It’s happening
A new video posted to YouTube today has demonstrated what is almost certainly the first Apple Watch app capable of remotely controlling most of the functions of Tesla’s Model S. In the video (which you can watch below), developer Allen Wong shows off a Glance that views an overview of the car’s status before launching into the main app to review its capabilities.
Through the app, Wong is able to issue a series of commands to the vehicle, ranging from rudimentary options like honking the horn or flashing the lights, to bigger settings such as full panoramic roof control (something not even Tesla’s official app offers yet) or controlling the car’s charging state and port.
The app also allows the user to lock or unlock the doors, change the car’s charge limit, modify the climate control settings, geolocate the car on a map, and even start the car using the watch as a key. Once the car is moving, you can also monitor your speed and location right from your wrist.
The app looks to be the same one that was first shown off as a concept by ELKS Software earlier this year. It’s not yet available on the App Store, but Wong says that it is waiting on Apple’s approval. The full demonstration video is embedded below.
Now the big question becomes whether Apple will ship a watch app for its own Project Titan in 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-Sqki-J8ZM&feature=share&ab_channel=RegoApps]
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I didn’t know the Model S had a “Frunk”. Haha (2:00 in). I know, I know… I’ll keep my technology trolling. He’ll keep his blue Lamborghini.
http://www.getthefive.com/articles/the-eye-candy/defining-the-frunk-tesla-names-the-front-trunk-in/
Awesome! It’s a good name for it. Of course, I figured it was a developer typo that just didn’t matter at this point.
Does this mean you no longer need the key fob? I think that this is great, but if it’s just redundant tech then I don’t think it actually solves any unique problem. If this was a replacement for the key, using the same security tech as apple pay, then this is an essential and amazing ap.
Yes, Cook has already commented that the Apple Watch will eventually replace your key fob, which is even more amazing if you had an NFC lock on your house meaning the beginning of the end of traditional keys.
Crazy to think that one day you’ll be able to make purchases, start your car, unlock your home, unlock your hotel room, set alarms, adjust the temperature (car and/or home), change the channel, volume, etc all from your wrist.
Wow!
This app is just using the Tesla API that’s used by their official iPhone app and is also available to the public. It has nothing to do with NFC. While you can use it to start the car, it’s pretty risky to rely solely on it since the API connectivity isn’t always reliable AND requires the car to either be in 3G range or have wifi. There are certain places, such as parking garages, where this frequently fails to work (at least in my experience).
Hey Siri… From now on, address me as Michael.
*switches Siri to British male voice*
No no no, when Siri calls you Michael, you use male English US. Switching to male British means you have to make Siri address you as Tony Stark.
William Daniels (the voice of KITT) was from Brooklyn, New York.
Is that a native app? because it works way faster than any 3rd party app I have used on the watch
That hardly qualifies as “controlling most of the functions of Tesla’s Model S. ” Perhaps you aren’t familiar with concepts such as steering, accelerating, parking, braking, headlights, wipers….
The official app doesn’t give full control of the roof, but there’s nothing new about third party programs that do. Tesla presumably didn’t like the idea of somebody across the country opening the roof in a rainstorm. They are quite paternalistic that way, so they limit you to venting it. Hopefully Tesla will catch on when more and more people complain that people have outdone their app single-handedly as a spare time hobby.
The music is a little over the top, but overall a pretty cool app. Finally a reason for me to get a Apple Watch.
Cool app, but why is he holding the watch in his hand? Isn’t the whole point that it is wearable? The watch seems a little useless to me….when you have the new improved big screen (6 or 6plus) required companion product in your product. Maybe I am missing something, but the need to companion it witht the iPhone and charge it daily makes it seem like more of a hassle than an improvement to daily life.
I think he is not using on his wrist because he is holding his camera with his other hand.
The watch is a companion to your iPhone. It is not a necessary item to own. Its for people who like to use watch and wanted to have a little bit more convenience way on their day life. Its not a hassle to charge daily as most people do charge their phone every night. You should try buy one, and use it without prejudice. You will see why its a good gadget to have but not a necessity.
Guess you’re right about holding the camera.
I own every other Apple product: iPhone, iPad, (3) Apple tvs, iMac. Airport express, and AirPort Extreme, so I love their stuff. I was just happy to retire my old watch because I could always tell the time with my ever present phone. I guess I don’t see the benefit to the watchs abilities when my big phone in just inches away.
Plus Taking the watch off every day to sleep/charge seams like too much work for me, but I’m lazy.