Can you watch Netflix in a Tesla while driving?
Tesla’s YouTube App Is Now Limited to 360p Resolution, but There’s a Workaround
Steaming YouTube and potentially other streaming services on Teslas is now limited to 360p resolution. The quality of other streaming services appears to be affected as well.
A recent video shared on Reddit showed an owner attempting to adjust the streaming quality in Tesla’s YouTube app but to no avail. The owner was connected to a WiFi network, but the vehicle still did not allow the quality setting to be changed.
Tesla’s Streaming Apps
To bring an unparalleled entertainment experience to its vehicles, Tesla uses video streaming “apps” that are actually just websites loaded in a chromeless browser. This allows Tesla to easily add streaming services without having to build out native apps. Since the apps aren’t native to Tesla’s operating system, the UI or features available can be changed whenever the site is updated. Initially, this appears to be what is causing the issue with YouTube’s lower resolution.
Lower Resolution
Google updated the YouTube user interface for the size and resolution Teslas use, which caused some changes. The new UI that appears in Tesla’s YouTube app is now the same one that is used on mobile devices, which defaults to 360p resolution.
With this UI change, the resolution button is no longer in the same spot. Although mobile users can still change the resolution through the Settings icon at the top right corner of the video, the dropdowns in the settings menu do not work in a Tesla.
Was This Accidental?
Tesla’s built-in browser, which is Chromium-based, has had issues in the past, so the inability to adjust the resolution through the use of the dropdown offered in the YouTube app appears to be a bug in the Chromium browser Tesla is using.
So initially it looks like YouTube just changed the UI and the default resolution, but a bug in the browser Tesla uses is preventing users from increasing the resolution. However, the issue is that other streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+ in a Tesla appear to be using much lower resolutions as well.
Since multiple apps now appear to stream at a lower resolution, Tesla may have been involved in changing the streaming quality behind these apps. However, there is no official confirmation from Tesla.
Since these apps are just websites, these changes are not due to a specific update and they affect everyone who has access to these streaming services.
Reducing Costs
Tesla uses AT&T to provide its built-in LTE service in the US. They pay based on the amount of data used, and charge customers a flat $9.99/mo. fee for Premium Connectivity. This may be Tesla’s attempt at lowering data usage and costs.
For a brief period in 2019, Tesla showed the bandwidth a vehicle had used in the vehicle’s Software menu. However, that information was short-lived in disappeared in the following update.
Tesla used to display the bandwidth a vehicle had used on the screen
Not a Tesla App
Furthermore, the refreshed Model X and Model S cars feature an 8-inch screen in the rear, allowing for passengers to stream Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube, among others, while driving. Owners of these models may use significantly more data since their car doesn’t need to be in park to stream video. Bumping the streaming quality down to 360p could save a lot of data, and the quality won’t be as noticeable on an 8-inch screen, as opposed to the Model Y and Model 3’s 15-inch screen.
WiFi
Tesla tries to limit cell data usage, but they’re usually pretty lenient and allow owners to use WiFi for practically whatever they want, even if they’re not subscribed to Premium Connectivity. They also allow owners to download lossless songs from TIDAL over WiFi.
However, being connected to a WiFi network does not resolve the current low-resolution limitation on streaming services.
Workaround to Low Resolution
There are a couple workarounds to use a higher resolution. The first was posted by Reddit user u/taska9. “So far, I have found that if you use the YouTube embed link with the vq parameter, I can get 1080p,” u/taska9 writes.
The user adds: “Say the link is https://youtu.be/nzYrogkhmXI Then you enter this link to the browser, youtube.com/embed/nzYrogkhmXI?vq=hd1080. It works.”
This workaround forces the vehicle to use the desktop version of the site, allowing you to adjust the video’s quality. According to other users in the Reddit thread, using Tesla’s browser and going to the provider’s site also allows for HD access.
The second workaround was brought up by our forum user, SteveM3P. The workaround has you load the YouTube app as you normally would and go to the video Settings icon. You then tap the resolution dropdown twice. Nothing will appear on the screen, but you will then be able to use your steering wheel’s left scroll wheel to change the resolution. You’ll need to press ‘left’ on the scroll wheel to go through each resolution option.
Video of the Issue
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Tesla To Showcase Semi Performance and Efficiency in ‘Run on Less’ Trucking Event
May 8, 2023
By Kevin Armstrong
One of PepsiCo’s Tesla Semis
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
Tesla’s Semi is set to participate in the Run on Less trucking industry event beginning September 11. In collaboration with PepsiCo, Tesla will showcase its innovative, sustainable approach to trucking as the first independent performance data for Tesla’s all-electric Class 8 semi-truck is unveiled during the three-week event. Tesla’s participation in the event is highly anticipated, given the company’s reputation for disrupting the automotive sector.
In an interview with Automotive News, Amanda DeVoe, sustainability and technology director of the fleet at PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, «We’re really excited to participate in the run and allow the industry to have access to the insights and the learnings that we are getting from experiencing these vehicles.»
First independent performance data of Tesla’s Semi
The Run on Less event will closely monitor the performance of the Tesla Semi, providing invaluable insights into the electric truck’s real-world capabilities. This information will be of great importance to the trucking and freight industries, as Tesla’s revolutionary electric class 8 truck has the potential to redefine sustainable trucking.
Throughout the event, the Tesla Semi will be put to the test, operating with maximum payload and traveling up to 500 miles round trip. Data sets made public during the event will include distance traveled, the effect of speed and distance on a battery charge, and weather conditions encountered by the vehicles. With trucks operating from seven depots in California and one in New York, the event will offer a comprehensive look at the performance of electric trucks in various conditions.
Event to showcase the real-world capabilities versus the Competition
The Run on Less event will feature electric trucks from other brands, such as Nikola, Freightliner, and Volvo. However, the focus on Tesla’s Semi underscores the company’s significance in the electric vehicle market and the trucking industry’s eagerness to learn more about its revolutionary technology.
Tesla has already made impressive claims about the Semi, including a range of 300 to 500 miles and the ability to charge up to 70 percent of its range in just 30 minutes. Additionally, the electric semi-truck is projected to save $200,000 in fuel expenses over three years of operation, highlighting the potential for environmental and financial benefits.
As the trucking industry eagerly awaits the results of the Run on Less event, all eyes are on Tesla to showcase the future of sustainable trucking and the true capabilities of its electric Class 8 truck. This event marks an exciting step forward in Tesla’s ongoing mission to revolutionize the automotive and trucking industries.
Tesla drivers can soon take Zoom calls using the car’s infotainment screen
Tesla is said to be partnering up with Zoom to allow drivers to make/attend video calls via the car’s infotainment system.
According to reports, the Zoom call app will be directly available on Tesla’s central touchscreen infotainment system. The software will make use of the in-car camera located on the rearview mirror. Zoom released a demo video as an example of how the application would work, which showed a Tesla owner in a Zoom meeting while the car was charging.
Reports state that initially, the app would integrate with only Tesla vehicles to attend video and audio conferences from their cars without having to use their phones or tablets. While there is no official release date yet, Zoom did mention that the app will debut on «all new Tesla models soon».
chinmaypillay, digitalnirvana, GTO, InControl, landcruiser123, Samfromindia
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Re: Tesla drivers can soon take Zoom calls using the car’s infotainment screen
I hope it is allowed only when the vehicle is in park mode. Otherwise it will lead to distracted driving inspite of the self driving technology being present. I have seen drivers typing on their laptops and looking for files while driving on highways in the US as they feel that the vehicle would automatically stop as needed.
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Re: Tesla drivers can soon take Zoom calls using the car’s infotainment screen
There are various ways to start seed testing a product. This probably is a one that is testing three things in a controlled environment. Firstly connected car tech on 5G+ networks, you don’t need a phone to get connected car features. This is not the first application to use it, but video requires a consistent QoS data service. Secondly, the app ecosystem that Tesla is trying to build beyond the walled garden from the app store / play store duopoly. This is a growing area. Three beta uses for driverless car experiences. Today you need the hand on the steering, but eyes off the road might not be far. Once you establish user behaviour of in-call meetings, rolling out the self drive with eyes off the road is an increment. Laws, don’t fully allow is, but these laws are evolving, and adopting, fast. I would prefer if cars in India offered similar electronics and tech in the real seats of cars. That will itself be such a leap. Probably more useful that the current ADAS tech.
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Re: Tesla drivers can soon take Zoom calls using the car’s infotainment screen
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lobogris
I hope it is allowed only when the vehicle is in park mode. Otherwise it will lead to distracted driving inspite of the self driving technology being present. I have seen drivers typing on their laptops and looking for files while driving on highways in the US as they feel that the vehicle would automatically stop as needed.
Probably will disable video but keep the audio going. It makes a lot of sense to do it this way instead of phone + Apple CarPlay/Android Auto which is what happens now.
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Re: Tesla drivers can soon take Zoom calls using the car’s infotainment screen
Quite frankly the Infotainment screen is anyway a Mini-Computer. It should be able to do all tasks seamlessly. The integration I would find most use of would be outlook Calendar+Teams. I am already managing to be productive using Outlook+Teams on phone while driving- Voice typing to reply to messages and take Teams calls. No Video calls.
Zoom is 1 step closer but not the full integration.
Screen sizes are becoming bigger but truth be told, the novelty wears off rather fast. Nobody is staring at full screen maps on a large center display all the time.
Another key area where I find screen under-utilized is with Taxi’s. Case in point the Tesla Mode 3 I was riding in earlier this evening. He has a large Taxi-company provided telematics + Booking + navigation device on the dashboard and an additional taxi Fare meter above the already big center screen.
All it needs is for OEM’s to open up a channel for 3rd party integrations that could use the already big screen.
Just a thought. Will take a photo of this setup next time I ride a Taxi with a large center display.
