Tesla has pushed a new software update that has features including voice commands for text messages.
The 2019.40.50 update has been delivered to a few early-access owners. A wide rollout is expected soon.
According to the release notes:
You can now read and respond to text messages using your right scroll wheel button. When a new message is received press the right scroll wheel button to have your text message read out loud and press again to respond by speaking out loud. You will also be able to view messages as they come in via the ‘Cards’ section to the touchscreen.
To view messages that have been received while your phone is connected via Bluuetooth, tap the Application Launcher > Call > Messages. You can read and reply to a message by tapping an entry in the Messages list. To enable this featuure, tap the Bluetooth icon on the top of the display, and enable ‘Sync Messages.’ Once enabled you ca also choose to play a chime whenever a new text message is received by enabling ‘Chime on New Message.’
Tesla has also enabled voice commands for other features. For example:
- Climate: “Set the temperature to 70” — “Turn on the passenger seat heater”
- Vehicle: “Adjust my right mirror” — “Open the glovebox”
- Navigation: “Let’s go to work” — “Where are the nearby supercharging stations?”
- Media” “Play the Beatles” — “Search for Joe Rogan podcast”
- Communication: “Call David Lewis” — “Send a text message to Evan”
Another new feature is the ability to save Dashcam footage manually by honking the horn. Tesla also introduced a “Camp Mode” that will “maintain airflow, temperature, interior lighting, as well as play music, and power devices” when enabled.
The software also updated the display visualizations to show objects such as “stoplights, stop signs and select road marking.”
And, as Chief Executive Elon Musk teased last week, the updated includes new games – Stardew Valley and Backgammon. Also, the Tesla Theater now includes Twitch.