Tesla has announced a slew of exciting features in its latest holiday update, set to roll out next week. The electric vehicle manufacturer is finally bringing its app to Apple Watch, allowing users to access their digital phone key, view charge status, and remotely warm up their car, among other functions.

The native Apple Watch experience is a significant upgrade, eliminating the need for third-party smartwatch apps that previously filled this gap. Users can now enjoy a seamless experience, leaving their smartphones behind while still having control over their vehicles.

Another major feature in the update is the ability to view and save Dashcam and Sentry Mode recordings from the Tesla app. This enhancement enables users to quickly share crash footage with insurance or law enforcement, providing valuable evidence in the event of an accident.

In addition to these features, Tesla's holiday update includes a range of other exciting additions. The company's light show, which syncs lights, sounds, and more between multiple vehicles, returns with two new shows. Cybertruck owners can also enjoy a new "Santa Mode" that transforms the onscreen 3D Cybertruck into a Tesla Bot riding in a cyber sleigh. Furthermore, users can now add custom wraps and plates to their onscreen Cybertruck, and the vehicle's rear seat screen will feature Arcade games and a larger onscreen rear camera feed with pinch-to-zoom support.

Tesla has also addressed a long-standing issue with its Model 3 vehicles, introducing an auto-shift feature that attempts to guess when users want to shift between drive and reverse. This update is a welcome solution to a problem that was previously seen as a cost-cutting measure.

In terms of safety, Tesla has introduced a rear cross-traffic alert feature that provides an audible warning and a red bar on the rearview camera feed if it detects cars or pedestrians coming from behind while in reverse. This feature, standard in many cars on the road today, is a valuable addition to Tesla's safety features. Music can also now reduce volume automatically when in reverse, a feature that has long been available from other automakers.

Other notable features in the update include the ability to set "arrival energy at destination," which allows users to specify how much battery charge they want at the end of their trip. This feature is particularly useful for those who cannot charge at their destination and need to have reserve energy for their next drive. Users can also search for places on their route with detour time estimates, view weather and precipitation indicators on the map for their destination, and enjoy a new Sirius XM app (for Model 3, Y, Cybertruck) and TuneIn app improvements.

Furthermore, the update brings in-vehicle maintenance summaries, the ability to adjust unoccupied passenger seats from the screen, door handle pull alert notifications, and a new party game called Boomerang Fu. The infamous fart app has also been updated to go off as soon as someone sits down on a seat.

Overall, Tesla's holiday update is a significant step forward in terms of user experience, safety, and innovation. With its native Apple Watch app, enhanced security features, and range of new functionalities, Tesla continues to push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology and cement its position as a leader in the industry.