Tesla Update 2024.20: Unveiling the Hidden Changes

As Tesla continues to roll out the latest 2024.26 update, it's worth taking a closer look at the preceding version, 2024.20, to uncover several changes that weren't highlighted in the official release notes.

Safety Enhancement: Hood Open Notification

Tesla's 2024.20.3 update brought a crucial safety fix in response to an issue identified by the NHTSA. Before this update, vehicles might fail to detect if the hood was improperly latched after being opened, potentially leading to it swinging open while driving—a hazardous situation. The update now ensures that drivers are notified if the hood is unlatched when the car is put into drive, significantly improving safety.

Enhanced Autopilot Attention Alerts

For Model S and Model X owners, Tesla has improved how it prompts drivers to remain attentive while using Autopilot. Now, when additional resistance on the steering wheel is needed, a more prominent warning is displayed on the left side of the instrument cluster, ensuring it catches the driver's attention effectively.

Detailed Location Sharing Insights

Tesla has refined the way it displays location-sharing information. When an app or third-party service requests the vehicle's location, a new icon appears in the status menu. By tapping on this icon, drivers can see which specific app or service is accessing the location data. This feature even extends to the official Tesla app, providing clear visibility into which account is requesting the location—displaying "Tesla Mobile App" and the corresponding Tesla account name, or simply "Owner" if it's the primary account holder.

Moreover, Tesla has introduced a new location button in the Software tab under vehicle settings. This button opens the same dialog box that appears when tapping the location icon, allowing users to access location-sharing details at any time, rather than waiting for the status icon to appear.

Removal of Tesla Atari Games on AMD-Based Vehicles

Tesla's Arcade platform, which initially launched with a set of classic Atari games under the "TeslAtari" branding, has seen a change. For vehicles equipped with the AMD Ryzen processor, these retro games, including titles like Gravitar, Tempest, Millipede, and Asteroids, have been removed. While nostalgic, these games have likely seen decreased usage with the introduction of newer, more modern titles like Cuphead and Skyforce Reloaded.

TIDAL Explicit Content Filter Added

Tesla continues to enhance its in-car entertainment options. With this update, the Explicit Content setting under Audio Settings > Options has been expanded to include TIDAL, allowing drivers to filter out explicit content on this streaming service. Previously, this feature was only available for Streaming, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Music, with Apple Music having been added in version 2024.14.

As Tesla's updates keep rolling out, the changes, big or small, continually improve the driving experience. With version 2024.26 introducing major features like YouTube and Amazon Music support, it's clear Tesla is committed to pushing the boundaries of in-car technology. If you discover any other undocumented changes, feel free to share them with us!