LAS VEGAS —
Directed Electronics announced plans
at International CES to upgrade its SmartStart system,
which lets users send remote-start and door-lock
commands via cellular from iPhones, BlackBerrys and
Android-based smartphones.
The latest iteration, called Viper SmartStart GPS,
adds real-time GPS tracking and can be added to any
Viper security or remote-start system. It’s scheduled to
ship in the first quarter at a suggested $299.
Under Directed’s SmartStart GPS basic service
plan, a vehicle’s location, speed and direction can be
seen in real time on a map displayed on a smartphone
or on a PC’s web browser along with the vehicle’s
speed and direction.
Other plan features include the ability to notify Facebook
friends of the vehicle’s location via messaging
and one-touch check-in, a speed alert that notifies
when the vehicle has exceeded the specified speed
setting, and a lockdown alert that sets the vehicle location
and provides notification if the vehicle leaves that spot.
Under the
Smar tSt a r t
GPS premium
plan,
users get the
same features
plus a
SmartFence
feature that
lets users
create a secure
zone
around the
vehicle and
alert the user
if the vehicle
leaves that
zone. In addition,
a Hot-
Spot feature
lets users create a prohibited zone.
The vehicle will notify users if it enters
the forbidden area.
Plan pricing was unavailable.
