Barina to get Siri!!!!

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The humble Holden Barina has won the race to integrate Apple’s Siri voice control system into a car in Australia.

Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota are all working to integrate Siri into the car’s infotainment system but it is the Holden Barina CDX that is the first car in Australia to offer it.

Holden’s MyLink infotainment system allows the driver to pair a smartphone to the car and run a number of apps directly off the car’s touchscreen. The Siri Eyes Free Integration (as Holden calls it) allows drivers to make voice-activated calls, compose text messages and add events to their phone’s calendar without taking their hands off the wheel.
The Holden Barina Siri Screen

MyLink also now comes with Pandora, Stitcher and Tunein internet radio and BringGo navigation embedded into car’s infotainment system, allowing music and talkback radio to be streamed via your smartphone.
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Holden says the system is only compatible with iPhones running the latest iOS 6 operating system.

Holden will also roll out Siri and the other apps into the 2014-model Cruze small car later this year and is expected to offer it as standard on the new VF Commodore.

One of the strengths of the system is that the software can be updated over the life of the car, so new apps can be added when the car is being serviced, without needing to change the hardware in the car.

In-car apps have become a major battleground for car companies, especially in the small-car segment because the car makers are chasing young, tech-savvy buyers.

Voice control systems are becoming increasingly common with cars including the Barina-rivalling Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris offering similar functions; for example, the Toyota can translate a text message into speech for the driver.

Ford’s SYNC system has been developed in partnership with Apple’s rivals Microsoft and uses voice control.

Ferrari begun offering Siri Eyes Free with it’s FF model in March across Europe, but is yet to offer the system in Australia. The two iconic companies strengthened their ties in November 2012 when Apple’s senior vice president of internet software and service, Eddy Cue, joined the Ferrari board.

Mercedes Australia has announced it will introduce the Apple Drive kit into the new A-Class small car but has yet to confirm a date. The system is already available in Europe.