Auto Shipping Blog

Perhaps one of the most revolutionizing developments regarding cell phones in recent years can be found within the design of Apple’s iPhone. Since its original release in June of 2007, there have been approximately 85,000 applications which have been developed and are currently available for purchase/download. Becoming increasingly popular with all ages and social groups, these applications have received a combined 2,000,000 downloads as of September 2009. Each application serves a different purpose. Some of them can be seen as more resourceful while others are just for pure entertainment purposes. Recently, there has been a surge in iPhone applications and designers have started to infiltrate the automotive realm.

Recently, a company out of California has announced the release of a newly designed one-of-a-kind iPhone application. The revolutionary application comes with an automobile receiver which enable it’s users to unlock, lock, and remote start their car just by accessing the program on their iPhone and pushing a button. This application could easily replace the necessity of using a car’s key fob. Commonly known as the Viper SmartStart, this application can be described as one of the newest trends in automotive electronic functions combining with the world of interactive phones! Some of the other technologies combining automobiles and iApplications include a GPS navigation like application as well as an application that will inform you where the closest gas station is located!

Hitting the shelves of Best Buy at a starting price of $499, the SmartStart remote locking and car starting application can be seen as one of the most advanced applications available on today’s market. While consumers are increasingly supportive of the new technologies, there seems to be a mixed feeling coming from auto makers. While some companies are embracing the advancements, there are others who seem to be continually fighting it. Companies like Ford Motors remain confident that cooperating and developing new technologies will inevitably make their customers lives easier, creating a loyal base of consistent customers. One move Ford has recently made to show their support of these technologies can be seen in the announcement that they have recently partnered-up with the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit Mercy in an attempt to persuade and encourage the student population to continue to research and develop new mobile applications.

While Ford Motors is among the most supportive/accepting companies, they are by no means alone in their efforts. BMW’s Mini has created an application which allows it’s owner to conveniently contact a tow truck within the push of a button. The application, which was created by Insurance giant Allstate Roadside Services, the application allows the Mini owner to request basic things such as flat tire changes, battery jumps, and other similar automotive tasks. Toyota Scion created an application which is geared more towards pure entertainment as opposed to functionality. The application lets “would-be Djs time the precise speed of a song by tapping the phone to the beat.”

Perhaps one of the most impressive features incorporated with the SmartStart is the vast range the application possesses. Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics, Mike Simmons, demonstrated during one press interview just how far of a reach the application had when he started his car which was in California, while using an iPhone in Kansas City. The demonstration just proves exactly how technologically advanced and versatile the industry is becoming. Continuing on this path will most certainly have undoubted impacts on a variety of areas in the industry including auto shipping, production lines, and even dealerships.