Chevy first automaker to deliver Siri integration via Spark and Sonic models

Others have announced it and promised it, but Chevrolet will officially be the first automaker to bring Apple's Siri digital assistant to its automobiles, delivering the eyes-free integration to its Spark and Sonic models that have MyLink built in.

Source: General Motors

Shortly after Apple announced Siri Eyes Free integration in iOS 6, nine automakers followed up with a pledge to support the technology in their automobiles. Among them were BMW, General Motors (GM), Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Toyota, Chrysler, and Honda.

GM, of which Chevy is a subdivision, announced late in 2012 that it would be the first car maker to integrate the Eyes Free technology. That promise materialized Wednesday with the launch of its youth-oriented Spark and Sonic models.

The Siri integration comes by way of Chevrolet MyLink, an infotainment system that brings a user's smartphone capabilities into alignment with the vehicle. Using MyLink and a compatible iPhone running iOS 6, users can make voice-activated, hands-free calls to iPhone contacts, play songs from their iTunes libraries, listen to and compose texts and iMessages, and access Calendar functions.

The Spark and Sonic both feature a steering wheel-mounted button allowing users to access Siri without taking their hands or eyes off the road.

Honda, when it rolls out the 2013 Accord and Acura models, will have Siri as a dealer-installed option as well.

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10 Comments

alexmit

said about 11 years ago

Wait for it!!!! Where's the first troll that's gonna trounce this with anti-Apple and "fanboy" statements?

k2director

said about 11 years ago

How will Maps work?

alphafox

said about 11 years ago

So it just invokes Siri? Can I buy this Bluetooth button for $30 and stick it to my steering wheel?

johnnyb0731

said about 11 years ago

Okay so they integrated this into their current infotainment (I hate this word) system. Does that mean that they can upgrade previous models with a software patch? I would love to get this in the Prius that I bought last year mostly because I hate Toyota's current software that it uses (somehow it crashes my ipod once every couple of weeks)

nexusphan

said about 11 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphafox

So it just invokes Siri? Can I buy this Bluetooth button for $30 and stick it to my steering wheel?

Most cars sold today have bluetooth built in with a button on the steering wheel. You need a phone that supports bluetooth MAP tho (iPhone doesn't - some new android does) for the text messaging and A2DP for music streaming (basically all bluetooth phones support this)

I've used text messaging, music streaming and phone dialing on my Ford for about 2 years now. This is just another, probably easier (for iPhone users) method to utilize these features. I like that it is one common system for iPhone users instead of a different one for each car maker.