Tesla Releases the 2021 Holiday Update with update 2021.44.25

December 21, 2021

By Nuno Cristovao

This year's Holiday Update was building up to be an exciting one. After last year's disappointment, Tesla was certainly not planning to repeat it again this year.

The Holiday Update was expected to be released to the first individuals on Tuesday, and just a few hours before, we're now seeing many of the new features in this year's Holiday Update.

Let's just say it's a good one. If you're the kind of person that prefers to be surprised, you may not want to scroll any further.

The Holiday Update comes in as version 2021.44.25.

Light Show

Tesla Light Show

Emulsifide/Reddit

Just as the rumor showed yesterday, the former Model X exclusive Light Show easter egg will now be available on all Teslas.

This easter egg will have your car use its headlights, fog lights, turn signals, mirrors, and speakers to perform a coordinated light show.

The Model X's version of the easter egg plays the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It's not clear whether this easter egg will play the same song or offer a variety of songs to pick from.

Customizable App Launcher

Customize your app launcher

Emulsifide/Reddit

This one is huge. Tesla is bringing some of the "v11" software features to the Model 3 and Model Y. Technically, the new Model S is not on v11, but its new interface is often referred to as v11 or the new UI.

It's not the entire Model S UI that is being brought over to the Model 3 and Model Y, but instead some of its most functional features.

Some features such as window docking, Auto Shift, the music mini-player, and other features will remain only on the new Model S, at least for now.

This feature brings over one of the most useful features of the new UI, a customizable app launcher.

The car's bottom navigation will now feature three areas. A fixed area of icons that you can't change, a customizable area where you can put your favorite Tesla apps such as the web browser, energy graph, or Spotify, and a Recents section that will show any recent apps you've used.

For better or worse, the app icons are now also the same ones from the Model S, featuring more detailed, colorful icons.

Simplified Controls

Emulsifide/Reddit

The Model 3 and Model Y feature swipeable cards underneath the car's visualization that shows important information such as the odometer, tire pressure readings, active call information, wiper settings, and more.

The idea of the cards is good, but some crucial information was only available in these cards, which wasn't intuitive. Tesla is fixing that in this update.

Tesla is keeping some of the cards such as wiper controls, but moving most of the other information into the car's main Controls menu.

For example, to access the odometer, you will now go to Controls > Trips, much like the Model S.

For tire pressure, you can go to Controls then choose Service.

Blind Spot Camera

Emulsifide/Reddit

You can now choose to have your car's fender camera feed displayed directly on the screen when you activate your turn signal.

This is the same camera view that can be displayed when you put your car into reverse.

It will be an option for those that prefer not to use it.

Edit Waypoints

Emulsifide/Reddit

Tesla introduced Waypoints just a few weeks ago. So many owners were excited to receive the update, but now, even before many owners have received waypoints, Tesla has a major update to it.

When waypoints was introduced, you needed to add destinations starting with your final destination first, as there was no way to reorder the destinations.

With this update Tesla is making waypoints more flexible, you will now be able to add, remove or reorder waypoints.

TikTok

Emulsifide/Reddit

TikTok will now be the latest video service added to your Tesla. It will require Tesla's Premium Connectivity plan unless you're on WiFi and it will be available alongside other streaming services in Tesla Theater.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Emulsifide/Reddit

This was another suspected feature in this year's holiday update. Elon and Sega both confirmed that the original Sonic game will be playable inside of Teslas in the near future.

Like many of Tesla's other games, this one will also support a controller. Check our list of all controllers compatible with your Tesla, as you may already have one that works.

The Battle of Polytopia - Multiplayer Support

Multiplayer Support

Emulsifide/Reddit

Tesla added The Battle of Polytopia, a civilization-type game late last year. Tesla has now expanded the game to include multiplayer support.

Sudoku

Sudoku game

Emulsifide/Reddit

Late last year Elon was asked on Twitter whether the game Sudoku could be added to Teslas. Elon responded with one of his typical, "sure" replies.

And a year later, we have Sudoku.

It looks like the game will have various difficulty levels and hints. Like most Tesla games, it should also save your progress so that you can continue your puzzle next time.

Cold Weather Improvements

Emulsifide/Reddit

Honestly, I'm not sure why Tesla is still using this term. I feel like we're all tired of seeing it and it causes an unintentional eye roll for many.

However, it looks like there is something worth mentioning here. You will now be able to precondition your car even if you have a low battery.

Previously if your battery had less than a 20% charge, you would not be able to precondition the car. It looks like Tesla will now let you precondition your car unless your car's battery is very low.

Automatic Seat Heaters

Automated seat heaters

Emulsifide/Reddit

This was another feature that Elon said was coming soon earlier this year.

Tesla is simplifying the seat heater controls by turning the seat heater button into a single on/off button, instead of having four different settings (off, level 1, 2, and 3).

The temperature of your seat will instead vary based on the temperature of the cabin and what the climate system is set to.

You will continue to be able to set your seat heater manually if you don't have your HVAC system set to auto.

Manage Dashcam Clips

Delete all events

Emulsifide/Reddit

Tesla's dashcam is a fantastic feature, but it's easy to accrue a bunch of clips that later need to be deleted one by one.

With this update, Tesla will now let you delete all dashcam clips with a single tap in the main Controls menu.

Many users would have preferred to be able to manually select multiple Dashcam or Sentry Mode clips directly from the Dashcam Viewer and delete them that way, but this is a nice feature to have nonetheless.

Dark Mode

Emulsifide/Reddit

Tesla already supported light and night modes that would automatically switch based on the time of day.

However, Tesla is now introducing a new Dark Mode that will presumably be more usable during the day.

Tesla's previous night display was often difficult to see in bright situations. This mode is expected to use darker colors and increased contrast instead of the grays used in night mode.

Hide Map Details

Hide pins

Emulsifide/Reddit

Continuing with Tesla's theme of simplifying the display and controls, Tesla will now let you hide unneeded map information.

This new feature allows you to hide nearby locations that normally appear as a pin on the map.

It looks like these are the majority of the features in this year's holiday update.

These features are based on what an owner has received in their Model 3. There may be some additional features for other Model 3 configurations or features that may be exclusive to the Model S or Model X.

You can also view the release notes for Tesla's Holiday Update (2021.44.25).

Update: Tesla released many new features in the 2021 Holiday Update. The holiday update was released with version 2021.44.25.

SpaceX to Land on Mars by Late 2026 With Tesla's Optimus

March 17, 2025

By Not a Tesla App Staff

Not a Tesla App

Elon Musk and SpaceX have set some ambitious dates for the first Mars landing. Musk envisions launching the Starship toward Mars by late 2026—less than two years away. There won’t be any humans on board in the initial launches. Instead, Optimus will fill in for humans. Musk stated that human landings could follow as early as 2029 to 2031.

There are certain windows that make flights to Mars feasible for humans. So SpaceX is aiming for humans to be a part of the second or third Earth/Mars launch windows from now, which are 5 to 7 years away.

Tesla continues advancing Optimus, and SpaceX remains relentless. Another Starship test launch is in the books, all while maintaining their steady weekly cadence of Dragon missions to space.

Starship departs for Mars at the end of next year, carrying Optimus.

Civilization On Earth

Musk goes on to state something interesting in another post on X. He says that the key will be whether “Earth’s civilizational technology level will last long enough to ensure Mars can grow by itself, even if supply ships from Earth stop coming.”

The statement suggests two possibilities—that Earth’s civilization collapses or fails to advance enough to solve unforeseen challenges of sustaining life on Mars.

The key concern is whether humanity will remain technologically and industrially capable long enough to ensure that Mars can eventually become self-sufficient. If Earth’s civilization weakens, either due to collapse, stagnation, or regression, Mars might not get the support it needs to reach full independence—leading to the colony’s failure.

Thanks for letting us know, never been this excited about space in my life! pic.twitter.com/FEw3w2hk7x
— Teslaconomics (@Teslaconomics) March 15, 2025

Optimus

Tossing Optimus on board Starship is a smart move, instead of having smaller, single-task robots. Optimus also has the advantage of being upgradeable on Mars as long as the hardware holds up. It could be a lot like what we saw with Tesla vehicles, where the hardware was present for many years before the vehicle was capable of driving on city streets. Optimus’ capabilities will also improve over time, even if the hardware is older.

But, how does Elon Musk envision Optimus’ role on Mars?

The answer might be simple. SpaceX can leverage a fleet of Optimus robots to assemble shelters and infrastructure before humans even arrive.

Optimus is already highly capable, with precise hands adept at manipulating tools and objects. On Mars, it could construct basic habitats, set up survival systems, and even handle ice processing, water recycling, and food production.

These facilities will be absolutely essential for the first humans to comfortably settle in and begin work on expanding, maintaining, and preparing for proper human settlement.

Beyond construction, Optimus has a major advantage—it doesn’t need oxygen. Instead, mission planners would only need to monitor battery levels, wear and tear, and any potential damage.

That said, even humanoid robots face risks. Martian dust has long been an obstacle in space exploration, clogging solar panels, damaging equipment, and causing malfunctions. Tesla will need to redesign Optimus to withstand the harsh conditions. Its joints and components will need to be sealed against Mars’ relentless environment.

Starship

Mechazilla catching Starship7 Rocket Booster for the first time ever! 🚀
Incredible Achievement by @spacex

I can’t believe I’m alive to experience this! pic.twitter.com/GSe7RFDV06
— JoshWest247 ⚡️ (@JoshWest247) January 16, 2025

Starship, the largest rocket ever built, is immensely capable—but still in its early testing phases. SpaceX has dedicated hundreds of hours between each flight test, refining and improving with every launch. With several Super Heavy booster catches now under their belt, the next challenge is proving Starship itself can land.

Once SpaceX can launch, complete a mission, and safely land both the booster and Starship, the dream of reaching Mars may no longer seem so far-fetched.

With that, Happy 23rd Anniversary, SpaceX! We’re with you all the way as you push humanity toward the stars.

Happy 23rd Anniversary to @SpaceX! Founded on March 14, 2002, and still pushing the limits of what’s possible, here’s to the next chapter of making life multi-planetary! pic.twitter.com/mzvrdEagAn
— Teslaconomics (@Teslaconomics) March 14, 2025

Tesla's Project E41: New Model Y With 20% Cost Reduction Coming in 2026

March 17, 2025

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

According to Chinese blog posts from earlier last week, now vetted by Reuters, Tesla intends to produce a cut-down version of the Model Y, initially for the Chinese market, sometime in 2026.

This follows the launch of Tesla’s cut-down Model 3 for Mexico, as well as news that Tesla intends to launch their new next-gen model sometime in the near future.

Cut Down, But How?

The new Model Y, internally referred to as Project E41, is designed to lower the entry price of Tesla’s popular SUV—one of the most compelling options on the market due to its size, range, and versatility, especially following the launch of the refreshed Model Y.

To achieve this, Tesla is reportedly aiming to reduce the Model Y’s total cost by nearly 20%, according to reports from China. While exact changes remain unknown, we can make informed guesses based on the cost-saving measures Tesla implemented in the scaled-down Model 3 for Mexico.

Textile Seats and Trim

One of the most noticeable changes in the cost-cut version of the Model 3 in Mexico was the removal of vegan leather throughout the interior. In its place, Tesla opted for a durable textile fabric for the seats, reducing material costs. Additionally, any Alcantara trim pieces were replaced with the same textile in various areas.

No Heated or Cooled Seats

Another major cost-cutting measure was the removal of heated and cooled seats, along with the heated steering wheel. While these feature reductions may seem minor, eliminating them reduces various things, such as electrical components, harnesses, and ductwork that are required for seat ventilation.

No Rear Screen

One of the more unexpected changes in the reduced-cost Model 3 was the removal of the rear screen, despite it being powered by the same front infotainment computer as the front display. Given that the screen functions primarily as an additional display rather than a standalone system, the cost to include it is extremely low. It’s one of those really smart additions Tesla has added that increases value for the consumer with minimal cost to Tesla.

Tesla is unlikely to redesign or modify the vehicle’s wiring harness for this change, meaning a rear screen could potentially be retrofitted later by the customer. Based on replacement part estimates, the screen likely costs Tesla between $5 and $20 per vehicle, which acts as a secondary monitor for the infotainment computer.

Ambient Lighting, Acoustic Glass, Speakers

The final set of changes also focuses on the interior. Tesla replaced the RGB-capable ambient lighting with a simpler white-only version—likely saving only a few dollars per vehicle. While this may seem like a minor and somewhat unexpected cut, it could serve as an upsell opportunity to the standard RWD variant.

Additionally, Tesla reduced the use of dual-pane acoustic glass, now limiting it to just the front windows and windshield. This change drastically cuts costs but also affects cabin noise levels. The dual-pane glass played a key role in making the refreshed Model Y noticeably quieter, so this downgrade will likely bring noise insulation closer to that of the original Model Y.

As for audio, Tesla scaled down the speaker system in the Mexican Model 3 from 17 speakers to just nine, while also removing the subwoofers and one of the audio amplifiers. While this cuts costs due to wiring and speakers, it also has a large impact on the audio quality in the vehicle.

Project E41 is Not the Next-Gen Model

It’s important to note that Project E41 is not the same as the upcoming, more affordable next-gen platform, which is internally referred to as Project Redwood. While Project E41 focuses on a reduced-cost version of the Model Y, Project Redwood is designed to test Tesla’s manufacturing capabilities, using their innovative unboxed assembly method to reduce both costs and production time. The goal is to create a vehicle that is smaller and more affordable, while also keeping it safe and capable of self-driving.

Tesla previously confirmed that they plan to unveil new models—distinct from cut-down versions of the Model 3 or Model Y—during their Q4 2024 Earnings Call. However, the executive team has been careful not to divulge too many details about the upcoming model during interviews. This suggests there may be a lot more that has yet to be unveiled.