Chevrolet has announced additional US market vehicles with MyLink will be available with Siri, Apple’s ‘intelligent’, voice activated assistant.
Siri will be available on the 2014 Camaro, Cruze, Equinox, Malibu, SS and Volt.
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“The response to Siri Eyes Free integration in Chevy Sonic and Spark from our customers has been remarkable,” said Chris Perry, Chevrolet’s US marketing chief.
Through the cars’ optional MyLink infotainment system, customers with a compatible iPhone running the iOS 6 or iOS 7 operating systems can direct Siri to perform a number of tasks while they keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Siri takes hands-free functionality further with an eyes free mode which enables drivers to interact with their iPhones using voice commands while keeping the device’s screen from lighting up.
Owners connect an iPhone with MyLink radio via Bluetooth, pair with the system, and use the steering wheel voice activation button to begin and end sessions with Siri in eyes free mode.
In Eyes Free mode, Siri can make voice-activated, hands-free calls to contacts on an iPhone; play songs in iTunes libraries, and switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode; listen to, compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved contacts and access the calendar and add appointments.
The vehicles also come with six months of OnStar’s premium Directions and Connections service. OnStar also includes Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics and Roadside Assistance.
Most smartphone owners can also download the RemoteLink Mobile App, which allows current OnStar subscribers to control and manage some vehicle functions from their phone. RemoteLink Key Fob Services, which include the ability to lock or unlock a vehicle, flash the lights and honk the horn, or start the engine on properly equipped vehicles, are free for five years and do not require an OnStar subscription.
The European market equivalent to MyLink is called Intellilink and was launched in Opel/Vauxhall’s A segment Adam city car.
A spokesman told just-auto the equivalent European package was in the Adam already. The redecently updated Insignia has Intellilink with apps and voice recognition but not Siri, he noted.
“Next year we see more product with Intellilink, in particular, the [fully redesigned] Corsa but it will also filter through to [the redesigned] Meriva”.
