Am I missing something here or is this like buying an HDTV early on but not having any programming that can take advantage of the hardware? And by the time programming became available, you're already on to a new TV set?
Yes, you're missing something. There's no comparison. Sure, people waited for AP to be activated the first time around but when it was activated it wasn't like buying a new TV. It drew a huge line between AP and non-AP cars. I know from personal experience.
Today, a new line has just been drawn between AP1.0 and AP2.0. I only had an AP loaner for a week and going to and from my cabin on the highway it rushed into corners, and then braked hard. We are told this new AP2.0 sees twice as far:
Twelve updated ultrasonic sensors complement this vision, allowing for detection of both hard and soft objects at nearly twice the distance of the prior system. A forward-facing radar with
enhanced processing provides additional data about the world on a redundant wavelength, capable of seeing through heavy rain, fog, dust and even the car ahead
There won't be waiting to use things like this -- this will be used right away. Improving the blind spot detection (which is pitiful) will be used right away. Most importantly, for people like me, being able to relax while using AP is crucial.
The wait is for regulatory approval for autonomous driving, which really only means you can do other things than pay attention to driving. It doesn't necessarily mean they hold back the features that make it autonomous. That makes no sense. The new camera/sensors/faster processing will be used from day 1. How can they not be? As time progresses, stop signs and lights will be read, it will start to turn corners, etc. Those updates will be for AP2.0 only. But from day 1 it will be significantly better.
Don't underestimate how significant this announcement is. Comparing it to early HDTV's is ludicrous.
Sorry folks who have AP1.0 but you're vehicles are now obsolete. While "obsolete" sounds like a harsh word, it simply means "no longer produced or used; out of date." That's AP 1.0 as of today. But you still have really great vehicles.