Skip to main content

Tesla is launching software version 9 in ‘4 weeks’, will include classic Atari games, says Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has updated their timeline for the upcoming next major vehicle software update ‘Version 9.0’ and it will include a bunch of classic Atari games hidden as Easter Eggs.

The automaker launched Version 8.0 back in 2016.

It was Tesla’s most significant over-the-air software update at the time. It featured a user interface refresh, a few new features, and several improvements related to Autopilot.

Now almost two years later, Musk announced that Tesla’s version 9 software update is coming in August with the first ‘full self-driving features’.

The CEO said that it is coming this summer and today, he updated the timeline to just 4 weeks, which would mean that it should roll out by the end of the month.

Musk also said that it will include some classic Atari games as Easter Eggs:

Musk mentioned that Pole Position, Tempest, and Missile Command will be amongst the games.

He even said that the controls in Pole Position will be linked to the actual steering wheel. Of course, that will only be available when the vehicle is parked.

As for actually useful features, Musk said that Tesla will also release a new Autopilot interface with the Version 9 update.

It will feature new Autopilot features that have been rumored to potentially push Autopilot from level 2 to level 3 as an autonomous driver assist system.

Musk said that they will also try to include the much-requested feature to be able to initiate software updates from the mobile app with this new version.

Electrek’s Take

It looks like lots of exciting things coming with Version 9.0, but funny enough I am most excited about the ability to initiate an update from the mobile app.

I find it frustrating to get into my Model S and it is prompting an update. When you get in the car, that’s generally because you want to use it and therefore, you can’t start an update.

Having the opportunity to get an alert on mobile through the app, which I actually got sporadically, and then start the install would be great.

The new interface and Autopilot features sound fun too, but I would need to get more details before getting excited.

As for the Atari games, I don’t think I would sit in my car playing games on the screen, but I’m probably not the target audience for this. I am sure some people will be into it.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Fred Lambert Fred Lambert

Fred is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at Electrek.

You can send tips on Twitter (DMs open) or via email: fred@9to5mac.com

Through Zalkon.com, you can check out Fred’s portfolio and get monthly green stock investment ideas.