iPhone Is a Car Key With Viper SmartStart

VISTA, California — For those who think the iPhone can’t meet all important human needs, Directed Electronics begs to differ. The car security and audio company has released an iPhone app that allows owners to control their vehicle from the comfort of a phone or an iPod Touch.

As long have you have one of the aforementioned devices and a Viper SmartStart-equipped vehicle, you will never have a need for a key fob again. The app will control the locking mechanism of your car, open the trunk and even activate the alarm. A “Smart Start” button right in the middle of the screen also acts as a remote starter.

The coolest feature of this application is the fact that, as long as you have a signal on AT&T’s 3G network (or are connected to WiFi, for Touch users), you have control of these functions. You will no longer have to worry about not being in range to activate the alarm or even remotely start your car during the wintertime.

Two items of possible policy interest :

Copyright Treaty Is Policy Laundering at Its Finest

The ACTA Internet Chapter: Putting the Pieces Together

In their zeal to enforce old technology, the U.S. may be soon seeing the Internet revamped.