Several things that are more than cosmetic.
For example, you don’t have to look at the screen or tap it, you can do everything verbally/aurally by interaction with Siri including correcting your message. You can interrupt it reading back. You can also see your entire message history, not just new stuff since you got in the car. Initiating messages (like calls) can be done on nicknames or sensible selections from that history. I know a lot of people with the same first name and surnames. Siri used to make the intelligent selection.
In fairness to Tesla, Apple’s support was rubbish when it first came out too. They have worked on it for a few years though and there are lots of little things that make it more practical and safer to use in my view.
I’m sure the Tesla folks have thought long and hard about Android Auto and CarPlay before deciding to build their own stuff, but they will take a long time to deliver something as good and maintain parity. I used to get frustrated with Siri, I would love to get that in the Tesla on a held down steering wheel button.
