See update with BMWNA official statement
At the 2012 WWDC event, Apple revealed that SIRI features will come to BMW vehicles. The updated SIRI will debut in the new iOS which will hit the market this Fall but the integration with several automakers will span over the next 12 months.
Dubbed “Eyes Free”, the integration between SIRI and BMW will include a handsfree hardware button on the steering wheel that will activate the SIRi assistant.
Apple also announced nine automakers are already on board to help launch Eyes Free over the next twelve months, including: BMW, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Toyota, Honda, and Chrysler. Ford, one of the largest automakers was not on the list since it currently uses the Microsfot Sync technology.
To showcase the integration, Apple presented an image of a new BMW 5 Series and the current voice-activation button.
SIRI’s new integration with Yelp, OpenTable and other APIs will most likely be available within the car operations as well. Other features could include texting, emailing, tweeting and updating your Facebook status.
What about drivers using Androids, Blackberrys, or Microsoft phones? No word yet from automakers, but the chances of a dual purpose Eyes Free integration are slim to none.
Read our article on BMW and SIRI from earlier this year.
Here is the official response from BMW of North America:
“BMW has been on the forefront of both in-car voice command as well as the integration of smartphones such as the Apple iPhone,” said Dave Buckho, BMWNA spokesperson.
“The integration of Siri using the BMW voice command steering wheel controls is a logical next step. Apple’s new Eyes Free mode enables drivers to use Siri to interact with their iPhone by voice even in the car . Users can not only make a call but also tune in to their favorite music, send a text message, create reminders, set alarms or create events without ever having to look for their phone. BMW is planning to have Siri integration available by mid-2013.”
