Chrysler's Peapod EV lets iPod double as ignition key
By Ross Miller 
posted April 19th 2009 8:31AM
posted April 19th 2009 8:31AM
That unassuming iPod dock we saw in Chrysler GEM's Peapod prototype? Turns out it's got a pretty interesting little trick, allowing your iPhone / iPod double as the ignition key. According to the EV's brochure, the company's got an app that makes all the magic work, and if you wish to start your car in an old-school manner, keys are still a viable option. Sure, it's not the first example of car-phone integration we've come across, it's a welcome addition to the oddly-shaped neighborhood whip that's going beyond concept phase into production this October.
It's early, so I totally got the wrong idea from this article (especially the pics). I thought it was a special key + app that turned your iPhone into a remote starter at first. Which would actually be a really awesome idea, provided it cost less than starters with key fobs.
Anybody else hate that word? Key fob? Friggin's stupid, if I must say. Conversely, smock is a terrific word. The creator of key fob should take some notes from the guy that coined smock.
Looks like Chrysler is full of Apple fanbois.
They need to be full of stop-using-my-tax-dollars-to-keep-yourselves-afloat-boys
"Simply dock your iPod for a fun, cutting edge way to start up."
Fun? I guess maybe the first few times. Cutting edge? Sure, why not.
But tell me why this is better than a key? I can stow a key in many places on my person, including quite a few places where an iPhone wouldn't be practical (think shoe kids, not where the sun don't shine).
And what happens when I upgrade my phone? Do I have to resync with the car? Is the registration data stored somewhere hackable? Could lead to a whole new level of carjacking.
Oh, and I guess they don't really want any of the millions of people who own other phone brands and music players to buy their cars.
Great, should be fun going around with a jailbroken iTouch/iPhone and screwing with peoples Peapods!
This is a stupid gimmick. It's pretty much useless because you're still going to have to carry your key with you, in case your iPod is drained, lost, broken, or forgotten at some point in the day. It's a "hey, look what my car can do!" cheap trick.
The saving grace is that this is in an electric vehicle. I don't care so much about the gimmicks, but I would like to see someone put out an electric commuter vehicle for under $7,000 total. When that happens, they'll be doing enough to earn back my business. Until then, I'm not buying a car from the big three again.
Apple likes to make slight changes in design so people have to buy new accessories and stuff, but it is absurd. I guess buying a new docking isn't enough; I have to buy a new car when Apple changes its docking connector.
Way to go, Apple.
Hooray for Apple getting free publicity every time someone thinks of a marginally useful app for the iPhone!
So, how do you get into your car when you don't have the keys, and your Ipod is out of juice?
The same way you get into your car when you don't have your keys.
The same way you get into your car when your iPod has juice. The iPod isn't opening the car for you; it's just starting it.
I don't know about you, but I keep my cellphones for two years at most. My car is fifteen. This is incredibly short sighted and stupid.
That guy stole my iPhone!
Oh no!!!
My car!!!!
If the iPod is only doubling as an ignition key, how did they get into your car?
Chrysler can't even get the regular key right, I wouldn't trust them with an iPod. I have both a PT Cruiser and a Town & Country minivan. I mixed the keys up the first day I had the PT by putting the van key in the PT's ignition. (The keys are identical except for the automatic sliding door buttons). The car would actually start, but then immediately die. Fine, whatever, I'll just switch keys.
... or not! The key wouldn't come out of the ignition. No amount of wiggling, steering column adjustments, or dashboard resets would help. I had to call AAA to come fix it. The car had 17 miles on it! Talk about getting off on the wrong foot. So, pardon me if the notion of adding a stupendously complex personal computer to the equation doesn't yank my chain.
LOL. Wonder how many locksmiths will start to carry IPhones with a "Master" key program on them. I say before 2009 is over someone cracks the encryption key and develops an application to start anyones car with physical access.
On the flip side, technology has its place and purpose. Remote starters are cheaper and look better on a key chain then an IPhone.
This is just the stupidest thing ever. The ipod won't unlock the car, so what's the benefit of it starting the car if you already have to carry around the key? Now if it acted as a remote starter, door unlocker, controlled the power windows AND the stereo, that might be an interesting app. Unless, of course, it's out of juice. Let's guess what's flimsier and more likely to break, a key ignition, or an ipod dock? And what happens when your ipod locks up, as they tend to do? Sure, you can re-boot it, but while you're sitting around twiddling your thumbs waiting for that to happen, anyone else is already on their way. No wonder Chrysler is bankrupt...
You've never heard of or seen keyless entry? It's usually a series of buttons on the outside of the vehicle with a PIN you type in to unlock the car.
Why bother with a key at all?
Even with the crypto-keys it would still be possible for someone to hack it (like all things computer related). It is just about taking the time to do it, then automate it. Another problem I have with this, is that it is iPhone/iPod only. If they are going to do the whole "use your phone to start your car" thing, then why only the iPhone/iPod? Just one more step to monopoly to me. But, I will say that the idea for it is still cool (in a non-important/non-life-changing kinda way).
This seems dumb to me. Maybe I'm misunderstanding...could someone hack up a cable with this key ar one end, and a connection to a laptop at the other end, and simply crack your key to steal your car? I don't know if I like adding another vector people could use against me (especially one with the dubious utility this one has).
It would probably be much easier to just hotwire the core than to crack the encryption key.
I anticipate possibly a full 7 days before someone has an iPhone / Touch app that scans all the key codes until it starts the car.
I think I'm probably underestimating the hacker community and possibly overestimating the people at Chrysler.
America: our tax dollars hard at work propping up a company that should have gone bankrupt by now.
That Oreo in the Whitehouse is demanding that Chrysler make a deal with Fiat "or else". Have you seen the model that Chrysler chose to show at the international auto show in New York? A Fiat 500 - it's a SUB-compact. Could they be any more out of touch with America? Instead of offering four-cylinder engines in their vehicles they insult us with a car no one will want to drive.
Somebody put a bullet in this poor beast and put it out of its misery.
You could probably jam a metal object in the dock connector and it would start. Or some 1337 guy is going to interface his Apple ][ with it...
What is wrong with all you people? Chrysler is being inventive and trying to fill a "niche" in the market with this new technology. Give them some credit. Every new technology has it's flaws, but they'll get it right. And even if YOU don't like it, SOMEONE will.
As far as the bankruptcy comments -- Chrysler is not bankrupt and I am confident that they will pull through all of this. You forget that ALL auto companies around the world are in similar positions and governments ALL over the world are stepping in to help their own industries because they understand the importance of having a manufacturing base in their own economies. It's sad to see Americans so uneducated about an industry that helped propel this nation into the 20th century, not to mention help pull us through WWI and WWII. How soon we all forget....
Shame on us.
chrysler you never cease to be FUCKING STUPID