Chevrolet to feature Apple's Siri in Spark, Sonic
Chevrolet announced Tuesday it will integrate Apple's personal digital assistant Siri with two models: the Sonic and the Spark.
Next year's models of the Chevrolet's Sonic and Spark will both feature a button on the steering wheels that will activate Siri, CBS Detroit reports. The service is called "Siri in Eyes Free" mode and will connect to Chevrolet's MyLink system via Bluetooth.
Chevrolet made the announcement at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. It will be the first U.S. automaker ever to incorporate Siri.
"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," said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director for small cars. "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."
Car owners must have an iPhone running Apple's most current mobile operating system, iOS 6, to use Siri with MyLink.
Siri in Eyes Free features include:
- Making voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on iPhones
- Playing songs in the iTunes library, and even switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode
- Ability to listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts
- Access to Calendar and ability to add appointments
- Preventing the iPhone screen from lighting up while asking questions or pulling up websites while in Eyes Free mode
