A new iPhone application called SmartStart from Viper allows you to start your car remotely as well as lock and unlock the doors. Sounds neat huh?
Of course, it's not as simple as downloading the app and firing away at your car. You're going to need a Viper alarm system and the SmartStart upgrade module. That'll run you about $500 unless you already have a Viper alarm system in which case it will only run a mere $300.
Oh, and you have to subscribe to the service, that's another $30 a year.
But once you do that, and download the free application of course, you can use your iPhone to perform all the same functions as the key fob that came with your car in the first place.
Aren't iPhones awesome?
notabigdeal says:
12:23 PM, 10/13/09
That is cool. Expensive, unnecessary, ridicules, but cool. If used on a BMW with an bluetooth earpiece, rolex, and sunglasses its the complete douche package.
the_big_al says:
03:23 PM, 10/13/09
now you just need to get a blue tooth head set and a voice capability and all you'd have to do is say "start car"... you could be BATMAN!
steve_ says:
05:59 PM, 10/13/09
How about an app that'll turn off idling vehicles that waste gas and needlessly spew crap in the air? Apple just quit the Chamber of Commerce because of their anti-green carbon status; surely they can come up with an app like that.
estreka says:
10:42 PM, 10/13/09
I love the idea, but man that's expensive. Now all the phone needs is a slot to store your key.
dnoodles says:
10:33 AM, 10/14/09
the key to the iPhone is convincing people that they need apps that they don't need. when you have the internet on your phone, you don't actually need an app for google maps, do you? or email, youTube, or facebook, or twitter, or a dictionary, or pretty much anything, really. the internet already has all that stuff, just like you've already got a key fob for your car. of course, i am talking about a group of consumers that felt that an actual key wasn't cutting it, and so opted for a bulky $150 a piece remote control over a tiny little key that costs a buck or so to replace.
i can't wait to see the inevitable dillhole standing outside his/her locked car, holding an iPhone with a dead battery.
"can i borrow your phone? i need to download an app to tell me what to do now."
TPAWRX says:
01:29 PM, 10/16/09
Hey it would save a call to AAA. Sadly, people are more likely to leave their keys in the car then their cell phones.
carpediemtg says:
02:56 PM, 12/28/09
Well, for what it's worth, the guys over at Click-Vroom.com are coming out with a product that does all the SmartStart system does and more, AND it's half the price. Plus, their web page says they'll even be offering payment plans to boot! Lol and no iphone app is needed either. Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there.