I was pretty excited about upgrading my iPad to iOS 9.0 last month, and its biggest feature was finally being able to run two apps side-by-side. I can't even imagine how Tesla Model S owners are reacting to what Santa Elon, aka Tesla CEO Elon Musk, stuffed in their stockings this week.
Related: Apple Car: Don't Believe the Hype Just Yet
Behold, Tesla Version 7.0, a software update that arguably makes the Model S the first self-driving car available to consumers. Sensors and software aren't ready to let you spend the bulk of your hourlong commute napping in the backseat just yet, but it's good enough to give you sophisticated driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, which automatically keeps up with the flow of traffic at a safe distance, and even change lanes automatically. In a Model S running 7.0, signaling for a lane change hands control over to the car's Autopilot system that changes lanes for you as soon as the car's radar, sonar and cameras report that it's safe to do so.
These features make me want a Tesla. I always whip my head around before a lane change — just in case. Actually, these kinds of features make me want everyone to drive a Tesla. If everyone who's intimidated by on-ramps, lane changes and bad weather (or simply isn't aware of how much they suck at driving) were able to push an "Easy" button for the tricky parts ... well, my car would still have its original front left fender. And if everyone chose to hit a button that says "Keep me under the speed limit at all times," it would suit me just fine.
Tesla Version 7.0 is going to benefit all of us regardless. Once we notice that Tesla's self-driving software and sensors have been getting thousands of people most of the way to and from work safely every day for a couple of years, we — and our lawmakers — will be more comfortable approving vehicles that carry us the whole way ... while we nap in the backseat.
Keep your jetpack. I just want to be able to nap in the backseat during my commute. Unless I can arrange to retroactively become a co-founder of Google, a self-driving car is my best option.
Cars.com contributor Andy Ihnatko is a nationally known tech writer.
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