Manage your vehicle from your smartphone

You’re walking out of the mall carrying packages in both arms. Your vehicle is one-half mile away. Can your smartphone help make life safer and more convenient?

Absolutely.

So says Ken Gammage of Directed, developer of the Viper Smartstart application for mobile phones. Directed was founded in 1982 and is a leading manufacturer of vehicle security products, as well as major audio brands such as Orion Car Audio and Polk Audio.

Gammage said, “Smartphone applications have virtually unlimited range. Anywhere you can get a cellphone connection you can manage your vehicle.”

Applications such as Directed’s Viper Smartstart have turned the vehicle remote industry on its ear. They are replacing the traditional keyfob and giving drivers a wealth of new features for managing their vehicles remotely.

What if you’ve locked yourself out of your car? There’s a smart phone application for that.

Want to adjust the temperature remotely? There’s an app for that, too.

Unlocking or locking doors, locating your vehicle, tracking where it’s been or where it’s going—all these functions can be managed and monitored through smartphone applications.

“Controlling a vehicle’s security system from a smartphone is the easy part,” said Todd Ramsey of the Ramsey Consulting Group. “The more difficult part is making sure your vehicle and smartphone can communicate with each other.”

Rasmey recommends professional installation to make sure hardware communicates properly with smartphone apps. Even older vehicles may be retrofitted to take advantage of the latest technology.

For instance, your vehicle may not have power locks. Yet, you can still take advantage of the latest apps.

“Technicians can add power locks in your vehicle and install the appropriate hardware to connect them with your smartphone app,” Ramsey said.

For newer vehicles, driver apps can connect to the vehicle's electronics system for popping the trunk, opening a sliding door or adjusting the climate control system.

Beyond hardware

Smartphones based on platforms such as the iPhone and Android typically offer GPS support. By connecting to GPS networks, driver remote control apps sometimes provide vehicle location services as well.

"You can find out exactly where your car is located or even where it’s been,” Ramsey said. “This is useful for tracking a teen or elderly parent’s location, for finding a lost or stolen vehicle, or simply to ensure your car is where you left it when you go on a long trip.”

For instance, apps such as Viper Smartstart send automated alerts. The notifications are triggered through customized settings for speed, location and movement.

With all this functionality, do drivers have to worry about the security of their data or their vehicle?

“You still have to have a key to drive off in the car,” Gammage said, explaining that your vehicle key unlocks steering and transmission mechanisms. “Data encryption also is important and should be part of the driver application.

What if you accidentally locked the keys in your car?

“You can get them quickly by pushing a button on your smartphone,” Gammage said.

Gammage and Ramsey had the following suggestions when purchasing remote apps for vehicles:

• Determine the kind of features you want in your smartphone app before choosing the right product. Some offer advanced control over vehicle functions and tracking; others do basic functions such as starting your vehicle.
• Ask about the kind of hardware needed to connect your smartphone with your vehicle. Your vehicle may not be able to use the remote application without adding other capabilities, such as power locking doors.
• Vehicle apps often are free for downloading but may require monthly service fee. Service fees vary widely—check with your installer.
• Find out about the data encryption capabilities of your smartphone app. Advanced security methods help keep your information and vehicle safe from hackers.
• Remote control equipment may be vehicle specific. Inquire if the device supports “universal” installation on any vehicle.
• Check into availability of support services. Where can you get your remote control device serviced or upgraded once it is installed?