Elon Musk treated the electric vehicle like a smartphone years before the rest of the industry caught up. He wanted over-the-air updates to deliver new features after purchase. He wanted apps. Just as iPhone users wait for iOS updates or Android fans check their notifications, Tesla owners live in anticipation of the next Tesla OS software updates.
Musk announced via Twitter that version 10 arrives next month. The previous major release, V9, came out in September 2018. A delay is likely. Musk loves keeping people in suspense. But the features hitting the screen are real.
Streaming and Better Autopilot
The update brings streaming video. You can watch Netflix and YouTube on the main touchscreen. The catch? You must be parked. Musk promises that once autonomous driving gets regulatory approval, you can watch while moving. That is the endgame.
It isn’t all entertainment. Version 10 improves highway Autopilot. It also gets better at recognizing traffic lights and stop signs. The audio system will read SMS texts. You can reply using voice dictation. These are practical upgrades.
Not everything is free. Some features require the premium internet subscription. Tesla introduced that paid tier last year.
Unity and Unreal Engines
Musk confirmed his team is integrating Unity and Unreal Engine. These are standard graphics rendering engines. They power games like Pokémon GO, Hearthstone, Cuphead, and Quake.
Previous updates included Easter eggs. Atari arcade emulators ran on Model S, Model X, and Model 3 screens. Games like Asteroids, Missile Command, Centipede, Super Breakout, 2048, and Lunar Lander were playable when stopped.
Now, the library could expand massively.
Car Controls for PC Games
Musk wants to port Quake, Portal, Roblox, and Minecraft to the car. You can use a standard Xbox or PlayStation controller. Or you can use the steering wheel and pedals. Obviously, the car must be stationary for this.
This feels like a gimmick now. It distracts passengers during charging. But imagine full autonomy. The car drives itself. You need to stay entertained. The Tesla becomes a mobile gaming console.
The Joe Mode Compromise
Some sounds are too loud. Musk introduced “Joe Mode.” It dampens certain alarms and notifications. The name is a nod to the character Joe from the movie DodgeBall. It’s a small touch. But it shows attention to the cabin experience.
Version 10 also includes a karaoke mode. Singing in your car might become a norm.
Why stop at games? The infrastructure is there. The screens are large. The computer is powerful. The only limit is regulatory approval for movement. Until then, park up and play.
