Apple Shortcuts finally come to Tesla

We live in an age where cars aren't just four wheels and an engine; they’re also about tech, connectivity, and... digital assistants. The latest installment in the ever-evolving world of Tesla brings - finally - the power of Apple's Siri to your fingertips.

Tesla, in its often delayed and somewhat misdirected, but still endless pursuit of advancement, announced a shiny new feature in its iOS mobile app yesterday: integration with Apple Shortcuts. And just like that, Tesla owners have yet another bragging right. (As if they needed more.)

The Apple Shortcuts app, for tech newbies, is like giving your iPhone a set of personalized, multi-step commands to follow at the touch of a button or a voice command. Think of it as your digital genie—except it won’t grant you three wishes and probably can’t make you a prince. But it can definitely make your life a tad bit easier, especially if you're a Tesla owner.

Now, by asking Siri or using Shortcuts widgets, you can activate tasks related to your Tesla. "Hey Siri, turn on the A/C," you might say on a hot day. And, voila, your car's cooling down even before you slide into those leather seats. Sweet relief, literally.

You might be wondering, "Hasn't this been done before?" Well, third-party apps did offer some similar capabilities. But there's a big difference between an 'official' and an 'unofficial' solution. Now, Tesla has taken charge of the reins, offering a streamlined experience straight from its app.

Interestingly, voice-activated systems aren't entirely new in the automotive world. In fact, back in the 1960s, Chrysler rolled out a voice warning system in its cars. The major difference? Instead of the soft and sophisticated tone of Siri, drivers got robotic, somewhat eerie commands. Times sure have changed!

The Tesla-Apple integration underscores a broader shift in the auto industry. It’s no longer just about horsepower and fuel or battery efficiency; it's about integrating our digital lifestyles into our vehicles. After all, if our homes can be smart, why can't our cars?

To ensure user security and smooth functioning, we hope that Tesla has thoroughly tested the integration. We wouldn’t want any miscommunication with Siri, right? "Hey Siri, play 'Drive' by The Cars" could become a real dilemma if Siri mistakes it for "Drive the car!"

Jokes aside, it's another step forward in making technology work for us. And while some may say we're becoming more reliant on technology, we’d argue we're just finding more innovative ways to make our daily tasks efficient.

Via