Viper Security launches SmartStart iPhone app for well-appointed whips
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Oct 13th 2009 1:06PM
posted Oct 13th 2009 1:06PM
Jealous of the way those hipper-than-thou ZipCar people are always unlocking the doors to their rented Minis with an iPhone? We aren't either. But if you are looking to recreate that scenario with your Dodge Dart, have we got a gadget for you! If you already own a compatible Viper security system, the SmartStart module will let lock and unlock your car, arm and disarm your car alarm, pop the trunk, or fire off that panic alarm -- all from your cherished handset. There are two modules available, priced at $299 and $499, depending on which Viper system you've installed. You also need a SmartStart account which will run you $29 a year (the first year's free). But don't take our word for it -- check out the action-packed video below for a breathtaking recreation of the system's features.
See more video at our hub!
Cool, so now when someone steals your phone, they get your car, too!
But... but... all the Apple Haters told me I could only get fart apps in the App Store.
This is a fart app until you buy their $500 adaptor, plus however much the system costs in the first place (maybe $2000?), plus $29 a year. The good news is you'll save a whole $5 a month off you're car insurance with a security system! That makes it all 'almost' worth it.
I wouldn't get this REGARDLESS of which marketplace it was in...
Car Remote on my brother's '09 RL can do about the same thing.
If i had created this app, i would make the app able to drive the car wherever you want it to drive you. What if you are extremely tired? Just use ur iphone to get the car to where u are and u can fall asleep in it. Or what if ur drunk off ur asshole? You can't drive, so you need to use ur iphone to tell the car to pick u up and bring u home. This app is a failure, and i need it to do more than beep a horn and lock my car.
What's more amazing to me is that all these companies are pretty much standardizing on the iPhone, even though it's not technically in the number 1 position yet. That award goes to RIM for smartphones in the U.S. and Nokia everywhere else.
While all the techies, nerds and geeks with an axe to grind are telling us numerous ways that the iPhone will fail, based mostly on mistakes Apple made twenty-five years ago, most corporate realists seem to be putting their money on the side of recent history instead.
Interesting times.
A phone that people have no control over controlling a car that people have no control over.
Machine uprising anyone?
Although realistically, it is probably not too different than other remote-start systems, in that you have to put in the key and turn it to ON to be able to take off with the car. Otherwise, the engine may be running, but nothing else will work (i.e., steering will still be locked, computers will be off meaning no throttle functions, etc).
Or.... you're phone looses charge/gets broken and not only are you now unable to call but are stranded as well.
Just like when they steal your car key/remote, they steal your car. Or when they steal your wallet they have your IDs and credit cards.
I'm now thoroughly convinced that Microsoft pays you trolls to come on here and comment on every Apple, specifically iPhone related, story. These comments are the definition of asinine.
Mjayhunt - Where does $2000 come from? If you already have a Viper remote start system it costs $299 and if you have nothing pre installed and want this in your car it'll cost you $499. Period. And the $5 per month savings on your insurance easily covers the measly $2.40 a month the service costs. Considering the cost of a good remote start system, 500 bucks for a system that works with unlimited range and makes you money every month is more than worth it for most people in the market.
Xeno - I'm guessing you've never used a remote start system before. This simply starts the car and unlocks it. Your key is still required to make the car go anywhere. You would never have this and not have your key so it wouldn't matter if your phone died.
Mark - Like was already pointed out, yeah it would suck if someone stole your phone. Just like it would suck if someone stole your keys, wallet, or possibly worst of all for me, my laptop which holds information about every aspect of my life and client's information. They might be able to unlock your car but they couldn't go anywhere without your keys and I'm sure the system can be turned off with a phone call to Viper if that happened.
It's pathetic how some of you are so emotionally invested into your favorite phone that you can't even appreciate cool tech when it comes out on a competing model, or at least have an intelligent conversation about it. Engadget comments are starting to look like the crap posted below every video on YouTube.
This would be a cool feature for onstar to implement. Come on Onstar. You are falling behind!
What a rip.
I agree, it's a lot of money just so you can show off to your friends. What practical purpose would this have?
agreed, this seems like a very expensive novelty app that really isnt that useful
im not familiar with viper door handles but i didnt see a keyhole in some of the pictures i looked up, so if it rely's on remotes to unlock it this makes it really pointless
-as someone already pointed out, if you keep the vehicle in a garage it might not have strong enough of a signal to use to. and if vipers do indeed have no keyhole then if you go out and park the car somewhere where theres no signal and didnt keep the remote with you then you cant get in
-also if you use this app to unlock it you have to take the key out anyway to start her up (you can use the app to start it but you arent moving the car until the key is in there)
-dont forget you have to swipe to unlock the phone and open up the app before you're able to use it
-my 70$ car starter does the same thing more efficiently and has some pretty good range to it as well
Shawn - What the HELL are you talking about!? Door handles??? Viper doesn't make freaking door handles. Was your post a joke that I'm just not getting? The car they showed is a Corvette that just happens to use those kinds of door handles. This is just like any other unlocking/starting device on the market but it works on your iPhone. It unlocks and starts your car but you still need your key to do anything.
You guys obviously have no grasp on why people use remote starting systems. This is for people that live in climates where their car gets too warm or cold to comfortably drive in when it's been parked outside for a period of time (basically everyone). With this you would be able to start the car when you knew you were about to finish up (it remains locked so no one can get inside when it's out of range) and go back out to it and by the time you got there it would be the exact temperature that you like and your engine is warmed up and ready to go. The one shortfall with these devices is that most systems don't have that good of range and you have to be so close that you really don't have that much time between when you use it and when you get to your car. By using cell towers and eliminating range issues, this totally eliminates that problem and makes it truly useful.
If your car was so deeply parked in a garage that cell tower signal couldn't reach it, I'm sure it's not going to be very hot or cold so it wouldn't really matter anyways.
I feel like I'm explaining this to complete idiots. How do you no know this? How is the logic behind it not painfully obvious?
easy there didnt mean to throw you into a tantrum, i was assuming it was made for dodge vipers as engadget was also mentioned dodge in the post. if it can be installed in any vehicle then the first part of my argument is invalid and i accept that (note that i'm not getting all worked up about it, you can learn something here). but what i was trying to say that if it was indeed used on a car that doesn't have a key hole, then if you go somewhere where you lose service then you can't use it to unlock your vehicle and unless you bring an actual car remote with you then you have no way of getting into your vehicle. in which case you might as well just bring a regular starter with you and use that instead
also, i live in northern ontario and in fact it was snowing today so the usefulness of a car starter is pretty familiar to me, you might have realized that when i pointed out that my remote starter does the same thing and is definitely quicker to use. it might not have the range of one you have to pay a yearly subscription fee for but it has pretty decent range imo
1. This sounds like it makes it far to easy to steal a car with this.
2. Whoever leaves a Z06 out in the snow should have it taken away.
I am sure its like any other vehicle with remote start. You still have to have the key to put it in gear.
True. I completely forgot that bit of info. Used to have on on my car until the system started acting up. But my seconds point remains.
Nice idea, but the module is wayyyyyyyyyy to overpriced.
No kidding! Someone's going to spend $300+ for an alarm and remote start and then another $300-500 + $29/year just to start it with their phone instead of the fob? ridiculous!
*too
WHOA! Is that price a typo?
1: Take phone out of pocket
2: Unlock car
3: Put phone back in car
4: Take keys out of pocket
5: Start Car
or
1: Take keys out of pocket
2: Open car
3: Start car
I can see the advantage
@Phil Perman:
But not if you put your iPhone on your keyring! Oh, wait...
I just picked up one this week. This was my biggest concern - I go from my couch to the office to my home office. Sunlight, florescent, and a mix. I've always had matte screens - Including the last MBP. I thought the glossy was going to be ridiculous.
It's actually been a complete non-issue. The glare is very similar to my tv - even if it's "glare-y" at a certain spot, adjusting it left or right or up or down a quarter inch and it's gone. And the screen is so bright, clean, and sharp.. it's a great display.
> Glossy screens are not for pro. End of story.
This is ridiculous. "not for 'pro'"? What does that even mean? I'm a professional and it's great.
The trackpad is.. different. On one hand I love the huge area - lots of room. I also *love* the texture - I liked the old MBP, but this is far far superior. Except. If your finger is moist (say you just set your dietcoke back down) it all of a sudden is sort of terrible. Sort of a weird thing to say, I guess. But I drink all day when I'm working. (heh)
The all-encompassing-button is sort of moot to me - I "tap-to-click" 90% of the time anyway.
bwahahahaha...phils in your face comment for the win!
In the winter you will see the advantage of starting your car from like 50 - 100 meter away and you car is warmed up and ready to go by the time you get there. I constantly love my remote start I have to get up early somewhat early in the morning and I can start my car from my apartment instead of going all the way down to my car and freezing all the way back and forth.
wouldn't it be ?
1.take phone out of pocket
2.unlock car
3.get in car
4. start the car with your phone
1.take keys out of pocket
2.unlock car
3.get in car
4.star the car
but theres not really a point in paying for it.
(Heh, sorry for the weird post. 1password decided to remember ALL of my last post instead of just my login. Thought I had fixed that.) Wish I could delete posts, engadget.
Anyway. I don't think that's what this is for, Phil. This is for staying inside your house when the weather is unpleasant outside and starting your car to make it nice to get into. This is for starting your car when you leave the mall so some of the hotness is blown out before you open the door.
Not just to use to unlock when you're already standing there. I agree, that would be dumb. *(:
Forget all of those steps. My last couple cars had smart keys and I wouldn't trade them for the world now. Walk up to my car, push a button, get in, push a button. No keys poking yourself in tender areas, no keys scratching up your door handle when you're in a hurry. Awesome. *(:
You forgot the part where you put your keys in the ignition or you ain't going nowhere. As soon as you touch the breaks or shifter the car will turn off unless the key is in the ignition.
Phil - miss the point a little harder, why don't you. It's a REMOTE STARTER. Tell me how you're planning on starting your car remotely using just the key, because that's an explanation I'd love to see. Maybe the steps would go something like this:
1. take keys out of pocket
2. unlock car
3. start car
4. get out of car
5. close door
6. run 50 feet away and pretend like you just started it remotely
Now do you see the advantage?
Wait, the Viper security turns your laptop screen glossy?
Glossy?
BUMP THAT MESS.
a. take phone out pocket (seriously iphone in a pocket? with the rubber protector--no way!)
b. drop phone on concrete, glass hits pebble on ground.
c. can't call AAA or OnStar, can't call anyone for that matter.
d. sad face.
or
a. take keys (fob) out pocket.
b. drop keys on concrete
c. pick up keys, open door start car, go home.
Can I say pay phones will become popular again?
How about this:
Oh Shit! I locked my keys in the car!
1) take phone out of pocket
2) unlock car
o_0
That's got to be a shitty car if the door locks with the keys inside. All cars come with a spare key. Phil's comment still stands.
You lock your keys and your phone in your car. Now what?
Why is this post so highly ranked? If you don't know the purpose for a remote start system then I'm not going to explain it again. I love how you guys automatically hate something because it's related to the iPhone. This is just a regular old remote start but it works with an iPhone instead of an extra fob (plus the whole unlimited range thing).
Go to any car forum and show them your brilliant argument against remote starting. See how well it goes.
I am in the market for an Auto-start/Alarm system as it were....and I was going to spend $400-500 already.....so I might as well just get this. That is as long as it comes with ACTUAL keyless entry controllers as well...The wife is going to need SOME way to get into the car as well as the people that work on my car when I take it to the shop....
@Chris D:
The $299 or $499 module is an add-on that plugs into an already-installed Viper security system in your car. It isn't a remote start/keyless entry module in and of itself.
Dude your pic freak me out seriously
Shadyman - Wrong. The $300 unit is for people who already have a Viper system installed. The $500 unit is for people who have nothing installed and want to add remote starting/unlocking to their car. The end cost (minus installing, which is cheap for a system like this) for our friend here is $500.
Why did you think there was two different systems with a $200 difference? For kicks?
what about Manual cars how would it start the car?
Don't put it in gear. It won't autostart if it is.
Oh yes it will. Friend of mine has one and his wife drove it and left it in gear. He started it the next morning and heard a crash in his garage as it drove into his work bench. Ouch...
Why would you remote start your car if it's in the garage?
Uh, the same way it starts any car?
Of course, for a manual car, the clutch safety will have to be bypassed. This also means that you better not leave the car in gear, or you'll be sorry when you try to remote start the car. Some places will try to rig up a neutral safety for you as well, which would alleviate the issue, but most will not, and will instead burden you with leaving it in neutral all the time.
Personally, I don't have a need for remote start, and generally leave the car in gear as a matter of good practice (as a backup to the handbrake). I'd hate to have that option removed because I have a remote start in the car (also bypassing the clutch safety which is a good thing to have).
@ Lectoid
Haha, I wouldn't. I'm not saying it was an intelligent series of events. I was just saying it can happen. As paul34 said, you have to bypass safety features of the starter to get it to work on a manual. He warned her about leaving it in gear and she forgot...
There is literally and ap for that -_-