Viper SmartStart App Comes To Android [Viper SmartStart Mobile Platform Support Grows, Now Android Users Can Remotely Control & Start Their Cars]

Tweet

The Viper SmartStart system has been available for the iPhone and BlackBerry for a little while now. And more recently we saw an update roll out for the iPhone app in terms of push notification alerts. That was good news for iPhone users, but now another mobile operating system is going to get their chance to remotely start their cars from a phone. That group — Android users.

The Viper SmartStart app is available in the Android Market as of today and is a free download. That said, the free download does require something in order to be of any use though. You will need to have a Viper SmartStart alarm system in your car and that comes with a $499 price tag. And in addition to the price of the alarm, you will also need to pay the $29.99 annual fee to keep it working. Though in fairness, the first years fee is included with purchase.

With pricing aside, here is what you can expect in terms of features. And while these apply to the Android support, they are really for the SmartStart system in general. From your phone you will be able to lock/arm, unlock/disarm, pop the trunk, hit the panic button (car finder) or remotely start the car.

And for those worrying about starting your car, not to worry because despite being able to start, you cannot actually drive without the key in the ignition. But perhaps more important is just how nice a remote starting car can be. Take this from personal experience, but when your car is sitting in the hot summer Florida sun, it makes it much nicer to start the car from inside your house or office a few minutes before getting in — that way the AC can cool things off a bit.

In addition, the Viper SmartStart system also provides an alert should something trigger your alarm when you are not around. And one last use case, it really helps those who are forgetful and worry about whether they locked the door. With the SmartStart system, just lock the door from wherever you may be, because as long as you have connectivity you have control over the car.