Latest Software Update Release Notes, New Tesla App Update, Free One Month Trial of FSD Coming Soon and FSD Beta 11.4.1 Rolls Out to Employees
Latest Software Update Release Notes
Tesla's 2023.12.8 release notes include several new features and improvements. Drivers can customize the left scroll button on the steering wheel to adjust settings like brightness, acceleration mode, or perform actions such as toggling the camera app or saving dashcam footage. A new search function allows for quicker access when looking for options in controls and settings. Passengers can adjust their seats from the rear touchscreen, and drivers can adjust wiper speed using the left scroll wheel. Points of interest now show photos and reviews, and songs can be favorited with a plus sign. Additionally, drivers have more control over their air suspension with toggles for height and speed at specific locations.
New Tesla App Update
Tesla has rolled out a new app update, version 4.20.75, which comes with several enhancements to improve user experience and security. The update introduces a passive authentication toggle, allowing owners to disable automatic unlocking of their car when their phone is nearby. Previously, the vehicle would unlock/start if an authorized device was close enough. Now, owners can disable passive authentication, ensuring their vehicle remains locked and won't start unless they manually unlock it using the app or a key card. The update also includes references to loot box voting, which could indicate the launch of future contests and community engagement initiatives. Additionally, the update features mysterious easter eggs such as an Optimus Robot reference icon, the purpose of which is still unknown.
Free One Month Trial of FSD Coming Soon
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company will offer a one-month free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology to all Tesla owners in North America. However, the timeline for the trial is uncertain and will only be introduced once the FSD system achieves a high level of smoothness and safety. Musk emphasized that safety is Tesla's primary concern and the company will focus on refining the FSD user experience after achieving a higher tier of safety. The trial may be extended globally once the technology is approved by regulators and adapted for local roads in other countries. On Tesla’s Q1 earnings call last month, Elon suggested he believes FSD can be solved by the end of 2023, so it is possible this free trial could roll out by the end of the year. This feature would provide more exposure to FSD as most users cannot afford or are unwilling to pay the $200/month subscription or the $15,000 up front fee before testing the product.
FSD Beta 11.4.1 Rolls Out to Employees, Wide Release to Follow
Tesla released Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta 11.4.1 to its employees on Monday, which includes significant enhancements to the autonomous driving technology. Elon praised the update as a "major improvement" and said it could have been labeled as version 12.0 due to its numerous enhancements. The update includes improved pedestrian recognition and response, better responsiveness to vulnerable road users, and weather-adaptive speed control. Per usual, Tesla will expand the update gradually, starting with employees, then original testers, and later the wider user base. The release of FSD Beta 11.4.1 to employees follows positive reviews from Elon, who drove to random locations in Austin, Texas, without any safety-critical interventions. Users can expect the update release within the next couple days after employees test and work out any potential bugs before a wider rollout.