News
Tesla rolls out 2020 Holiday Update: New Driving Visualizations, Supercharger Display Improvements and more (Release Notes)
Tesla is beginning to roll out its highly anticipated over-the-air 2020 ‘Holiday Update’ that includes new driving visualizations for Full Self-Driving, new games, and an improved display for Supercharger and Vehicle Information, among others.
The following are some of the most notable aspects of Tesla’s 2020 holiday update as part of Firmware 2020.48.25.
Arguably, the Tesla community fan-favorite comes in the form of a new “Boombox” feature that enables the much-talked-about Snake Jazz and Goat easter eggs.
Vehicle Information
Tesla has removed the Tesla “T” from the top menu, which provides better use of the touchscreen display’s real estate. Display improvements can be seen throughout much of the 2020 Tesla Holiday Update.
“The Tesla ‘T’ has been removed from the top status bar. Tap Controls > Software for the same information.”
Release Notes Improvements
Release notes can be accessed under the controls menu. Each feature has been itemized into a tabular left menu that provides quick access to the description for previous and current features.
“Release notes now include improved browsing and access. To view current and previous release notes, tap controls > Software > Release Notes.”
2020 Tesla Holiday Update – Release Notes (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)
Driving Visualization Improvements
Improved driving visualizations to support Full Self-Driving capabilities take center stage in this year’s highly-anticipated Tesla Holiday Software Update.
“The driving visualization has been refreshed and now offers a larger visualization to allow drivers to view more details of the road surroundings. The next turn will now appear above the visualization if the navigation turn list is covered by another app.
Additionally, select items have slightly moved but will continue to look and behave the same. Some notable differences include the following:
- Quick access to the backup camera and wipers has moved to the bottom bar.
- Indicator lights have been moved to the side of the touchscreen.
- Autopilot set speed, Autopilot availability, and detected speed limit are now displayed next to the driving speed.”
2020 Tesla Holiday Update – Driving Visualizations (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)
Scheduled Departure Improvements
A refreshed look for the “Scheduled Departure” feature, previously known as “Smart Preconditioning” and released in October 2019, puts more emphasis on a simple design for easier control of charging costs and interior comfort when ready to drive. Tesla notes that Scheduled Departure can operate even when the vehicle is unplugged.
The previous language of not being functional below a 20% battery state of charge is no longer visible.
“Schedule departure can now precondition your battery and cabin even when your car is unplugged. To account for different utility rate plans, you can now set the time when your off-peak rates end to save on charging costs. To access, tap SCHEDULE from the climate control or charging panel when parked.”
Supercharger Display Improvements
Real-time Supercharger occupancy information was rolled out nearly 4 years ago (see version 1.0), and since then Tesla has continued to make user experience improvements for drivers looking to quickly access information from their touchscreen for distraction-free driving. This includes the ability to see available charging stalls at-a-glance and without the need for unnecessary taps of the touchscreen.
“Supercharger pins on your touchscreen will now display the number of available stalls at charging sites. Quickly search for nearby amenities by tapping an amenity icon on the Supercharger popup display.”
Tesla has replaced the iconic Tesla Supercharger lightning bolt icon with a number that denotes the number of currently available chargers at the location.
Emissions Testing Mode Improvements
How can one improve upon Tesla’s famed “Emissions Testing Mode”, better known as “Fart Mode”? Fart at strangers.
“Emissions Testing Mode can be used outside the car. To setup, select your desired sound and place the cushion on the external speaker. When ready, play selected sound by pressing the left scroll wheel button or using the turn signal. To access, tap the Application Launcher > Toybox > Emissions Testing Mode.”
Boombox
Elon Musk has made good on his promise to give Tesla owners the ability to entertain crowds and passersby through honking-fart and goat sounds, plus more.
Customized horn & movement sounds (coconuts being one, of course) coming to Teslas soon— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 6, 2019
In addition to several new out-of-the-box sound clips that blast out of Tesla’s exterior speaker, the latest Boombox feature enables the upload of five custom sounds.
“Turn your car into a boombox and entertain a crowd with your media player when parked. You can also customize the sound your car makes when you press the horn, drive the car or when your car is moving with Summon. Select an option from the dropdown menu or insert your own USB device and save up to five custom sounds.”
2020 Tesla Holiday Update – Boombox (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)
Tesla Arcade: New Games
Tesla launched a series of new games for its Tesla Arcade collection, including The Battle of Polytopia, Cat Quest, Solitaire, and Boombox.
- The Battle of Polytopia
- Cat Quest
- Solitaire
Last month, Elon Musk teased the community when he tweeted about this year’s holiday software update. Musk hinted that 2020’s holiday update would be “lit.” He also mentioned that the highly-anticipated update would include features that customers wanted, and some that they didn’t even know they wanted.
Last year, Elon Musk and the Tesla team outdid themselves with the holiday software update. Tesla’s 2019 holiday update included a sneak preview of the company’s Full Self Driving suite, TRAX v0.1, and introduced new games to the arcade, such as Stardew Valley and Lost Backgammon.
News
Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Tesla Diner, the all-in-one Supercharging and dining experience located in Los Angeles, will transition to a full-service restaurant in January, staff said, as Chef Eric Greenspan said he would take on a new project.
A report from the Los Angeles Times says Greenspan confirmed through a text that he would leave the Diner and focus on the opening of his new Jewish deli, Mish.
Greenspan confirmed to the paper:
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Greenspan took on the job at the Tesla Diner and curated the menu back in March, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and items that would play on various company products, like Cybertruck-shaped boxes that hold burgers.
Tesla Cybertruck leftovers are the main course at the Supercharger Diner
The Tesla Diner has operated as somewhat of a self-serve establishment, where Tesla owners can order directly from their vehicles through the center touchscreen. It was not exclusive to Tesla owners. Guests could also enter and order at a counter, and pick up their food, before sitting at a booth or table.
However, the report indicates Tesla is planning to push it toward a sit-down restaurant, full of waiters, waitresses, and servers, all of which will come to a table after you are seated, take your order, and serve your food.
It will be more of a full-featured restaurant experience moving forward, which is an interesting move from the company, but it also sounds as if it could be testing for an expansion.
We know that Tesla is already considering expanding locations, as it will be heading to new areas of the country. CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla will be considering locations in Palo Alto near the company’s Engineering HQ, and in Austin, where its HQ and Gigafactory Texas are located.
Musk said that the Diner has been very successful in its first few months of operation.
News
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
Tesla has added a new and somewhat surprising fee to the Robotaxi program. It’s only surprising because it was never there before.
Tesla shocked everyone when it launched its Robotaxi platform and offered riders the opportunity to tip, only to tell them they do not accept tips. It was one of the company’s attempts at being humorous as it rolled out its driverless platform to people in Austin.
As it has expanded to new cities and been opened to more people, as it was yesterday to iOS users, Tesla has had to tweak some of the minor details of the Robotaxi and ride-hailing platforms it operates.
First Look at Tesla’s Robotaxi App: features, design, and more
With more riders, more vehicles, and more operational jurisdictions, the company has to adjust as things become busier.
Now, it is adjusting the platform by adding “Cleaning Fees” to the Robotaxi platform, but it seems it is only charged if the vehicle requires some additional attention after your ride.
The app will communicate with the rider with the following message (via Not a Tesla App):
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
The cost of the cleaning will likely depend on how severe the mess is. If you spill a soda, it will likely cost less than if you lose your lunch in the back of the car because you had a few too many drinks.
This is an expected change, and it seems to be one that is needed, especially considering Tesla is operating a small-scale ride-hailing service at the current time. As it expands to more states and cities and eventually is available everywhere, there will be more situations that will arise.
The messes in vehicles are not a new situation, especially in a rideshare setting. It will be interesting to see if Tesla will enable other fees, like ones for riders who request a ride and do not show up for it.
News
Tesla Model Y sold out in China for 2025
Customers who wish to get their cars by the end of the year would likely need to get an inventory unit.
It appears that the Model Y has been sold out for 2025 in China. This seems to be true for the four variants of the vehicle that are currently offered in the country.
Tesla China’s order page update
A look at Tesla China’s order page for the Model Y shows a message informing customers that those who wish to guarantee delivery by the end of the year should purchase an inventory unit. This was despite the Model Y RWD and Model Y L showing an estimated delivery timeline of 4-8 weeks, and the Model Y Long Range RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD showing 4-13 weeks.
As per industry watchers, these updates on the Model Y’s order page suggest that Tesla China’s sales capacity for the remainder of 2025 has been sold out. The fact that estimated delivery timeframes for the Model Y Long Range RWD and AWD extend up to 13 weeks also bodes well for demand for the vehicle, especially given strong rivals like the Xiaomi YU7, which undercuts the Model Y in price.
Tesla China’s upcoming big updates
What is quite interesting is that Tesla China is still competing in the country with one hand partly tied behind its back. So far, Tesla has only been able to secure partial approval for its flagship self-driving software, FSD, in China. This has resulted in V14 not being rolled out to the country yet. Despite this, Tesla China’s “Autopilot automatic assisted driving on urban roads,” as the system is called locally, has earned positive reviews from users.
As per Elon Musk during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, however, Tesla is expecting to secure full approval for FSD in China in early 2026. “We have partial approval in China, and we hopefully will have full approval in China around February or March or so. That’s what they’ve told us,” Musk said.
Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
