Viper(R) SmartStart(TM) from Directed Electronics Awarded Best of Innovations Honors at 2010 Consumer Electronics Show

Popular product lets users start their car and lock & unlock their doors from virtually anywhere using their iPhone(R)

VISTA, Calif., Nov. 10 -- Directed Electronics, the leader in vehicle security and remote start systems, is proud to announce that the Viper SmartStart(TM), which allows users to start their car with the push of a button from their iPhone or iPod® touch, will be recognized with Best of Innovations honors at CES in January, 2010.

  
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"We would like to thank the Innovations judges for awarding us this great honor," said Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics. "We are proud that our team's hard work and innovative thinking resulted not only in this award, but also in a product that has generated a lot of excitement among our dealers and customers. Viper SmartStart is the first of many smartphone integration innovations we plan to introduce."

To start enjoying the year-round comfort and convenience of Viper SmartStart, users simply download the free Viper SmartStart app from the Apple® App Store, have Viper SmartStart professionally installed on their vehicle, and then activate their account.

Remote start is particularly popular in cold weather climates, allowing 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. Remote start can also be used to pre-cool the vehicle in hot weather by activating the air conditioning.

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. If the iPhone and the vehicle have signal, then Viper SmartStart starts the car with the press of a button.

According to Mike Simmons, Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics, "Viper SmartStart has many other capabilities beyond remote start. Depending on the installation, users can also lock and unlock the doors, pop the trunk, find their car in a parking lot, or arm their security system. Users can even control multiple cars from one iPhone. It's a simple, elegant way for iPhone users to enjoy year-round comfort and control of their vehicle."

Two Viper SmartStart models are available. Users who don't have remote start can purchase the Viper SmartStart System (MSRP: $499) while those who already have a compatible Viper system can purchase just the Viper SmartStart Module (MSRP: $299).

  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.

Apple®, iPhone®, iPod®, iPod® touch 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 are the property of their respective owners.

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