Directed Electronics Announces Viper SmartStart App that Controls Car and Home

VISTA, Calif. Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Directed Electronics today announced a major new enhancement to the free Viper SmartStart app: integration with the Alarm.com security platform, allowing users to arm and disarm their home security system directly from the Viper SmartStart app.

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Available early in Q1 2011 for the iPhone, the free Viper SmartStart app will include feature integration with the industry leading Alarm.com GSM-based residential security platform – allowing users to quickly arm and disarm their Alarm.com-powered home security system right from the Viper SmartStart app on their smartphone.  Now securing and accessing your car and your home just got easier.  A quick flip of the wrist toggles between the Car and Home control screens in the Viper SmartStart app, giving users quick access to their most important security controls in a single app.

Integration with the Alarm.com service will be the latest free upgrade to the Viper SmartStart app.  Directed Electronics recently released Viper Motor Club roadside assistance, as well as SmartPark (a free upgrade that allows users to find their parked car with the push of a button on their smartphone). Directed is making another major announcement at CES about Viper SmartStart – a new product called Viper SmartStart GPS, also available in the first quarter of 2011.

"Viper SmartStart is rewriting the rulebook for what an app can do," said Mike Simmons, Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics. "In the months ahead we will be expanding Viper SmartStart control into the home.  We see a near future where smartphones replace the heavy bundles of keys and keyfobs in a pocket or purse, and Viper SmartStart will enable that new paradigm.  But to get there, the user experience has to be really great – as quick and easy as using a key.  We've designed Viper SmartStart to enable quick, one-touch access to the really important things people use their keys for everyday."

To enable smartphone control of an Alarm.com-enabled home security system, please visit www.alarm.com to find an authorized dealer. Current Viper SmartStart users will be able to simply update their app to get the new feature. New users can download the free Viper SmartStart app at the iTunes App Store, BlackBerry App World, the Android Market, and at 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.

About Alarm.com

Alarm.com, founded in 2000, is the industry leading technology provider of interactive security solutions. Through advanced wireless monitoring, web-based services, and a proven hosted services platform, Alarm.com protects and alerts hundreds of thousands of residential and commercial customers throughout the United States and Canada. Alarm.com's products and services are offered exclusively through a network of over 1,500 licensed and authorized Security Dealers.  Alarm.com's corporate headquarters is located in Vienna, VA. For more information, visit www.alarm.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release that are not historical fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "may," "should," "might," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar words, although some may be expressed differently. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results of DEI Holdings to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include competition in the consumer electronics industry, development of new products and changing demand of customers, reliance on certain key customers, decline in consumer spending, reliance on certain manufacturers and their ability to maintain satisfactory delivery schedules, disruption in supply chain, shortages of components and materials, economic risks associated with changes in social, political, regulatory, and economic conditions in the countries where the company's products are manufactured, quality installation of products by customers, significant product returns or product liability claims, compliance with various state and local regulations, risks with international operations, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, claims related to intellectual property, ability to service debt obligations, restrictive terms of the company's senior secured credit facility, vulnerability to increases in interest rates, disruption in distribution centers, ability to raise additional capital if needed, dependence on senior management, ability to realize on investments made in the business, and integration of acquired businesses. Certain of these factors, as well as various additional factors, are discussed from time to time in the reports filed by DEI Holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. DEI Holdings disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE Directed Electronics