Honda today announced the launch of Siri "Eyes Free" integration for select Honda and Acura vehicles. The functionality, which launches as a dealer-installed accessory for the 2013-2014 Honda Accord and 2013 Acura RDX and ILX models, allows users to interact with Siri hands-free systems in these cars without having to take their eyes off of the road.
Owners can direct Siri to perform a number of specific tasks while they keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Using Eyes Free mode, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further and helps minimize distractions by keeping an iOS device's screen from lighting up.
Additional functionality includes:
- Sending text messages and e-mails - Reading incoming text messages and emails - Setting up calendar entries, reminders, and alarms - Checking the weather - Turn-by-turn voice navigation (when the audio system is set to Bluetooth® Audio or iPod mode) - Sports scores and stock quotes
The launch of Siri Eyes Free for Honda and Acura vehicles, which was first announced in January, is just the first step in extending the iOS experience to vehicles, and Honda will be holding a Google Hangout next Tuesday at 10:00 AM Pacific Time to make further announcements about iOS integration for the company's vehicles.
One of the iOS 7 features highlighted by Apple at the operating system's initial unveiling in June was "iOS in the Car", a system for interacting with iOS devices not only through Siri Eyes Free but also through in-dash displays in vehicles. The feature did not launch with the rest of iOS 7, and Apple continues to list iOS in the Car as "Coming Soon".
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"Siri, text Mom I'm driving"
"Ok, I'll text 'I'm diving'"
"No, driving"
"I didn't understand"
"I am driving"
"That is nice"
"Text that I am driving!"
"Ok. Text to who?"
"I just crashed my car. Call me an ambulance."
"Ok, from now on, I'll call you 'An Ambulance'"
"Siri, text Mom I'm driving"
"Ok, I'll text 'I'm diving'"
"No, driving"
"I didn't understand"
"I am driving"
"That is nice"
"Text that I am driving!"
"Ok. Text to who?"
"I just crashed my car. Call me an ambulance."
"Ok, from now on, I'll call you 'An Ambulance'"
That's pretty funny. Of course, if Google were to make a version of this it would be something like.
"Google, text Mom I'll pick her up in ten minutes."
"Ok, but before I do that you will need to listen to this ad for virtual driving lessons from our advertiser."
--Ad Plays Here--
"Google, have you sent that text message yet?"
"Not, yet. I noticed that you are driving toward an outlet store. I will send the text message after you listen to this ad for the outlet store coming up."
--Ad Plays Here--
"Google, have you sent that text message yet?!"
"Not yet. I am detecting that you are stressed out. I will send the text message after you listen to this ad about stress relief products from our advertiser."
--Ad Plays Here--
"I detected that you have now arrived at your mother's house. Sending the text now."
"Thanks for nothing @#%!@"
--Mother gets into car--
"I just got your text. The network must have been slow."
"Yeah... That's the problem."
"Google, how do I get to the nearest Chinese restaurant?"
"Drive 500ft forward and turn right on 35th street."
"Thank you."
"While we are driving, I reviewed your Google search history and thought that you might find this ad for hard core porn videos from our advertisers interesting."
Awesome! I really want to get a new car and I think it would like Siri Eyes Free as a feature. I would like to see some more car manufactures open up to this as their current offerings have been pretty lame IMO.
Honda today announced the launch of Siri "Eyes Free" integration for select Honda and Acura vehicles. The functionality, which launches as a dealer-installed accessory for the 2013-2014 Honda Accord and 2013 Acura RDX and ILX models, allows users to interact with Siri hands-free systems in these cars without having to take their eyes off of the road.
