And apparently things like windscreen wipers and a speedo are considered “entertainment”?

Why would anyone combine those key elements with the “second” system?

Because there is a screen that displays both the current speed and things like turn by turn directions. If you somehow crash that screen, you lose both (for a minute or two)

So some genius somewhere thought having a single screen was more important than keeping basic functionality like speedo and turn signals safe from <checks notes> anything that the cars web browser might be exposed to.

I mean that sounds reasonable, it’s not like a web browser has ever been compromised before.

In industry, it’s usually referred to as “infotainment”. That’s why the information display (speedo) is logically linked to the entertainment (radio)

So they ship a full fat web browser in the car? Is there a compelling reason why?

They make a barebones car, put a custom Linux tablet on top of it, and wire all interior controls to that tablet. The tablet is an all inclusive deal from security to dashboard display to navigation to Netflix while parking, such that it incentivizes users to adhere to that tablet ecosystem. That would be a compelling reason why.

There's one really compelling app, Tesla Waze, at https://teslawaze.azurewebsites.net/. It uses open maps, uses your car's gps location (after asking permission in the browser), and it overlaps waze, traffic, accidents, weather maps, tolls, many other things to give you a super incredible much more useful traffic map. I start it up and use it instead of the built in cool google maps based tesla navigation system.

Also, they block all video and sounds, you can't watch youtube while you are driving or even stopped. They recently added netflix when you are supercharging only.

The point is to confine people to very their telescreen. They don't want you flirt with other companies while you're in the business riding their car.

For one thing, it’s how they show the manual. And the release notes for updates.

So you can browse the web if you want. They ship worse than that. Every car comes with a copy of Stardew Valley

Stardew valley is a bit of harmless fun that can be safely ignored if you don't want to play. A web browser is obviously a can of worms that opens you up to security issues...

Seriously, what is the use case? YouTube and Netflix ought to have a native app. Do I desperately want to browse HN but I don't have a phone on me? I don't understand.

Well, you can look up the websites of restaurants and things right from the map, etc.

Is there anyone, at all, who has a Tesla but not a mobile phone? The decision to include a browser is baffling.

It's very useful when your mobile is pay as you go and also has a much larger screen which makes referring to it while driving much safer. You can also use abetterrouteplanner to get better route planning than Tesla's own solution.

Your passenger can use it to find a place to eat while you are driving.

Not everyone, not even every Tesla owner, has an always online mobile.

> It's very useful when your mobile is pay as you go

Hmm, is this a regional thing? Prepaid mobiles here typically have 20GB to "unlimited" (note; not actually unlimited; they'll certainly throttle you if you take the piss) per month data.

> which makes referring to it while driving much safer

Eh? You shouldn't be using it while driving! Does it even work while driving?

> Not everyone, not even every Tesla owner, has an always online mobile.

They might be better spending the money they're spending on data service for their car on data services for their phone...

Like I said in a different tree, they absolutely want you to leave your phone alone while you ride their car.

None of the games and entertainment functions will work unless the car is in park.