GM To Offer First Voice Controlled Infotainment Systems Using Apple's Siri

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Apple Inc.
's popular Siri personal assistant feature will be available on three General Motors Co. vehicles early next year, the Detroit automaker will announce today. GM says it's the first automaker to offer full functionality of Siri in a vehicle.Siri, through Apple's iPhone, will be integrated in the 1LT and 2LT versions of the Chevrolet Spark mini car, the 2014 Spark Electric Vehicle and LTZ and RS models of the 2014 Chevy Sonic subcompact cars.

Drivers will be able to connect their iPhone with an iO6 operating system to MyLink — Chevrolet's infotainment system — via Bluetooth, similar to Ford Motor Co.'s Sync voice-activation system.


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Los Angeles — Apple Inc.'s popular Siri personal assistant feature will be available on three General Motors Co. vehicles early next year, the Detroit automaker will announce today. GM says it's the first automaker to offer full functionality of Siri in a vehicle.Siri, through Apple's iPhone, will be integrated in the 1LT and 2LT versions of the Chevrolet Spark mini car, the 2014 Spark Electric Vehicle and LTZ and RS models of the 2014 Chevy Sonic subcompact cars.
Drivers will be able to connect their iPhone with an iO6 operating system to MyLink — Chevrolet's infotainment system — via Bluetooth, similar to Ford Motor Co.'s Sync voice-activation system.
Spark and Sonic drivers will be able to make voice-activated, hands-free calls to any iPhone contact; play songs from their iTunes library; switch between audio sources; listen to, compose and send an iMessage or text message to an iPhone contact; and access calendars and add appointments, according to GM.
Siri will minimize distraction, GM says, by keeping the iPhone screen from lighting up, which means drivers' eyes will not bounce back and forth between the road and their cellphone.
In an Eyes Free mode, Siri will elect not to answer or respond to complex questions that require viewing a Web page. Drivers can use a voice-activation button on the steering wheel to start and end use of Siri Eyes Free mode, GM says.
"It says a lot about our commitment to small-car customers that Chevrolet has announced that Siri Eyes Free capability will be available in the Spark and Sonic well before the luxury brands," Cristi Landy, marketing director for Chevy's small cars, said in a statement.
"Safe, easy, reliable and portable connectivity is a top priority for our customers and Siri complements MyLink's existing capabilities to help deliver an incredible driving experience," Landy said.
Chevy has estimated about 90 percent of expected Spark and Sonic buyers use smartphones; it's offering unique apps such as BringGo, which gives full navigation services and live traffic updates for about $50.
Apple's Siri may be coming to more vehicles in the near future. A GM spokeswoman said the automaker is looking for more opportunities for Siri in the vehicle.
Apple announced Siri's hands-free capability in June during its Worldwide Developers Conference.
There it said GM was among several automakers that would include the Eyes Free system in vehicles over the next 12 months. Others automakers include BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Toyota, Honda and Chrysler.
Mercedes-Benz earlier this year announced an app that allows drivers to use voice recognition to access iPhone features.


From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz2DRQXO3W6

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