had Carplay (which may be one reason why they are not implementing it).


Agreed.
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Thanks, good to know. Since I’ve been grandfathered in, I didn’t know what they are charging for. I assume Spotify doesn’t work unless you pay, even if you are tethering to your phone and not using the LTE connection? So, for example, you are paying spotify, paying your phone carrier, and then paying Tesla for the privilege of being able to navigate Spotify using the touch screen?
 
exchguy said:
When I bought my Y, I knew I would miss Carplay but I have gotten used to being without it. I think the issue is that Carplay requires takeover of the entire screen. That's not going to work with Tesla's unless it only took a portion of the screen due to all of Tesla's controls being on screen and no other buttons/knobs.

I would love to have Apple Music native as that is where my library is, but I did subscribe to Spotify for a 3 month trial because of the integration into Tesla for the time being. Hopefully this will come out soon as another option, just like the Taycan has Apple Music standalone.
Click to expand...

No reason CarPlay would have to take the entire screen. It could take just a window (just like the built-in media app, the built-in reverse camera viewer, etc.)
 
cmaier said:
Thanks, good to know. Since I’ve been grandfathered in, I didn’t know what they are charging for. I assume Spotify doesn’t work unless you pay, even if you are tethering to your phone and not using the LTE connection? So, for example, you are paying spotify, paying your phone carrier, and then paying Tesla for the privilege of being able to navigate Spotify using the touch screen?
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Not sure what you mean by tethering. Of course you can use the Spotify app on your phone and stream the audio to the car via Bluetooth without paying the fee. But I don't like having to fumble with the phone while driving.
 
Rigby said:
Not sure what you mean by tethering. Of course you can use the Spotify app on your phone and stream the audio to the car via Bluetooth without paying the fee. But I don't like having to fumble with the phone while driving.
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No, i was referring to using your phone’s hotspot as the car’s internet connection.
 
TheralSadurns said:
Okay... that comment is just dumb.
Even if YOU don't particularly like CarPlay... it'd still be nice it if were offered. Nobody would force you to use it...
Me... as a strict iOS user... would welcome BOTH CarPlay, AND Android Auto support. Even if I have no use for the latter, and generally think that Android is pretty bad.
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No, adding CarPlay is more than just adding an option. It changes things for everyone, and Tesla is trying to build a platform it seems. Same reason Apple doesn't simply open the floodgates on the iPhone to everything it can possibly do like an Android phone. I'm not saying they shouldn't add CarPlay, only saying it's a bigger concern than you suggest.

Anyway, I hate Tesla's entertainment/control console because there aren't buttons. I'm not going to look down at a screen to control the climate, and nobody else should have to. Maybe explains why half the Tesla drivers I encounter on the road drive like they're heavily distracted. Can't wait till those drive themselves so I don't have to deal with them.
 
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cmaier said:
No, i was referring to using your phone’s hotspot as the car’s internet connection.
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That works, but the car disables Wifi when you put it in D, so you have to manually reconnect every time. Too much hassle for me. The traffic visualization doesn't work without premium connectivity even with a hotspot. See:

www.tesla.com

Connectivity | Tesla Support

Connectivity is an important part of all Tesla vehicles, further enhancing the driving experience by providing access to features that require data usage. Find out more about Standard and Premium Connectivity.
www.tesla.com www.tesla.com
 
Rigby said:
It doesn't. Several other carmakers have implemented it to run in a window on their screen.
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Yeah, but it's awkward cause it acts like an entirely separate system. Great for replacing all the horrible systems that exist, but I can see why an automaker focused on building an actually good entertainment system wouldn't want it.
 
hot-gril said:
I mean, it's not bad, but it totally sidelines the Tesla system that's supposed to be quite good. Or is it?
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As I said, they could implement it in a window like several other carmakers have. I terms of infotainment the Tesla system isn't all that great, although it has improved somewhat lately. The main issue is that it doesn't support many common streaming services. There is a much bigger selection of Carplay-enabled phone apps. The Tesla player for locally stored music files plain sucks.
 
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People stating, "Just add CarPlay" have not driven a Tesla or used it daily enough to realize it would require a massively more featured, re-worked, CarPlay for that to be practical. Especially in Model 3 and Ys. Apple Music app addition is MOST welcome and really all it needs from Apple.

Maybe one day, if Apple ever does ship an electric car, we can see what they did to CarPlay to make it a more system wide interface and control app.
 
Rigby said:
That works, but the car disables Wifi when you put it in D, so you have to manually reconnect every time. Too much hassle for me. The traffic visualization doesn't work without premium connectivity even with a hotspot. See:

www.tesla.com

Connectivity | Tesla Support

Connectivity is an important part of all Tesla vehicles, further enhancing the driving experience by providing access to features that require data usage. Find out more about Standard and Premium Connectivity.
www.tesla.com www.tesla.com
Click to expand...
Really? My S definitely sticks to my phone’s hot spot if I tell it to, even when in drive.
 
ThatGuyInLa said:
People stating, "Just add CarPlay" have not driven a Tesla or used it daily enough to realize it would require a massively more featured, re-worked, CarPlay for that to be practical. Especially in Model 3 and Ys. Apple Music app addition is MOST welcome and really all it needs from Apple.

Maybe one day, if Apple ever does ship an electric car, we can see what they did to CarPlay to make it a more system wide interface and control app.
Click to expand...

I have a BMW with wireless carplay, and have driven a Tesla model s since 2013. I don’t see why CarPlay would be impractical at all. And adding Apple Music doesn’t allow me to access any of the other apps that support CarPlay.
 
cmaier said:
Really? My S definitely sticks to my phone’s hot spot if I tell it to, even when in drive.
Click to expand...
Do you have MCU1? Maybe it has changed with the newer MCUs. All Teslas that I have ever driven turn off Wifi when you shift into gear. You can then manually turn it back on by tapping on the LTE icon and selecting the hotspot.
 
drew0020 said:
Tesla’s do not support CarPlay and I hope they keep it that way.
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Why do you care? As long as it’s not mandatory I don’t know why anyone would care. And considering the somewhat frosty relations between Apple and Tesla I can’t see Tesla preferring Apples system to their own.

Unless there is some security reason or cost to me because someone else with the same make, year and model of car as mine I don’t care if they install it or not.
 
Nick A said:
It sounds like you have an issue with lack of features rather than the UI itself. If it is the UI that you have a problem with, what is your issue exactly? I find it very intuitive and as responsive as an iPad.

I agree that Tesla needs to implement new features, but like I stated earlier they're overdue for an App Store which would solve all of your lack of feature issues. They need to let 3rd party developers release their own apps. The Spotify app was also just recently updated and I find it works very well, no reason to stream from my phone if I'm using the built-in app.
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I'm assuming you've got a Model 3? It's definitely more responsive there than my Model S. I mean the UI is better than the UX - the entertainment part is poor in both features and experience (though after 3 years of ownership they finally updated the Spotify app to something that is actually acceptable!)

In terms of UX though - the interface looks fine, it's not quite Apple polished but it's fine. For me in the UK features have been lacking - 3 years now and still no road sign recognition, but worse than that the speed limits the car came within 2017, which I might add were out of date and wrong then, three years later still haven't been updated once.

What I do love about my car though is the API access which I use expensively with custom scripts i've written as part of my dynamic electricity package and smart home usage. I think any other car now would need an API I can access to make me consider buying it.
 
exchguy said:
When I bought my Y, I knew I would miss Carplay but I have gotten used to being without it. I think the issue is that Carplay requires takeover of the entire screen. That's not going to work with Tesla's unless it only took a portion of the screen due to all of Tesla's controls being on screen and no other buttons/knobs.
Click to expand...

It doesn't - you can impletement it in a window with all the other features around it - my girlfriends Peugeot has this implementation.

Since V10 Tesla software with the floating Windows they could easily just implement it in one of those. At the end of the day it's nothing really more than video of your phone streaming to the console of your car which is easier to interact with than a small screen whilst driving - which ironically Musk is forcing me to do.
 
ThatGuyInLa said:
People stating, "Just add CarPlay" have not driven a Tesla or used it daily enough to realize it would require a massively more featured, re-worked, CarPlay for that to be practical. Especially in Model 3 and Ys. Apple Music app addition is MOST welcome and really all it needs from Apple.
Click to expand...

With V10 software it'd be very easy to implement with a floating window.
 
Rigby said:
Do you have MCU1? Maybe it has changed with the newer MCUs. All Teslas that I have ever driven turn off Wifi when you shift into gear. You can then manually turn it back on by tapping on the LTE icon and selecting the hotspot.
Click to expand...
Yep. Mcu1.
 
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