I wrote about my experience using the Apple Music beta website using the Tesla Model 3 browser late last year. The website loaded, but there were problems. Login attempts failed with an error. But even worse, music wouldn’t play. I tried again with the browser on the new v10 Tesla software. The https://beta.apple.music.com website worked much better post v10 upgrade. Unfortunately, Tesla owners will have to wait a little longer for a complete solution as there are still problems.

First, the good. The website loads. Logins work. This means you can login to your Apple Music account, and see all your playlists and recommendations. You can select from the various Apple / Beats 1 radio stations. The music plays! The web interface is very much like using the Apple Music app on an iPhone.

But then there’s the bad. Music on the website only plays when the car is in Park. All other features of the website are accessible while driving, but no audio will play. It’s frustrating to be so close, and yet still be so far. Also, the music stops when the web browser is minimized, or when switching to a different application. There are a few additional issues like the steering wheel music controls not working in the website. This means you can’t change songs in the playlist the same way as in the official music apps. Also, the screen is almost unusable in night time mode.

Apple Music Beta Website in Tesla Night Mode

So while the experience is broken at this point, it’s also important to remember that the website is in Beta and that Tesla could one day surprise us and announce that they’ve partnered w/ Apple on a true app. That might be thorny as I’m not sure how they’d work out any revenue share on music purchased through the app.

My testing is with Software version 2020.4.1 on HW 2.5.

Weekend Distraction is where I discuss technology adjacent topics that interest me. Maybe it’s cool tech, maybe it’s automotive, home automation or something along those lines. I figure I have a blog, so I get to have fun and write about different things.