Directed Electronics Releases New Viper SmartStart™ App For Android®

VISTA, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Directed Electronics today announced the availability of its popular Viper SmartStart app on the Google Android smartphone platform.  The free app is available at www.viper.com and the Android Market.

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"The Android operating system enables millions of smartphones on all major carrier networks and across a full range of price points," said Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics.  "With this app release, our Viper SmartStart solution is available to more than 75% of all smartphone users."

Viper SmartStart is available to users with iPhones, BlackBerry smartphones, and now Android smartphones. When the Viper SmartStart hardware is installed on the user's vehicle along with a compatible Viper remote start or security system, the app allows users to control their car from virtually anywhere with their smartphone. Users with a Viper remote start system can start their engine with the push of a button, to pre-warm it in the winter or pre-cool it in the summer. Depending on the installation, users can also lock and unlock the doors, pop the trunk, or arm their security system and get an alert on their smartphone if their alarm is triggered. Users can even control multiple cars from one smartphone.

According to Mike Simmons, Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics, "Android users are a rapidly growing segment of our customer base and the overall smartphone market, and we're excited to deliver the Viper SmartStart app to them.  Many Android users are early adopters of technology, and we're proud to be first to enable them to replace their car keyfob with their smartphone.  We've been leading the automotive industry in smartphone integration, and will continue to deliver 'first-to-market' solutions to customers in the future."

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release that are not historical fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "may," "should," "might," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar words, although some may be expressed differently. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results of DEI Holdings to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include competition in the consumer electronics industry, development of new products and changing demand of customers, reliance on certain key customers, decline in consumer spending, reliance on certain manufacturers and their ability to maintain satisfactory delivery schedules, disruption in supply chain, shortages of components and materials, economic risks associated with changes in social, political, regulatory, and economic conditions in the countries where the company's products are manufactured, quality installation of products by customers, significant product returns or product liability claims, compliance with various state and local regulations, risks with international operations, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, claims related to intellectual property, ability to service debt obligations, restrictive terms of the company's senior secured credit facility, vulnerability to increases in interest rates, disruption in distribution centers, ability to raise additional capital if needed, dependence on senior management, ability to realize on investments made in the business, and integration of acquired businesses. Certain of these factors, as well as various additional factors, are discussed from time to time in the reports filed by DEI Holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. DEI Holdings disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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Copyright © 2010 Directed Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved.

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