Tesla Improves Internet Connectivity and Adds Intuitive Reverse in Software Update [Video]

Tesla has improved the transition from WiFi to cellullar when starting the vehicle

Not a Tesla App / KeaganGigatexas

Tesla’s recent holiday update keeps giving as a couple of undocumented yet significant changes have been introduced. The 2023.44.30.8 update improves the transition from WiFi to cellular data in Tesla vehicles. Many may not notice this subtle update, but it ensures constant connectivity for Tesla drivers. It also took a few double takes to see another interesting update in the holiday update that will change how Tesla drivers reverse.

Seamless Transition: The End of Connectivity Gaps

Previously, Tesla owners experienced an everyday inconvenience. While backing out of their garage or simply driving away from their homes, the vehicle would turn off its WiFi connection, resulting in a short period where voice commands and other connected features were unavailable until a cellular connection was established. However, the latest update addresses this issue. When the vehicle is put into drive or reverse, it seamlessly switches from WiFi to a cellular connection, eliminating connectivity gaps.

The mechanics behind this improved transition suggest that Tesla may proactively activate the cellular connection when the driver enters the vehicle. This approach differs from the previous protocol, where the car waited until it was put into drive to establish a cellular connection. By keeping the cellular connection active or turning it on upon the driver's entry, Tesla ensures that the vehicle remains constantly connected, enhancing the overall user experience.

Owners have reported noticeable improvements in connectivity since the update. Our tests corroborate these findings, demonstrating a significant enhancement in WiFi speeds and a smoother transition to cellular data. This improvement is especially beneficial for features that rely on internet connectivity, such as voice commands and navigation, ensuring they remain functional even when transitioning from a home network to cellular data.

Improved WiFi Speed

A reader also alerted us of improved WiFi speeds, which we were able to replicate in our own tests over 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. The signal strength remained similar to previous tests, but the throughput was noticeably higher than in previous vehicle updates.

Intuitive Reverse Lane Markers

The holiday update introduces reverse lane markers in the vehicle's visualization. Similar to those seen in the reverse camera, these markers now appear in the main display, clearly indicating the vehicle's path while reversing. X user @KeaganGigatexas discovered the change while turning the wheel.

This is something neat I just noticed! Have you ever seen this before? @tesla pic.twitter.com/loqnWjvAVL

— KEAGAN (@KeaganGigatexas) January 5, 2024

For vehicles equipped with Ultrasonic Sensors, the update brings an innovative feature - the displayed distance to nearby objects now dynamically changes based on the steering wheel's position. This feature gives drivers a more accurate sense of their surroundings, especially in tight parking scenarios.

Interestingly, vehicles without USS no longer show distances to objects, coinciding with the introduction of high-fidelity park assist. While these vehicles benefit from the new lane markers, they do not display the distance of the 'aimed' object, differentiating the experience for drivers with different Tesla configurations.

While the 2023 holiday update paled compared to previous holiday updates, Tesla continues to sneak in more subtle changes, further improving the vehicle free of charge.

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Tesla Has Now Exported Its 1 Millionth Vehicle from China

Not a Tesla App

After a post on X, Tesla has confirmed that it recently exported its 1 millionth car from Giga Shanghai. That’s a massive number of vehicles from a factory that only opened in December 2019.

Since Q3 2021, Giga Shanghai has been responsible for producing over 50% of global EV production – with the single exception of Q2 2022 – where production fell to about 40% while the factory was retooling. That’s a jaw-dropping figure for a single factory.

1 Million Exports

Giga Shanghai produces Teslas for practically the entire world, including the European, Australian, Chinese, and other Southeast Asian markets. For now, it also produces cars for Canada; however, an upcoming tariff could change this.

Giga Shanghai also celebrated the shipping of 100,000 vehicles to Australia with the 1 million vehicles exported mark. While the majority of vehicles end up in Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia are still massive markets for Tesla.

Going forward, Giga Shanghai, with its continued expansions, will be at or above 1 million vehicles produced per year. A good chunk of these vehicles stay within China, while the rest are exported. Tesla sells on average 40 to 80,000 cars per month in China, depending on the season, with an average of 90,000 cars produced per month in 2024 so far.

Automated Production

This is all thanks to Giga Shanghai’s 95% automated production line. Giga Shanghai is likely one of the most automated and advanced factories in the world, a testament to Tesla’s manufacturing and engineering expertise. Giga Shanghai produces one vehicle every 40 seconds.

We’re looking forward to seeing how Tesla’s expansions and factory innovations continue in the coming months and years.

Giga Shanghai operates a 95% automated production line, enabling a cycle time of less than 40 seconds!
From taking 2.5 years for the first million cars to be produced, the second million was done in just 12 months 🚘🪄 pic.twitter.com/IF1w27AFPr

— Tesla Manufacturing (@gigafactories) January 5, 2024

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Tesla Adds 'Critical Alerts' to App That Bypass Mute Switch For Emergencies

Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s last app update, version 4.37.1, introduces support for critical alerts on the iPhone. These alerts are designed for emergency situations and will override standard notification settings, including the mute switch, Focus modes, and Do Not Disturb. This ensures that owners are notified when immediate action is required, even if their phone is set to silent.

How to Enable Critical Alerts

1. Activate Dog Mode: Open the Tesla app and turn on Dog Mode.

2. Main App Screen: After activating Dog Mode, go back to the main section of the app.

3. Enable Critical Alerts: A new option called Critical Alerts will appear under Live Camera and the quick action icons (Tip: You can add up to 5 quick actions). It’ll state, “Grant permissions to receive critical notifications.” Tap it, and you’ll see a system dialog asking for permission to allow critical alerts for the Tesla app.

4. Confirm Permission: Choose to allow the Tesla app to send critical notifications, which will grant the app special privileges for sending urgent alerts.

This new feature is likely intended for situations where Dog Mode needs to be turned off unexpectedly. For example, if the vehicle’s battery drops below 20% or if the temperature inside the cabin rises or falls drastically outside of your set temperature, the Tesla app is expected to send a critical alert to the owner, ensuring they are informed right away.

What Are Critical Alerts?

Critical Alerts are a type of iOS notification available only to approved apps, which must meet specific criteria set by Apple. These alerts are designed to be used in emergencies and bypass all standard notification restrictions. This means that regardless of whether your phone is silenced or in Do Not Disturb mode, the alert will play a sound and appear prominently.

By adding support for Critical Alerts, Tesla is prioritizing the safety of pets who may be left inside the vehicle with the expectation that Dog Mode will keep conditions safe. This change makes the app more reliable for alerting owners when immediate attention is needed, ensuring they are always kept informed—even when their phone’s settings would typically prevent other notifications from coming through.

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