Netflix, YouTube are coming soon to your Tesla

Musk says next software update will let drivers stream to cars’ video screens

Tesla owners looking for the next bells and whistles to come to the Model 3, Model S and Model X cars may not have to wait much longer for their vehicles to become more like video entertainment systems on four wheels.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said so himself when, over the weekend, he went on Twitter and dropped a few bits of information about what Tesla drivers can expect to soon see on their car screens: Netflix and YouTube. Musk said an update to Tesla’s vehicle operating system, called V10, will be available in a matter of weeks and include “several games and infotainment options”, including the capability to stream Netflix and YouTube videos on a car’s video screen.

But, before you start picturing yourself watching the new season of “Orange Is The New Black” while flying down I-5 on the way to Disneyland, think again. Musk was also quick to mention that any such video-streaming feature will only work when a Tesla is at a stop.

“Ability to stream YouTube & Netflix when car is stopped coming to your Tesla soon!” Musk tweeted on Saturday. “Has an amazingly immersive, cinematic feel due to the comfy seats & surround sound audio.”

And, possibly to stay on the good side of federal regulators, Musk said to not hold your breath waiting for being able to stream Netflix or YouTube while you are actually driving your car.

“When full self-driving is approved by regulators, we will enable video while moving,” Musk tweeted.

Musk went on to say that the software update will also include new features like improvements to it Autopilot feature and better recognition of traffic lights and stop signs. Musk said he was hopeful the Tesla system update would be in wide release by the end of August.

Musk also gave some insight into how soon Tesla might be expanding its vehicle model line when he said the company is getting closer to rolling out a Tesla pickup truck.

“We’re close, but the magic is in the final details,” Musk tweeted in response to a question about the timeline for a Tesla truck to be on the market. “Maybe 2 to 3 months.” The company has yet to set an expected release date for any type of Tesla truck.