Fiat-Chrysler’s Uconnect has been one of the best factory infotainment systems since its release, and now it is poised to be even better with an upgrade to Apple Siri Hands Free.
Through a software update, Fiat-Chrysler cars dating back to 2013 can now have Siri Hands Free added to their systems. That’s almost 2 million vehicles. The following cars with an 8.4-inch Uconnect system are eligible for the upgrade:
- 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500
- 2013-2015 Dodge Viper
- 2014-2015 Dodge Durango
- 2015 Dodge Challenger and Charger
- 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee
- 2015 Jeep Renegade
- 2015 Chrysler 200 and 300
The patch can be downloaded from the Uconnect software update site. Step-by-step instructions are available through this YouTube video.
Siri Hands Free allows the driver to perform tasks such as playing music, setting reminders, sending texts, placing phone calls or getting directions by simply talking to Siri, the digital assistant that comes with most iPhones (version 4S or later).
This official video shows a demonstration of the system on a Uconnect-equipped vehicle:
Pushing out this update in a way that allows the owner to perform the maintenance is a big deal, as it was when the company pushed out its fix for the hacking bug. In a market where infotainment technology moves much faster than automotive development, the ability to add features like this through software patches is key to keeping current generation cars relevant and competitive with all-new models.
Let’s hope they push out a fix for the annoying audio issues that plague cars like the 2016 Chrysler 300 tested by TFLcar.
Check out this TFLcar video tech demo of the 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit and its oversized Uconnect system:
