Holden has added Siri Eyes Free to the arsenal of iPhone apps available for the Barina CDX. It's the first time a vehicle sold in Australia has been offered with the innovative voice-controlled app.
Eyes Free runs through the car's MyLink infotainment system, as do other apps like Pandora, Stitcher, TuneIn and BringGo. Siri frees the driver from the distraction of watching and programming when he or she should be watching the road instead. As Holden's press release explains it, the app with 'Eyes Free' mode ensures the infotainment screen won't light up or display data that could distract the driver from the task of operating the vehicle.
Once the user's iPhone is paired to the vehicle, Siri in 'Eyes Free' mode can be operated by pressing a voice command button on the car's steering wheel. Pressing the button again ends the voice session with Siri. According to Holden users can make a hands-free phone call to a contact person registered in the iPhone's database, compose and send an iMessage or SMS to a phone, or access the phone's calendar to add an appointment. The manufacturer advises that these are just some of the tasks the app can handle by voice command.
MyLink will be rolled out in other Holden models in the near future; among them the VF Commodore, the recently upgraded Cruze and the Malibu mid-size sedan.
Siri as a Beta app is compatible with iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 3 and 4, iPad mini and iPod Touch 5. The app requires a device that will provide an internet connection and Holden warns that use will likely incur data streaming costs.
Pandora, Stitcher, TuneIn and BringGo are also downloadable for Android phones that can pair with MyLink. Stitcher – which was launched with the MyLink system in the premium grade Barina CDX – is an radio app just like Pandora and TuneIn. BringGo, which is priced at $59.99 but can be downloaded as a 30-day trial for 99 cents, is a navigation app. Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...