Confirmed with Tesla Rep today. No internet browser for Model S in Hong Kong Moderator's Note: 2014/08/13 Tesla is now delivering Model S in Hong Kong with Internet Browser enabled. See the comments towards the end of this thread for updated information. Moderator's Note: 2014/09/06 And now it has been disabled again. See the comments towards the end of this thread for updated information.
Maybe they want to save on the data plan. cryushk, kindly also ask if Internet can be possible if we use our own data card.
No browser? What else has been left out? I would like to see official confirmation of this. Either way I'm sure it's hackable. As for the data in general they need to supply it because they use it for navigation and possibly also systems monitoring. I would also add that I have been told totally wrong information from Tesla reps twice so I wouldn't believe what you hear without seeing it in writing. There is no provision to put in your own data card as you'd need to dismantle the dash. My Prius has a rear facing camera so it should be ok. Got to get something for our $29000 tech package...
RHD test drives in May 2014 The Tesla HK website still mentions all functionalities for the touchscreen, like Internet radio, web browsing, Google maps etc. I would be quite disappointed if they will be removed.
Ok, from these demo cars, we found out another function has been crippled! Do the HK Model S run a diff firmware?! After the no third-row option, now no web browsing, the HK gov once again shows us how rigid and behind they are! No Web Browsing! Apparently HK gov does not allow it, so the whole Web button has been removed!
I think transport department banned it. I know they banned all video player if it works when the car is in motion. I hope we can use the backup camera when the car is moving forward. But I don't understand why they banned the internet browser which doesn't support YouTube anyway.
From my understanding, the law bans video even when cars are stationary. Really not sure why the browser would be banned (so long as it can't display video) - I can't remember seeing any such restriction in the law, but will review anyway.
Confirmed not available: 1) homelink 2) 3rd row children's seats 3) UMC and mobile charging Rumored not available: 1) web browser
Regarding web browser, seems to be here: CAP 374A regulation 37 Cap 374A reg 37 Visual display units (Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations; ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE) These HK regs are ridiculously restrictive.
Paraphrase is that the display can show camera views, navigation, and stuff about the vehicle itself. Nothing external, apart from those.
These restrictions seem severe enough that Model S may not be viable at all in the Hong Kong market. The 17" touch screen is integral to the car, no way around that at this point. Cannot be altered or removed without a complete rebuild of the car itself. Will the HK gov't actually force Model S out of the market?
Pyetty much confirmed. I posted a photo showing that the web icon has been completely removed from the ui.
Looking at the 'apps' currently available on the 17" screen: Media Nav Energy Web Camera Phone Seems that 'Web' is the only one to violate the regulation. The others are all about 'the current state of the vehicle or its equipment'. What is concerning is any future App store. The 'navigation' exemption helps, but I can think of a lot of useful apps that don't fit in that category. What is annoying is that IMHO these restrictions are fine, so long as they only relate to a vehicle in motion. I see no reason why these restrictions should be in place for a vehicle parked beside the road with the parking brake applied. Most other countries seem to have that exemption.