First look at Tesla software update 2022.12

By Nuno Cristovao
First look at update 2022.12
First look at update 2022.12
TechAU.com.au / Edited by Not a Tesla App

Tesla releases a major software update about once every four weeks. The latest public update is 2022.8. About 65% of owners are now on 2022.8, while others are still on 2022.4 or 2021.44.

However, we're now getting our first glimpse into what will be in the next major release, version 2022.12.

This update is likely an early access version or internal build, as it's not available publicly yet.

TechAU has shared some images on Twitter that show off some of the features available in 2022.12.

It appears that this vehicle is located in Australia due to the Disney+ pricing shown and the fact that it's a right-hand drive vehicle.

Additional Bottom Bar Customization

Tesla is adding additional ways to customize the bottom bar, known as the launcher. The additional customization will likely come in the form of more apps or buttons.

We'd expect to see Tesla include some buttons that were previously removed such as wipers, window defrost, and possibly seat heaters.

For more information, check out our coverage of additional launcher customization.

Disney+

Disney+ is going to be introduced into additional markets. Since first being introduced, it has been limited to the US, but with 2022.12 it will be added to additional markets.

Child Lock

Child Lock is a feature that makes it so that the rear doors can not be opened from inside the vehicle. It's useful with young kids, but it can bring its own annoyances as well.

It's not clear what the improvement to child locks will be, but it could be that Tesla will allow you to pick which door should have the child lock, instead of locking both from the inside.

Additional Mobile App Controls

We know that Tesla is adding additional climate options to the app. According to code found in 2022.8 and in a previous app release, we believe that the additional mobile app controls mentioned here are the inclusion of Dog Mode, Camp Mode, and Climate Keeper to the mobile app.

New Language Support

2022.12 will also include additional language support. Tesla recently started adding support for two languages in the past. These haven't become available yet, so we see Hindi or Turkish introduced in 2022.12.

There aren't a lot of details about this next update yet, but it looks like it'll include some of the improvements we've been hoping for.

Keep in mind that there may be additional features in 2022.12 that are not shown here.

Features are often only available in certain regions or for certain models. The release notes for a particular vehicle may not include all the features in the update.

Update: Release notes for 2022.12.1 are now available. Be sure to check out all the features in this release.

First Look at Tesla’s New 'Blind Spot While Parked' Feature [VIDEO]

By Karan Singh
Automobile Propre

Tesla software update 2024.44.3 has started rolling out to customers in larger waves recently and it brings several new features - including Actually Smart Summon to Europe and the Middle East, as well as improvements to Autopark. But that’s not all, it also adds a new Blind Spot Monitoring feature to the new Model 3, and potentially the Cybertruck, but that’s still to be determined.

We previously covered the Blind Spot Warning While Parked as part of our preview notes for update 2024.44, but now that it's going out to customers, it's time to see it in action.

Blind Spot Monitoring While Parked

If the vehicle’s door open button is pressed, and a vehicle or object is near or incoming, the vehicle’s Blind Spot Warning Light (2024 Model 3 and Cybertruck) will illuminate, an audible tone will ring and the door won’t open. A message will also be displayed on the center displaying, letting driver’s know why the door didn’t open.

Pressing the button a second time will allow you to override the warning and open the door normally, providing a way to get out in case you just parked close to a nearby vehicle or obstacle.

The object detection for this new feature includes cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and other objects - like things including traffic cones, bollards, strollers, and other large obstacles that FSD and vision-based Autopark detect during normal operation. Of note - this only works for the front two doors. Thanks to X user Max, who did some testing for us, It does not work for the rear passenger doors.

Optional Feature

The feature is optional - it’ll be enabled by default for safety, but if you need to enable or disable it, you can do so under Controls > Safety. For now, the feature is only available on the 2024 Model 3, but we expect it to roll out to the Cybertruck at least. However, there’s no reason why it can’t be added to other vehicles as well, minus the small red dot. We expect Tesla to eventually add this feature to all Tesla vehicles, but it’s currently not a part of update 2024.44.

Enhauto’s S3XY Buttons & Commander

If that’s not enough safety and vision for you, Enhauto, the makers of the popular S3XY Buttons and Commander recently put out a new software update for the 2024 Model 3, which makes some fantastic use of the ambient lighting.

With Enhauto’s solution, users are able to tie their ambient lights to Autopilot use, turn signals or even if a vehicle is their blind spot. Check out the video below for this awesome implementation, where the ambient lights turn red when another vehicle approaches.

Maybe Tesla will integrate something like this into a future update? We’ve been hoping for more customizability with their ambient lighting - it's an easy safety win and a demonstration of Tesla’s do-more-with-less attitude.

Tesla Improves Trip Planner - Arrival State of Charge Coming

By Karan Singh
DBurkland/X

Tesla recently added the ability to report Supercharger issues - such as insufficient lighting, accessibility, cleanliness, and other things that can’t be automatically monitored. In response to the post on the official X Supercharger Community, Max de Zegher, Director of Charging, North America, confirmed that one of the most wish-listed features - Arrival State of Charge, is coming soon.

The feature is now possible thanks to what Wes Morrill, Cybertruck’s lead engineering, points out is a huge rewrite of Tesla’s Trip Planner, which not only makes it much more accurate but will now allow users to choose their arrival charge percentage.

More Accurate Trip Planner

When you navigate to a destination, your Tesla will automatically calculate when, where, and how much you need to charge. While the process seems straightforward, Tesla deserves a lot of credit for creating a simple user experience because a lot goes into accurately determining this information.

Tesla has to calculate many moving pieces in order to accurately predict when and where you should stop. First, it needs to consider your driving efficiency and wind direction, terrain elevation, traffic, vehicle speed, and ambient temperature. It also needs to predict the best Superchargers to stop at, taking into account congestion and charger speed.

This morning, in response to Dan Burkland, Wes shared that Tesla had significantly rewritten the backend portion of Trip Planner. These improvements, made by several engineers, were designed to improve Trip Planner’s accuracy and open the door to future features.

It sounds like these changes are mostly server-side, so thanks to their OTA connection, more accurate predictions should be available to all vehicles—no vehicle update is required.

Arrival State of Charge

Along with Tesla’s improvements to Trip Planner, Wes also stated that these improvements allow for a popular feature request — the ability to select your desired charge level at arrival.

Up until now, Tesla’s Trip Planner tried to get you to your destination as quickly as possible, which usually meant arriving with a low state of charge.

While this was fine if you have a charger at your destination, it’s not great if you don’t, or it could be even worse if there are no chargers nearby.

Max de Zegher said on X that he has heard the requests for a selectable arrival state of charge. Wes later clarified this by saying that these improvements to Tesla’s Trip Planner now allow for additional features to be added, such as “desired arrival charge.”

When Does it Arrive?

Given that Max de Zegher’s comments came last night and Wes Morrill commented this morning, this feature request likely won’t arrive with the upcoming Holiday Update. Tesla actually hinted at such a feature being added in their last app update, so it does seem like they’ve already planned for it.

Although ‘Arrival State of Charge’ was on our wishlist for the Holiday Update, it looks like it may arrive soon after the holidays.

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