Apple Siri Integration Coming to 9 Automakers

Apple Siri Integration Coming to 9 Automakers:

Photo: Jon Phillips/Wired

During today’s opening keynote at the World Wide Developers Conference, Apple listed nine automakers that are set to bring Siri into cars within the next year.
A single slide showing a BMW dashboard with an iPhone mounted front and center illustrated the “Eyes-Free” approach of the integration, and it’s assumed that existing voice buttons — normally found on the steering wheel — would be able to call up the iPhone’s virtual assistant.

Photo: Jon Phillips/Wired

In addition to BMW, Audi, Chrysler, Honda, General Motors, Jaguar, Land Rover and Toyota were all listed as planning to bring Siri functionality to their wares.
How Siri will be implemented — and in what way it would possibly override the existing voice control functionality on existing vehicles — weren’t disclosed, and considering everything that Apple announced, it’s no surprise that the consumer electronics manufacturer didn’t have time to delve into the details.
It deserves noting that Mercedes has already announced plans to integrate Siri into its all-new A-Class, due out in Europe later this year. It’s also odd that Ford — the automotive leader of in-car technology — wasn’t listed among the participating automakers, although their partnership with Microsoft with Sync may be a sticking point. Also notable in its absence is Hyundai and KIA, the latter of which also has a deal with Microsoft to supply the underlying architecture of its UVO infotainment system.
We’ve reached out to the automakers listed during Apple’s presentation for comment and will update this post accordingly when more details roll in.