Barina to get Siri!!!!

[csv8]

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.

[flappist]

Isn't siri that apple widget that knows absolutely nothing about Australia and cannot understand anything that is not spoken with a pseudo yank accent?

But then again it intergrates with apple maps so it will be harder for you to get completely lost.......

[csv8]

Originally Posted by flappist

Isn't siri that apple widget that knows absolutely nothing about Australia and cannot understand anything that is not spoken with a pseudo yank accent?

But then again it intergrates with apple maps so it will be harder for you to get completely lost.......

Yes!!!

[eb2fairmont]

Another case of what seems a really good idea ends up as a mega fail. Hate siri and hate the goddamn predictive text on apple products.

[M&Ms]

Holden must be fooled into thinking the world revolves around apple.....

[mrghia]

i don't know why they really would bother. it is absolutely useless app but then again the car isn't really any better

[Bossxr8]

It's probably a huge marketing tool to draw in the type of airheads that would buy a Barina.

[OffRoadFalcon]

At least Siri is good for sending funny texts... never gets it right.

[Brazen]

Being able to compose texts while driving would be handy

[Bucknaked]

Might be time to buy a Barina. If they can integrate Siri into the car, I'll buy 2. Siri is awesome. Even though I never use it, If its Apple, then it's good and I just have to have it. I hope I get a good trade on the XR6T.

[FGX-351]

They could include an onboard flatscreen and I still wouldn't purchase a Barina.

But then again Barinas aren't aimed at customers like myself.

[XplosiveR6]

Siri already integrates with most cars bluetooth, I can send a text etc in my FG already just by using the phone button, which then activates Siri. Sounds like marketing fluff to me.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It's probably a huge marketing tool to draw in the type of airheads that would buy a Barina.

Hairdressers and gay men aren't airhe.....

Nevermind.

[blk6t]

Marketing fluff at it's finest....however most younger car buyers today love cars with loads of tech so it's really giving the people what they want!!!

[GQ_Smooth]

The poor dealer mechanics that will have to try to fix these things when they eventually go wrong, I can see it now

Mechanic: "You have to contact Apple, there is nothing wrong with our system, it's passed all the checks"
Customer: "I have contacted Apple, they say there is nothing wrong with the phone and to contact the car dealer"


Mechanic: "Sorry, it's only compatible with software version 6.01, you've upgraded it to 6.01.1, it will not connect, you'll have to wait for an upgrade to come through from the factory, it's only 6 month away"
Customer: "6 months, I'll have an Iphone 6S by then, will that work".
Mechanic: "No idea"

Poor buggers!

[Streets]

Originally Posted by M&Ms

Holden must be fooled into thinking the world revolves around apple.....

Apple has actually brought a case before the US courts to be officially recognised as the centre of the universe.

[M&Ms]

Originally Posted by XplosiveR6

Siri already integrates with most cars bluetooth, I can send a text etc in my FG already just by using the phone button, which then activates Siri. Sounds like marketing fluff to me.

I can do that too with my Nokia Lumia 920 in my FG. Hold the phone button, say "text (person)", and say what you want to text. Then reads it back to you with the option to send, add more, or delete. Can call, type notes, do google search.... Unfortunately just not advertised like apple advertise their Siri

[Feathers]

I argue with Siri all the time via Bluetooth in my BA...this is hardly groundbreaking technology.

[Benjamin Smith]

Originally Posted by XplosiveR6

Siri already integrates with most cars bluetooth, I can send a text etc in my FG already just by using the phone button, which then activates Siri. Sounds like marketing fluff to me.

Yer I do the same, but I just end up yelling because Siri can't understand me

[AndyXR6T]

^^^ same! The amount of times whilst driving I activate Siri on the steering wheel and say the following:

Me: "call the wife"
Siri: "would you like me to call your wife?"
Me: "yes"
Siri: "sorry i do not understand"
Me : "tjjcdsbnjijvc:&@@@(.,*€%~|,?€¥~."

[MrEL]

For a Ford forum geez there is a lot to read about Holdens on here.
Maybe I should go to a Holden forum to find out about all things Ford?

[ltd]

A gimmick that like the Iphone 4S, most people got bored of after 15 minutes because it is absolutely useless in Australia.

I propose that Ford get their own voice recognition thing like Siri, but lets say call it Dick.
Make it integrated with the cars systems with an inbuilt GPS for example:

"Dick, where is the nearest servo?"
"600 metres away, but they only have that E10 crap, and I don't like the taste of it. Go another 5 kilometres to the BP on the left and buy BP ultimate." After filling with E10; "Yuck, I told you I don't like the taste of E10 you cheap bastard. Just for that enjoy the heater on full."

Or driving through a big pot-hole "Ouch, are you trying to hurt me? Hit another one and I'll tell the guys in service how many times a day you fart into the drivers seat."

That would sell vehicles, especially the V8 or turbo models. When you take off and its on boost you could have Dick say "YEEAAHHH, did you like that?"

[Benjamin Smith]

^^^^^^^^ genius, I think someone is on a great idea here!
Would be much better then me telling Siri to " eat a **** Siri!" All the time just for Siri to say " searching Internet for previous statement".

[AndyXR6T]

Originally Posted by ltd

A gimmick that like the Iphone 4S, most people got bored of after 15 minutes because it is absolutely useless in Australia.

I propose that Ford get their own voice recognition thing like Siri, but lets say call it Dick.
Make it integrated with the cars systems with an inbuilt GPS for example:

"Dick, where is the nearest servo?"
"600 metres away, but they only have that E10 crap, and I don't like the taste of it. Go another 5 kilometres to the BP on the left and buy BP ultimate." After filling with E10; "Yuck, I told you I don't like the taste of E10 you cheap bastard. Just for that enjoy the heater on full."

Or driving through a big pot-hole "Ouch, are you trying to hurt me? Hit another one and I'll tell the guys in service how many times a day you fart into the drivers seat."

That would sell vehicles, especially the V8 or turbo models. When you take off and its on boost you could have Dick say "YEEAAHHH, did you like that?"

Way too much time on your hands bud lol

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by ltd

A gimmick that like the Iphone 4S, most people got bored of after 15 minutes because it is absolutely useless in Australia.

I propose that Ford get their own voice recognition thing like Siri, but lets say call it Dick.
Make it integrated with the cars systems with an inbuilt GPS for example:

"Dick, where is the nearest servo?"
"600 metres away, but they only have that E10 crap, and I don't like the taste of it. Go another 5 kilometres to the BP on the left and buy BP ultimate." After filling with E10; "Yuck, I told you I don't like the taste of E10 you cheap bastard. Just for that enjoy the heater on full."

Or driving through a big pot-hole "Ouch, are you trying to hurt me? Hit another one and I'll tell the guys in service how many times a day you fart into the drivers seat."

That would sell vehicles, especially the V8 or turbo models. When you take off and its on boost you could have Dick say "YEEAAHHH, did you like that?"

that's very funny...spose u think ur a comedian now

[krzysiek]

It's good to see technology making it's way in to cars. I'm young, and so perhaps for me and the younger generation it's what we want to see.

However, I don't think their choice was the best it could have been. As many have already said, SIRI isn't all that useful in general and especially so in Australia.

On that note, I've wondered why car manufacturers have not started working with Android based systems in their cars.

Android isn't a closed platform like Apple and so making your own applications or modifying the operating system to run to your specifications is a lot easier to do. Not to mention, there are numerous manufacturers of Android tablets and just as many (if not more) companies who you would be able to outsource your development work to if needed.

Not that I have any idea on how all of this would work in a practical sense - but instead of that dated, resistive touch-screen in my FG MKII, I would have much better loved an Android based O/S - even one where it's dumb-ed down not to include many applications - or perhaps limit application use to only when the car is in 'Park'.

Google's navigation is very good I find on my Android phone. Imagine being able to slide a SIM into your cars built-in Android based touch screen. Accessing the navigation would be a breeze and the lock-on with GPS would be super quick with a data enabled SIM inserted. You'd also benefit from being able to have live traffic which Google provides on data enabled devices (this is my understanding anyway).

I hope it starts happening, soon!

[mik]

I just can't get excited about the voice control thing, give me a knob or button to do whatever right the first time.
I wonder how useful all these voice control devices will be as the car gets a bit older and back ground white noise builds up from noisey driveline/tyres,etc,etc.

[FalconXV]

Why is this a big deal? On the FGII I had, I could access Voice Control by holding the phone button on the wheel, isn't this just like that?

[brydie76]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Hairdressers and gay men aren't airhe.....

Nevermind.

Wow. Nice. My relative who is a hairdresser really thanks you for that post. Ironically, said relative drives a GTI and rides a Ducati too (and is female).

Anyway, I use Siri fairly often and don't have issues with it. Only thing I want is to be able to use punctuation with it in texts and I would never have to use the phone with my hands again.

Now, the Fiesta voice system- that is a POS. have to speak phone numbers out loud to get them into the voice speed dial. Took an hour for one freaking mobile number. Shoddy and cheap system with no thoughts for implementation. Kind of a forewarning of my experience with the car, I guess...

[Elks]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

Why is this a big deal? On the FGII I had, I could access Voice Control by holding the phone button on the wheel, isn't this just like that?

That is my understanding too.

You need a FGII, an iPhone 4s or newer with IOS 6 or newer operating system.

Simply hold down the phone button on the steering wheel and Siri away.

In line with ford marketings policy of keeping all the features and benefits of falcon secret, this was not announced.