Tesla - Apple Watch support

[dsm363]

Just ordered space grey sport model as well. Want to make sure I like it before ordering the more expensive version when the next iteration comes out.

 

[NJ Plugin]

Allen,

Do you, or are you planning to do a phone app, not needing the watch?

You have a lot of great ideas that could make a regular phone app much better than the Tesla App.

Thanks

All pretty good ideas. If there really is a high demand for this app, then I'll add some of those features. In regards to the "returning to car" button, you might like my main app. I unified all the screens into one screen, so that there's no swiping necessary. All the commands and stats are visible on the first screen. So you can just issue the command to turn on the HVAC without first connecting to the car. If the HVAC button is used a lot by people, I can put that in the first screen of the watch app to make it easy for people to get to. Currently it's listed under the HVAC screen (3rd screen).

So the first screen commands are:
Honk Horn
HVAC (on/off)
Unlock/Lock
Start Car

Are these the four most common buttons that people want for quick access?

 

[lg_golfs]

ConnectTT just pushed out a notification to their users asking if those who have an Apple Watch would be up for testing their new App

 

[Paul Carter]

ConnectTT just pushed out a notification to their users asking if those who have an Apple Watch would be up for testing their new App

Awesome... feedback mail sent!

 

[rallykeeper]

HVAC First, Please

Just heard about this project -- time to bump your sales projections since I'm in the moment I hear it's released.

Please put the HVAC on/off on the very first page -- and if possible, please make it available/functional in glances so you don't have to hop into the app.

Just my two cents, but HVAC is far away the thing I use most remotely (speaking as a Southern Californian...) -- the only close second is venting the roof. Unless you regularly travel without a key, you don't need the other features so prominently: the car unlocks itself, honking is rude and starting the car is unnecessary until you hop in...

All pretty good ideas. If there really is a high demand for this app, then I'll add some of those features. In regards to the "returning to car" button, you might like my main app. I unified all the screens into one screen, so that there's no swiping necessary. All the commands and stats are visible on the first screen. So you can just issue the command to turn on the HVAC without first connecting to the car. If the HVAC button is used a lot by people, I can put that in the first screen of the watch app to make it easy for people to get to. Currently it's listed under the HVAC screen (3rd screen).

So the first screen commands are:
Honk Horn
HVAC (on/off)
Unlock/Lock
Start Car

Are these the four most common buttons that people want for quick access?

 

[wayner]

Just my two cents, but HVAC is far away the thing I use most remotely (speaking as a Southern Californian...)

Same for Canadians from Nov-Apr but the H is needed rather than the VAC. But we need the same as you from June-Aug.

 

[Vger]

I will chime in with grateful thanks for this app. I will gladly pay $10, and frankly, would easily pay $20.

I ordered my Apple Watch (with a Milano Loop) after a fantastic demo/fitting at the Richmond, BC Apple Store yesterday morning. The specialist was amazing.

This product looks and feels FAR better in person than even Apple's glitzy video and photos. Seriously, if you are into industrial design, even if you are not (currently) and Apple fan, go check it out.

 

[AllenWong]

I would like to have 'stop charging+unlock cable'.

Along these lines, the ability to unlock the charge port/cable without unlocking the car itself would be useful. Any ideas of this is possible with the current API? Perhaps I should go peruse the API thread...

Current API doesn't support this. You can only unlock everything.

Another nice feature would be to send you a notification if it is 10:00pm, or whatever, and your car is not plugged in. This helps you if you forget to plug in the car - like I did last night. There could be variations on this type of warning - like if your car is at home and not plugged in after 5 minutes.

Seems like a possibility. There could be a scheduler in the app where it can send certain commands. One command could be to check charge status and alert the user if the car is not plugged in.

- - - Updated - - -

Allen,

Do you, or are you planning to do a phone app, not needing the watch?

You have a lot of great ideas that could make a regular phone app much better than the Tesla App.

Thanks

yup. That's what I meant when I said that I consolidated all the screens of the official app into the first screen of the iPhone app of Remote S. All Apple Watch apps are strictly companion apps right now for regular iPhone apps. There are no standalone Apple Watch apps. So my app would come with a regular phone app. A lot of the complex features like scheduling, would probably be set up through the main app. So if people don't have an Apple Watch, they might just want the extra features in the iPhone app.

Just heard about this project -- time to bump your sales projections since I'm in the moment I hear it's released.

Please put the HVAC on/off on the very first page -- and if possible, please make it available/functional in glances so you don't have to hop into the app.

Just my two cents, but HVAC is far away the thing I use most remotely (speaking as a Southern Californian...) -- the only close second is venting the roof. Unless you regularly travel without a key, you don't need the other features so prominently: the car unlocks itself, honking is rude and starting the car is unnecessary until you hop in...

i think the Honking feature is meant for finding your car in a large parking lot. I'll put the HVAC in the first screen of the Watch app. As for Glances, unfortunately, there's nothing you can do in a Glance except look at stats and open the Apple Watch app. We're not allowed to put buttons in the Glance. The Apple Watch app opens up pretty quickly, though, as you can see in the video.

 

[andrewket]

I'd love a camp mode feature. Every 29 minutes send HVAC on to the car. This way you can keep the A/C running and charge at the same time. Other methods will let you keep the A/C on but not while you're charging.

Last year I used visible tesla for this function, but an iOS/watch app would be even better, even if it meant I had to keep the app active (I hope that's not the case).

Maybe say "keep HVAC on for x minutes" and the app does so by sending the ON request every 29m (it times out at 30).

Edit: I just sent a note volunteering to test.

 

[Krrphx]

Have the watch, still waiting on my car. But count me in for $10. Looks fantastic.

 

[SteveW25561]

You can count me in on your app as well. To be clear: are the features you describe an iphone app which also has a watch interface? In other words, is the iphone app a fully functional app that has a bonus watch interface, or are you talking about 2 different apps?

 

[jayman]

The more I think about it, voice control should be possible, right? Is that in the cards?

 

[AllenWong]

You can count me in on your app as well. To be clear: are the features you describe an iphone app which also has a watch interface? In other words, is the iphone app a fully functional app that has a bonus watch interface, or are you talking about 2 different apps?

It's one app. Both interface are fully functional. You're not required to run one to keep the other one working. They work independently but they can communicate together. For example, if the app has newer stats on the car, it passes it along to the watch and vice versa. This way the API servers are not hammered by both apps at the same time and this lets my app update the stats more frequently.

 

[R²B]

So what's the ETA on this thing...

 

[mdevp]

Charge 10 for the app, I will absolutely buy, great job Allen.

 

[cgiGuy]

One thing that I'm noticing on a lot of newly developed watch apps, is a lack of crown functions. This is one of the few things that the watch has that the phone doesn't that could make it more useful. For instance, instead of tapping the temp -/+ button 7 times, you roll the crown to your desired temp. The key would be smooth, easy to control scrolling. Other areas that I can think of right off the top of my head are sunroof position, set charge limit, zoom for map view, etc.

 

[Rhym]

$10 is "nickels in the couch" for the vast majority of us. I personally appreciate all the work put into creating this app, especially considering how functional and convenient it is. I would probably consider myself one of those "cheap" app buyers who usually looks for the "freebies," but I also am someone who has no problem spending money for something extraordinary and worthwhile, as evidenced by my Model S. This app more than fits that bill. My only question is, when can I get my hands on it?? It's well worth the measly ten bucks. With tens of thousands of Teslas on the road, and a likely significant percentage of those owners who will spend big bucks for an Apple Watch, I think there'll be plenty of demand, and a fair profit for the developer, Allen Wong. Thanks Allen, and please post to this forum when the app is available!

Yes, but the point is Tesla will likely update their own app to support the Apple Watch, so my point was that he will have to compete with that. And Tesla obviously has a huge advantage in getting users to find their app.

That doesn't mean this app can't be successful, it just has to be positioned relative to what Tesla ends up offering for free.

- - - Updated - - -

So what's the ETA on this thing...

It generally takes Apple 5-10 days to review an app/update, but I have no idea when he submitted the app for review.

This app has a unique challenge with review too, since it requires connectivity to a "Tesla", either a real one or a fake connection the developer may have built. It will be interesting for the developer if he gave Apple access to his real Model S and they start testing the app while he's driving around!

 

[mdevp]

One thing that I'm noticing on a lot of newly developed watch apps, is a lack of crown functions. This is one of the few things that the watch has that the phone doesn't that could make it more useful. For instance, instead of tapping the temp -/+ button 7 times, you roll the crown to your desired temp. The key would be smooth, easy to control scrolling. Other areas that I can think of right off the top of my head are sunroof position, set charge limit, zoom for map view, etc.

Really good point. Rego, have you ever considered writing a phone app? I know some people aren't 100% happy w/the Tesla one...you already have a good head start! You'd have ALOT of interested buyers

 

[ecarfan]

Really good point. Rego, have you ever considered writing a phone app? I know some people aren't 100% happy w/the Tesla one...you already have a good head start! You'd have ALOT of interested buyers

I second that suggestion. The Tesla phone app is quite limited. I appreciate that Tesla personnel have a lot on their plates and they need to focus on the vehicle, the X launch, the 3 designs, etc., but there is so much more that could be done with the phone app.

And also agree that some Watch apps don't utilize the digital crown function enough. It's something new to Apple app developers and I think they forget it's there.

I'm talking like I own an Apple Watch but in fact I still haven't received mine, it's supposed to arrive within 4 weeks. Anticipation...

 

[Jeffgtx]

you guys are missing his comment on the app structure.

There is no such thing as a standalone apple watch app. they are all companion apps to an app that you have on your phone. So he has technically alreayd made a phone app. it will come with the watch app with it that you see in the videos.

Assuming he built it the way he is capable, the functions would be present on your phone AND your watch. not just the watch.