Tesla is preparing to officially support third-party apps, according to an update to its user settings on its website. Are we about to finally see the Tesla App Store?
The idea of ​​the Tesla App Store allowing third-party apps to work on Tesla cars isn’t new at all. Since Tesla launched the Model S in 2012, the automaker has sporadically talked about releasing a software development kit (SDK) to create an entire ecosystem of third-party apps on giant central touchscreens.
Since then, the automaker has created an unofficial API that enables some very basic third-party apps, but it’s mostly used for mobile and browser-based apps rather than as a full SDK.
In 2016, CEO Elon Musk said he planned to move to a phone mirroring app at the center instead. This is similar to services like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, where the phone is responsible for displaying infotainment information on the car’s screen.
CarPlay is another feature that many Tesla owners have been asking for, but Tesla also seems to have given it up, as it prefers to own the user experience inside its cars.
Over the years, Tesla has come close to launching an app store with new features, such as Tesla Theater and Tesla Arcade, which offer a range of streaming apps and video games, but the automaker works directly with those companies. to integrate these applications and features. .
The last time Musk talked about Tesla launching an Apple-like App Store was in 2019, but we haven’t seen anything since…until now.
Tesla has added a new section in its user accounts settings for “Manage third-party apps” (first spotted by Not a Tesla app):
Although this does not confirm the existence of an App Store, it is a step in the right direction. At the very least, it could mean Tesla is preparing to release a more formal way for third-party apps to access Tesla owner data.
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With millions of vehicles on the road today and Tesla having the potential to add nearly 2 million every year, it should be easy to create a great community of developers to develop great third-party apps for Tesla cars.
I hope that is the goal here.
what do you think ? Tell us in the comments section below.
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