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Did Apple forget to tell automakers about the new Siri button?

Posted Jun 14th 2012 10:00AM

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Apple Siri buttonApple expects nine different carmakers to begin including a "Siri button" on their steering wheels within the next 12 months, the company announced this week.

Of course, the news came as a surprise to some of the carmakers, according to Business Insider.

After Apple announced plans to further integrate it's Siri voice recognition software to a button on the steering wheel, some carmakers said they were unaware of those plans.

Audi told Fast Company, which contacted all nine carmakers mentioned by Apple, that it was not sure if the project could be completed in a year. A Chrysler spokesman said the company did not have any plans to announce anything. Toyota was equally as vague: "(T)here are no particular applications planned at this time."

Building a Siri button certainly makes sense and, no doubt, will happen in the coming years. It's also smart business. Instead of an automaker spending money developing voice recognition software, let Apple do it and integrate that system into a vehicle. Already, carmakers have moved to integrate smartphones into cars, putting apps on phones onto center console screens and finding ways to piggyback services from a phone into the car. USB ports on a car are simply expected nowadays.

There might even be plans to create a "Siri button" that allows a driver to control his phone by voice without ever taking his hands off the steering wheel. But before that happens, someone at Apple might want to tell the automakers.

IPhone 4S Siri Demo

News Source: BusinessInsider.com

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Glenn Laycock

Siri is a lot of fun .. but hardly as effective as "advertised". You have to constantly check your screen to see if it "understands" (about 50% of the time it doesn't). It also only works strictly with APPLE apps and programs. I hope the car makers just don't take Apple's word for it on the effectiveness of this "big brother" (sorry, "sister") must have Apple product. I find Siri hard to understand as well -- particularly if you move off the demo scripts they have set up for it.

June 14 2012 at 5:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mclyzer

Great article, it seems that Apple can almost assume companies will want to use their integration software at this point.

I would also like to take the time here to introduce the autoLYZER – a new Facebook app that scans your facebook profile to recommend three cars currently for sale in your area, which are perfect for you based on your lifestyle. Give it a try, then share your results with your friends!

Start autoLYZING here: http://on.fb.me/Kyjj8e

Thank you!

June 14 2012 at 10:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply