American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced that select Honda and Acura models including the 2013 -2014 Honda Accord and 2013 Acura RDX and ILX now offer Apple’s Siri Eyes Free mode as a dealer installed accessory. Customers can visit a Honda or Acura dealership to purchase and install Siri Eyes Free integration so compatible iPhone customers can direct Siri to perform tasks while they keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. By reengineering the software in select vehicles (through the HondaLink™ or AcuraLink™ connected car systems) Siri seamlessly works with HandsFreeLink® via the onboard microphone and speakers.
“Honda recognizes the power of Siri Eyes Free to meet connectivity and convenience needs of its customers in a responsible manner,” said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics, American Honda. “With technology becoming further integrated into people’s lives, we are happy to provide next-generation connectivity and meet our customer’s ever-changing needs.”
In all honesty, I am a big fan of Siri on the iPhone and I usually use it to perform the more “simpler” tasks such as setting my alarm or creating reminders for me. The only way how Siri works in my car right now (my phone is connected via bluetooth) is that the moment I press and hold the home button, the phone actually makes a call to Siri. How bizzare is that? I am glad that now car makers are moving towards integration with iOS and I do hope there will be more seamless integration between car and technology in the future.
