Directed Electronics Announces Viper SmartStart for BlackBerry

VISTA, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- (CES) - Directed Electronics announced that its award-winning Viper SmartStart, which allows users to start their car with their iPhone, will also work on most BlackBerry Smartphones starting in Q1 2010.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100107/LA33449)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020424/DIRECTLOGO)

According to Mike Simmons, Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics: "Viper SmartStart will soon be available on BlackBerry devices through a free app in BlackBerry App World, providing BlackBerry users all of the great features that iPhone users have been enjoying since the product was introduced in October."

Particularly popular in cold weather climates, remote start allows users to start their vehicle by remote control to defrost the windows and pre-warm the cabin, so they get into a warm car that's ready to drive. It can also be used to pre-cool the car in the summer. Most remote start systems use a small remote control on the user's keychain to activate remote start, but these "keyfobs" typically have limited range. Viper SmartStart has virtually unlimited range - an important feature to remote start users.

BlackBerry users with most security or remote start systems from Viper, Clifford or Python will be able to download the free app from BlackBerry App World, have SmartStart professionally installed on their vehicle, then activate their account. Depending on installation, users will be able to start their car, lock and unlock the doors, arm or disarm their security system, pop the trunk, or panic their siren, which can also be used as a car finder - all using their BlackBerry.

According to Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics, "We are making Viper SmartStart technology accessible to tens of millions of BlackBerry users - a significant and distinctly different market from the iPhone, whose users are likely to be just as receptive to the innovative features offered by our product."

Retailers already carry the necessary hardware - either the VSM100 Viper SmartStart module, or the equivalent DSM100 Directed SmartStart module, each with an MSRP of $299. Besides the free app, users will also need a compatible Viper, Python or Clifford remote start or remote start/security system, available at thousands of authorized retailers nationwide including Best Buy stores.

For more information, please visit www.viper.com/smartstart

About Directed Electronics

Headquartered in Southern California, Directed Electronics is the largest designer and marketer in North America of consumer-branded vehicle security and remote start systems (sold under Viper®, Clifford®, Python®, Autostart® and other brand names). Directed Electronics is also a supplier of mobile audio products sold principally under the Orion® brand name, and digital OEM Integration products sold under the XPRESSKIT® brand name. Directed Electronics markets its broad portfolio of products through many channels including leading national retailers and specialty chains throughout North America and around the world. Founded in 1982, the company's primary operations are located in Vista, California and Quebec, Canada. For more information, please visit www.directed.com. Directed Electronics is a business unit of DEI Holdings, Inc.

About DEI Holdings

Headquartered in Southern California, DEI Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of some of the most respected brands in the consumer electronics industry. DEI Holdings is the largest designer and marketer in North America of premium home theater loudspeakers (sold under the Polk Audio® and Definitive Technology® brand names), and consumer-branded vehicle security and remote start systems (sold under Viper®, Clifford®, Python®, Autostart® and other brand names). DEI Holdings is also a supplier of mobile audio sold principally under both the Polk Audio and Orion® brand names. DEI Holdings markets its broad portfolio of products through many channels including leading national retailers and specialty chains throughout North America and around the world. Founded in 1982, the company has operations in California, Maryland, Canada, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.deiholdings.com.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod, iPod touch, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Other trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this release including BlackBerry and BlackBerry App World are the property of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2009 Directed Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Directed Electronics

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