Tesla: YouTube and Netflix are the newest additions to amaze

Tesla Car Youtube Netflix

Tesla has recently announced plans to include YouTube and Netflix streaming services in their vehicles. Cars are no longer an interest reserved solely for petrol heads. They’re now the staple of techies the world over.

Automakers have long been lauded for introducing various features to their vehicles, since the first cars in the 19th century to the driverless vehicles we see more and more of today.

The radio, cigarette lighter, CD player, on-board diagnostics and airbags were all ground-breaking innovations in the personal automobile, no matter how commonplace they seem today. Each one making the life of the user a little more convenient and much safer.

With each new feature and each new innovation, the motor vehicle has gone from simply transporting people and things to the stuff of sci-fi; packed with interesting, down-right weird or useful features.

One automaker not short of attention for their cutting-edge features is Tesla. 

Autonomous vehicles push the boundaries of innovation

Headed by Elon Musk, the mercurial entrepreneur behind SpaceX, the Boring Company and now Neuralink, Tesla has become synonymous with autonomous vehicles. Like Hoover is a catch-all term for vacuum cleaners, Tesla is the first name that comes to mind when thinking about driverless cars.

Recently, Elon Musk announced plans for Tesla’s integration of two of the web’s most visited sites for streaming videos; Netflix and YouTube. 

In a tweet, Musk said: “Ability to stream YouTube & Netflix when car is stopped coming to your Tesla soon!” He went on to describe the “amazingly immersive, cinematic feel,” owing to the surround sound audio and comfortable seating.

Tesla founder Elon Musk tweets about Netflix and Youtube

To allay many commenters’ fears, Musk followed up with another tweet: “When full self-driving is approved by regulators, we will enable video while moving.”

It is believed that the feature will be rolled out in August, packaged with Tesla’s V10 software, which will include more “games & infotainment features, improved highway Autopilot, better traffic light & stop sign recognition & Smart Summon.” 

This feature, however hotly anticipated it is, pales in significance to some of Tesla’s most ingenious additions over the years, without even mentioning the pioneering developments they’ve made with Autopilot

The Tesla Model S is packed full of innovative features and easter eggs
The Model S is packed full of interesting features / Credit: Tesla

Ludicrous+ mode, a tongue in cheek nod to the 1987 film Space Balls, allows users to supercharge their Tesla. Drivers can select the Ludicrous+ acceleration setting to go from 0-60mph in under 2.4 seconds. Upon choosing Ludicrous+ the car asks the driver if they’re sure they want to “push the limits.” You can then either chose between “No, I want my Mommy” or “Yes, bring it on!”

The addition of a web browser was received well by many owners but failed to impress for its slowness and failure to render websites. It seems out of place in a Tesla, many noted, as it doesn’t work that well. However, the introduction was bold and Tesla are now working on improving the browser experience by integrating Google Chromium, signalling a more well-rounded smart vehicle experience.


Imagine heading into the supermarket, then, hours later when you emerge, the heavens open and your arms are loaded with shopping bags.


Over-the-air updates were a masterstroke from the American automaker. In 2018, a report found that the braking distance on the Model 3 was underperforming, so Elon Musk took that on board and sent an OTA update just days later which improved the braking distance by 19 feet.

The ability to fix bugs remotely and almost immediately, no matter how serious they might be, will continuously improve the safety and user experience.

Summon is perhaps the most interesting of Tesla’s features. A tech fantasy for many, an invisible button on the key allows the driver to call the vehicle to them from a tight parking space, their driveway or to a more convenient location. Imagine heading into the supermarket, then, hours later when you emerge, the heavens open and your arms are loaded with shopping bags. Open the app, or use the key, and summon the vehicle to you.

Tesla’s popularity is evidence of their innovation

Few car manufacturers have managed to garner a fanbase quite like Tesla, and their forward-thinking, trail-blazing features and innovations have captured the attention of the wider population.

The continuous additions which Tesla beam over-the-air to their vehicles never cease to amaze and delight, and this latest addition of Netflix and YouTube continues in the same vein by giving their users a more connected and smarter service. 

Luke Conrad

Technology & Marketing Enthusiast

Birmingham Unveils the UK’s Best Emerging HealthTech Advances

Kosta Mavroulakis • 03rd April 2025

The National HealthTech Series hosted its latest event in Birmingham this month, showcasing innovative startups driving advanced health technology, including AI-assisted diagnostics, wearable devices and revolutionary educational tools for healthcare professionals. Health stakeholders drawn from the NHS, universities, industry and front-line patient care met with new and emerging businesses to define the future trajectory of...

Why DEIB is Imperative to Tech’s Future

Hadas Almog from AppsFlyer • 17th March 2025

We’ve been seeing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives being cut time and time again throughout the tech industry. DEIB dedicated roles have been eliminated, employee resource groups have lost funding, and initiatives once considered crucial have been deprioritised in favour of “more immediate business needs.” The justification for these cuts is often the...

The need to eradicate platform dependence

Sue Azari • 10th March 2025

The advertising industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Connected TV (CTV), Retail Media Networks (RMNs), and omnichannel strategies are rapidly redefining how brands engage with consumers. As digital privacy regulations evolve and platform dynamics shift, advertisers must recognise a fundamental truth. You cannot build a sustainable business on borrowed ground. The recent uncertainty surrounding TikTok...

The need to clean data for effective insight

David Sheldrake • 05th March 2025

There is more data today than ever before. In fact, the total amount of data created, captured, copied, and consumed globally has now reached an incredible 149 zettabytes. The growth of the big mountain is not expected to slow down, either, with it expected to reach almost 400 zettabytes within the next three years. Whilst...

What can be done to democratize VDI?

Dennis Damen • 05th March 2025

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) offers businesses enhanced security, scalability, and compliance, yet it remains a niche technology. One of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption is a severe talent gap. Many IT professionals lack hands-on VDI experience, as their careers begin with physical machines and increasingly shift toward cloud-based services. This shortage has created a...

Tech and Business Outlook: US Confident, European Sentiment Mixed

Viva Technology • 11th February 2025

The VivaTech Confidence Barometer, now in its second edition, reveals strong confidence among tech executives regarding the impact of emerging technologies on business competitiveness, particularly AI, which is expected to have the most significant impact in the near future. Surveying tech leaders from Europe and North America, 81% recognize their companies as competitive internationally, with...