Tesla's Summer Update introduces a more intelligent Grok, customized navigation, and scoring for Caraoke.

      Grok becomes more talkative, caraoke gets more critical, and your Tesla gains enhanced intelligence.

      Tesla has officially announced its 2026 Summer Release, which is set to launch soon and is filled with updates that make the vehicle feel more like a companion than a mere machine. From a more conversational Grok to a car that evaluates your singing, here’s what to expect.

      Grok receives significant enhancements as an in-car assistant

      Grok is undergoing a major upgrade. In addition to answering questions about your Tesla, it can now make phone calls, search and play music, adjust climate controls, and even open the glovebox, all through voice commands. While it may seem like a minor update, it leads to fewer interactions required, enhancing the user experience and allowing for greater focus on driving.

      What else is included in Tesla’s Summer Update?

      Alongside the new Grok capabilities, the Summer 2026 update introduces a variety of entertainment and personalization features. Caraoke will now score your singing while the car is parked, and your top performances will be saved to your Tesla profile, allowing you to have proof of your outstanding singing when no one else is watching.

      Navigation is getting smarter as well. In addition to Home, Work, and calendar events, your car will suggest routes based on your typical driving patterns. It will prioritize roads you've previously traveled instead of merely opting for the quickest route every time.

      This update also includes several quality-of-life enhancements. You can view and share your self-driving statistics directly from the mobile app, set your preferred Arrival Energy remotely, and send a custom wrap to your vehicle without needing a USB drive. Additionally, a new Rear Display Lock feature allows children to watch the selected shows without interfering with other controls in the car.

      Tesla has included a few smaller features as well. You can search for Superchargers by name, queue Apple Music songs directly from an artist's page, adjust the zoom level on the self-driving visualization, and use the camera and microphone functions in the browser. Owners of Model 3 and Y will also enjoy a new introductory animation each time they start the vehicle. Overall, this update significantly improves the Tesla experience, making it even better than when it was first purchased.

      Rachit is a seasoned tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering consumer technology trends.

      WhatsApp's new in-car experience emphasizes hands-free control

      CarPlay and Android Auto users can now hear and respond to messages, view call history, and contact favorites without needing to touch their phone.

      Meta is revamping how WhatsApp operates in vehicles, providing CarPlay and Android Auto users with capabilities beyond just texting and calling. The company shared this update in a newsroom post today, along with several other enhancements for the messaging app.

      Volvo is introducing Apple Music to more than 2 million vehicles via a straightforward OTA update

      Volvo may soon provide Apple Music without requiring CarPlay.

      The distinction between your smartphone and your vehicle continues to diminish. Volvo has announced an over-the-air software update that will integrate Apple Music directly into the infotainment systems of over 2 million cars globally. Instead of depending on Apple CarPlay or connecting an iPhone, compatible drivers will be able to stream music directly from their car's built-in system, thus making Apple Music an integral feature of Volvo's software experience.

      This update is available for a broad range of Volvo models, including the EX90, ES90, XC90, S90, V90, XC60, S60, V60, XC40, EX40, and EC40, covering model years from 2020 onward. However, availability may differ by vehicle.

      Chery’s latest electric vehicle incorporates flagship technology at the cost of a basic Tesla, but it’s not available for purchase

      Here’s everything included in Exeed's 2027 Exlantix ES, from its 27-sensor autonomous driving system to its 860 km range, all starting at under $31,000.

      Chery's premium division has launched a sedan that raises questions about why American EVs are priced significantly higher for similar technology. Exeed's 2027 Exlantix ES comes equipped with a driver-assist system called Falcon 700, built around an Nvidia Orin-Y chip and an impressive array of sensors.