VISTA, Calif. -- A local company has developed an Apple iPhone application that allows car owners to start their vehicles from far-away locations, 10News, (a San Diego ABC network affiliate) reported. Vista-based Directed Electronics has developed an iPhone app called the Viper Smart Start, which makes it possible to start a car, lock or unlock doors, open the trunk and activate the panic alarm remotely over a cell phone network. Directed Electronics President Kevin Duffy provided 10News with examples of uses, including an example of your wife locking her keys in her car. "Because the product allows you to control multiple cars, you can simply switch it over to her car, push unlock. She can get in and get the keys out," said Duffy. For air travelers returning home, Duffy provides an example of coming home to a cold destination like Chicago. "Your car's in the parking lot. Before you get in, you start your car from virtually anywhere. The car defrosts the windows. By the time you get to the car, the cabin will be warm," said Duffy. The opposite could work with air conditioning in San Diego, Duffy noted. For those who start their car remotely, no one else can enter the car and drive away, as the key to the car is required. The application is free from Apple's iTunes store, but users need the hardware to install in their car. The hardware costs $499, or $299 if the user already owns the previous remote start system from Directed Electronics.
If you live some place where it gets really cold in the winter — you might already be familiar with the advantages and convenience of a remote-start car system.
Rather than fumbling to open an icy door or waiting a few minutes for the car to start and the heat to come on, you can start the car using a keyremote and even turn the heat on, so that by the time you get to the car, it’s on and warm.
Today, Directed Electronics, who make the popular Viper remote start systems, are taking remote-start one-step further: start your car with your iPhone. The Viper SmartStart system combines the Viper system with an iPhone app that acts as a remote control for your car.
Here’s how the system works: if you have a compatible Viper remote system installed on your car, you can download a free iPhone app and configure your car to hook up to your phone. Then, you can start your car and turn on the heat before you head out to the driveway. The Viper iPhone app can also lock your car (or unlock it) remotely too.
The advantage of the iPhone app over the traditional key-remotes is that the range is much larger than what you get with IR. I’m assuming the system works via satellite, because Viper calls it “virtually unlimited.” This would definitely be convenient for anyone who has a relative or a spouse with a predilection for locking their keys in the car.
The Viper SmartStart iPhone app is available for either new SmartStart systems (retail price $499) or existing Viper users can get the SmartStart module (retail price $299) from Best Buy stores beginning today. If you like the idea of keyless entry and remote-start, bringing that sort of functionality to the iPhone() makes perfect sense.
Do you have a remote-start system? What do you think of unlocking your car with your mobile phone? Let us know!
Responder HD features Viper's most advanced color remote, operating a one-mile range, 2-Way security and remote start system with an upgraded user interface, mini-USB charging port and patented menu wheel. No effort has been spared by the Viper development team to create the ultimate color keychain remote control, operating Viper's top-of-the-line, one-mile range 2-Way vehicle security and remote start system. The result is Viper Responder HD, winner of the coveted CES 2009 Innovations Award. Some of the milestones achieved by our team include: •Viper's first one-mile range color remote, using 900 MHz Spread Spectrum Technology (SST) •A brand new user interface, for the first time utilizing the patented Menu Wheel •New custom Viper animations, to confirm user commands and illustrate system events, on a 128 x 128 pixel Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) high contrast panel, with 262K and 65K full colors, and a wide 160° viewing angle, employing an anti-glare polarizer for enhanced daylight visibility •The OLED display panel on the Viper Responder HD color remote is 20% larger than previous LCD panels on a keychain remote Viper has created a sophisticated and complex remote control that is more intuitive than competing security products. It walks the new user through the system operation on-screen while delivering tons of real-time information for the power user. Viper completely re-thought the manual layouts so users can play with the remote, and if something unexpected occurs or attracts their interest, they can easily find a quick and simple explanation with references to as much detail as they want.
Built-in Info Center: the Responder HD status screen has an information center built into it! The Info Center displays the remote start run-time remaining before the engine shuts off, as well as the vehicle interior temperature, so you know if it has warmed up or cooled off enough to make your drive comfortable. It also displays the Countdown and Parking Meter timers when running, and the Parking meter timer emits warnings at 15 minutes, 5 minutes and at expiration so you can make sure to feed the meter. Also, you can stop, start or clear these timers any time in the Status Screen using the Menu Wheel. These 4 bits of information can be displayed in the Info Center by pressing the menu wheel while the Status screen is active to toggle and show each one.
Two Car operation: when users decide to change to a paired 2nd vehicle, Responder HD will automatically check the vehicle's availability, and if the desired car is not available it will let you know. If the vehicle is available, it will automatically update the information displayed on the status screen so you know if it needs to be disarmed, or if the engine is running.
Security system Sensor Status in real-time: when arming with a security zone active, Responder HD will receive a report that will identify by name the active zone and display a special icon in the Status Screen. The report will identify all zones that are active (up to 7) by name during the report output.
NEW FEATURE: For the first time, Responder HD reports any sensors that have been bypassed by the Nuisance Prevention Circuitry (NPC™) feature when arming and have a special Sensor Status icon that is displayed in the Status Screen. Any time there is a change of status in the sensors (NPC or a bypassed zone resets,) Responder HD will receive a message from the system and the All Zones OK icon will be displayed.
Sensor Bypass: users can bypass sensors by selecting the level and sensors they wish to bypass. Responder HD will identify the bypassed sensors on-screen and by name so the user knows exactly the level of security they have chosen. After bypassing sensors, the Sensor Status icon will be updated so the user can easily see those sensors are bypassed each time the Status Screen is displayed.
Remote start Fault and Not Available reporting: if the user attempts to operate a security or remote start feature that is not available, Responder HD will identify the fault so it can be quickly resolved.
The intended use and user value of Viper Responder HD constitute nothing less than a new higher level of connection between drivers and their vehicles. With an MSRP of $799, Responder HD is a new level of luxury in the world of vehicle security and convenience. From up to one mile distance from their vehicle, users can stay in constant contact using an advanced and elegant, full-color interface device: their Responder HD keychain remote.
