BMW to integrate Apple's Siri Eyes Free across entire range by 2014

The German executive car maker will also offer support for Samsung's S-Voice voice operation feature within the next 12 months.

Siri Eyes Free is a feature in the latest version of the iPhone's operating system that allows a driver to access a number of smartphone functions with voice commands, without touching the device's homekey.

The features, which include making and receiving calls, internet searches and obtaining turn-by-turn navigation, are instead accessed via a dedicated button on a car's dashboard or, in BMW's case, on the steering wheel.

When pressed and held, Siri comes to life and the driver can ask questions or give voice commands.

The integration, part of BMW's reworked ConnectedDrive integrated driver and multimedia interface, will also see voice support for a number of apps including Pandora and Glympse. The system will also support S-Voice, the Samsung Galaxy S equivalent of Siri.

Siri Eyes-Free was first revealed at the 2012 Apple World Wide Developers Conference as a way of keeping drivers safe while they access smartphone apps, and eight car makers -- BMW, GM, Jaguar and Land Rover, Toyota, Audi, Chrysler, Honda and Mercedes-Benz -- were announced as initial supporters of the feature. Earlier this year, Hyundai also pledged support for its integration.

Mercedes-Benz was the first company to integrate the feature in its cars with the 2013 A-Class supermini, launched in Europe in September. Since then Chevrolet and Honda have also joined the party, announcing support for the feature on a number of models at the Detroit Motorshow. However, thus far, BMW is the first company to integrate Siri across its entire vehicle line.