New iPhone App Unlocks and Starts Your Car!

Some commuters will love its ability to warm their seats prior to entering their car.  Others will love it just because of the WOW factor.  Directed Electronics, maker of Viper Alarm systems, has released an iPhone application, SmartStart, that allows you to unlock and start your car without the keys and from inside your home.

Directed Electronics, maker of Viper Alarm Systems, Smart Start iPhone Application

They developed this iPhone application as a complement to their popular Viper Alarm systems.  The Viper Alarm systems typically come with a key fob that allows you to start, lock and unlock your vehicle with a range of up to 2 miles.  However, due to certain interferences, the range is typically much less.  With the new SmartStart iPhone application, the range is only limited by your cell phone coverage!

Convenience and utility are the primary driving force behind the development of the SmartStart iPhone app.  If you get to your desk and you can’t remember if you locked your car, simply pull out your iPhone and hit the lock button on the SmartStart application.  You can also unlock your car or release the trunk as you near the car, alleviating the need to dig for your keys.  If it’s a particularly cold day, you can start your car with the press of a button.

The SmartStart iPhone app has been downloaded over 100,000 times since it’s release.  The app is free but will not work without the Viper alarm system, which retails for $499 at Best Buy, plus a service agreement.  Other features that Directed Electronics is currently working on adding include alerts when the alarm activates or if the car doesn’t start.