Honda, manufacturer of the popular Honda and Acura line of automobiles has announced that the 2013 Accord, as well as the Acura RDX and ILX models, will support Siri “Eyes Free” as a dealer-installed option later this year.
“iPhone has become so integral to people’s lives that they continue to use them in their vehicles,” said American Honda Assistant Vice President of Automobile Product Planning Vicki Poponi in a press release. “Offering Honda and Acura owners Siri and its Eyes Free mode via Bluetooth is an incredible opportunity to provide next-generation connectivity and meet our customer’s ever-changing needs.”
It was announced by Apple at WWDC that Siri would gain a new “Eyes Free” feature as part of iOS 6. General Motors said it was the first of nine automakers to adopt the technology earlier this year.
Other manufacturers in the “Eyes Free” queue are, in addition to Honda, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, General Motors, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota.
Pricing and availability have not yet been announced, but more information can be found in Honda’s press release, seen below.
Honda and Acura to offer Convenience of Apple’s SiriTM Eyes Free on Select 2013 Vehicles
TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 30, 2013 – American Honda today announced it will integrate support for Siri, the intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking, into its 2013 Honda Accord and Acura RDX and ILX models as a dealer installed option. Later this year, owners with a compatible iPhone* running iOS 6 can direct Siri to perform a number of specific tasks while they safely keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Using Eyes Free mode, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further and minimizes distractions even more by keeping your iOS device’s screen from lighting up.
“iPhone has become so integral to people’s lives that they continue to use them in their vehicles, ” said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of automobile product planning, American Honda. “Offering Honda and Acura owners Siri and its Eyes Free mode via Bluetooth is an incredible opportunity to provide next-generation connectivity and meet our customer’s ever-changing needs.”
Honda recognizes the power of Siri and Eyes Free mode as an in-vehicle tool that will help meet the connectivity and convenience needs of its customers in a responsible manner. Honda has reengineered its software to seamlessly integrate Siri Eyes Free mode into its Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® via the onboard microphone and speakers.
* Siri is available in Beta only on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad (3rd and 4th generations), iPad mini and iPod touch (5th generation), and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.
