Directed’s Viper SmartStart to Be Awarded Best of Innovations Honors at 2010 CES

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 -- Directed Electronics has announced that the Viper SmartStart, which allows users to start their car from their iPhone or iPod touch, will be recognized with Best of Innovations honors at CES in January, 2010.
“We would like to thank the Innovations judges for awarding us this great honor,” said Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics. “We are proud that our team’s hard work and innovative thinking resulted not only in this award, but also in a product that has generated a lot of excitement among our dealers and customers. Viper SmartStart is the first of many smartphone integration innovations we plan to introduce.”
Users can download the free Viper SmartStart app from the Apple App Store, have Viper SmartStart professionally installed on their vehicle and then activate their account.
According to Mike Simmons, Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics, “Viper SmartStart has many other capabilities beyond remote start. Depending on the installation, users can also lock and unlock the doors, pop the trunk, find their car in a parking lot, or arm their security system. Users can even control multiple cars from one iPhone. It’s a simple, elegant way for iPhone users to enjoy year-round comfort and control of their vehicle.”
Two Viper SmartStart models are available. Users who don’t have remote start can purchase the Viper SmartStart System (MSRP: $499) while those who already have a compatible Viper system can purchase just the Viper SmartStart Module (MSRP: $299), Directed said.

Directed Electronics and Octo Telematics Partner to Provide Telematics Solutions to Automotive Insurance Companies

VISTA, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Directed Electronics, the largest supplier of aftermarket vehicle security and remote start systems in North America, announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Octo Telematics S.p.A., the leading insurance telematics provider in Europe, to develop telematics services for the U.S. and Canadian vehicle insurance markets.

The European automotive insurance telematics market has expanded rapidly over the last several years with leading insurance companies offering consumers value-added services such as automatic crash response and usage-based insurance. Both Octo Telematics and Directed Electronics believe significant opportunities exist for similar services in the United States, which is evidenced by insurance companies such as Progressive and GMAC Insurance offering telematics-based services as well as increased interest by federal and state agencies. Telematics is poised to increase opportunities for insurance companies and drivers through reduced risk, value-added services such as automatic crash response and accident damage management, safe driver rewards, and a cleaner environment by incentivizing responsible driving behaviors.
According to Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics, "We are excited to join forces with Octo to create a compelling telematics offering for automotive insurance underwriters. With 750,000 active customers and 50 insurance company clients in Europe, Octo Telematics is the clear leader in the insurance telematics space, and our new partnership will leverage Octo's technology platform and experience to deliver these services in both the United States and Canada."
According to Germano Fanelli, Chief Executive Officer of Octo Telematics, "Directed's vast network of customers with installation capability, industry-leading technical support, and sizable logistics infrastructure will provide a powerful platform capable of accelerating our speed to market. We look forward to jointly working with insurance providers to further advance telematics offerings in North America."
For more information please contact Ken Gammage, Director of Communications at Directed Electronics. Email: ken.gammage@directed.com, phone: (760) 599-1325.
About Directed Electronics
Headquartered in Southern California, Directed Electronics is the largest designer and marketer in North America of consumer-branded vehicle security and remote start systems (sold under Viper®, Clifford®, Python®, Autostart® and other brand names through leading national retailers and specialty chains throughout North America and around the world). Directed Electronics is also a supplier of mobile audio products sold principally under the Orion® brand name, and digital OEM Integration products sold under the XPRESSKIT® brand name. Founded in 1982, the company's primary operations are located in Vista, California and Quebec, Canada. For more information, please visit http://www.directed.com/. Directed Electronics is a business unit of DEI Holdings, Inc. For more information go to http://www.deiholdings.com/.
Copyright © 2009 Directed Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Octo Telematics
Octo Telematics SpA is a MetaSystem Group company specializing in the provision of telematics systems and services for the insurance and automotive market, with a particular focus on sustainable mobility sector. Founded in Rome in 2002, Octo Telematics has 750,000 active customers, subsidiaries and partners in Europe, USA, South America, and Asia. Through the largest telematics fleet in Europe for the number of active clients and a database of the most complete figures and statistics globally, Octo Telematics represents a best practices scenario within the global panorama of vehicle telematics and infomobility. For further information, please visit: http://www.octotelematics.com/
For more press information, please contact Antonella Basile - Head of Communications at MetaSystem Group. Email: antonella.basile@metasystem.it, phone: +39 335 7698072
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements as to the expansion of the automotive insurance telematics market in the United States and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. We use words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," the negative of these terms and similar expressions to identify forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Directed Electronics or DEI Holdings to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those projected in the forward-looking statements for any reason. Shareholders and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements.
SOURCE Directed Electronics

Directed Electronics iPhone App Gives Drivers a Head Start

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.

Directed Electronics Introduces Viper SmartStart iPhone Application

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!

Directed Electronics announces Viper HD Color Responder is NOW SHIPPING!

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.

Orion Cobalt Enclosures Starting to Ship!

Just in time for the summer Directed Electronics is shipping the Orion Cobalt subwoofer enclosures. Available in single 10" & 12" boxes and dual 10" & dual 12" vented enclosures these affordably priced boxes pack the punch that today's music enthusiast demands. With these killer boxes starting at $149.99, it's sure to become an instant summer classic. Follow this link to find an authorized Orion Car audio dealer in your area and ask him to demo the Orion Cobalt enclosures. In no time you'll be listening to your music with the thunderous bass it's been missing and you won't need a congressional bail-out to get it! Check out the website for more information about Orion - High Performance Car Audio

Directed Electronics Introduces Viper Xpress Start - The World's Fastest Remote Start!

• World’s fastest Remote Start Install
• Worlds first all in one interface and remote start module
• Saves hours off a typical remote start install (takes less than
15 minutes to install)

The VIPER RESPONDER LE 2-WAY XPRESS-START REMOTE START solution is the
world's first true all-in-one interface and remote starter. The kit includes everything you
need to interface and remote start many 2008+ Chrysler, Dodge & Jeep vehicles.*
Never before has there been a product that has made installing a remote starter this
easy, there are as few as 4 wires to connect to the car that will control all the
convenience features as well as provide remote start using DEI's award winning
Responder LE remote!

Unlike conventional remote starters this bundle will perform the transponder override
and control all convenience features on the vehicles DATABUS. The complete system
installs in minutes and has been featured as the world's fastest install. Just ask Steve
Riviera of Audiowerks who competed in the world's fastest install challenge and won
with a total install time of 32 seconds!